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Do I need a transmission cooler to tow with this vehicle? Looking to tow a trailer around 4500Lbs. Our van does not have a hitch on it, or wiring. We'd need to have both installed.
Did your van come with a tow/haul switch? Your van should already have a small transmission cooler integrated into the radiator, and your trailer is well below max weight. My 1500 came with a towing package, and there is no additional cooling. You should be fine.
2002, did not have tow/haul mode, which only adjusts shift points.... Half ton vans do not have a tranny cooler in the towing package, only 3/4 and 1 tons do.
I would have one installed as a precaution, while getting your hitch and wiring done.
My 2002 towed great, but it had 3.73 gears. 5600 lbs was the max I think. Your may be less if you have the 3.42 gears. But should be fine on less than 5000 lbs.
I had my local Chevrolet dealer install an aftermarket cooler in series with the cooler in the radiator on my 2001 LT passenger van that I converted into a camper van. It works very good according to my aftermarket transmission temperature guage mounted in the pan. I spray painted the cooler with flat black paint so it doesn't stand out like it does in this picture.
Last edited by Black'95; March 31st, 2018 at 11:49 AM.
In that case, I think it would be wise not to drive in 4th gear for long periods of time. Shifting down will drive the transmission at a higher RPM, moving more fluid through it and keeping it cooler.
I had my local Chevrolet dealer install an aftermarket cooler in series with the cooler in the radiator on my 2001 LT passenger van that I converted into a camper van. It works very good according to my aftermarket transmission temperature guage mounted in the pan. I spray painted the cooler with flat black paint so it doesn't stand out like it does in this picture.
Oh! I DO have one of these on my car! Interesting to me that this is already installed but nothing else for towing is??
March 30th, 2018, 5:56 PM
02 Express 1500 v8 towing questions
have a good day !!
