What to monitor?

[Waldog]

I am new to towing a fifth wheel; Medium sized, 33 ft, GVWR 12,000, (actual weight around 9500-10500lbs) I'll be towing with a 2015 Ram 3500 4x4 Cummins. I particularly like being able to monitor Radiator Temp, Transmission Temp, Oil Pressure and Oil Temp at the same time. Would you experienced drivers recommend monitoring anything different? And, what is especially important to monitoring while descending steep mountain passes while using the exhaust brake system? Thanks, from a rookie!

 

[Brocky]

I have the 5.0 U Connect and all that your asking about can be brought up in 1 screen of the EVIC on your dash. I added an Edge Insite and monitor TURBO Boost, EGT 1 ( the closest to a pyrometer with out drilling the manifold), actual gear position of AISIN, sometimes EGT 3 or torque or fuel economy, ETC, depending on conditions and my mood.

I use the exhaust brake ALL THE TIME!! Loaded or empty!! And tow haul empty as well in hills or stop and go traffic. The main thing about going down a steep hill (or mountain) is to lock your transmission in either 5th or 4th, depending depending on steepness and length, real crooked road even go lower, and then monitor your RPM to add braking to prevent over revving (2500 to 2800 ???).. You will find the EB works real well when geared down..

 

[CWade]

Welcome to the group! Do you have the 7 inch Multi-View instrument cluster? I prefer the digital speedometer display, but the dual boost and engine brake display would be handy when driving through the mountains. Pushing the engine brake button once puts in in full mode, which applies the engine brake when you let off the throttle pedal. Pushing the engine brake button twice puts it in auto mode which attempts to hold the vehicle at the speed you were going when you let off the throttle and also will apply the engine brake when you hit the brake pedal. Don't worry about watching the temperatures, the computer will turn on chimes and warning lights if something goes wrong. The stock truck will not hurt itself pulling hills. We have been pulling a similar size fifth wheel since 2004. Enjoy!

 

[SnoKing]

I setup my EVIC as pictured below. I may change boost to a different virtual gauge. The steering wheel where I like it blocks the oil pressure and coolant temp gauges, so I am going to trust the chimes to alert me to problems. I also like the digital speedo screen up on the EVIC most of the time. I leave tire pressure showing on the next screen down(note 3500, so no alert) and can go down the that and back up to speedo easily.

Like they say these new truck are not suppose to be able to hurt themselves. Just drive and enjoy the stereo. After 21 years or first and second gen RAM this thing is really sweet. The upgraded stereo with sub-woofer sounds nice. SNOKING

#ad

 

[Waldog]

I have the 7 inch display/Uconnect system. I know there are more bells and whistles than the Space Shuttle. I just have a several people tell me, "You got to monitor this...You got to monitor that" And, watch transmission and turbo temps when using the exhaust brake. Just was a little overwhelming. Love that truck though! Boy, do I love that truck! Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Dogpatch]

When I'm towing in the mountains, I have mine set to engine and transmission temps. I know when I'm towing on normal flats and hills it's no issue whatsoever so don't need to monitor.
On regular driving unhitched, I keep mine on the fuel consumption gauge so it's a reminder to keep my foot outta the pedal if not needed.

I love this truck as well! I love everything about it. It's an amazing piece of machinery and I have a ***** eating grin on my face everytime I'm in it.

 

[Newsa]

I used to watch oil temp and oil pressure until someone on here told me those are calculated values not actual measurements. Coolant temp and transmission temps are actual measured temps.

 

[gsbrockman]

Just drive and enjoy the stereo.

To Sirius XM Love though???? Where's the utility knife so I can slash my wrists????
#ad

 

[Cummins12V98]

Hold it to the floor and let er rip!

 

[SnoKing]

To Sirius XM Love though???? Where's the utility knife so I can slash my wrists????
#ad

Have all my Jimmy Buffet music on a SD card. Snoking

 

[gsbrockman]

Have all my Jimmy Buffet music on a SD card. Snoking

You can ditch that....Jimmy's on CH 24. :-laf

But Sirius XM Love????

 

[mwilson]

All of the electronic gizmos are not equipped to deal with a weepy driver, you need a new station........

 

[Ram4Sam]

You can ditch that....Jimmy's on CH 24. :-laf

But Sirius XM Love????

That is the softer side of snoking we aren't supposed to know about.......:-laf

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

You can ditch that....Jimmy's on CH 24. :-laf

But Sirius XM Love????

So you are not married I take it? SNOKING

 

[mwilson]

Oh, I see...That's the station you listen to when she is WITH you!!! Got it.....

 

[Cummins12V98]

XM Love and a "FOB pouch" now I am not sure what to think. :-laf

 

[gsbrockman]

So you are not married I take it? SNOKING

Oh yeah.........21 wonderful years come November 19th. Just bustin' your chops.....

Oh, I see...That's the station you listen to when she is WITH you!!! Got it.....

Likely story......right, mwilson??? :-laf

 

[Boomer II]

I setup my EVIC as pictured below. I may change boost to a different virtual gauge. The steering wheel where I like it blocks the oil pressure and coolant temp gauges, so I am going to trust the chimes to alert me to problems. I also like the digital speedo screen up on the EVIC most of the time. I leave tire pressure showing on the next screen down(note 3500, so no alert) and can go down the that and back up to speedo easily.

Like they say these new truck are not suppose to be able to hurt themselves. Just drive and enjoy the stereo. After 21 years or first and second gen RAM this thing is really sweet. The upgraded stereo with sub-woofer sounds nice. SNOKING






#ad

So I bought my truck in February of 14 & just discovered this weekend that you can add those gauges to the main screen, feel like a dumb @@@ much?

 

[Cummins12V98]

I use this screen most of the time.