Gladiator 2020 Towing 6500 pound RV trailer?

[bigcheeshead]

I'm thinking of buying a trailer RV. I am currently looking at Rockwood 2509s (5,400 pounds dry, 7,000 gross) or Jayco (4,700 pounds dry, 5,700 gross). Plan is to tow the trailer on weekends and extended trips to Utah, Cali etc.. I live in Phoenix, AZ and will be traversing high elevation frequently on the freeways going through I17, I10 and HWY87.

I have a 2020 Gladiator with gas engine and auto transmission Rubcon with a tow package, NOT the max tow.
The Jeep has been further modified with a 5 inch lift, 37 inch tires and 5.13 regear. Jeep is also heavy at nearly 1,000 pounds over stock curb weight due to aftermarket parts.

Anyone else is towing 6,000 to 7,000 pounds trailers regularly with their Gladiators?

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[Gvsukids]

Anyone else is towing 6,000 to 7,000 pounds trailers regularly with their Gladiators?

There's a whole thread section for towing.
Yout truck will be overwhelmed.

Also, https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/6000lb-travel-trailer-towing.40269/

 

[Labswine]

I agree that at that weight, your truck will be overwhelmed...especially going over elevations.

I have a '20 Overland that's stone stock that I tow a 5,200 lb, 27' trailer with and it's adequate. Yes it sometimes reminds me it's only a V-6 so I just drop a gear and persevere on, but this is towing on the relatively flat east coast. Haven't taken it to the Poconos or other mountainous areas like the Blue Ridge Mountains yet so we'll see...

Again, even with the gearing you have, the larger tires and extra weight will dramatically LOWER your SAFE towing weight.

 

[sarguy1941]

Buy a 1/2 ton or a tent. Your already 1000#'s over which drops your tow rating 1000.

 

[Jaxmax]

That will be a lot, too much I think to have any fun, comments on full size sound nice but not with the wheeling you do. Not sure your situation but we tow a 24’ foot long Gulf Stream vista cruiser camper at 3000 pounds dry and 4100 max rating, Mojave with RSI cap, winch on plastic bumper some skids , stock tires and gearing and stuff ,it is pretty heavy also but tow’s fine, model we have is a 19ERD, with walk around queen bed. Look around and check but taking
1-2000 pounds off trailer weight will make life much better. There are a lot of light weight nice campers out there, also look at the width, ours is 7.5’ wide, the Winnebago micro lites are 7’ wide, that is a huge thing when towing less frontal area and can easily see down side of camper….Jack

 

[Rufus]

It’ll do it but it ain’t gonna like it and you aren’t getting anywhere fast. I have a stock Mojave and pulled my 4,500 lb TT With it once. It’s fine on the flat but going up hills (87 up to Payson in fact) it struggles. I bought a 1/2 ton Ram for that job after that trip.

 

[Josh00333]

modified with a 5 inch lift, 37 inch tires and 5.13 regear. Jeep is also heavy at nearly 1,000 pounds over stock curb weight due to aftermarket parts.

You're probably over weight before you leave the drive way. Lots of rigs are, just is what it is with overlanding/off road rigs.

The answer is no your are not ok to tow anything really let alone something that's pushing the max tow/payload limits of your rig if it was stock.

Every thing you've done to the rig, not beating you up at all, takes away from the towing ability of the rig.

You've got an awesome off road rig, and can do a HECK of a lot more off-roading than I can. But that takes away from being able to tow.

If anything I would look at small off-road trailers or a small tear drop.

 

[WesternJeep401]

This is the 20' Max Tow with the 28' Airstream. The 3.6 is what I consider the "5.2 (318) Magnum" of the current era; capable, strong, reliable, and sufficient. When gearing is matched with designed ground speed, then the powertrain can take full advantage of transmission gear spacing. With this one, 35" tires required 4.56 gearing, yet...it digs-deep. On the test pull (pictured) from Sedona to Holbrook, AZ, the grade up to Flagstaff tested it fully; average speed on the grade was 45, engine oil temp 231f, transmission 195f, coolant 227f, 4th-5th gear, RPM's "Moriah Carey". Round trip MPG 12.2. Did it work, yes. Ideal, not for me, which indirectly lead to selling it in favor of the Eco.

 

[Minty JL]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster ......if you have to question, its a bad a idea.

Not trying to be a douche, but if you ask you shall receive.

After one run in with DOT or state police and you'll change your plans. DOT tickets normally start out around $1000 for being over weight.......then they will make you drop the camper and you'll have to pay to have it hauled home. I know people that have been there and done that already.

 

[6006spd]

This is the 20' Max Tow with the 28' Airstream. The 3.6 is what I consider the "5.2 (318) Magnum" of the current era; capable, strong, reliable, and sufficient. When gearing is matched with designed ground speed, then the powertrain can take full advantage of transmission gear spacing. With this one, 35" tires required 4.56 gearing, yet...it digs-deep. On the test pull (pictured) from Sedona to Holbrook, AZ, the grade up to Flagstaff tested it fully; average speed on the grade was 45, engine oil temp 231f, transmission 195f, coolant 227f, 4th-5th gear, RPM's "Moriah Carey". Round trip MPG 12.2. Did it work, yes. Ideal, not for me, which indirectly lead to selling it in favor of the Eco.

What does that trailer weigh?

 

[WesternJeep401]

What does that trailer weigh?

It scales at 6100 for an average trip, tongue about 550 with two adults. It is the same model that is shown in Gladiator literature (and this website banner occasionally), being pulled by an Overland.

 

[bigcheeshead]

Thank you everyone for the comments! Based on the feedback from this forum, I have decided to go with a lighter version then initially planned. The Geo Pro is at 3,400 pounds dry + 1,000 cargo. Will be picking it up in Utah next week and driving it back home to Phoenix.

 

[Gren71]

Thank you everyone for the comments! Based on the feedback from this forum, I have decided to go with a lighter version then initially planned. The Geo Pro is at 3,400 pounds dry + 1,000 cargo. Will be picking it up in Utah next week and driving it back home to Phoenix.

solid choice! post some pics once you get it. I love seeing all the campers members are pulling

 

[bigcheeshead]

Here it is

 

[Osteodoc08]

You’re already near max payload with your extra weight. You’re gonna be miserable towing that much weight. Get a half ton or a much much smaller RV

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