Thank you to so many who have written terrific reviews. Some of you are household names over the past few months. This is my first as I did not have much to add until now. The SFU is now about 2 1/2 weeks old and every bit the vehicle I expected. Even superlatives don't do it justice. However, during our first tow, we noticed the same issue reported by our brethren in Oz, with respect to engine temperatures on grade. I know there's another thread but I thought I'd post here as it's in the states and would welcome comments and advice. Here's some early data.
I have the Limited 4x4, ORA II, Adv Tech, etc... Everything possible for towing.
We live in San Diego with moderate temps year around as everyone knows. Drove 90 miles to the RV dealer yesterday to pick up our new 28 foot travel trailer with a dry weight of 6100. Equal-i-zer hitch. Tekonsha P2 controller. Route back was via a couple of SoCal freeways, with several short and moderate grades. Nothing challenging. Chose to baby it at 50 mph for the most part. Dropped to 40 in some light traffic. Never over 55. Handled very well. My old setups were 4x4 Suburbans with large V8s and a 5500 lb dry trailer. The handling on the flats yesterday was excellent. Didn't feel like there was any extra effort. Maintained RPMs at 1500 in Eco. Transmission temp at 190 give or take and oil temp at 210 give or take. OAT at 70.
Things changed on the grades. These were nothing like the grades we expect to challenge later with the trailer: Sierra, Rockies, etc... Just modest uphills for a few miles.
The temp gauge almost immediately registered increases. If the hash marks on the main gauge are divided in eighths, baseline was at the 3 and it quickly jumped to the five mark. Oil/transmission temps rose quickly to 230/197. I exited Eco and downshifted to 5th and 4th, trying to find a match. The transmission responded and I felt the expected surge. 5th jumped to 2600 RPM and 4th to 3500.
A later grade saw the oil temp rise to 246 and I dropped speed to below 50. Gauge close to redline.
I towed it about 20 miles today and experienced the same response.
It never hit redline on temp but I don't know what that actually means. I don't have a fraction of the mechanical know how of many on this forum. Just a love for the great outdoors and all of the versatility the Diesel JGC offers. Am hoping there's some reasonable answer so I don't have to be anxious about it performing to its specs. I assume engine heat should not be a problem for regular grades in the U.S. in moderate climate conditions so long as the trailer is under 7200 lbs and properly equipped. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
I have the Limited 4x4, ORA II, Adv Tech, etc... Everything possible for towing.
We live in San Diego with moderate temps year around as everyone knows. Drove 90 miles to the RV dealer yesterday to pick up our new 28 foot travel trailer with a dry weight of 6100. Equal-i-zer hitch. Tekonsha P2 controller. Route back was via a couple of SoCal freeways, with several short and moderate grades. Nothing challenging. Chose to baby it at 50 mph for the most part. Dropped to 40 in some light traffic. Never over 55. Handled very well. My old setups were 4x4 Suburbans with large V8s and a 5500 lb dry trailer. The handling on the flats yesterday was excellent. Didn't feel like there was any extra effort. Maintained RPMs at 1500 in Eco. Transmission temp at 190 give or take and oil temp at 210 give or take. OAT at 70.
Things changed on the grades. These were nothing like the grades we expect to challenge later with the trailer: Sierra, Rockies, etc... Just modest uphills for a few miles.
The temp gauge almost immediately registered increases. If the hash marks on the main gauge are divided in eighths, baseline was at the 3 and it quickly jumped to the five mark. Oil/transmission temps rose quickly to 230/197. I exited Eco and downshifted to 5th and 4th, trying to find a match. The transmission responded and I felt the expected surge. 5th jumped to 2600 RPM and 4th to 3500.
A later grade saw the oil temp rise to 246 and I dropped speed to below 50. Gauge close to redline.
I towed it about 20 miles today and experienced the same response.
It never hit redline on temp but I don't know what that actually means. I don't have a fraction of the mechanical know how of many on this forum. Just a love for the great outdoors and all of the versatility the Diesel JGC offers. Am hoping there's some reasonable answer so I don't have to be anxious about it performing to its specs. I assume engine heat should not be a problem for regular grades in the U.S. in moderate climate conditions so long as the trailer is under 7200 lbs and properly equipped. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.