The Edge Insight CTS4 is now available for pre-order, and towing is exactly what it's built for. A good Edge Insight CTS4 setup for towing starts with your truck, not a preset list of gauges. Here's how to build a towing screen around the readings your truck actually supports.
Key Takeaways
| Question | Best first move |
|---|---|
| What data can my CTS4 show? | Whatever your truck reports through OBD-II, plus anything you add with compatible Edge sensors. Start with what your truck supports. |
| What goes on a basic towing screen? | Coolant temperature and transmission temperature first, then readings that answer a specific question for your engine and load. |
| Can it warn me before something overheats? | Yes. The CTS4 supports custom alerts and warnings on the parameters you choose. |
| Do added sensors work through OBD-II? | No. Added sensors connect to the monitor separately. Browse our data acquisition and sensor components when you plan extra inputs. |
| How do I keep readings easy to check? | Keep the main screen to a few large gauges, and mount it clear of the road, the factory cluster and airbag zones. |
Start with the truck's supported data
Before setting up screens, write down your truck's year, engine and configuration. Supported PIDs, or parameter IDs, vary by vehicle, so another truck's boost, rail pressure or temperature readings may not be available on yours.
Plug in the Edge Insight CTS4 while parked, start the engine, and check which readings appear and move as the engine runs. Those reliable values are the foundation of your towing screen.
The CTS4 is a monitor first. It shows your data without changing your tune, and it can be upgraded later to Edge's Evolution tuning or Insight+ custom tuning support through an internet update. For towing setup, keep monitoring and tuning as separate decisions.
A blank value usually means your truck doesn't report it. Don't treat an unavailable PID as a reading. Build your screen from values that show up consistently and change sensibly as the engine runs.
Connect the monitor and create a clear towing screen
Installation is simple: mount the CTS4 in the cab, run the cable to the OBD-II port, and connect. There's no gauge cutting or extensive wiring.
For the main layout, group the readings that help you make a towing decision. Coolant temperature and transmission temperature are the place to start. Where your truck supports them, add boost or rail pressure if they help you judge how hard the engine is working.
Keep the main screen uncluttered. A few large readings are faster to scan than a screen full of small ones. The CTS4's 5.5 in. display and multiple layouts let you put everything else on a second screen.
Mount it where you can glance at it without blocking the road, the factory cluster or an airbag deployment area. For mounting options, see our gauge mounting pods. To compare the CTS4 with other digital monitors, see our electronic multi-purpose gauges.
Choose gauges that match the towing setup
Put coolant temperature and transmission temperature first when your truck reports them. Steady heat build is the early sign that the cooling system or transmission is working hard, especially on a long grade or a hot day.
On a turbocharged engine, boost shows how hard the engine is working. Rail pressure only earns a spot if your truck reports it and it answers a real question about that engine. No gauge belongs on the main screen just because it's available.
Exhaust gas temperature needs a separate check. Some trucks report an EGT reading, while others need an added EGT probe for a direct measurement.
For each extra gauge, ask what towing decision it helps you make. Critical values go on the main screen. Everything else goes on a secondary screen for when you need it.
Set alerts from vehicle-specific limits
Set your CTS4 alerts using the operating limits for your truck and engine. A threshold copied from a different truck may not suit yours.
Watch the readings that change your next move: coolant temperature, transmission temperature, and EGT where you have it. An alert is a prompt to look at what's happening, not a replacement for watching the gauges.
If a temperature keeps climbing, ease off the load. On a grade, rising temperatures with the engine working hard are a reason to back off. If it keeps climbing or the truck shows warning signs, pull over safely and follow the manufacturer's guidance.
Read the trend, not just the alert. A brief blip and a value that keeps rising call for different responses.
Add a sensor only when the reading calls for one
Don't expect an EGT reading just because the CTS4 is plugged into OBD-II. First check whether your truck reports exhaust temperature. If it doesn't, a direct reading needs a probe and a supported connection.
The CTS4 accepts compatible Edge accessories and sensors, such as EGT probes and pressure and temperature sensors, to monitor what your truck doesn't report on its own. Match each sensor to the CTS4 by part number before you order, and route the wiring away from hot or moving parts.
After installing a new sensor, confirm the reading shows up and moves sensibly while parked before you tow.
Use logs and a parked test before the first tow
Use the CTS4's data logging to see how temperatures change during a controlled drive. Look for sustained trends rather than reacting to one brief spike, and compare what you see with your truck's operating limits.
The CTS4 can also read diagnostic trouble codes. A clean code screen doesn't prove the truck is ready to tow, so keep watching the live readings too.
- Confirm your main gauges update consistently.
- Check readings against the limits for your truck and engine.
- Verify any added sensor shows up and changes sensibly.
- Make sure the main screen is readable at a glance from where it's mounted.
If a value looks wrong or is missing, troubleshoot it while parked. Hook up the trailer only after everything passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Edge CTS3 and CTS4 setup menus the same?
No. They're different generations, so menus and options differ. Follow the prompts on the CTS4 rather than a CTS3 menu path.
Can the CTS4 show trailer tire pressure?
No. Your truck's OBD-II data doesn't include trailer tire pressures. That needs a separate tire pressure monitoring system.
Can the CTS4 work as a backup camera screen?
Yes, with a compatible Edge camera kit. That's handy for lining up a hitch.
Can I leave the CTS4 plugged in when the truck is parked?
If your OBD-II port stays powered after shutdown, a connected monitor can keep drawing from the battery. For extended parking, unplug it unless the instructions say otherwise.
What if the monitor doesn't power on?
Check the cable connection at the OBD-II port and the truck's power before assuming a fault.
Should I still follow the truck's factory warnings?
Always. Respond to a factory warning according to the vehicle's instructions, even if the CTS4 readings look normal.
Conclusion
A clean towing screen, alerts set to your truck's limits, and only the sensors you actually need make for a CTS4 setup you can trust with a load behind you. Test it parked, watch the trends on the road, and keep the manufacturer's limits at the centre of every decision. Questions about your truck? Send us your year, make and engine through our contact page.