Using Gladiator As A Toad?

[Dan in Pasadena]

A different sort of tow question: Is anyone towing their JT with a Class C, Triton V10 Ford E350 RV? Yes, I know it'd be better if I had an E450.

I did a 6200 mile roundtrip with my RV in 2019 towing a Fiat 500. That's only about 2486 lbs. I barely felt it. Then I got a 2017 JK two door but I've only towed it on short trips so far because of the quarantine. Of course it weighs much more but how much? This stupid website:

https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2017-J...L3AFJJiUua3jDaF4XLAobnlxTH8hX3EC23iB1UXRD1S3_

....says 3,879 lbs curb weight. The Gladiator comes in at 4,650 to 5,050 lbs per the internet. Mine's a Rubicon so I assume its the heavier one? I am assuming it's just too much for a long trip across country. Anyone using theirs behind a Class C and not a giant diesel pusher? If so, how long a trip, how'd it do on hills? Any real concerns with transmission temperature? Pic's?

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[Kevin_D]

Mine’s not a class C, but a 22,000# class A on the F53 chassis. And a Sport S…

The Sport S is lighter than the Rubicon, and I’m at about 4800# with the tow bar. My tow rating is 5,000#.

That all said, my longest trip was 360mi. one-way, through the Columbia River Gorge on I-84. The winds would push the Gladiator around quite a bit. But once I was out of the wind, I hardly knew it was back there.
I would think that an E350 or E450, being lighter, wouldn’t notice the load so much as far as performance, but the Jeep would be a greater percentage of the GCWR, and have more effect on handling.

 

[kaeo_15]

I’ll see myself out…

 

[Kevin_D]

I’ll see myself out…

Sorry, that’s only four-on-the-floor…

Kevin

 

[yoda13]

I plan on using mine as such, if I can get my motorhome fixed. My E-450 is rated at pulling 7500 pounds. However, the hitch supplied from the factory is a 5000 pound hitch. So, I am having mine replaced with a higher capacity hitch. You might not have that problem. I would bet as long as your hitch was OK capacity wise, you’d be fine…

 

[BRMoose]

I’ll see myself out…

Only good for short hops

 

[KVJ]

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Mine’s not a class C, but a 22,000# class A on the F53 chassis. And a Sport S…

The Sport S is lighter than the Rubicon, and I’m at about 4800# with the tow bar. My tow rating is 5,000#.

That all said, my longest trip was 360mi. one-way, through the Columbia River Gorge on I-84. The winds would push the Gladiator around quite a bit. But once I was out of the wind, I hardly knew it was back there.
I would think that an E350 or E450, being lighter, wouldn’t notice the load so much as far as performance, but the Jeep would be a greater percentage of the GCWR, and have more effect on handling.

Kevin, What drivetrain is in your Class A? If it's a gasser I would assume a Triton V10?? If so I'd assume it weighs a lot more than my Class C.

I plan on using mine as such, if I can get my motorhome fixed. My E-450 is rated at pulling 7500 pounds. However, the hitch supplied from the factory is a 5000 pound hitch. So, I am having mine replaced with a higher capacity hitch. You might not have that problem. I would bet as long as your hitch was OK capacity wise, you’d be fine…

I hadn't even considered the weight rating of the factory hitch. I better see what the sticker says. My brother in law has an E450 and as far as I can tell the only really difference with similar model year E350's and E450's is their rear end ratio and wider rear track though most say the later chassis (mine is a 2017 purchased new in early 2018) of the E350's have been widened and the difference is less now. Some say the frame is a heavier gauge metal.

Also, I added rear airbags to my RV to minimize side-to-side rocking in wind and rough roads. They work great and would compensate for a little squat in rear suspension if I opt to tow the JTR.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

We still have the 2012 Fiat 500. It's not a great car, but they're not the "Fix-It-Again-Tony" nightmare stereotype so many people think they are. Mine is a manual so it's a fun little go kart type car to tool around in. Perfect for a toad because it was the 2nd lowest weight car when I was deciding. First was a Chevy Aveo I think - not even 2000 lbs. Later bought the 2017 two door JK manual which I've now replaced with the Gladiator.

 

[Kevin_D]

Kevin, What drivetrain is in your Class A? If it's a gasser I would assume a Triton V10?? If so I'd assume it weighs a lot more than my Class C.

Yes, the V10. As I said, the coach itself, fully loaded, is just under 22,000lbs.

Also, I added rear airbags to my RV to minimize side-to-side rocking in wind and rough roads. They work great and would compensate for a little squat in rear suspension if I opt to tow the JTR.

You shouldn’t have any squat in the rear suspension, whatever you’re flat towing: the only added weight would be a bit from the tow bar.

Kevin

 

[yoda13]

Kevin beat me too it, but there should be zero squat!

 

[UTRZRDOG]

Did a 1200 mile trip 3 weeks ago with the Diesel Galdiator behind a 2018 32‘ E450 class C Leprechaun. Utah to the Wind Rivers, Yellowstone across the Cheif Joseph hiway and into West Yellowstone. Down into the Tetons and then over the Teton pass and then back home. Wasn’t the fastest on the road but had no troubles at all with heat or anything else. 8.9 MPG hand calculated and am very happy how the V10 handled it. Traveled at 65-75 all of the way except the passes and then it was 25-30 MPH. Would not be concerned at all.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yes, the V10. As I said, the coach itself, fully loaded, is just under 22,000lbs.

You shouldn’t have any squat in the rear suspension, whatever you’re flat towing: the only added weight would be a bit from the tow bar.

Kevin

Kevin beat me too it, but there should be zero squat!

Thanks guys. Of course there will be no squat -I zoned out thinking of when I tow my 22 ft Centurion wakeboard boat. The air bags in the rear really aren't for that though. As I mentioned they eliminate the annoying side-to-side rocking from going on uneven pavement.

Did a 1200 mile trip 3 weeks ago with the Diesel Galdiator behind a 2018 32‘ E450 class C Leprechaun. Utah to the Wind Rivers, Yellowstone across the Cheif Joseph hiway and into West Yellowstone. Down into the Tetons and then over the Teton pass and then back home. Wasn’t the fastest on the road but had no troubles at all with heat or anything else. 8.9 MPG hand calculated and am very happy how the V10 handled it. Traveled at 65-75 all of the way except the passes and then it was 25-30 MPH. Would not be concerned at all.

Wow, thanks for the photos. I'm impressed. Yours is an E450 so you have that advantage over my E350 but my coach is only 26 ft. vs. your 32 ft. plus the diesel weighs about 400lbs more than the gas JT so that makes me think if you can do it I certainly should be able to do it. NOT looking forward to "25-30 mph" in the passes, maybe I can beat that by 5 mph, ha ha, but oh well. I can move over and take it slow. Do you think you had any transmission heat issues? I was wondering if I should consider some kind of additional cooling for the trans? Maybe a temp gauge. It couldn't hurt but I don't need to spend the money if it's a non issue. Can't thank you guys enough for the good advice.

PS: Your white JT looks cool behind your rig. Mine is Sting Gray so it won't match that well - not that I care but my girlfriend wanted the Fiat in root beer so it would match, and of course be "cute" Sheesh.

 

[Kevin_D]

My setup comes in close to 27,000lbs., and the transmission temperature gauge didn’t raise at all. I should have the same engine-transmission you do.
However, the grades through the Gorge aren’t as steep as those headed east from me, but I did slow to about 50 (3rd gear) a couple times.

Kevin

 

[UTRZRDOG]

I kept a close eye on the gauges while pulling the passes and no heat problems for tranny or engine were noticed.

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