Needing some suggestions/recommendations.

[Coldjensens]

HI;

After looking at and then for a Gladiator for years, we are getting ready to buy one, possibly this week. We will be new to Jeeping and Gladiators. Our experience is limited to having ridden in Jeeps a dozen times and driving one off road four or five times.

Yes we already understand they are not real comfortable or proficient at street driving and not really long distance freeway vehicles. We are mostly getting a Gladiator for exploring, wilderness, cruising topless, and short local sightseeing trips or errands.

We are looking at a 2021 Gladiator Mojave. Salvage title, but we are comfortable with its condition and history assuming it is a very good price. Looking at prices for 2021 Mojaves, they seem to range from $36,000 to $45,000 with no discernable reason for the price difference. The one we are looking at has very low miles but a lot of them have low miles. Is there a "Normal" more defined price range for an unmodified 2021 Mojave? Is "normal" closer to one end of that scale or the other?

I did find the 2021 Gladiator listed as the worst year Gladiator to buy on a website. This was apparently based on statistics for repairs. It makes sense because it would have been built during 2020 when everything in the USA was in shambles and workers were spread really thin, parts were hard to come by etc. Statistical reporting is not always the most accurate way to evaluate things, but it is a starting point. Anyone know whether the 2021 models are generally worse than other years? Reputation? Experience? Worked in the factory? IN the RV community it is a well known maxim - "Never ever buy any RV made during 2020" Did jeeps experience the same massive quality decline dur to Covid?

The tops of the doors and the window surrounds are black to match the hard top. It looks nice, but I have never seen this before. Was this an option? Is it a common mod?

We will eventually tow the Gladiator behind an RV where we will live full time or nearly full time. We plan to get a rack for two Kayaks on top of the Gladiator and put two E-bikes in the back. Any recommendations for a type of rack that can support two kayaks while traveling at speed? Is there any kind of stand or rack to put in the bed to make it easier to carry bicycles in the bed? We would prefer the kayak rack to be removable, or at least low so we do not have clearnce issues with trees when not carrying the kayaks.

Is anyone familiar with the Blue Ox towing system? Will we need to replace the front bumper to use it? I plan to get a winch and I may as well replace the bumper while installing the winch, if I am going to have to do it anyway.

I have done a little off roading in my 4x4 pick up recently, and long ago with a friend in his jeep, but I am certainly not experienced or knowledgeable, other than I know that is is really fun. Is there a good place to learn how to do things properly, avoiding getting stuck, getting over trees or rocks properly, the right way to winch, how to help other people get unstuck, etc? Is there like a jeep school or something?

My insurance company quoted the gladiator at $272 per month. Our five other cars only cost $500 per month and two are full coverage plus one is valued higher than the gladiator. I expected the Gladiator to cost a little more than other cars, but this is a huge difference. Is that a normal cost for insurance on these?

My wife is the director at a library. The have small rubber ducks that they give away at various municipal events. Whenever I see a Jeep it seems to have dozens of those small rubber ducks on the dash. How many Rubber ducks do we need for proper Jeeping?

Any other suggestions or comments, things we may want to know?

Thank you.

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[TRUKD]

Our bed racks can handle kayaks and bikes! You can even mount the bikes on the side to keep the bed open if you want.

For Blue Ox Tow setup I highly recommend Rock Hard 4x4 bumpers. They make an aluminum bumper for great weight savings.

I highly recommend Morrison's Outdoor Adventures for driver training. Just one trip with them will leave you much more confident behind the wheel.

I personally drive with no ducks in my Jeep....

 

[Coldjensens]

Our bed racks can handle kayaks and bikes! You can even mount the bikes on the side to keep the bed open if you want.

For Blue Ox Tow setup I highly recommend Rock Hard 4x4 bumpers. They make an aluminum bumper for great weight savings.

I highly recommend Morrison's Outdoor Adventures for driver training. Just one trip with them will leave you much more confident behind the wheel.

I personally drive with no ducks in my Jeep....

THank you. What is the brand name of that rack? Will it fit on a Gladiator? Can you carry kayaks and bikes at the same time?

 

[Reddout99]

I have a 2021 JT Sport S. No issues at 50k miles. Took a road trip from Nebraska to San Diego and back in May and had a great trip. I have a lift and 37" tires and still averaged 17mpg.
Check to see why it has the salvaged title. I have fiends that have bought them, knowing what the issues were and are happy with them. One thing I'd worry about is if it has a salvage title due to a flood. Can play havoc with all the electronics.
Good luck and welcome to the forums. You'll find a ton of good, useful information here.

 

[Gvsukids]

Is there a "Normal" more defined price range for an unmodified 2021 Mojave? Is "normal" closer to one end of that scale or the other?

All depends on where you live. There is no normal in car sales.

I did find the 2021 Gladiator listed as the worst year Gladiator to buy on a website.

Was a consumer's reports? They haven't been very favorable to Jeep. Mine was built 2020, and at the engine tick like many others have including newer ones.

Is there a good place to learn how to do things properly, avoiding getting stuck, getting over trees or rocks properly, the right way to winch, how to help other people get unstuck, etc? Is there like a jeep school or something?

YouTube. Otherwise try and find a local club on Facebook or the internet.

Is that a normal cost for insurance on these?

Depends. I think our cost was higher because the Jeep is was newer.

How many Rubber ducks do we need for proper Jeeping?

None. But some people regard not having ducks as not liking ducks. Otherwise you can give them away.

 

[TRUKD]

THank you. What is the brand name of that rack? Will it fit on a Gladiator? Can you carry kayaks and bikes at the same time?

TRUKD Bed Racks. https://gettrukd.com/

Our racks fit great on Gladiators.

Most will put kayaks on top of the rack and bikes on the side of the rack, allowing you to carry two of each. Our racks work with bed covers as well.

 

[cranbiz]

My 2021 Rubicon has been extremely reliable other than the paint bubbling on the hood edge, which is a common issue on almost all Gladiators. It also has been driven on multiple long trips and I find it as comfortable if not more comfortable than my 17 GC Trailhawk was. It now has 30K miles on it.

The critical aritcles rely on bad press for clicks, they almost never research in depth and CR's ratings are flawed from the start as they only sample their subscribers.

 

[Janster]

Personally? I’d avoid anything with a Salvage Title. You just don’t know what could crop up and bite you in the ass later. But that’s me….

If you’re seriously looking at it…(Salvage Title) - I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you demand the dealership (or sales person) give you (at least) a 1 year bumper-to-bumper warranty at no cost.

 

[Coldjensens]

The branded titles was because it was stolen and later recovered. The only damage supposedly was they stole the key fob. Once an insurance company pays for a stolen vehicle, it will be totaled regardless of whether there is damage. However, there was a bigger problem. The branded title means that insurance companies charge an extra $2000/year for collision and comprehensive coverage- forever. Thus at $32,000, that Gladiator was cheaper than market by $40000 to $8000. However at best this savings would be eaten up in increased insurance premiums in 4 years or less. I ran this one thought our insurance and then through another major company quote system and ran a couple of other 2021 Gladiators that had the VIN posted. Both came up about the same. 1700 a year for liability and comp/collision for a regular Gladiator. $3700 for the branded title one.

We had it thoroughly checked out and the only problem is a bad wheel bearing (common for a vehicle that has been sitting for a long time

On top of that, due to the branded title, the insurance companies value the gladiator at $26K. So, if it gets stolen or totaled, you get $26K not the $32K that you paid for it.

On top of that branded title cars are hard or impossible to finance. thus, if we ever wanted to sell it, the value would be reduced and it would be very hard to sell. We do not need to finance it, but if it is cash only, you reduce the pool of potential buyers massively.

Even if they cut the price to $25K I am not sure I would want it with such a huge cost for insurance. Although at that price, we might just self insure for collision and comprehensive. I asked. They are not going to go that low.

So, we are through with that one, Now looking at one in Texas (waiting for them to decide to reduce the price some - or we will keep looking).

 

[Gvsukids]

paint bubbling on the hood edge, which is a common issue on almost all Gladiators.

Not for me, but probably as common as Pentastar tick.

 

[Hunter#1]

Salvage title is a NO NO. You never buy anything with a slavage title. Dealers never buy a salvage title unit for a reason. I wouldn't want any Jeep or anything else that bad to go with a slavage title.If a dealer bought one with a slavage title, don't buy from them.

 

[Coldjensens]

Salvage title is actually illegal to drive. You can buy one with a rebuilt title or Branded title. These have been repaired and inspected by the state. IN this case the Gladiator had been stolen, the insurance paid the claim and then the Gladiator was recovered. It was not damaged except that they stole the key fob. A good rebuilt title seller will offer pictures of the condition when they bought the car from the insurance auction and the work that they did to it. They will also include the report form the insurance company of the damage that occurred. Without those things, you might be getting a flood car and that is not worth it if it is free.

However as I discovered, a high value rebuilt title car is impractical to insure for comp and collision. You also cannot finance them. But if the price is reduced enough and you have cash you could self insure. If this Gladiator were about $25000 instead of $32,000, I would probably buy it and just self insure. However at 32,000 it is not worth it.

 

[OffAxis2021]

I bought my self-ordered 2022 Mojave without test driving one and it is my first Jeep. I do not miss a bought new 2019 4Runner TRD Pro. I could not stand driving 200 miles in said 4Runner. It was horribly uncomfortable and just not at all exciting to me. I did a 500 mile round trip in the Mojave and wanted to just keep going. I had gone down to nearly Cincinnati to buy a 4-wheeler, basically from Flint, MI. and upon returning home, wanted to just keep going up to the northern lower peninsula to go ATV riding. I sometimes miss a bought new 2012 Toyota Tundra Crewmax “Rock Warrior.” It was an absolute BEAST.

I could go on and on about this list of always bought new pickups [of sorts] I have owned, but the point here really is… I absolutely love my Jeep Gladiator Mojave. A lot too even.

From throwing on 35s the day after I brought it home (not needing a lift), to the roof/doors coming off and it’s off-road prowess, etc. It very well may be my favorite vehicle to have ever owned and I have only ever owned one vehicle at a time (daily driver). Well, other than a motorcycle.

I do not have any specific mentions to elaborate on. I am just saying… that.

Enjoy.

 

[Vtur]

I don't see anything wrong with buying a salvaged title vehicles due to stolen as long the missing or damaged parts are reinstalled properly. I wouldn't buy any that had been in an accident though.

 

[Mr._Bill]

It depends on the state and how they treat Salvage Titles. The biggest issues I see are ability and cost to insure, and ability to sell when you are done with it. Unless you can get and keep documentation showing why it has a Salvage Title, most people will want nothing to do with it.

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