What gladiator model to buy

[Mr._Bill]

Buy the truck that best fits your needs. I would recommend the Sport S with Max Tow package. Make your modifications and add the tires and wheels that make you happy. If performance is lacking, then look at the possibility of regearing. Odds are high it will not be necessary, unless you put some very large tires on it.

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[jmr]

Rubicon is what you desire.

 

[b-roc]

With the sport, will I need to get my gears re geared if I lift it 2”? Where if I get a different model I won’t? Is re gearing expensive?

Lift isn't what drives the need to regear ... for this discussion tire size is ... as tire size increases, the force to the ground is decreased (among other things) so one way to compensate is to increase the gearing ratio of the differential. The max Tow comes with 4.10 gearing (same as rubicon and mojave ... both of which come with 33" tires stock). Most don't worry about 35" and 4.10 gears ... the crowd is roughly split in half when discussing 37" (this likely has to do with how much torque each person "needs" - whether preference, vehicle load, towing, etc.)

 

[Free2roam]

Find a new 23 diesel if they are still out there. Yeah the maintenance is more. But the torque is unmatched. Sport S has everything you need. Not towing 26+ mpg towing way better than a gasser.

 

[Free2roam]

according to this chart, I would have to regear regardless of which model I buy.

Most people who have diesels here haven't regeared for 37" tires. No need. Torque monster. Regear? What's that? I don't need no stinkin regear I have a diesel!

 

[Camaroboi13]

Yeah but the diesel ain’t gonna like the towing, I can tell you that right now. You’d think it would be the best of the lineup for towing, but it’s dead last when it comes to heavy loads.

-diesel owner

 

[Rockhunter]

I just went through the same decision. I wanted xtra towing capacity, and a few creature comforts. So I looked for the Sport (max tow) in dealer inventory. Very rare here in my area. Dealers order most of these trucks with a quick order box and max tow isnt a priority. But it a small step up with the higher end packages. For the little bit extra, it is the way to go. Just don't try to pull the house down with it.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Go on TURO for your local area. Find a Gladiator near you that you can RENT.
Try one out for a couple of days because you are so all over the map right now --- you'll end up buying something you will regret later then you'll be on here bitchin about how Jeeps suk...

But seriously, take this slowly and READ -READ - READ...there's tons of information on here.

 

[smlobx]

Towing a 7000# fifth wheel?

Thats a big NO!

First, virtually no trailer is as light as the listing. By the time you put anything in it you’ll be 1500 pounds above the empty weight. Plus most pin weights on fifth wheels are about 20% which would be at least 1400 pounds which is more than the capacity of any Gladiator.

If you get bigger tires than you’re changing the gear ratio and towing capacity…

Just don’t.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Yeah but the diesel ain’t gonna like the towing, I can tell you that right now. You’d think it would be the best of the lineup for towing, but it’s dead last when it comes to heavy loads.

-diesel owner

Mine has no issues with towing up to 5000 lbs.

And towing the 200 lbs rubber boat should be no problem with the JTD.

 

[hepcat]

Mostly I will be hauling a 200 pound inflatable boat, possibly one or two times tow my 7000 5th wheel, but really don’t have to if that is out of the question.

I have towed a wide range of travel trailers since 1980 and done the extremes from a 1,000lb Scamp 13 with a Jeep CJ-8 to a 9,000 lb 34' Airstream tri-axle, two-door with a Y2K Excursion. Towing a 7,000 lb anything safely with a Gladitor IS out of the question. You have to remember that these are light-duty trucks, and while it may be capable of MOVING 7600 lbs, you also have to be able to safely maneuver and stop that kind of weight behind you too.

I am at the top of what should reasonably be towed with a Gladiator (regardless of the max tow capacity of 7600 lbs.) I tow a 5400 lb (dry) Airstream 23' travel trailer. Loaded, I'm still (theoretically) under the 6k tow capacity of my '22 Overland, but I'm likely at or slightly exceeding payload and possibly the rear axle weight rating.

I went over the 9380' La Veta pass in Colorado last week towing the Airstream 23' and the combo was competent. While my Overland has a 3:73 rear end and the Max Tow has a 4:10, I wouldn't want to try to tow anything heavier with this drivetrain, even though the Max Tow package on the Sport is rated at 7600 lbs.

 

[PuddleJumper]

As a young dumbass who has towed 8700~9000 pound with my Mojave (rated at 6000). I highly advise against towing anywhere near 7000lbs. 6500 would be the max I'd recommend and on the Max tow only. I'm stupid, dont be me.

 

[Pickles85]

I went with a Sport S Max Tow because I knew I was not going to be doing much off roading besides driving on the beach and I wanted the 4.10 gears so I could put larger tires on without having to worry about regearing.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Mine has no issues with towing up to 5000 lbs.

And towing the 200 lbs rubber boat should be no problem with the JTD.

The OP is trying to tow 7k lbs, not 5.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

The OP is trying to tow 7k lbs, not 5.

Maybe my english is not good enough but I understood that frequently towing 7K lbs is not the highest priority.

Mostly I will be hauling a 200 pound inflatable boat, possibly one or two times tow my 7000 5th wheel, but really don’t have to if that is out of the question.

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