Tow vehicles - Event Date: 28 Sep 2017

I had the same problem with my Silverado 1500. We tow up to the mountains a lot so I said screw it and bought an older F350 7.3, put a chip in it with a 4" exhaust and it pulls like a mad man! A little overkill but hey!

towed my 2017.5 178 from Va. to Tenn. this summer to catch the eclipse.  I had I thought readied my 2005 toyota tundra for its maiden voyage with this camper.  Once I hit the mtns however I watched as the temp gauge climbed and climbed (remembering that was one thing I had not gone through as the truck had never overheated so assumed it was not a problem).  Pulled off and had the radiator drained and refilled.  Kept going, but still with the temp gauge climbing.  Finally had to pull off again, find a shop, spend the night, and had the radiator replaced the next morning.  No more cooling issues.  Tundra does have towing package although I had to add some heavy lifting springs in the back.

Willy, I honestly don't know what the S10 V6 is like.  Years ago, I had a Ford Ranger with a 4L V6 and it would have done fine.  I actually looked for one because they seem to age a little better than the Dakotas but none was in my price range.  Ahh the joys of living on a retiree's budget.  

Thanks Fred.  Your Dakota has a V8, while the S10 is a V6. Big difference.  

Originally posted by WillyBob Our S10 is a 2003 with 85K miles and in great shape.  Just don't think it has the umph to tow the rpod with it's 195hp V6.  Thanks for the info on the Tacoma.

14 years is enough time for the cooling system to become clogged. I would think that a radiator flush or re-coring would be advised, especially if you haven't had it serviced for 14 years. Likewise, the water passages in the engine could be gunked up. It's not just the miles on an engine/cooling system. Time is the larger factor.