I just returned from a long trip towing my travel trailer and found that the rear diff is very warm to the touch after towing for long periods. How hot is to hot? Should I be concerned? I had only ever towed my trailer for up to about 2 hours at time previously and didn't notice this issue.
I tow a 26' Outback TT that weighs in at 5,600 lbs. This past June we did a trip to Yellowstone and back with a 12 hour day on each end of the trip. No problems. Yeah, the rear diff does get a bit warm, even hot to the touch. I've thought about installing a temp. sending unit to key an eye on the temperature but I haven't done it yet. If you tow regulary, I would suggest cutting the rear diff fluid change interval in half, it's cheap insurance, very easy to do, doesn't cost much $$$ and it is worth the peace of mind.
My daily driver - 2008 Vios 'S' sedan. Tinted windows in the rear, TRD anti-sway bar for the rear, 17" rims - Samurai SC02 Hyper Black. TRD lowering springs. Megan Racing header.
My favorite ride - a 2001 SR5 4x4. With - RCD 6" lift, JBA Titanium coated headers, JBA y-pipe, Unichip PnP, ARB rd-129 air locker (rear), Camburg UCA's, custom front Sway-A-Way coilovers, custom Sway-A-Way's with remote reservoirs and billet mounts for the hind-quarters, PolyPerformance limit straps with adjustable clevis's, Stubbs Welding rock sliders and custom front skid plate, 315/75/16 Toyo Open Country M/T's, on all 4 corners wrapped around 16x8 MB Motoring Blitz rims, cryo'd 4.88's set up by Inchworm Gear, Trenz billet grill upper, T-Rex billet grill lower, on board VI-AIR aircompressor and 3 gallon air tank, AutoMeter A-pillar pod with trans temp gauge (sending unit in the tranny pan), Long Tru-Cool LPD tranny cooler, 10" Flex-a-Lite tranny cooler fan w/thermostat, TRD billet oil filler cap, TRD air filter, TRD dual exhaust, and TRD add-a-leaf rear springs. Superlift TruSpeed Speedo Recalibrator. Warn Trans4mer system with a 9.5ti winch running Amsteel Blue winch line. Budbuilt traction bar. Staun tyre deflators. Spitz Lift portable crane. Marlin Crawler 1.5" wheel spacers. Our home away from home, 2004 Outback 26RS travel trailer with 15" MB Motoring Blitz rims to match the Tundra.
Diff Temp While Towing?
Linear Mode
