First Real World Gladiator Towing Impressions & Results (7000 lbs)

[smlobx]

......

As far as which trim package, I would think the Sport Max Tow would have given similar results--it has the same Engine, transmission, axle and tire size as the Rubi.

Overall I thought it was a good review, and they did a good job!

I thought the sport tires were 31” not 33’s,like the Rubicon

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[lrtexasman]

Correct smlobx. Tires are different sizes, Sport S Max Tow has 245 75 17 ATs, and Rubi has 285 70 17 AT or MT

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For clarification - when I posted the payload and towing specs for my Silverado 1500 I didn't mention that it is an LTZ version with the Z71 suspension package. THAT is why the towing and payload specs are so high. It's no ordinary Silverado.

Silverado LTZ with Z71 suspension package - 9600 pound trailer max (5,000 without weight distributing hitch)
Gladiator Sport S - Up to 7,650 pounds of towing
I'd never even think of trying to tow 9600 pounds with my Chevy - I tax it on the hills in eastern Iowa on I 80 as it is with only 5400-5500 pounds! Adding another two tons to that? ugh, I could never keep the speed limit up on our hills.

Silverado LTZ with Z71 suspension - payload - 1788 pounds
Gladiator Sport S - Up to 1,700 pounds maximum payload - that's only 88 pounds less than a Silverado with the towing and special packages.
Silverado GVWR 7,000

So if I had the Chevy half ton (Silverado 1500) without the Z71 package - I wonder how the two would compare?
To beat out the mid-sized Jeep truck, a half ton full sized Chevy has to have the additional packages.

Real world experience with my Chevy - towing my car hauler, I feel good to get 11.5 mpg or so on the hills in eastern Iowa and have done as well as about 13.5 towing in other flatter states but that's it. So if I can achieve 12 mpg towing with the Jeep, I'd be ok - although the tank capacity does actually disappoint me a bit - the Chevy is 26 gallons meaning I can cross a lot of ground with it and not pay the crazy gas prices around Chicago when just passing through Illinois - I can buy gas before leaving Iowa and miss the high IL gas prices when heading to Indiana.
That's the part that I figured would impact me quite a bit - the smaller tank - but then it's a smaller vehicle, classified as a mid-sized truck. It's not a semi tractor with huge dual tanks. Guess when towing I could strap on a 5 gallon can of gas and have my 26 gallons that way.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Traded trailers last week. My PJ weighed 2350 empty. My new Aluma weighs 1500. I dropped 850 pounds on trailer alone. Should be fine?

 

[Austingobi]

Just did a trip from Austin to multiple places in NM and CO. Went over so many over 10K passes that I lost count. Did Eisenhower, Leadville and Cottonwood passes in just 2 hours.
Head wind both ways . Over 2K miles. Took it off road on Alpine loop and Carson city (did excellent, Tacoma tore off their footsteps on both sides). Towed around 5K pound toy hauler the whole 12 day trip.

Did burn up alot of my oil life meter. Changed the oil right before the trip.

Max tow with Rubicon lift, wheels, tires.

 

[Gvsukids]

Just did a trip from Austin to multiple places in NM and CO. Went over so many over 10K passes that I lost count. Did Eisenhower, Leadville and Cottonwood passes in just 2 hours.
Head wind both ways . Over 2K miles. Took it off road on Alpine loop and Carson city (did excellent, Tacoma tore off their footsteps on both sides). Towed around 5K pound toy hauler the whole 12 day trip.

Did burn up alot of my oil life meter. Changed the oil right before the trip.

Max tow with Rubicon lift, wheels, tires.

Did you wait until after the break in to begin towing?

 

[Austingobi]

Yes. 7 K miles. Now has almost 10K.

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