How necessary are aftermarket gauges in gas motorhome

I will also add one more comment:

The need for additional gauges is directly dependent on you.

Some folks would look at all the gauges and say "DUH" Looks like an airplane cockpit" (Which of course they have never seen up close.. I have,, but since I was NOT the pilot that means nothing)

Others... Well I know what MOST of 'em mean but there are a few sensors on Torque Pro on my 2001 Neon that I know not what they mean and I'm sure even more on my 2005 8.1 Vortec

But I do know what it means when say Trans Temp starts climbing.

tropical36 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Yes it is connected at all times and can monitor a whole library of details about your engine/transmission. You chose four things that are most important to you and these you can check at a glance to a small digital readout that can be attached to your dash. You can also toggle through other parameters to see how things are going. It can also be unplugged from your RV and used on your toad or any other vehicle with an OBDII connection.
Yes there are various software items that allow you to read engine parameters with your cell phone or laptop PC. Naturally they are larger and require you to mess with them while you are trying to drive.
The ScanGauge II is about $150, and provides a small digital readout that requires only a quick glance to see how things are going. It is powered by your vehicle and needs no batteries or other connections other than to plug it in to your OBD II port, which all vehicles have had since the mid 1990's.
The ScanGauge can also be relocated to a new vehicle if you decide to upgrade.

Which model do you have and am assuming that it doesn't require the interface of a computer, smart phone, tablet....etc.?

That is correct. You just plug it in to your OBDII port and set up the things that you want to monitor. I just grabbed this ad from Amazon but they are available from many different sources and they are frequently on sale. ScanGauge II
OBDII information: OBDII

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Yes it is connected at all times and can monitor a whole library of details about your engine/transmission. You chose four things that are most important to you and these you can check at a glance to a small digital readout that can be attached to your dash. You can also toggle through other parameters to see how things are going. It can also be unplugged from your RV and used on your toad or any other vehicle with an OBDII connection.
Yes there are various software items that allow you to read engine parameters with your cell phone or laptop PC. Naturally they are larger and require you to mess with them while you are trying to drive.
The ScanGauge II is about $150, and provides a small digital readout that requires only a quick glance to see how things are going. It is powered by your vehicle and needs no batteries or other connections other than to plug it in to your OBD II port, which all vehicles have had since the mid 1990's.
The ScanGauge can also be relocated to a new vehicle if you decide to upgrade.

Which model do you have and am assuming that it doesn't require the interface of a computer, smart phone, tablet....etc.?

rgatijnet1 wrote:

The ScanGauge II is about $150, and provides a small digital readout that requires only a quick glance to see how things are going. It is powered by your vehicle and needs no batteries or other connections other than to plug it in to your OBD II port, which all vehicles have had since the mid 1990's.

Just to be clear, since the OP started with the F53 chassis, the F53 did not get OBDII until the introduction of the Triton V10 in 1999. The 460 equipped F53's had OBDI until they were discontinued after 1997. There were no 1998 model year F53's. The Scangauge will only work with 1999 and newer F53's.

Yes it is connected at all times and can monitor a whole library of details about your engine/transmission. You chose four things that are most important to you and these you can check at a glance to a small digital readout that can be attached to your dash. You can also toggle through other parameters to see how things are going. It can also be unplugged from your RV and used on your toad or any other vehicle with an OBDII connection.
Yes there are various software items that allow you to read engine parameters with your cell phone or laptop PC. Naturally they are larger and require you to mess with them while you are trying to drive.
The ScanGauge II is about $150, and provides a small digital readout that requires only a quick glance to see how things are going. It is powered by your vehicle and needs no batteries or other connections other than to plug it in to your OBD II port, which all vehicles have had since the mid 1990's.
The ScanGauge can also be relocated to a new vehicle if you decide to upgrade.

chuckftboy wrote:
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.

And this is connected at all times, so at a glance you see what your tranny oil temp. is, along with other functions and while driving?

JimM68 wrote:
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.

I have heard this many times that the Ford gauges were "idiot lights with needles" if this is the case I would go with the scangauge or something similar with the OBD2 connection. I installed a vacuum gauge on mine which I find useful. I know at a glance when I am getting the best mpg, when my trans will downshift so I can keep it in high gear by letting off the throttle, and the general health of the engine(worn valve springs, piston rings etc). The only other gauge I would install would be a transmission temp gauge. I have an OBD1 system and can't use a scan gauge.

On Gassers there is no need to "Install" gages.. you can do it without so much as a screwdriver (Will explain) I believe it can be done with Diesels as well but I do not have one and am not qualified to advise (Otheres here can tell you with authority).

Just now my motor home is out of motor... When I get it fixed I'll add a few gauges very easily.. MY CAR, howver,,works just fine..and...

The dash has Speed, Fuel, Temp. Idiot light for oil and electrical and some other things (Brakes, High Beam, Turn Signals).

I have added: RPM.. ENgine load.. Timing advance, Manufold pressure/vacuum.. Coolant temp (Dash has it butit's just low/normal/high this is digital degrees) Battery voltage and could add more but there is limited space.

HOW DID (and when I get the motor fixed in the MH WILL) I do this?

I added a blue tooth OBD-II adapter (plugs in under the dash) and TORQUE PRO on my Smart phone.. Plus an app on my Windows Laptop as well.

In the car I use the phone

In the Motor Home I will use the laptop. (Bigger screen more gauges).

That's the way to add gauges :)

I think it is called Sliverleaf Glass Dash for Diesels.

I just ordered a Edge Color Touch screen display for my E-450 based van.

With this display, I will be able to read 8 items at once. This will include transmission temp, RPM, and perhaps coolant temp, voltage, ect.

It will allow you to change the tire size, and recalibrate the speedometer.

I was most interested in the RPM and transmission temps. IF I am running really warm on the transmission, I will install a larger cooler. I should be able to tell the oil pressure much better. And I can reset the engine codes too.

I bought the Edge CTS from Amazon.com for $310. I had seen them other places for as much as $550, and on sale for $399 at one place.

Good luck,

Fred.

The 4R100 transmission used with your F53/V10 has a transmission temperature overheat indicator on the end of the shift lever. The light that turns on when the OD is off will flash if the transmission overheats. I don't recall what temperature turns it on though. I installed a dash mounted analog gauge with a sensor in the test port, just as I did on our previous F53/460 E40D tranny equipped coach.