When preparing for a long road trip, I had the 2001 Sequoia idling to provide electrical power. Since it was about 105 F outside, I ran the engine a bit faster than just idle in hopes of increasing cooling (a dumb idea, I suspect, since the fan is electric so it wouldn't have increased the airflow). Anyway, at some point, with the temp gauge just below the red, it started knocking badly, so I shut it down and let it cool overnight.

This made me watch the temp closely on the trip. On two occasions, the temperature got pretty high (OBD reading 230-234). Shutting down the A/C and keeping moving took care of it. But both happened on rough dirt roads - one that went downhill the whole route, the other mostly flat but with lots of stopping and starting, and an air temp of about 95F.

The coolant level is okay.

What is the "top normal" temp I should see on the OBD?

Do I have a problem? Ideas?

212* to 220* You either have a fan clutch problem, or a thermostat problem. The fan, (which is driven by belt, not electric) should roar when underhood temps get high.