OPINION: Sport/S w/ Max Tow

[Gobi1Kenobi]

Good morning everyone,
New guy here, looking into trading in my '14 GC for a '20 Glad. I'd like to give y'all my current situation/needs and am looking for honest opinions.

Now: Weekend adventure vehicle with the wifey and puppy, occasional hardware trips for wood

Soon: Amateur overlanding rig, want to really get into it as we love to camp and go outdoors

Later: Boat or jetski towing machine


Here's what I'm set on (I think):

New or Used
Trim: Sport or Sport S
Required Options: Max Tow (now available on both Sport models), Remote Start (it gets hot in AZ), Aux

I'm pretty confident I can install exterior mods later on down the road (rails, skids, fenders, lift, etc), running wires is where I'm not the most patient with. I'm seeing a good number of used base models for the mid/low $30k and it's tempting.

PS do Gladiator owners also have a 'Jeep wave'?
Thanks!

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[MoparMike]

Good morning everyone,
New guy here, looking into trading in my '14 GC for a '20 Glad. I'd like to give y'all my current situation/needs and am looking for honest opinions.

Now: Weekend adventure vehicle with the wifey and puppy, occasional hardware trips for wood

Soon: Amateur overlanding rig, want to really get into it as we love to camp and go outdoors

Later: Boat or jetski towing machine


Here's what I'm set on (I think):

New or Used
Trim: Sport or Sport S
Required Options: Max Tow (now available on both Sport models), Remote Start (it gets hot in AZ), Aux

I'm pretty confident I can install exterior mods later on down the road (rails, skids, fenders, lift, etc), running wires is where I'm not the most patient with. I'm seeing a good number of used base models for the mid/low $30k and it's tempting.

PS do Gladiator owners also have a 'Jeep wave'?
Thanks!

The Max Tow is a great package. The Gladiator has the same Jeep wave as wranglers. Wave at all Jeeps! Gladiator, Wrangler, maybe XJ, and whoever else you wave to.

 

[TJDave]

For what you want to do, a Max tow is plenty. Max Tow Sport S is what I have been wanting since this whole Gladiator thing started.
When the prices started to come down some, I sold off a pickup and a couple Jeeps, I was finally ready. But, around here, Max Tows became very hard to find. That was my only requirement for the wider axles and lower gear ratio. So, I said fuggit, and bought the Rubicon.
There are some honest salesmen out there, but it's amazing how many salesman said a Sport with the tow package was the same thing, or just as good, as the Max Tow package. Not even close.
They are either: very uninformed, and do not know anything about what they are selling..?
Smart/sneaky/dishonest, and trying to make a sale with what is on the lot..?
Weak, and complying to management sales directives to mislead customers..?
Take your pick and walk in to the dealer armed with information.

 

[Gobi-Wan Kenobi]

Good morning everyone,
New guy here, looking into trading in my '14 GC for a '20 Glad. I'd like to give y'all my current situation/needs and am looking for honest opinions.

Now: Weekend adventure vehicle with the wifey and puppy, occasional hardware trips for wood

Soon: Amateur overlanding rig, want to really get into it as we love to camp and go outdoors

Later: Boat or jetski towing machine


Here's what I'm set on (I think):

New or Used
Trim: Sport or Sport S
Required Options: Max Tow (now available on both Sport models), Remote Start (it gets hot in AZ), Aux

I'm pretty confident I can install exterior mods later on down the road (rails, skids, fenders, lift, etc), running wires is where I'm not the most patient with. I'm seeing a good number of used base models for the mid/low $30k and it's tempting.

PS do Gladiator owners also have a 'Jeep wave'?
Thanks!

I love my Sport max tow.

I probably wouldn't bother shopping used. There are enough dealers out there that will discount new ones enough that you pay the same for a new one. Start by looking in the forums for dealers in your area discounting them.

With 1 email and no haggling I got a dealer that advertises in this forum to offer 8% under invoice plus any manufacturer incentives in place at the time of delivery on a custom order. They were offering larger discounts if you bought one off the lot but I wanted a very specific set of options. It was about the easiest vehicle purchase I have ever made. I did have to drive 2 hours to pick it up because none of the dealers closer to my house wanted to match the price.

 

[BAT]

Well if you plan on towing would go with the max tow or the Rubicon would think or at least a model with the tow package. Unless you plan on picking up some aftermarket max tow springs or the like later down the road to change out. For me I have nothing to tow at this time but I went with the max tow for down the road. Now If i was planing on towing big stuff I would have just kept the Ram 1500

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

A Rubicon that was ordered from the factory with the Class-IV Tow Package has all the same upgrades as a Max Tow package (wide-track D44's, 4.10 gears, and towing performance upgrades). The only difference is the springs and shocks, and the payload and towing numbers stamped on the door sill. It has the same upgraded hi-amp alternator, and the HD engine cooling, and all the other stuff the Max Tow has....PLUS...It has all the Rubicon stuff (like lockers, swaybar diconnect, 4:1 transfer case, skid plates, Rubicon suspension, Fox 2.0 shocks, etc...).

If you're not ever planning on towing anywhere near the 7,000 lbs. mark, and plan to do offroading, I'd take a serious look at a factory-ordered Rubicon with the Class-IV Tow Pkg.

Just food for thought...

My Rubicon was ordered with the factory Class-IV Tow Package, and it specifically states on the window sticker "HD engine cooling" as part of the tow package upgrade. And Rubicons already have the upgraded alternator, as part of the Rubicon package.

 

[jebiruph]

Good morning everyone,
New guy here, looking into trading in my '14 GC for a '20 Glad. I'd like to give y'all my current situation/needs and am looking for honest opinions.

Now: Weekend adventure vehicle with the wifey and puppy, occasional hardware trips for wood

Soon: Amateur overlanding rig, want to really get into it as we love to camp and go outdoors

Later: Boat or jetski towing machine


Here's what I'm set on (I think):

New or Used
Trim: Sport or Sport S
Required Options: Max Tow (now available on both Sport models), Remote Start (it gets hot in AZ), Aux

I'm pretty confident I can install exterior mods later on down the road (rails, skids, fenders, lift, etc), running wires is where I'm not the most patient with. I'm seeing a good number of used base models for the mid/low $30k and it's tempting.

PS do Gladiator owners also have a 'Jeep wave'?
Thanks!

I looked at getting the Mopar remote start for my sport and found that power locks were required. You'll need a sport s if you want the Mopar remote start.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

The Sport S Max Tow is a very solid pick to start with and build from to your needs. The difference in price to a Rubicon buys a lot of parts. Parts that may well be better than the Rubicon in the end.

 

[XJADDICTION]

I have max tow and love it. I had a Rubicon 2016 hard rock JKU and had trouble with the lockers and the swaybar disconnect... buy the max tow sport s and upgrade with better lockers and sway bar. Most buy the Rubicon then purchase lift, new wheels and tires etc. save 5K+ and build the Max!

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I have max tow and love it. I had a Rubicon 2016 hard rock JKU and had trouble with the lockers and the swaybar disconnect... buy the max tow sport s and upgrade with better lockers and sway bar. Most buy the Rubicon then purchase lift, new wheels and tires etc. save 5K+ and build the Max!

This I still do not understand. People who totally tear apart a Rubicon.

When I do lockers I will prefer the air lockers to e lockers anyhow. And the JKS disconnect isn't exactly labor intensive. Yeah it's not a button but I have seen some say the JKS articulates better than the Rubicon.

 

[red/green hawk]

The Sport S Max Tow is a very solid pick to start with and build from to your needs. The difference in price to a Rubicon buys a lot of parts. Parts that may well be better than the Rubicon in the end.

I couldn't agree more. I got my Sport S Max Tow for a little over what my Fully Loaded Renegade Trailhawk cost. Any aftermarket upgrades I do I pay cash instead of paying them off on a already equipped Rubicon over 5 years with interest. I literally paid almost 20k less than what I could have paid for a Rubicon. Admittingly if I had the money I would have probably pulled the trigger on a Rubicon. But since the kids need braces and virtually everything else the Sport S Max Tow was an easy sell.

 

[Mike White]

I looked at getting the Mopar remote start for my sport and found that power locks were required. You'll need a sport s if you want the Mopar remote start.

I have a sport/max tow with the cold weather package that give me remote start. I also have electric windows and locks.

 

[Klutch]

My JT is a Sport S with Max Tow. I really like it. If I was to buy a JT today, I might opt for the Mojave.

Also, I agree to get a new Gladiator. FCA is offering some really nice rebates and dealers are really motivated to discount. If a dealer won't deal, go to another dealer who will. This isn't North Korea.

 

[whiteglad]

You will probably strongly prefer the S over the base Sport--aluminum wheels, power windows and locks.

 

[bastage]

I dont regret my choice at all.. The cost savings is enough to way outdo a Rubicon $ for $.

That said if your going to buy it & drive it stock & thats the end of it then the Rubicon is I think a better rig. If your going to upgrade & make things better then there are 2 differences between the Rubicon & a Max Tow. Those are Lockers & the Electric Sway Bar Disc. 4500ish would buy you ARB lockers, the onboard air compressor & a re-gear all at the same time installed in most areas. That would far surpass the strength & functionality of the Rubicon. The electric Sway bar disc if your going to use it often would be handy. Myself its not a big deal so I just manually disc mine using the JKS quicker Disc installed with my lift. Takes all of about 4 min total including ziptieing them up & out of the way & then reconnecting them back after. I do this during air up/down so its not really any extra time at all. The other thing that really never gets changed is going to be the transfer case. And well with the 8 speed auto I couldnt give a shit less about having the extra extra low that the rubicon does that I dont.

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