I have been driving with no problems(sort of)until coming up a 5 mile mountain grade temp shot up.I was able to pull over,cool down,topped coolant checked fans,hoses and stuff.After,i restarted drove home for about an hour and no problems.Temp gauge always stays around halfway otherwise.What would you check?If the thermostat is wide open does the top hose always stay tight?

 

The upper radiator hose will be hard as it is full of coolant, it will also be very hot so you can burn yourself.

I would look at the clutch fan, if it is not engaging then it wont move enough air to cool the engine when it is being worked.
The cooling system on a DI is very efficient and the clutch fan is only needed in extreme hot weather and when working the engine hard.
The electric fans are for the a/c and aux cooling only, they do NOT cool the engine under normal situations.

 

Go have the coolant system pressure tested after you have verified that both the mechanical fan and both electronic fans work.

 

my overheating meant a new radiator and it was leaking. The radiator guy was not much help.