Do I have a transmission cooler installed?

22081 Views 58 Replies 14 Participants Last post by bentruby, 6 mo ago

Scevrog

Discussion Starter · Oct 20, 2020

Good day everyone.

I'm new to this forum and fairly new to trucks.
I've recently purchased a 2018, 3.5L Ecoboost, 3.55 axle with 18 inch wheels.

It's not clear to me if I have a transmission cooler installed or not. Apparently, the Max Tow version has this installed. So, I'm not even sure if I have the Max Tow version, or just the standard version. I thought the Max Tow required 20 inch wheels? There is nothing in my documentation telling me which type of Tow package is installed.

I've attached pics of where I think any such a transmission cooler would be installed.

Does anyone see a transmission cooler here, or, am I simply looking at the stock intercooler?

The reason why I'm asking this is because I'm considering purchasing a travel trailer that has a 7600 GVWR (Outback 299 URL), which is probably a little on the high side for this truck (but still below the capacity), but purchasing a F250 is not possible. So, considering possible affordable upgrades on the 150 to compensate.

Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
R.

See less See more

Save

1 - 10 of 59 Posts

snakebitten

· #2 · Oct 20, 2020 (Edited)

You have a transmission cooler. It's just not visible from the grill area because it's underneath the truck. It's the only transmission cooler that Ford equips the 10-speed (10r80) transmission with regardless of which tow-package your truck is equipped with.

Orange in the diagram.

Ford finally did us a favor and got rid of ONE of the confusing options on these F150's.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

snakebitten

· #3 · Oct 20, 2020

Also note that while considering a potential RV to purchase, tow capacity is NOT going to be the limit your truck will hit first. That drivetrain (3.5 Ecoboost) has plenty of insane towing power.

But it IS a ½ton chassis so it will run out of Cargo Capacity first. Can you look on the driver's door jamb for what we call the "yellow sticker"?

On there is your Cargo Capacity specifically for your truck. It was weighed based on the options it came with and the unused portion of the GrossVehicleWeight that, after assembly, will be your Cargo Capacity.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Save

Reactions: 2

snakebitten

· #7 · Oct 20, 2020

Scevrog said:
Thanks very much.

The payload is 1799. The toungue of this trailer is listed at 700. Then, if I add another 200 for Hensley Hitch, then another 500 for adults + odds and end, that brings me to 1400, or, 78% of capacity. Is this the correct way to calculate this?

Sincerely,
R.

Well done, that's exactly how you figure it.
But you should know that the published tongue weight by the RV manufacturer is notoriously optimistic. At least by as much weight as a battery and a couple of full propane tanks. And of course the stuff you load in/on the RV, some of that weight will be tongue weight.

I have 4 RV's. I live in one and I tow the others based on the mission.

If I'm going to be giving just MY opinion, with your truck and cargo capacity, you will be fine with that RV. But it will require a very well setup WDH at least. For long runs and comfort (unnervous) as the driver, I would consider Load E tires, aftermarket shocks, (all 4 corners) and a rear anti-sway bar if your truck doesn't have one from Ford. (I believe max-tow has the rear antisway. But I'm not 100% sure)

It's an awesome tow vehicle! But leave some headroom if you can.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

snakebitten

· #18 · Oct 25, 2020

The additional wheelbase isn't a ballast parameter. It's more of a fulcrum parameter.

I get the analysis. I don't know how accurate the recommended formula is, but if you take examples like that and then expand them to ridiculous proportions, for the sake of concept, it can help you understand.

Example: Imagine a ridiculously long wheelbase tow vehicle and you will kinda get the advantage of the dog now unwaggable by the tail. It just makes sense. Based on that, it's completely conceivable that a mathematical formula could vary well be created that represents the scenario.

It doesn't mean you have to adhere to it, of course, but it deserves respect for the physics it represents.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Save

snakebitten

· #21 · Oct 25, 2020

According to the formula, and it's just physics, that extra foot of wheelbase would allow an additional 3' of trailer to equal the same lateral equivalent force.

The only flaw in the formula that I can see is it doesn't account for axle(s) location of the trailer in reference to the ball. (pivot point)

If the trailer grows by 3' but the axles stayed the same distance from the pivot point, that extra 3' would be a smaller increase in additional sway force than if the additional 3' also moved that axle farther from the ball.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

Save

snakebitten

· #24 · Dec 31, 2021

Impressive!
I love it.
Hopefully someone has good advice to address those transmission temps. At what temp would it be considered "cooked" and requiring fresh fill?

Save

snakebitten

· #28 · Dec 31, 2021

2016 3.5L XLT SCAB said:
But here's the real story: This truck towed the pictured trailer on flat-ish land with the air conditioner on and the cruise set at 80mph in a full Northern California Zephyr, for well over 100 miles, until the aforementioned grade, all with no overheating of the xmission. Confused.

I'm curious if you were to drop below some threshold, which we don't exactly know what it is, if the transmission temps wouldn't climb so high?
Example: would 10mph, or 15mph less also create a lot less heat in the tranny fluid?
And would getting out of boost by dropping a gear or 2 and running higher RPMs help with less heat dumping into the coolant and thus extract more heat out of the tranny fluid? (assuming on your year model the tranny cooler is in the engine coolant loop)

Save

snakebitten

· #32 · Dec 31, 2021

2016 3.5L XLT SCAB said:
Well said, Snake. I was looking for just the type of engineering response you provided. I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade my transmission cooler, provided by Ford with the "Max Tow" package. The trailer is well within the tow capacity of my truck (12,700#) contrary to the nay say that some spew. I HARDLY ever pull up a hill like that, but was here looking for solutions to a rare issue thinking someone may have encountered the same thing. Thanks for your time!

I'm just guessing, but I don't think anyone is questioning the tow capacity of your truck because we all have Ecoboosts here and we KNOW they can pull that RV!
But unless that is an HDPP F150, I think most here would assume you are over your Payload? (Cargo Capacity)

As for the transmission cooling, the post previous pointed out that you do not have an oem tranny cooler that exchanges heat with the engine coolant. So I guess you might have to consider some aftermarket approach to upgrade your transmission cooling capacity. There's a bunch of fellas here that have done it. Hopefully someone can contribute soon.