Any Full-Size Converts?

[aj8544]

For those who have gone to a Gladiator from a full size truck- any opinions/ regrets/ should have done it sooner etc?

Asking because my current lease is up within the next year and I really want a Gladiator for its off-road and top down features. But am concerned I may miss the space, comfort and power of a full size truck. I currently have an F150, prior to that 3 Rams. My towing needs include weekly towing my boat ( no big deal 3k lbs) and occasionally towing my open utility trailer with either my compact tractor or 2 atvs-7k lb or less- 6 times a year on average. I do have 2 daughters who will be in the truck daily as well, still in car seats. I work in the medical field so this is not at all a truck used for work, just hunting and fishing recreational use.

Very familiar with the jeep features and cab size etc... as my wife drives a JLU Sahara which we absolutely love- I find myself making excuses to drive it all the time.

Just curious to know opinions from those who have downsized to a Gladiator.

Sponsored

 

[Tim]

I just switched from a GMC Sierra. Here's the backstory. I had a 2005 Chevy Colorado for 8 years that I traded in for the Sierra in 2013 when I got a new job (a little more expendable income) and my wife had our son. We had also just bought a house that I knew I'd be working on. We decided we wanted a truck with more room and more capacity.

Over the years I had always wanted a Jeep but I really felt like a pickup truck was just way more practical. It wasn't a compromise I was willing to take. I have been envious of the open air capabilities and the lifestyle aspect of Jeeps for years.

Enter the Gladiator. After owning a full size truck for years I realized that I very rarely (probably never) NEED the extra room a full size truck affords. I appreciate the smaller size of midsize trucks 99% of the time. With the Gladiator I now have my Jeep AND a pickup truck.

I have a 7 year old son and the back seat is more than accommodating. Heck, 2 adults could spend extended periods of time back there so 2 kids, even in car seats, will be fine. I don't tow at all so I can't comment there. I pretty much haul bikes, skis, and building supplies for the occasional house project.

I won't miss the Sierra...

 

[aj8544]

I just switched from a GMC Sierra. Here's the backstory. I had a 2005 Chevy Colorado for 8 years that I traded in for the Sierra in 2013 when I got a new job (a little more expendable income) and my wife had our son. We had also just bought a house that I knew I'd be working on. We decided we wanted a truck with more room and more capacity.

Over the years I had always wanted a Jeep but I really felt like a pickup truck was just way more practical. It wasn't a compromise I was willing to take. I have been envious of the open air capabilities and the lifestyle aspect of Jeeps for years.

Enter the Gladiator. After owning a full size truck for years I realized that I very rarely (probably never) NEED the extra room a full size truck affords. I appreciate the smaller size of midsize trucks 99% of the time. With the Gladiator I now have my Jeep AND a pickup truck.

I have a 7 year old son and the back seat is more than accommodating. Heck, 2 adults could spend extended periods of time back there so 2 kids, even in car seats, will be fine. I don't tow at all so I can't comment there. I pretty much haul bikes, skis, and building supplies for the occasional house project.

I won't miss the Sierra...

Thanks Tim!

I also find myself driving around with an empty bed 90% of the time.

 

[B345T]

3 F-150's to a Taco back up to a Gladiator...because of garage restrictions...will be back in F-150 when retired and living back on the farm...

 

[Tim]

Thanks Tim!

I also find myself driving around with an empty bed 90% of the time.

Even when it's not empty it's never 100% full. I can count on one hand how many times that happened in 5 years when I had my Sierra. I might need to get creative with the Gladiator on occasion but I ordered a Diamondback cover and a rack system for the bed so it may actually work out better for my uses than the Sierra even though it's smaller.

 

[aj8544]

Even when it's not empty it's never 100% full. I can count on one hand how many times that happened in 5 years when I had my Sierra. I might need to get creative with the Gladiator on occasion but I ordered a Diamondback cover and a rack system for the bed so it may actually work out better for my uses than the Sierra even though it's smaller.

Exactly what I plan to do if I get the gladiator. Will allow me to tow and carry kayaks or roof top tent

Even when it's not empty it's never 100% full. I can count on one hand how many times that happened in 5 years when I had my Sierra. I might need to get creative with the Gladiator on occasion but I ordered a Diamondback cover and a rack system for the bed so it may actually work out better for my uses than the Sierra even though it's smaller.

Sounds like the ideal set up!

 

[Pat2Alaska]

From an F-150. Only thing I miss is the 36 gal gas tank......

 

[RosieJT]

I live on a hobby farm with horses and a small flock of poultry; I spend a tremendous amount of time lugging feed, shavings, gear, and miscellaneous gardening and building materials. I was looking to "downsize" the number of vehicles in my garage while retaining versatility and functionality. I traded a Chevy Silverado 1500 for a Gladiator Overland, which will also compensate for a soon-to-be-dispositioned Saab convertible. Can't yet speak to Gladiator towing capacity (towing is not yet in my driving skill set) but the bed accommodates my normal cargo quite well. I will not be hauling my JD garden tractor with a 54 inch deck but the little log splitter will fit.

What I didn't factor in was the "happy" quotient. This is my first Jeep and my first brand new vehicle. I didn't even realize I wanted a Jeep, let alone a Jeep truck. I've been walking around with a big grin on my face ever since I picked it up two and half weeks ago. Kinda like when I got my first horse at 40 something.

So, yes, I'm a full size convert and no regrets.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I LOVE my Silverado - but not the huge size when parking it. It's a great reliable truck and totally trouble-free. In fact never had a single thing done to it other than I replaced the battery a couple years back and service it when needed - routine stuff. Nothing has ever broken or not worked (ok, mice got into my car hauler wiring and chewed off the insulation so I blew a couple of fuses on the truck for the lights, but.. blame the Iowa mice, not Chevrolet. Thank goodness for separate fuses for trailer lights!
Anyway, I saw the Gladiator and was totally hooked. Eh, my Chevy is a 2011. I kept my Ford F250 from 95 to 2011 when I traded it for this Silverado and figured this truck would be my last. And it would have been except for seeing that stupid Jeep in the dealership when my wife was having her Grand Cherokee worked on (defective glass in driver door -they never saw anything like it ever)
My other car hauler was all steel with wood deck, and weighed 2350 pounds empty. But I figured the Jeep could haul it with a 3,100 pound car on it. When my wife insisted on an upgrade to get the body color top and some other stuff - I balked because of the lower tow ratings and she did what all good wives do - she said "so go buy a lighter trailer". So I did.
I don't think I'll regret it - my last two trucks have been this Silverado 1500 4x4 and prior to that the 95 F250 4x4 Before that it was a 87 Comanche.
(I like the Jeep reliability)
So often when I drive the current truck it's wasted effort - the bed is either empty or partially empty. Only exceptions are when I go to car events and fill the back - and the back seat! with parts...... Fenders, hoods, transmissions, glass, 4 crates of starters and alternators - then I have a load - and haul my car back, too, after the show and swap meet - but I think this will do it. I figure a couple fenders could fit in the back seat, I could get an engine and other stuff in the box. And if all else fails - strap stuff to the car hauler along with the car.
When I traded the Ford for the Chevy I found I was not able to park the Chevy in the same spot in the garage that the Ford fit into so maybe I'll be able to get this truck inside somewhere, somehow..... maybe.
I sold my 70 Javelin so that frees up a little bit of space.
This Overland JT had bloody well better be as reliable as that Silverado or my wife will have a fit........

 

[Heinoceros]

From an F-150. Only thing I miss is the 36 gal gas tank......

Oh man do i miss the 36 gallon gas tank from my F-150. But that is really it. The F-150 was quieter on the road, but that doesnt really matter to me as it turns out.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Oh man do i miss the 36 gallon gas tank from my F-150. But that is really it. The F-150 was quieter on the road, but that doesnt really matter to me as it turns out.

I'll miss the 26 gallon tank of my Chevy - and the range I could go. Oh, well - maybe I'll get some sort of rig where I can keep a spare gas can with the JT

 

[PyrPatriot]

I'll miss the 26 gallon tank of my Chevy - and the range I could go. Oh, well - maybe I'll get some sort of rig where I can keep a spare gas can with the JT

Does that really matter for daily driving? I mean the F150 isnt really an off road vehicle so the larger tank would be more for work jobs, right?

Off roading wise, seeing all those gas tanks mounted on some rigs is the only reason I would be wanting to add a rack/cage system over the bed

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Does that really matter for daily driving? I mean the F150 isnt really an off road vehicle so the larger tank would be more for work jobs, right?

Off roading wise, seeing all those gas tanks mounted on some rigs is the only reason I would be wanting to add a rack/cage system over the bed

Uh, yeah, when heading to Indiana from Iowa, for example - I have to pass by Chicago. I buy gas before leaving Iowa and avoid best I can ever buying any gas in IL especially around Chicago and paying their crazy prices. It matters when traveling on roads where the next gas station is a long ways off and you are getting 11 mpg hauling your car behind you.
Yes, it matters very much for people who leave home and hit the road where gas stations are far between, gas prices are crazy and the gas quality, uh, well, suspect at best. I avoid buying gas in some places due to the crap you get.
I've been glad my Chevy did as well MPG-wise as it does - and for the large tank. I could get past Chicago back to trusted gas and much cheaper prices. I've also been in the Dakotas where you won't see gas for many miles.
I have another Jeep for daily driving. This will be a fun vehicle, yeah, but I expect it to work and haul - especially my car hauler and car.
My next trip hauling a car - Des Moines to Colorado Springs to a huge show out there. I'll need distance there so will likely carry extra gas with me. There's some stations I won't stop at let alone by gas from.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Uh, yeah, when heading to Indiana from Iowa, for example - I have to pass by Chicago. I buy gas before leaving Iowa and avoid best I can ever buying any gas in IL especially around Chicago and paying their crazy prices. It matters when traveling on roads where the next gas station is a long ways off and you are getting 11 mpg hauling your car behind you.
Yes, it matters very much for people who leave home and hit the road where gas stations are far between, gas prices are crazy and the gas quality, uh, well, suspect at best. I avoid buying gas in some places due to the crap you get.
I've been glad my Chevy did as well MPG-wise as it does - and for the large tank. I could get past Chicago back to trusted gas and much cheaper prices. I've also been in the Dakotas where you won't see gas for many miles.
I have another Jeep for daily driving. This will be a fun vehicle, yeah, but I expect it to work and haul - especially my car hauler and car.
My next trip hauling a car - Des Moines to Colorado Springs to a huge show out there. I'll need distance there so will likely carry extra gas with me. There's some stations I won't stop at let alone by gas from.

And that is why I ask, I gain new knowledge and perspectives. Thank you for explaining

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And that is why I ask, I gain new knowledge and perspectives. Thank you for explaining

Exactly why I'm glad I found this forum and why I ask questions.
I figure the day I don't learn something I am apparently being sized up for a box...........even if it's just a small thing, it counts.

Sponsored