I have a new to me 2008 Georgetown 350ds, 36'. v10 F53.I have so far logged about 5k miles. No trailer or toad. Drives great. No issues.The rig I came from was a 41' triple axle toy hauler with a 2001 f350 diesel dually. Currently for sale.With the dually/trailer setup I relied heavily upon the Edge gauges for trans, EGT, etc. information. The motorhome has basically no "real" gauges.I love using the tow/haul feature on the transmission for "engine" braking on downhill runs, but I have no idea if I am overheating the transmission. Maybe these transmissions are so "rock sold" that monitoring the temperature is a waste of time?I don't want to install gauges if they are not necessary.So, do you use gauges on your gas motorhome (2007+ v10, in particular)?If so, why? What do you feel is critical to monitor?If so, what gauge system do you use?Thanks everyone!

I have oil and transmission temp gauges install. It is hot where we live and some long climbs.

MountainAir05 wrote:I have oil and transmission temp gauges install. It is hot where we live and some long climbs.What type of RV do you have? Have your gauges ever provided information that warranted action on your part (like slow down or pull over and cool off)? With my diesel dually/trailer setup I seemed to always be acting on the information provided by the gauges.

My motor home has no extra gauges.I do not notice the lack.I find that engine oil temp and, to a certain extent, transmission oil temp, will be reflected in the engine coolant temp. Therefore, I keep a close watch on the engine coolant temp when driving in the mountains. If it begins to climb, I know to pull over and let it "catch its breath".I do miss the EGT gauge I had in my old Dodge 3500 CTD! Of course, I don't have a turbo, so it really isn't all that critical, but it would be nice to see what is going on.I don't miss it enough to spend the money to get one installed, though.

I have the ScanGauge OBDII that I leave connected at all times. With it I continuously monitor my water temp, my transmission temp, my charging voltage, and my air fuel ratio. If there is a problem developing I can usually catch it before it gets out of hand. My dash board digital readout monitors my oil pressure so I think I have most all systems within a quick glance whenever I am on the road. The ScanGauge can also be used to read and reset any trouble codes that pop up on my RV or my toad during a trip.

I like the scangauge idea.The older F53 we used to have, the factory gauges were basically "idiot lights with needles" The sat right exactly where they were supposed to be unless something went wrong, then they pegged.But the engine computer does know the real stuff, so what you see on a scangauge is accurate.

How necessary are aftermarket gauges in gas motorhome

chuckftboy
Explorer
May 23, 2015
The ScanGaugeII is the only way to go. Gives you all the info you need for a very small price. I never leave home without it. Its the very best accessory i've added to our coach.
tropical36
Explorer
May 23, 2015
RedJeep wrote:
I have a new to me 2008 Georgetown 350ds, 36'. v10 F53.
I have so far logged about 5k miles. No trailer or toad. Drives great. No issues.

The rig I came from was a 41' triple axle toy hauler with a 2001 f350 diesel dually. Currently for sale.

With the dually/trailer setup I relied heavily upon the Edge gauges for trans, EGT, etc. information. The motorhome has basically no "real" gauges.

I love using the tow/haul feature on the transmission for "engine" braking on downhill runs, but I have no idea if I am overheating the transmission. Maybe these transmissions are so "rock sold" that monitoring the temperature is a waste of time?

I don't want to install gauges if they are not necessary.

So, do you use gauges on your gas motorhome (2007+ v10, in particular)?
If so, why? What do you feel is critical to monitor?
If so, what gauge system do you use?

Thanks everyone!

These rigs should come with tranny temp gauges above all, with they way so many of them are overloaded and the first thing to usually suffer. Having said that, if you're not overloaded with your GCWR, it's doubtful that your tranny will overheat and as long as you have the basic oil coolers and such. GVWR may be overloaded and causing some stress on the chassis and suspension somewhere, but doubtful if anything will overheat.
Now, if you have a hot running rig to begin with, then any of the above scenarios will just add to the problem.
edm3rd
Explorer
May 22, 2015
RedJeep wrote:
I have a new to me 2008 Georgetown 350ds, 36'. v10 F53.

I love using the tow/haul feature on the transmission for "engine" braking on downhill runs, but I have no idea if I am overheating the transmission. Maybe these transmissions are so "rock sold" that monitoring the temperature is a waste of time?

I would be much more concerned with transmission heat on climbing hills, or very slow travel (torque converter unlocked). Also agree with others on ScanGauge.
jolooote
Explorer
May 22, 2015
Transmission temp. monitoring is a MUST! However you accomplish it is your call.
In my old 2001 31' Georgetown V10 4 speed I installed a temp gauge at the Test Port that was easily accessible on the driver side of the trans. My last 2 F53's I've used ScanGauge II.
JimM68
Explorer
May 22, 2015
I like the scangauge idea.

The older F53 we used to have, the factory gauges were basically "idiot lights with needles" The sat right exactly where they were supposed to be unless something went wrong, then they pegged.

But the engine computer does know the real stuff, so what you see on a scangauge is accurate.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
May 22, 2015
I have the ScanGauge OBDII that I leave connected at all times. With it I continuously monitor my water temp, my transmission temp, my charging voltage, and my air fuel ratio. If there is a problem developing I can usually catch it before it gets out of hand. My dash board digital readout monitors my oil pressure so I think I have most all systems within a quick glance whenever I am on the road.
The ScanGauge can also be used to read and reset any trouble codes that pop up on my RV or my toad during a trip.
mowermech
Explorer
May 22, 2015
My motor home has no extra gauges.
I do not notice the lack.
I find that engine oil temp and, to a certain extent, transmission oil temp, will be reflected in the engine coolant temp. Therefore, I keep a close watch on the engine coolant temp when driving in the mountains. If it begins to climb, I know to pull over and let it "catch its breath".
I do miss the EGT gauge I had in my old Dodge 3500 CTD! Of course, I don't have a turbo, so it really isn't all that critical, but it would be nice to see what is going on.
I don't miss it enough to spend the money to get one installed, though.
RedJeep
Explorer
May 22, 2015
MountainAir05 wrote:
I have oil and transmission temp gauges install. It is hot where we live and some long climbs.

What type of RV do you have? Have your gauges ever provided information that warranted action on your part (like slow down or pull over and cool off)? With my diesel dually/trailer setup I seemed to always be acting on the information provided by the gauges.
MountainAir05
Explorer II
May 22, 2015
I have oil and transmission temp gauges install. It is hot where we live and some long climbs.

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