Towmater build

[audibahn]

In search of a truck that tries to do it all, I traded in my F150 for a nicely equipped 2022 Gladiator Sport S Max Tow with the 3.6 Pentastar.

I'm pulling an Apex Nano 208BHS which weighs in at 5,000lbs loaded and no doubt I'll miss the power of the 3.5 Ecoboost.

My main objective is to build a well balanced rig that serves as a daily driver, the occasional camping trip, and can hit the trails in Colorado and surrounding areas.

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[22EcoDs]

I think you might miss the weight of the f150 too, that trailer looks to have a decent surface area. Glad you switched teams though. Did you cross shop a fx4 or tremor? I think people would be surprised on a trail with the factory rear locker although they are tight on smaller trails.

 

[audibahn]

I think you might miss the weight of the f150 too, that trailer looks to have a decent surface area. Glad you switched teams though. Did you cross shop a fx4 or tremor? I think people would be surprised on a trail with the factory rear locker although they are tight on smaller trails.

Yeah, the F150 was a great tow rig. I had the rear locker, small lift, and all terrains and it did decent on easier trails. Didn't cross-shop as I was looking for a smaller truck better suited for the local trails.

 

[audibahn]

Mounted a set of Mojave wheels with 285/70R17 KO2s load range C. They come in at 75lbs per corner for the wheel/tire combo.

Tire height for the KO2s is 32 1/4" at 36PSI . They are 1.5" taller than the stock 245/75 Duelers.

I used JSCAN to set the tire ratio to 33". Stock ratio from factory was 31.93".

The Duelers and stock wheels are much lighter at 55lbs per corner. I'm keeping them for now so I can see how they tow compared to the 33s.

 

[Caveman]

Are those 34" tires? They'll eat away a little at your payload relative to the stockers.

Do you have a brake controller? A WD hitch?

I have 34s on my Max Tow, and I pretty regularly haul a 3500# horse trailer (weight is loaded with one horse) through the mountains at the TN/NC border, but I do use a WD hitch and the trailer has inertia brakes. The tongue weight of my rig is less than 250#. The tongue weight of your trailer looks like it will be considerably heavier than that, making a WD hitch perhaps an even better idea. FWIW, my setup has about as much frontal area as yours looks to, and it hauls very well, even up and down mountains...

 

[Caveman]

Wrote my post before your last one. I have 285/75/17 KO2s on my rig, and they measure right at 33.5." They were on the truck when I bought it. I will probably move down to the size you are running when I replace them, just for weight savings.

 

[audibahn]

Are those 34" tires? They'll eat away a little at your payload relative to the stockers.

Do you have a brake controller? A WD hitch?

I have 34s on my Max Tow, and I pretty regularly haul a 3500# horse trailer (weight is loaded with one horse) through the mountains at the TN/NC border, but I do use a WD hitch and the trailer has inertia brakes. The tongue weight of my rig is less than 250#. The tongue weight of your trailer looks like it will be considerably heavier than that, making a WD hitch perhaps an even better idea. FWIW, my setup has about as much frontal area as yours looks to, and it hauls very well, even up and down mountains...

Good to hear about your towing experience, especially in the mountains. I looked at the 285/75 KO2s and really like that size but they only come in load range E and were 11 pounds heavier than mine. I wish they came in a load range C or D.

My tongue weight is about 600lbs and I have an Equalizer 10k WD hitch and a Redarc brake controller. Still have to dial both in.

 

[Caveman]

It sounds like you have thought this through! I'd love to hear how your setup works when you get everything dialed in!

 

[Brahmajoe]

How’s your speedometer and shift points set at 33? I have 285/70/17 and it’s set at 32.25

 

[audibahn]

Speedom

How’s your speedometer and shift points set at 33? I have 285/70/17 and it’s set at 32.25

Shift points are comparable to the stock tire setup.

Speedometer is spot on per GPS. Per JSCAN directions, I should use 32.25 as that's my actual tire height. I started with 32.75 and used distance driven to validate. Results were low so I bumped it up to 33 to get closer to stock numbers.

 

[Brahmajoe]

Speedom


Shift points are comparable to the stock tire setup.

Speedometer is spot on per GPS. Per JSCAN directions, I should use 32.25 as that's my actual tire height. I started with 32.75 and used distance driven to validate. Results were low so I bumped it up to 33 to get closer to stock numbers.

I’ll try it thanks for the help

 

[audibahn]

Added a few family friendly features:

- Rough Country trifold hard cover
- Running boards
- Husky Xact floor mats

I also got a set of Rubicon sliders. I plan to weld step rails on them at some point. They are 34lbs each and twice as heavy as the plastic running boards.

 

[audibahn]

Installed the Redarc Elite brake controller. Trimmed the cubby with a dremel for a clean fit.

 

[Sorbs]

Here is a nice upgrade that is instantly noticeable after installation - https://www.ultimate9.co/throttle-controllers

 

[audibahn]

Set up the Equalizer 4 Point 10k weight distribution hitch. I took several measurements to adjust the tension bars. With the trailer attached, the hitch dropped by 4". After engaging the weight distribution bars, the hitch gained 2" back. I still have a slight negative truck rake with the front fenders 1" higher than the rear fenders. Will take it to the scale next to get actual weights and final adjustments.

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