Recommended Aftermarket Hitch Receiver for new 24 Gladiator Sport S

[Ryoden]

Hey All,

I am rather excited to be bringing home my first Jeep and a substantial upgrade from my 09 Ranger. Only problem being that I need to add a hitch to the new truck. If I am understanding it all correctly, I have essentially 3 options.

(1) The classic ball on the bumper:

(2) This thing that I suspect is also attached to the bumper:

(3) And the more expensive MOPAR version that has the best capacity:

I am not inclined to go with the bumper ball, but If there isn't a lot of difference between options 2 and 3 then what am I actually choosing between?

Thanks!

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[ShadowsPapa]

Hey All,

I am rather excited to be bringing home my first Jeep and a substantial upgrade from my 09 Ranger. Only problem being that I need to add a hitch to the new truck. If I am understanding it all correctly, I have essentially 3 options.

(1) The classic ball on the bumper:

(2) This thing that I suspect is also attached to the bumper:

(3) And the more expensive MOPAR version that has the best capacity:

I am not inclined to go with the bumper ball, but If there isn't a lot of difference between options 2 and 3 then what am I actually choosing between?

Thanks!

If you only tow a small utility trailer and max out at low weight and really low tongue weight, you can go cheap. But for any real towing, nothing but the latter receiver type works.
You are very limited in the weight you can tow with the bumper mounts, limited in tongue weight and cannot use a weight distributing hitch with a bumper mount.
For me, it's a no brainier. Heck, I even have a receiver type on my little SX4 in case I want to haul a bike rack or whatever.

Number 2 is still a bumper mount - (when installed according to the CURT PDF, it bolts through the rear bumper steel down to the cross member below) so you are quite limited in weight, tongue weight and no weight distributing hitches. They are sold more for those who want to use accessories - receiver mount platforms, bike racks and so on, but IMO, are good for little else. It's basically about the same as a ball mount except you can use accessories with it.

 

[Janster]

You need to find out exactly what your tow rating is. You should always know your tow rating. Chances are …it’s somewhere near 4-6k.

With that said… Don’t skimp. Get a hitch that’s rated to handle your tow rating or higher. Hitches, Receivers, and BALLs all have ratings….. You can’t tow 4,000lbs using a ball that’s rated for 2,000lbs (as an example).

Even if you don’t plan to tow that much, you’re better off being equipped with the proper equipment in case you do need to tow more. For safety sake……

 

[Zachanadandy]

Don't waste your time or money on bumper mounted garbage. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Draw~Tite/DR64FR.html there are aftermarket options for real frame mounted class IV hitches that aren't expensive.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There's only one vehicle I have a tow ball on - and that's my lawn tractor.

There's a choice of the MOPAR receiver (you can even find them used), Curt or DrawTite.

 

[Ryoden]

Don't waste your time or money on bumper mounted garbage. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Draw~Tite/DR64FR.html there are aftermarket options for real frame mounted class IV hitches that aren't expensive.

That one looks pretty good, thanks for the tip

 

[Hootbro]

Keep in mind that any automatic Gladiator that came without the factory tow package, the max "LEGAL" Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) will be 4500 lbs. Regardless if you add a full frame class IV hitch mount, the legal GTW will never increase. That being said, plenty of people will trailer dirty and even though would be within engineering constraints of a higher GTW of other models with the factory tow package, there is legal liability should you have an accident while towing beyond your stated as factory built GTW.

When I bought my 2025 base Sport without the tow package, I seriously considered getting the full frame Class IV hitch but did a gut check on my reality of towing higher than 4500 lbs and decide the cost of a full frame hitch was not worth it to me and went with a your "Option 2" hitch mount I bought from Quadratec rated for 5000 lbs for $80 vs. the $300-$400 for the full frame hitch.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/2025-base-sport-anvil.88796/#post-1430750

I am not saying Option 2 is your best option, especially if you can find a take off Option 3 full frame class IV mount, but Option 2 will save you some coin if you never realistically expect to tow at a higher non legal GTW.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

but Option 2 will save you some coin if you never realistically expect to tow at a higher non legal GTW.

That's the missing part of the puzzle - so we go down the 20 questions bit - what will the intended use be? Are they keeping it?
Buying without a tow package at all suggests either lack of knowledge on the things you pointed out, or, they "changed their mind" after buying, or figured "you can build your own" by putting on parts.

A lot we don't know.
For hauling a utility trailer or use with a bike rack and such, then #2 is the choice.
If it's a 4,000 pound trailer and a WDH is in the future - then #3.

Too bad there's not a form that pops up using AI or something - seeing the question, popping up with "what are you towing"?

I have a feeling on this, though...... we'll see.

 

[Free2roam]

Not a bad price!
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/mopar-hitch-50-obo.73664/

 

[Hootbro]

Buying without a tow package at all suggests either lack of knowledge on the things you pointed out, or, they "changed their mind" after buying, or figured "you can build your own" by putting on parts.

Yeah, when I bought my 2025 Sport Base, I was well aware it came without a tow package setup. Even owning two prior Rubicon JT's that had the trailer package and was rated for 7000 lbs GTW, I never once towed with them nor do I see a regular instance of me towing with my Sport Base.

I do believe though, "It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have".

 

[Hootbro]

Not a bad price!
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/mopar-hitch-50-obo.73664/

That does not have have the square Class IV receiver hitch. Basically what comes on the JT without the tow package.

 

[Free2roam]

That does not have have the square Class IV receiver hitch. Basically what comes on the JT without the tow package.

Missed that!

 

[Ryoden]

Thank you all very much for the responses. This has been quite a rodeo of learning what I do and do not have in the vehicle I'm buying.

If I've gathered all the details correctly, from what I understand the baseline towing capacity for the 2024 gladiator is 4,000 lb. That can then be increased to 6,000 lb by opting for the 8-speed automatic transmission. It can then be increased to 7,700 lb by installing the Max Tow Package. The max tow package includes things that actually modify the width of the axle and a supplemental cooler on the transmission. Among other changes including changes to the fenders.

The model that I'm bringing home does not have the Max Tow Package.

It is however an automatic 8-speed transmission.

Insofar as the options that were available to me. 15% off MSRP made selecting a new 2024 model in April of 2025 rather appealing. I'm very excited to have the Sarge Green as well. It seemed like the only options that were in my price range obligated I choose between a model that had the tow package but manual locks and windows. Or one that did not have the package but had automatic everything.

All that being said, it looks like if I attach the underslung 2-in square hitch receiver I'll have 5,000 lb capacity. That being limited by the piece I'm installing. But if I install a class 4 hitch attached directly to the frame I'll have 6,000 lb capacity. Limited by the drivetrain and automatic transmission and not limited by the new hitch hardware.

I suppose I'd rather have the limitation be on the drivetrain and not on the equipment.

 

[Ryoden]

As for what I'm towing, I've got a small sailboat on a trailer that weighs 1,600 lb. And a little utility trailer.

 

[Hootbro]

If I've gathered all the details correctly, from what I understand the baseline towing capacity for the 2024 gladiator is 4,000 lb. That can then be increased to 6,000 lb by opting for the 8-speed automatic transmission. It can then be increased to 7,700 lb by installing the Max Tow Package. The max tow package includes things that actually modify the width of the axle and a supplemental cooler on the transmission. Among other changes including changes to the fenders.

You are going to have to look at your door jam sticker to actually know what you have for that vehicle. For whatever reason, Jeep stop putting the tow weight limits in the owners manual on 2024+ and refer you to Jeep.com. The website has the caveat of "when properly equipped" on the numbers they list. So I think the 6000 lbs. numbers are misleading and is probably including the tow package added to them.

In prior years, no automatic gas model with 3.73 gears without the trailer tow package exceeded 4500 lbs.

2023 was the last year that had the tables in the owners manual. Nothing magical happened with 2024+ that would make them go up except for the Max Tow going from 7650 to 7700 lbs.

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