Travel trailer towing with a 2026 Willys Gladiator

[ExpoGuy]

I've got my eye on the 2026 limited edition Willys '41 Gladiator. Mostly for mild off-roading and exploring mountain & desert roads.
But also for pulling a travel trailer. The trailer I have in mind is 15' and has a dry weight of 2350 lbs.

The Willys '41 has a 6,000 lbs towing capacity and 1,025 lbs payload. Also 3.73 axle ration and class IV receiver hitch.
But...a trailer-tow package and Max tow package are NOT available. I'm not sure how important these tow packages are.
I know they provide heavy duty engine cooling. That seems important.

I've been reading many of the other threads in this forum, and I believe the Willys-travel trailer should not be a problem
(however, the thread by Tank43 does give me concern).

Btw, here's the travel trailer I have in mind...
https://casitatraveltrailers.com/patriot/

Is there anything I need to consider?

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[ivanfrank]

The question is always, under what conditions will you be towing? Constantly climbing 1,000's of feet in altitude in Colorado during the summer? Might feel it a bit.

Here's what you're not getting:
- 240A alternator
- Extra engine cooling
- Hitch zoom on the backup camera (useless)
- Trailer sway control (questionable impact tbh)
- Dana 44 axles w/ 4.10 axle ratio

It will most likely be fine but depends on how you load the track and trailer as well; since we tend to run out of payload (including the trailers tongue weight) before towing weight capacity.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Dealer should be able to add the trailer package on there if you really want it. You’ll probably pay more than doing it yourself but for a new Jeep under warranty I’d get them to do it. It will make a difference in the cooling abilities and it gives you everything to just plug and play when hooking up a trailer.

 

[DylanM]

...
The Willys '41 has a 6,000 lbs towing capacity and 1,025 lbs payload. Also 3.73 axle ratio and class IV receiver hitch. But...a trailer-tow package and Max tow package are NOT available. I'm not sure how important these tow packages are.
...

If your Jeep came from the factory with a class IV receiver hitch installed then it has the standard tow package (non-Max Tow).

 

[Pliny]

I've got my eye on the 2026 limited edition Willys '41 Gladiator.

What is it about that trim level that caught your eye? Color? Price for one on a nearby dealers' lot? Wheels?

 

[DavenFla]

Here's my experiences and opinions. If you intend to tow, then max tow or the Rubicon offers the best package. Max Tow Package is engineered for the Sport trims and includes a 4.10 axle ratio, Dana 44 axles, and a 240-amp alternator. These features that are standard on the Rubicon, I believe. My avatar shows what I tow (Winnebago Hike 100)and have towed throughout the mountains in the west from Arizona to the Yukon. The Winnebago Hike weighs 3100 lbs dry with a max weight of 4100 lbs. The truck is fine when set up properly, but the 3.6 is anemic.... and without 4:10 gears I can't imagine.
I also employ an equalizer hitch and air bags for sway control and weight. The truck bed was full Like I said earlier, the Gladiator tows fine, but lacks power. You will be running 4K+ rpm a lot going up mountains so consider adjusting your oil viscosity. 0W or 5W-30 is a good middle of the road option. If however you intend to tow in the mountains for long extended periods consider 0W or 5W-40. Oil temps were often over 240* F for extended periods. Flat towing or hills, no need for 40 IMO.

I also drain and refill the gear oil while towing every 20K. As a side note, Never a problem with brake performance or transmission or coolant temps. Did I mention that the go-pedal sucks? I averaged 10 MPG overall for 20K miles from Florida to Arizona, then meandering north and eventually turning around and headed home after reaching the Yukon territory. 4 oil changes and one rear end drain and fill.

 

[markh53]

I'm towing a travel trailer with my 2024 Gladiator Rubicon. The trailer is 5000 lb dry; 6000 gross -- which I never approach -- and 550 tongue. I'm within the Gladiator's payload spec as well. CAT scale results seem reasonable (at least to me). I use a Fastway E2 weight distributing hitch with the 6000 bars.

But I've been experiencing sway issues above 55 mi/hr on interstates. Generally not scary - a touch of the trailer brakes takes care of it - but seems to indicate a problem, so I'm not eager to take long trips with the rig.

Any suggestions on directions I should go on this? Continue tweaking the WDH setup? Loading for more tongue weight? Tire pressure tweaks? Different WDH? Etc., etc.?

 

[ExpoGuy]

Thanks folks for the great information.

I did some more digging on Jeep's site and found that the Willys '41 does have the Dana 44 axles,
240 amp alternator, and heavy-duty engine cooling. So that's a good start.

I live in Southern California where it can get hot in the spring & summer. And these are the seasons I will be towing the most. Could be driving on mountain roads with elevation gains. Traveling to the desert also. So temperature is a consideration. Will not be towing where it snows. 10mpg while towing will be expensive, but just about all trucks get poor mpg when towing.

My other consideration is the Ford Ranger 4x4 with the 2.7L engine. But I really like the Gladiator.

 

[ExpoGuy]

What is it about that trim level that caught your eye? Color? Price for one on a nearby dealers' lot? Wheels?

I like the military look. I've always been a fan of military vehicles, and many years ago owned a
1948 Jeep Willys CJ2A. It was the civilian version of the WWII Jeep. It was a blast to drive off-road!

When I first got interested in Gladiators I was considering the Rubicon and Mojave. But after much thinking I know I'll only be doing mild off-roading, and these trim levels I don't need. Most likely the Willys will be enough for me. I think the Willys '41 looks cool.

 

[Trauma PA]

I honestly think you will be just fine. I tow this Encore ROG 12RK-SS which has a similar weight as the trailer you are looking at. I did upgrade my gearing to 4.88 but I also am running an RSI Smartcap, rooftop tent, 270 awning and decked drawer system on 35” tires (soon to be 37” tires).

 

[JmattNYC]

The new '41 willies editions comes standard with tow-pacakge, aux swicthes and Led Lights. Your good

 

[JmattNYC]

I like the military look. I've always been a fan of military vehicles, and many years ago owned a
1948 Jeep Willys CJ2A. It was the civilian version of the WWII Jeep. It was a blast to drive off-road!

When I first got interested in Gladiators I was considering the Rubicon and Mojave. But after much thinking I know I'll only be doing mild off-roading, and these trim levels I don't need. Most likely the Willys will be enough for me. I think the Willys '41 looks cool.

This trim is awesome to be honest i almost ordered it but stood with my max tow. The 2026 special editions has alot of goodies including front steel bumper with tripple hoop grill guard, rear steal bumper, rock rails, off-road plus button with rear locker to go along with leds lights and class Iv reciever.

 

[DavenFla]

I'm towing a travel trailer with my 2024 Gladiator Rubicon. The trailer is 5000 lb dry; 6000 gross -- which I never approach -- and 550 tongue. I'm within the Gladiator's payload spec as well. CAT scale results seem reasonable (at least to me). I use a Fastway E2 weight distributing hitch with the 6000 bars.

But I've been experiencing sway issues above 55 mi/hr on interstates. Generally not scary - a touch of the trailer brakes takes care of it - but seems to indicate a problem, so I'm not eager to take long trips with the rig.

Any suggestions on directions I should go on this? Continue tweaking the WDH setup? Loading for more tongue weight? Tire pressure tweaks? Different WDH? Etc., etc.?

So many unanswered possibilities. The usual culprit is unmitigated dynamic weight changes. I use 700lb WD bars on my set up along with air bags running at 20-25lbs.. What's your ride height change after the hitch is loaded? The trailer should be flat or slightly down towards the hitch and the vehicle shouldn't drop more than 1.5" and not have a squat.

In spite of the Jeep sway control I employ the Red arc controller for the trailer. It's plug and play on the Jeep and is necessary when towing more than 3K IMO

 

[Guns_N_Rosaries]

Make sure to get a trailer brake controller. I hate that they don't include one. I ended up getting the MOPAR one. It took me a few months to get it since it always seems like it's on back order.

 

[DavenFla]

Make sure to get a trailer brake controller. I hate that they don't include one. I ended up getting the MOPAR one. It took me a few months to get it since it always seems like it's on back order.

True dat.

Most don't understand vehicle sway control isn't the same as trailer control on the Jeep. I like the
Redarc since it has an off road setting.

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