Towing capacity -- aftermarket hitch vs. factory tow package?

[SamJ3]

Something else to know . . . All Gladiators include a Dana 44 axle, front and back. However, the MaxTow axles are actually a bit wider than standard, presumably for a better stance for towing.

I learned this while researching wheel options and offsets for my Sport as I was planning my next upgrades. Had I been aware of these nuances, I likely would have opted for the MaxTow (paired to the automation transmission) for the 4.10 gear ratio and wider axle.

Can anyone speak to ride quality with MaxTow? How much on an impact does having bigger springs (for increased payload capacity from 1,175 to 1,600lbs) have on ride quality?

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[Ogre_FL]

The factory tow package gets you not only the hitch receiver but also all the proper wiring for towing...not only do you get the flat four for basic utility trailers, but you also get the seven pin connector which gets you the lighting features and the ability to charge the trailer's battery, plus keep things running whilst towing like a refrigerator and such. Plus, it gets you the ability to add electronic braking. That's just on the trailer end. Additionally, the factory towing package gets you additional cooling, and a more powerful alternator to handle the additional electrical load that comes with towing a trailer.

Bottom line, go for the factory tow package.

Unless something has changed since 2021, my truck without the factory tow package came with all the wiring including the 7 pin connector.
All I would have had to do it cut the bumper cover and slapped a ball on.
I chose to add a hitch, but that is all I had to do.

Nope nothing has changed, they still come with the wiring without the tow package.

 

[SamJ3]

Unless something has changed since 2021, my truck without the factory tow package came with all the wiring including the 7 pin connector. All I would have had to do it cut the bumper cover and slapped a ball on. I chose to add a hitch, but that is all I had to do.

My 2022 Sport came new with a 4 and 7-Pin connector, but it is not listed on the equipment manifest or sticker. (Might it have been installed by the dealer?) I added the hitch later and have used it.

 

[JTGuy]

Towing with a JT,,,??? think about how it will feel and do when going down a steep grade with some sharp turns. Then something unexpected happens right in front of you!!! You better be able to control that trailer. I see the Gladiator very good on its own but you hook 5,000 to its rear and good luck.

 

[SamJ3]

Towing with a JT,,,??? think about how it will feel and do when going down a steep grade with some sharp turns. Then something unexpected happens right in front of you!!! You better be able to control that trailer. I see the Gladiator very good on its own but you hook 5,000 to its rear and good luck.

As I mentioned above, it my 2022 Sport did not include an optional tow package, but it did include "Electronic Trailer Sway Control", listed on the build sheet right next to the "Electronic Stability Control" and "Electronic Roll Mitigation". Not that a driver should rely on such counter measures, but it does seem that every Gladiator has the electrical, software, cooling, and structural essentials needed to safely tow at least 4,000lbs.

(I recall reading an article explaining why the grill on the Gladiator was distinct from the Wrangler: this was because FCA designed the Gladiator for best-in-class towing, so every Gladiator has improved cooling, which necessitated a grill with ever so slightly better air flow and a radiator with better air flow baffles. The MaxTow was just that, but every model benefitted from some of the design.)

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Alot of things getting tossed around here, so I wanted to offer some clarity:

No-tow package: Every gladiator has the option to pop a hole in the bumper and install a trailer ball, good for 4,000 lbs. Every gladiator has the 4/7 pin connector as well as built in anti-sway control.

trailer-tow package: All of the above, plus a class IV receiver, and "HD cooling" (which is just a bigger fan and subsequent alternator to run it). good for 6,000 lbs

max-tow: All of the above, plus springs with a different rate, wide-track Dana 44's, and 4.10 gearing (with LSD). good for 7k and change.

NONE of the above have a sticker on the door or otherwise that inform anyone what their tow ratings are. Hence all the confusion.

I added the class IV to my willys, wouldn't hesitate to tow 5-5500 lbs with it. 6k maybe on a very short trip (like from the lumberyard straight home or something).

 

[squareback]

Thank you all for the advise. I did know that all Gladiators come with trailer wiring and trailer sway, stability control, etc. So I felt confident I could tow by just adding a receiver hitch. It was the towing capacity that I was not informed on. However, looking back at fact that the tow package includes not only the hitch, but HD cooling and a bigger alternator, AND I live in Texas where it is currently 111 degrees, the tow package seems to be the best choice for me. That HD cooling would be working overtime today. Thanks again.

 

[Gvsukids]

All Gladiators include a Dana 44 axle, front and back. However, the MaxTow axles are actually a bit wider than standard, presumably for a better stance for towing.

So does the Mojave and Rubicon.

 

[steelponycowboy]

I have a diesel Rubicon. The Rubi has all the MaxTow stuff standard with the Rubicon package except the Class 4 hitch which comes with the tow package. Having said that, towing a 3000lb trailer has taken its toll on the wanna be truck. Dealer said my issues were due to towing, increased temps especially oil temps and the transmission is not up to the task. Replaced two turbos, one transmission, the exhaust from the down pipes to the tail pipe due to heat damage and more. Warranty covered all. So much for being able to tow 6000+ lbs. Buyer beware!

 

[Labswine]

I have a diesel Rubicon. The Rubi has all the MaxTow stuff standard with the Rubicon package except the Class 4 hitch which comes with the tow package. Having said that, towing a 3000lb trailer has taken its toll on the wanna be truck. Dealer said my issues were due to towing, increased temps especially oil temps and the transmission is not up to the task. Replaced two turbos, one transmission, the exhaust from the down pipes to the tail pipe due to heat damage and more. Warranty covered all. So much for being able to tow 6000+ lbs. Buyer beware!

I don't know what's going on with yours, except the 3.0L Diesel is known to have cooling issues even with the factory tow package.

I tow a 27', ~5,100 lb travel trailer with my GAS Overland (ordered 5/19, built 6/19, delivered 7/19) with the tow package, and have had none of the issues you've mentioned having with your much lighter trailer. I watch temps, and even when it's over 95 degrees out, cooling, trans, oil are all between 203 and 220 degrees, and when moving along, they do get down around 200-203 degrees. It's in traffic, like stop and go, they climb a bit but nothing extreme. Normal driving (i.e. not towing), cooling is around 195 degrees and, trans and oil are usually around 200 degrees.

 

[Stan H]

The factory tow package gets you not only the hitch receiver but also all the proper wiring for towing...not only do you get the flat four for basic utility trailers, but you also get the seven pin connector which gets you the lighting features and the ability to charge the trailer's battery, plus keep things running whilst towing like a refrigerator and such. Plus, it gets you the ability to add electronic braking. That's just on the trailer end. Additionally, the factory towing package gets you additional cooling, and a more powerful alternator to handle the additional electrical load that comes with towing a trailer.

Bottom line, go for the factory tow package.

Mine came with all that . My one and only complaint is 230°F before the fan kicks on. I find if I run Max AC the fan will kick in .

 

[steelponycowboy]

I don't know what's going on with yours, except the 3.0L Diesel is known to have cooling issues even with the factory tow package.

I tow a 27', ~5,100 lb travel trailer with my GAS Overland (ordered 5/19, built 6/19, delivered 7/19) with the tow package, and have had none of the issues you've mentioned having with your much lighter trailer. I watch temps, and even when it's over 95 degrees out, cooling, trans, oil are all between 203 and 220 degrees, and when moving along, they do get down around 200-203 degrees. It's in traffic, like stop and go, they climb a bit but nothing extreme. Normal driving (i.e. not towing), cooling is around 195 degrees and, trans and oil are usually around 200 degrees.

Diesel issues aside, their are the transmission issues. The diesel has the HD transmission which doesn't hold up towing less than half the stated tow rating. With your trailer that loaded probably skirts the top of the limit, I'd be concerned with the light duty transmission behind the gas engine. Lots of transmission failures gas and diesel in Jeeps, plenty of them documented on this forum. Like I said dealer told me ALL my issues are due to towing and the transmission isn't up to the task, they have issues in the Ram 1500 also with trans. With the gas drivetrain being 60/60 I'd be sure to get the MaxCare warranty soon if you plan on keeping it past 60K. My Wranglers transmission went south 300 miles before the warranty expired, then it sat 2 months in the shop waiting for the new one. No rental because they don't have to give you a rental unless you have a MaxCare with optional rental car coverage so keep that in mind.

 

[Labswine]

@steelponycowboy I have also read about the MANY issues with Gladiators having issues with transmissions and the like BUT, they were the COVID era vehicles. What I mean by that is that during COVID, the Quality Control (QC) departments of the companies that made the various bits and pieces were either WAY understaffed or, not staffed at all so less than quality parts got shipped out and installed in vehicles leading to issues stated.

My Gladiator is now over 5 years old and I've had (nearly) zero issues with it. By 'nearly', I mean zero mechanical issues. I had the dreaded harp top leak around the rear window, and the dealership replaced the whole hard top because I insisted that because they couldn't get all the water out from the inside that it would freeze, expand, and further crack the top. They agreed and got it done. Other than that, she's been trouble free. Oh yeah, some fuzzy woodland critter chewed my wiring harness and that had to be replaced as well. Took them two months because it was during the strike and they couldn't get the part until after the strike but, the dealership gave me a RAM 1500 (used) as a loaner to use while waiting for free.

 

[JTGuy]

My '22 built early 22 has been perfect. not even a CEL, or even a rattle or leak. I'll be doing all my own service work as I have installed all my own mods. Someday it will be a great used one. How badly do I want a Raptor R with its problems ,,,,LOL.

 

[MUFF]

In the market for a new Gladiator. I have found some good deals but most do not have the towing package. Is there a difference in towing capacity with installing an aftermarket hitch verses one from the factory? I would like to tow a small travel trailer.

I have purchased a number of Wranglers over the years. I purchased one in 2008 and it did not have the factory tow package. I had the dealer install it. One summer day, while towing my trailer with a load of stone on it up a grade, the transmission overheated setting off an alarm. The next year in the winter, I was in some very grainy deep snow and the tires had to work their way through it and the transmission overheated again and the alarm went off again. Two years later, the main shaft in the transmission twisted in half while driving down the road at 55 mph with no trailer. Coincidence? I don't think so. I was told by several people that there are differences in cooling systems for both the engine and transmission when you get the factory tow package when it is built. I never researched it any further and have gotten the factory tow package on my Jeeps ever since. I have a 2023 Gladiator now and tow with it with no issues.

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