P00AF less than 5 miles into first tow

[JTdiRtyD]

If you have anything to tow, I’ve found that I only ever get the code after driving for 1.5+ hours while towing and then stop for fuel, food, etc. I only ever get the code after I start back on the highway after stopping briefly and shutting the jeep off for 5-15 min. It’s like while sitting it heat soaks and that’s the trigger point.

Yeah both times it happened was after half a day of freeway driving and then about half mile into a grade. I dont recall either time being after a stop though. We just don't have anything over 65mph speed limits around home to generate higher constant EGTs, nor do we have a long enough grade to make those EGTs climb enough. Closest 70mph freeway is an hour from me, and closest grade that I think would do anything is 2 hours away. I tried filling the campers water tank (roughly 2300lbs total) and then drove around for an hour hitting every larger hill I could think of in 96deg heat, but no luck. Highest EGT was 998.

I might just say eff it an burn a tank or two of fuel and head to the only decent grade in the state and give it a try. Issue is the speed limits leading to it are only 60mph and through a metropolitan area, and temps there are relatively cooler because of lake effect cooling, so I wont be able to really get any heat into it before the climb starts. I plan to call the dealership today and discuss some options.

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[biodiesel]

We just don't have anything over 65mph speed limits around home to generate higher constant EGTs, nor do we have a long enough grade to make those EGTs climb enough.

Speed is one of the biggest factors we've noticed with the Ram trucks while towing. Folks are more likely to trigger the P00AF code on I-40 going through New Mexico and Arizona or I-70 going through Colorado than they are climbing some of the steeper mountain passes. The mountain passes have hairpin turns and slower speed limits, which doesn't generate the heat.

What a lot of people don't know is that OEMs are allowed to drive as slow as 40 mph on the 11.4-mile Davis Dam SAE J2807 towing test. This is how the Gladiator EcoDiesel has a very high tow capacity despite the cooling issues. The difference between driving 40 mph vs 50 mph is substantial in terms of engine cooling.

The hottest temps I've recorded in my 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is towing in mountainous terrain at 62 mph. Otherwise, the temps are very manageable when climbing mountain passes at 20 - 30 mph, which is oftentimes the posted speed limit.

If folks would slow down, they would find that the EcoDiesel does a good job of towing and managing heavier loads. The problem is that most people don't want to drive at slower highway speeds.

 

[FC1]

Speed is one of the biggest factors we've noticed with the Ram trucks while towing. Folks are more likely to trigger the P00AF code on I-40 going through New Mexico and Arizona or I-70 going through Colorado than they are climbing some of the steeper mountain passes. The mountain passes have hairpin turns and slower speed limits, which doesn't generate the heat.

What a lot of people don't know is that OEMs are allowed to drive as slow as 40 mph on the 11.4-mile Davis Dam SAE J2807 towing test. This is how the Gladiator EcoDiesel has a very high tow capacity despite the cooling issues. The difference between driving 40 mph vs 50 mph is substantial in terms of engine cooling.

The hottest temps I've recorded in my 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is towing in mountainous terrain at 62 mph. Otherwise, the temps are very manageable when climbing mountain passes at 20 - 30 mph, which is oftentimes the posted speed limit.

If folks would slow down, they would find that the EcoDiesel does a good job of towing and managing heavier loads. The problem is that most people don't want to drive at slower highway speeds.

This is what I have found out. Mine throwed the code one time in lower Florida in a 100 degrees temp. I was pulling my camper and was not paying attention to the speed. Traveling about 80+ throwed the code. After that. We have pulled the camper 5000 miles plus in the same heat with no problems. Only differences is my speed. I won’t pull over 65 anymore.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Speed is one of the biggest factors we've noticed with the Ram trucks while towing. Folks are more likely to trigger the P00AF code on I-40 going through New Mexico and Arizona or I-70 going through Colorado than they are climbing some of the steeper mountain passes. The mountain passes have hairpin turns and slower speed limits, which doesn't generate the heat.

What a lot of people don't know is that OEMs are allowed to drive as slow as 40 mph on the 11.4-mile Davis Dam SAE J2807 towing test. This is how the Gladiator EcoDiesel has a very high tow capacity despite the cooling issues. The difference between driving 40 mph vs 50 mph is substantial in terms of engine cooling.

The hottest temps I've recorded in my 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is towing in mountainous terrain at 62 mph. Otherwise, the temps are very manageable when climbing mountain passes at 20 - 30 mph, which is oftentimes the posted speed limit.

I wasnt towing and I wasn't on mountain freeways like I70 either, I was on I90 heading across Wyoming and South Dakota. Mine popped once in Wyoming where theres long gradual grades going through the prairies, and once in Chamberlain, SD where the highway climbs out of from the Missouri River. But I do have weight from the RTT and such and I'm probably sitting right at the line for GVWR when loaded up with gear.

If folks would slow down, they would find that the EcoDiesel does a good job of towing and managing heavier loads. The problem is that most people don't want to drive at slower highway speeds.

I get it, but thats not always a safe option. I'm not going to become a hazard doing 60mph or lower on I90 across South Dakota and Wyoming when other traffic is doing 80+. Even big rigs are at least 75 on that stretch. I have no issues with slowing down on winding mountain roads, and to be honest it's expected, but in many places, especially I90 thats just creating a danger to yourself and others.

But I will say towing I limit myself to max 70mph. Our trailer isn't huge, so 70 is reasonable for it. But as stated, I wasn't towing when mine popped. I do plan to start going through the interior of SD and Wyoming from now on. Not so much because of this issue, but I90 just sucks and burns a ton of fuel.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

More times than I care to remember going across Iowa, Nebraska, SoDak, etc. I've watched folks come screaming up behind us when doing 65-70 and slam on the brakes before darting around. I used to tap the lock icon on the Wolfbox to save the recording, but I got sick of doing so.

 

[FC1]

I’m retired finally. Now I can slow down and smell the roses and see the sights

 

[Idlethunder]

Towing with the JT diesel is much different than I expected. I've been towing travel trailers for almost 45 years with everything from a 4 cylinder Ford Ranger to 1 ton diesels but the Gladiator ecodiesel is unlike any tow vehicle I've ever used.

After dragging the little trailer over 200 miles yesterday and Saturday, I think I've got it figured out. I'm leaving later today for New Mexico and will update the thread later. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience. If you happen to see a white Gladiator on the shoulder of I-40 with the hazards on, honk when you go by!

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