When pulling a 30' Trailer with about a 7000 lb backhoe my engine temps can get up to a little over 210F. The temp hit 216F one time. Is this normal when pulling a total weight of around 11K to 12K? It hits this with or with out my chip on when I push the pedal a little especially with any amount of incline. So it isn't my chip causing it.

 

Take a look at this thread:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...g-t273525.html

 

I routinely used to haul around 25k and my temps never exceeded 200* and that was with my BullyDog set on the towing tune. I thinks somethings wrong with your scenario....hopefully just the gauge giving a bad reading.

 

Check your trucks ac condenser coil in front of the innercooler. The fins are tight and the dirt and bugs tend to block it up. This will cause higher intake air temps and make the radiator less efficient. Cummins recomends 2,100 rpm when towing and Chrysler also likes the 2,100 rpm so the trans fluid pump can maintain max fluid pressure @ fluid temps >200 f. Had to clean mine at 30,000mi. It was loaded with dirt. I towed an 8,000lb travel trailer 2 weeks ago thru the PA. mountains and never passed 200 f. on the coolant temp and the exhaust temp never went over 1100 f., Outside air temp was 98 f., engine @ 1800rpm, 3.73 gears, tow haul mode, Trans temp max @ 180 f., Rear axle max @ 170 f.

 

Sounds perfectly normal. They routinely tow in the 200-210* range.

A new thermostant and a coolant flush dropped mine about 5*-10*, so that may be an option.

 

I just had my coolant flushed, but I haven't had the thermostat changed yet. I have around 100K on it now. I will check all of the coolers to make sure they aren't packed off. I should have thought of that especially with my job dealing with that on a regular basis in the oilfield. Thanks for the input.

 

I would change your thermostat, at 48K miles mine made a large difference.