113 degrees Fahrenheit

Driving out of the San Francisco Bay area through Vallejo (pronounced Valayho) because it's Spanish, I noticed it was about 102 degrees there. I thought to myself "Boy. It's really going to be hot." (Yesterday I had trailered my motorcycle but the truck kept overheating at 109 degrees so I finally turned back). So, I disconnected the trailer, put my motorcycle away and took off once again today. This time Interstate 5 hit 113 degrees even though it averaged all the way to Red Bluff and Redding about 108 to 111 all the way. I saw a few people with their cars broken down and felt sorry for them but they didn't look like they were going to pass out so I moved on.

This is not good weather for hauling trailers with cars or pickups because unless you have an oversize radiator system like large Semis. Otherwise you might  overheat with both your air conditioning on while pulling most things. So, be careful with this in this heat as you want to wind up where you are going in one piece. That's why I turned back last night. Also, I used to be good driving until about 3 or 4 am. Now the maximum safe hour for me is about midnight or 2 am at 65 so be aware heat and altitude might affect you differently if you are above 40 or 50 if you haven't been in that kind of heat or altitude either before, or in a long time.

So, at the very least as you set out check your engine temperature gauge as you set out if your vehicle has one. If it doesn't like you shouldn't be pulling a trailer in this weather anyhow. If you know how hot your engine normally runs then you know if it is overheating more easily. For example, Toyotas tend to run a little hotter than most other vehicles so an engine temperature in the middle is normal. But when it goes much above that you have to start being concerned, especially if you are on the level and then you have to go up some grades later. One way to do this if there is a problem is to drive between midnight and 6 am. I can't really do this anymore but the coolest most areas get is around 3am to about 9am most places. So this is one solution too. I wasn't willing to do that anymore so I didn't. Another factor is make sure gas stations are open during those hours where you are traveling. It doesn't help to set out at 3 am and not find any gas stations when you need them.