Agree, fuel gauges useless, should be taped INOP from the factory. Funny thing is that where I live, they're on the MEL list ! The most useless instrument on the aircraft !
My method is: Change tank everh 30 mins. That way you won't get too heavy on either side.
Piper vs. Cessna fuel strategy can be discusssed ad nauseum, both potentially dangerous in it's own way. My first PPL lesson , I asked "Shouldn't I change tanks ?" "Yup, good idea" said instructor. I turned it to "off". 30 seconds went in silence. Then: Never seen any one react so quicky.