Thinking About Buying A Jeep Gladiator

[ShadowsPapa]

The Mojave is the smoothest driving, but if you’re gonna tow then the Rubicon or Sport with tow package is your best bet. The Sport has a slight advantage in towing over the Rubicon because of weight. Ever owned a Jeep before?

As of current models, Mojave and Rubicon have the same 7,000 pound tow rating.
Only the Sport with MAX TOW has any advantage over the Rubicon and that's due to a lot of factors, including smaller tire size
otherwise, a sport with only the tow package is at a disadvantage - Rubicon and Mojave win by 1,000 pounds

As a Mojave owner, I have to say the Rubicon seems smoother in typical on road use, it's basically under damped and just feels softer as a results.

I'll take Mojave ride over Rubicon ride any day.
If you are worried about "sag" when towing - then spend $110 and add air bags. I did on my Overland. In fact, my 2020 Overland with max tow springs under the rear sagged too much with 500 pound tongue weight on it. So my 2022 Overland got air bags - issue resolved. Truck stayed at proper height when loaded with trailer.

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[ShadowsPapa]

The brochure for the 2025 disagrees with you
2025-CDN-Jeep-Gladiator-ENG-Catalog.pdf
Still 6k for the Mojave (page 11)

https://www.jeep.com/gladiator/specs.mojave-x.html

Sales guy confirmed those were the specs he found.

Really, since the Rubicon and Mojave are pretty much the same in most ways, it makes sense.

 

[KevinC]

Will a car seat / baby seat fit in the back seat ?

My opinion, if you are coming from a full size truck and are looking to maintain the same capability on the big truck side, don't try and talk yourself into a Jeep.
If you are consistently traveling with 4 adult's, I wouldn't own a JT
If you are consistently towing something close to the max tow I wouldn't own a JT
Yes two car seats will fit in the rear seats. Mine even has a seat belt for a third person to ride in the middle. It is cramped though.

If you are looking to change your lifestyle, enjoy the open air freedom, own something unique in todays automobile safety industry and just plain want to look cool at a stoplight...the JT is for you.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

GCWR 12,450 minus 7,000 = 5,450 curb weight.

6140 minus the 840 payload of mine gives me a 5300 pound vehicle weight - can't say how accurate that really is.......

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My opinion, if you are coming from a full size truck and are looking to maintain the same capability on the big truck side, don't try and talk yourself into a Jeep.
If you are consistently traveling with 4 adult's, I wouldn't own a JT
If you are consistently towing something close to the max tow I wouldn't own a JT
Yes two car seats will fit in the rear seats. Mine even has a seat belt for a third person to ride in the middle. It is cramped though.

If you are looking to change your lifestyle, enjoy the open air freedom, own something unique in todays automobile safety industry and just plain want to look cool at a stoplight...the JT is for you.

My 43 year old son isn't a small guy - well over 6'. My grandson is getting up there himself.
I've traveled with me, my wife, my son and his wife and their son without issue.
In fact, my son has said that my JT has more real leg room than my Silverado had.

It's not made as a family vehicle and yet pictures posted here every week show it being used for families of various sizes and ages.

I'd not tow on a regular bases any closer then 1,000 pounds under the rating of the specific JT - for a 6,000 pound rating like the Overland had, I'd only go about 5,000 pounds.
For a 7,000 pound rating, I'd never go over 5,500-6,000 tops.
I'd definitely use a weight distributing hitch.
For occasional short towing of those weights, not an issue. I've towed more than 5,000 with my Overland but wouldn't do it long distances, etc.

 

[Zachanadandy]

My 43 year old son isn't a small guy - well over 6'. My grandson is getting up there himself.
I've traveled with me, my wife, my son and his wife and their son without issue.
In fact, my son has said that my JT has more real leg room than my Silverado had.

It's not made as a family vehicle and yet pictures posted here every week show it being used for families of various sizes and ages.

I'd not tow on a regular bases any closer then 1,000 pounds under the rating of the specific JT - for a 6,000 pound rating like the Overland had, I'd only go about 5,000 pounds.
For a 7,000 pound rating, I'd never go over 5,500-6,000 tops.
I'd definitely use a weight distributing hitch.
For occasional short towing of those weights, not an issue. I've towed more than 5,000 with my Overland but wouldn't do it long distances, etc.

I agree for the most part, although in a pinch I have towed a heavy trailer ~540 miles. If your main use is towing 6k+ pounds in my opinion you should be looking at a full size diesel for fuel economy alone. The pentastar did the job... but averaged 8-9mpg doing it. Even the 5.7L hemi in my ram rebel only got 8mpg towing an 8k pound trailer but the Jeep on the trailer (2019 JLUR on 38s) was a hell of an air dam. For off road capability and occasional truck use the gladiator is hard to beat.

 

[KevinC]

My 43 year old son isn't a small guy - well over 6'. My grandson is getting up there himself.
I've traveled with me, my wife, my son and his wife and their son without issue.

Yeah, sure you didn't have an issue. Most people are not going to admit that their precious vehicle can't do all these wonderous things they do.

If I had 4 adults and a kid in my JTM, I would be at or even over the payload capacity on the door card. There is no getting around that, it's a done deal, I couldn't even haul an additional picnic basket.

So how was your gas mileage hauling all these people around? My 3.6L would struggle with 4 adults, not gonna lie.

If I spent the majority of my driving time hauling even a 4000 lb. trailer, I would not be driving a JTM.

Maybe you all do it and it doesn't bother you. But for me, it isn't what I bought the Jeep for anyways so I'm not going to do it.

 

[DirkG]

Will a car seat / baby seat fit in the back seat ?

Absolutely. Center mounted (if single), no problem. Two in each bucket? No problem.

My boys have gotten out of my Gladiators like they own the school.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Yeah, sure you didn't have an issue. Most people are not going to admit that their precious vehicle can't do all these wonderous things they do.

If I had 4 adults and a kid in my JTM, I would be at or even over the payload capacity on the door card. There is no getting around that, it's a done deal, I couldn't even haul an additional picnic basket.

So how was your gas mileage hauling all these people around? My 3.6L would struggle with 4 adults, not gonna lie.

If I spent the majority of my driving time hauling even a 4000 lb. trailer, I would not be driving a JTM.

Maybe you all do it and it doesn't bother you. But for me, it isn't what I bought the Jeep for anyways so I'm not going to do it.

4 adults and 1 child weigh 1,100lbs? Most full size 1500s don't have much more payload than that anyway especially if they are heavier trimmed crew cabs. My rebel only had an 1,100 pound payload. There were plenty of times we were well over that and it was definitely more roomy in the back seat, but if I was at all hung up on the numbers I'd pretty much be stuck driving a 1 ton truck around, usually empty, for those few times where I need the payload. This weekend hauling roofing materials, camping gear, tools and recovery gear that never leave the truck, plus 2x 65 pound dogs, and the wife and I the JT probably had close to 1,700 pounds in it for 540 miles. No I'm not buying another truck that may not even make it to the property during monsoon season for these few times a year. A power wagon, raptor, or trx are about the only other trucks I'd trust crossing the wash... and their payloads aren't much if any better.
Edit, looked it up to make sure. The trx and raptor are 1,300-1,400 pounds payload and the power wagon is 1,600. Not enough of an increase to justify a new truck with less capability off road (all very limited by their size).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yeah, sure you didn't have an issue. Most people are not going to admit that their precious vehicle can't do all these wonderous things they do.

I complain if there's a problem - no matter the vehicle, whether or not I otherwise like it - I'll be among the first to gripe (just ask those who know me)

If I had 4 adults and a kid in my JTM, I would be at or even over the payload capacity on the door card. There is no getting around that, it's a done deal, I couldn't even haul an additional picnic basket.

I wouldn't be over. If you have 4 adults with a bit of a weight problem, yeah. But my wife isn't anywhere near 200, and my daughter in law might be 110 soaking wet.
The Mojave is the worst for payload, sure, but get into another level of JT - you won't even be close with 4 adults, not even close. A max tow could handle 4 adults, a 5,000 pound trailer and beer cooler and give you back some change.

Mojave has the worst of the payload ratings - if payload is a major concern, it's the wrong truck.

 

[KevinC]

4 adults and 1 child weigh 1,100lbs?

I wouldn't be over. If you have 4 adults with a bit of a weight problem, yeah.

You both are missing the point. Let me clarify. The OP is coming from a full-size truck and looking at a JT. Mid-size trucks cannot do what a full size can. I'm just being honest, so he doesn't make the mistake that so many on the forum has made. Go back and look at how many forum members left the JT platform and went to full size. A lot. So let me help the OP further along.

The following is my JTM's payload capacity. The average American male is 5'9" and 199.8 lbs. I am 5'11" and 180 lbs, so I'm not your average man. So the following doesn't apply to the avg. dude. It's actually going to be worse. When I leave the house fully clothed, pistol, ammo, wallet, knife, cell phone, I bet I'm pushing close to 195. Add in my get home bag and I'm over 200 every day I drive. Add three more "like me" adults and I may have 200 lbs to spare. I have a Rebel Off-Road half rack. 15lb CO2 tank, traction boards, shovel, awning, trauma kit, fire extinguisher, Steel front bumper, aftermarket rocker/side steps, the list goes on. If I traveled with three adults plus me, I guarantee I'm over my payload capacity.

We can argue all day about how we are always going over the capacities that is in the owner's manual. I carry more all the time. I tow more than what they listed. I've never had a problem. Do you think that is the proper information to be providing to a potential new owner? I don't. Know you limitations of a Gladiator. It was designed and built to do Jeep things very well and mid-size truck things fairly marginal.

But you two are always the subject matter experts in every topic ever discussed on this forum. Go ahead and continue to tell us how wrong us un-average people are when we try to contribute something we also may have a little knowledge in. Sometimes we all get tired of being told we are wrong...every single time we post.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You both are missing the point. Let me clarify. The OP is coming from a full-size truck and looking at a JT. Mid-size trucks cannot do what a full size can. I'm just being honest, so he doesn't make the mistake that so many on the forum has made. Go back and look at how many forum members left the JT platform and went to full size. A lot. So let me help the OP further along.

The following is my JTM's payload capacity. The average American male is 5'9" and 199.8 lbs. I am 5'11" and 180 lbs, so I'm not your average man. So the following doesn't apply to the avg. dude. It's actually going to be worse. When I leave the house fully clothed, pistol, ammo, wallet, knife, cell phone, I bet I'm pushing close to 195. Add in my get home bag and I'm over 200 every day I drive. Add three more "like me" adults and I may have 200 lbs to spare. I have a Rebel Off-Road half rack. 15lb CO2 tank, traction boards, shovel, awning, trauma kit, fire extinguisher, Steel front bumper, aftermarket rocker/side steps, the list goes on. If I traveled with three adults plus me, I guarantee I'm over my payload capacity.

We can argue all day about how we are always going over the capacities that is in the owner's manual. I carry more all the time. I tow more than what they listed. I've never had a problem. Do you think that is the proper information to be providing to a potential new owner? I don't. Know you limitations of a Gladiator. It was designed and built to do Jeep things very well and mid-size truck things fairly marginal.

But you two are always the subject matter experts in every topic ever discussed on this forum. Go ahead and continue to tell us how wrong us un-average people are when we try to contribute something we also may have a little knowledge in. Sometimes we all get tired of being told we are wrong...every single time we post.

I came from a 1995 F250 4x4 (the heavy-duty axles and suspension for that year) and then a 2011 Silverado 1500 4x4 just before the JT.
A whole lot of us here have come from full-size trucks and are still here.
So a person has to look at the specs and decide for themselves - will it do what they need?
Do they even need a full size truck any more?
Some of us decided we didn't. Some went back, yes, decided the JT wasn't the answer.

As long as a person is honest with themselves, does the math and so on - that's all that matters.
They have to look at the various levels of the Gladiator, the various towing and payload capacities and be real about it.
I came here, did the digging, checking, I did the math - yeah, I no longer needed a full size truck, and no longer wanted such a beast.
I even traded in my 2,000 pound car hauler for a 1500 pound car hauler to make sure (best thing I ever did - no more heavy ramps, built-in tie points for straps, and many more advantages)

The OP can get pencil and paper and do the math, look at the specs and decide.
A whole lot of forum members here can comment with experience because they are here FROM a full size truck.
Some will explain how they decided to go back to a full size truck.

 

[nanook12]

I wouldn’t buy a gladiator with the soccer mom engine. Period.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I wouldn’t buy a gladiator with the soccer mom engine. Period.

You mean with a Ram truck engine, or a Charger or Challenger engine?

 

[Figmo]

Forget about towing. My Rubicon tows like a pig. Regardless of stated capacities my 2Dr Bronco tows my camper (like 3k lbs) better than the Gladiator. The Gladiator struggles on hills or high headwinds. The Bronco cruises at 80 easily.

(and the Bronco has 37" tires while my Gladiator is a stock Rubicon)

You say you don't tow much. If true, then I'd suggest you just remove "tow" from your list of features. Oh sure, you'll be able to tow with it. But I'd hardly put it in the "pro column" for the Gladiator.

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