How To Choose A Radiator Fan

Are you having trouble with your truck overheating? Do you sometimes let your truck idle on job sites while you load cargo or attach a trailer? If so, you may need to take additional steps to make sure your truck radiator has sufficient air flow. Your radiator keeps your engine cool, but it only works when there's constant air flow.

Unfortunately, air flow is generated by the motor, so when your truck is moving slow or idling, there's barely any air generated. A radiator fan can solve this problem by producing air flow even when the motor isn't producing a lot of power. Not all radiator fans are the same, though. Here are three things to look for in your radiator fan:

Is it mechanical or electric? Mechanical fans get their power from the truck's engine. That's not ideal since the fan will produce less air when you're moving slow or idling. That's the exact issue that you're trying to solve. Mechanical fans can also siphon off horsepower, which could be problematic if you need every bit of power to haul cargo. Electric fans work better because they are tied into the truck's battery. That means they'll run regardless of whether you're driving 60 miles per hour or idling. They also won't interfere with horsepower.

Is it a pull or push? A push fan is at the front of the truck between the radiator and the grill. It pulls air from outside and pushes it through the radiator. A pull fan is behind the radiator and it pulls air through the grill and through the radiator. That may seem like a subtle difference, but it's important. Push radiators often don't line up perfectly with the radiator, which means some air makes it through the radiator, but a lot of air is just blown around under the hood. Pull radiators tend to be more exact in making sure that air goes through the radiator.

Is it dual or single fan? As you can probably guess, dual fans provide much more air than single fans. Singles are usually sufficient for most trucks. However, it may not be sufficient if you have overheating problems or if you have to let your truck idle for long periods of time. Dual fans also take up a lot more room than single fans, so you'll need to check whether you have the space for it.

Talk to a semi truck radiator specialist at places like Radiator Pros to determine whether a fan is right for you. They can inspect your truck and recommend specific options.