newbie towing - transmission cooler?

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   I did not know about those splitters, so there ya go.
What I still would be concerned about is how they communicate with the vehicle...is each connected device able to communicate properly? I guess one would find out quickly after plugging all that together.

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podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Topic: newbie towing - transmission cooler? Posted: 11 Jan 2021 at 1:55pm
	I did not know about those splitters, so there ya go. What I still would be concerned about is how they communicate with the vehicle...is each connected device able to communicate properly? I guess one would find out quickly after plugging all that together.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6418	Posted: 10 Jan 2021 at 10:05pm
	It is possible to get a Y cable to share the OBDII port. Look for an OBDII Splitter.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Jeremy Skinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Jan 2021 Location: Missouri Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 10 Jan 2021 at 12:12am
	Thanks to all who posted replies to my inquiry. Very helpful! I'll look into what my current trans cooling setup is and also into scanguage. Thanks again! Jeremy Skinner

podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 4:29pm
	I've used scangauge for years and they will show a variety of information that may or may not be displayed on the factory gauges. Things like instantaneous and average MPG, horsepower being used, exhaust temps, coolant temp, torque converter slip, engine RPM, transmission temps, oil temp and pressure, fuel pressure, error codes, yadda yadda yadda....if you are towing, I highly recommend them. Please be aware that they attach at the OBD2 port near your steering wheel, plug and play, BUT if you are already plugging something else in that port, like an insurance device or alarm or dashcam, then you are out of luck.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

Colt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Nov 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 383	Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 1:17pm
	Check out a ScanGauge II. You can buy them on Amazon, too. https://www.scangauge.com/ It has X-codes for Kia that will show Transmission Fluid Temp. You can monitor the temp and slow down or stop when the temp reaches your personal limit. That should allay many fears. I use one. My TFT has never gone over 215F.
	John '16 R-Pod 180

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 10:48am
	You don’t say what year your Kia is, but it is going to already have a trans cooler, they don’t cool themselves. The trans cooler is typically integrated into the radiator. If there isn’t a skid plate or something blocking your view you should be able to see two lines from the trans entering and exiting the bottom of the radiator. These lines are metal tubes, much smaller than the rubber coolant hoses from the engine, easy to spot. So the question is going to be if the OE trans cooling capacity is adequate for towing or not, in which case adding an aftermarket trans cooler somewhere might be a good idea. That is going to depend on where and how you operate the rig. I’d suggest checking on the Sorento forums for that kind of info as well as what and where the aftermarket cooler was added if it was needed.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2706	Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 10:25am
	You should check to see if your transmission is already plumbed for cooling. Many vehicles have lines running from the transmission to the engine radiator. It's not much, but it does provide a base level of "cooling" for the transmission, as the coolant in the radiator should generally be at a bit lower temperature than the transmission fluid.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Jeremy Skinner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Jan 2021 Location: Missouri Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 9:25am
	Hi Folks- My wife and I just purchased a 2021 171. I have to admit I'm a bit freaked out by the towing, specifically wear and tear on the car. We had an Odyssey which was rated for 3500 lbs but decided to upgrade to a Kia Sorrento V6 AWD which is rated for 5000 lbs. We are set up with an Anderson weight distribution/anti-sway hitch. I asked the RV dealer about a transmission cooler and he did not recommend, saying we should be fine if the vehicle is rated for 5000 lbs. I'd like some other advice. Everything I've heard is that towing is really hard on automatic transmissions, and I felt pretty anxious about wrecking my new car on the way home. I called the KIA dealer to ask about a "tow package" and the only thing they had was a hitch receiver. Your input would be much appreciated. Jeremy Skinner