Thoughts about Gladiator towing capacity

[Danarch]

This year we bought an A-Frame pop up trailer to tow behind the JK or LJR. Recently been toying with the idea of getting an older truck to tow it instead. Nether the JK or LJR has a ton of power, one reason @Dirty Dog got the 392. No desire to get a Gladiator, one that isn’t an older truck, two not a lot of bed space, three doubt I want to spend that much money on something that won’t get used much, four……….

But in looking I see they are rated between 6-7,000lbs for towing capacity. I can’t image it has enough power to tow something that heavy. They have the same 3.6 engine. I believe they have an 8 speed tranny, but can’t image that makes a big enough difference, but maybe.

In general overall I am curious what is the limiting factor in towing capacity. For instance the JK’s I think are limited to 2,000, but depending on gearing the JKU is capable of 3,500, same engines, transmission etc. It is similar for the TJ / LJ, TJ is 2,000 but the LJ is 3,500. I understand the concept you don’t want a 20’ long trailer towed by a 8’ long car, but that isn’t weight.

And yes I know this is the JK forum, but I am on it and it’s sort of just a general towing question (rambling ).

 

[Dirty Dog]

This year we bought an A-Frame pop up trailer to tow behind the JK or LJR. Recently been toying with the idea of getting an older truck to tow it instead. Nether the JK or LJR has a ton of power, one reason @Dirty Dog got the 392.

#1 reason. I don't like going slow.

No desire to get a Gladiator, one that isn’t an older truck, two not a lot of bed space, three doubt I want to spend that much money on something that won’t get used much, four……….

But in looking I see they are rated between 6-7,000lbs for towing capacity. I can’t image it has enough power to tow something that heavy. They have the same 3.6 engine. I believe they have an 8 speed tranny, but can’t image that makes a big enough difference, but maybe.

The tow rating is more about the chassis and suspension. The JK is rated to tow 2,000 lbs. The JKU 3,500 lbs. The Gladiator 7,000. They can absolutely do that. But the rating is based on how much weight before things start to break. Being able to tow the load at highway speed, especially over a high mountain pass, isn't in the rating. The towing capacity of our JKUR's is exactly the same as my JL. But the JKUR is a moving road block on the passes, even without a trailer. The 392 will not slow down.

 

[tJKrider]

I can’t image it has enough power to tow something that heavy. They have the same 3.6 engine. I believe they have an 8 speed tranny, but can’t image that makes a big enough difference, but maybe.

The 3.6 is plenty capable with the appropriate gearing. That will not be your weak link. I used to have a 4.0L Ranger with something like 160HP and it was just fine towing a car on a trailer (~5500lbs). Of course more power/torque is always nice...

The Gladiator has an advantage with chassis and suspension as @Dirty Dog stated. Chassis, in particular the added wheelbase, helps with load distribution and stability.

There isn't a significant difference in GVWR/GAWR between the Wrangler and Gladiator so I suspect the JT may become legally limited before reaching its max stated tow capacity.

 

[Danarch]

Thanks for the input. Some good thoughts on it. Not knowing much about the Gladiator I’d guess it would be slow towing that much. But maybe the 8 speed makes the difference.

 

[tJKrider]

Thanks for the input. Some good thoughts on it. Not knowing much about the Gladiator I’d guess it would be slow towing that much. But maybe the 8 speed makes the difference.

Honestly if you want something that will only be used occasionally and will provide stress free towing for a camper get a used SuperDuty. For an A-frame camper a half-ton (F150 or equivalent) would also be fine and would tow way better than any Jeep offering. I own a JK and a SD and they both have their purpose. The only thing I'll tow with the JK is my 16' boat because it's super light (open aluminum jon). With such a short wheelbase you don't want the tail wagging the dog and it won't take much trailer weight to get there.

If you have specs on the camper you are looking at that would help bring this discussion into more of an "actual" vs. "hypothetical" though...

 

[WSS]

I see you are in kali. Kali has a law regarding gross polluting diesels that makes 07 diesels (350 and above) without def un register able. This makes even low mile rigs super cheap. Registration and insurance in az is cheap as well. We lost our 03 f550 to this rule and gave it to a friend that registered it in az. Never even took it there. We were paying $600 a year. He registered it in az for $206 fir five years. We did not have the option to do that because we needed kali business liability insurance on it. Keep that in the back of your mind while looking for active rig. Cheers!

 

[Danarch]

Didn’t think I’d go this route. After talking to a few people and one guy who mods and works on 4’s we ended up getting a Gladiator yesterday. It’s a 2021 with 31K miles. It has the tow package, it’s clean. Outside of the tow package it’s pretty basic down to manual windows and door locks. It is the 8sp automatic. It sure picks up speed a lot faster than the JK. Drove it back over an hour from the dealer, it sure has a smooth ride.

Based on my research it has a 2.5” lift which is EVO. I don’t know much about EVO, but the lift appears to be installed right from what I can tell. Has the bolt markings on it, changed out the brake lines to braided steel lines, etc. They installed Fox shocks on it.

 

[tJKrider]

Didn’t think I’d go this route. After talking to a few people and one guy who mods and works on 4’s we ended up getting a Gladiator yesterday. It’s a 2021 with 31K miles. It has the tow package, it’s clean. Outside of the tow package it’s pretty basic down to manual windows and door locks. It is the 8sp automatic. It sure picks up speed a lot faster than the JK. Drove it back over an hour from the dealer, it sure has a smooth ride.

Based on my research it has a 2.5” lift which is EVO. I don’t know much about EVO, but the lift appears to be installed right from what I can tell. Has the bolt markings on it, changed out the brake lines to braided steel lines, etc. They installed Fox shocks on it.

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Nice! Wheelbase definitely has a large impact on ride. Sounds like the 8sp is a nice addition on the JL/JT.

So are you getting rid of the JK or keeping both?

Congrats!

 

[Danarch]

Nice! Wheelbase definitely has a large impact on ride. Sounds like the 8sp is a nice addition on the JL/JT.

So are you getting rid of the JK or keeping both?

Congrats!

Long story short we are sort of keeping the JKUR, our 18 year old daughter is buying it from us. No we aren’t making a profit or anything just feel they need to earn and work for these types of things. There is no way she would be able to get something like the JK for what we are doing.

Plus the wife still has her JKU Sahara.

Not to mention with 5 kids no way could we afford to simply hand over a car to each one.

 

[WSS]

Long story short we are sort of keeping the JKUR, our 18 year old daughter is buying it from us. No we aren’t making a profit or anything just feel they need to earn and work for these types of things. There is no way she would be able to get something like the JK for what we are doing.

Plus the wife still has her JKU Sahara.

Not to mention with 5 kids no way could we afford to simply hand over a car to each one.

We have to instill the yearning to earn for sure. On the logical side though, you should have 7 Jeeps in the family by the time the youngest is driving, assuming the 18yo is the oldest. Impressive.

 

[Danarch]

Well here it is.

Wife JKU
Son JKU
Daughter JK
Daughter JKUR (the one I just described)
Dad LJR
The JT extra will be for towing etc.
Other two kids.
Smart Car
Hyundai

 

[WSS]

Well here it is.

Wife JKU
Son JKU
Daughter JK
Daughter JKUR (the one I just described)
Dad LJR
The JT extra will be for towing etc.
Other two kids.
Smart Car
Hyundai

That is awesome! I have one son, he is 17 and has a Tesla . I am a one Jeep family.

To Be fair, our Jeep is pure fun and family time. We are doing Clawhammer and Nightmare this weekend.

BTW, anyone want to join us?