So disappointed in this Diesel platform; wish there was a return policy.

[CrazyCooter]

Good one, but then yiu’d need a CDL!?‍?

Wrong again......Mine didn't require a CDL. It was titled as a motorhome which made it less commercial than an F450 and way cheaper to own in our state.

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[kevman65]

Good one, but then yiu’d need a CDL!?‍?

Not if you get it reclassified as an RV (Yes, it has and can be done).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Former B-I-L bought a small semi-tractor and a grain trailer, used it on his farm. He couldn't haul grain for me but then I had to large straight trucks I used.

 

[lrtexasman]

Na, if it’s rated to tow 6k it should be able to tow 6k under 95% of the conditions and roads in US. Otherwise it’s a fail. The JT is advertised by Jeep towing a massive bumper pull trailer after all. The DEF freezing issues some JTs owners experienced over the fall was bs as well.

 

[Fastwake]

From a Gladiator to a F450 ? ? ?

 

[CrazyCooter]

From a Gladiator to a F450 ? ? ?

Right? Not even the same genre of vehicle!

 

[morejeepsthanicancount]

"slightly" higher fuel economy. lol. DOUBLE the tacoma.

 

[Akgladiator]

Man all of these different experiences is crazy to me...

I have no winch (yes this is the EcoDiesel), nothing is blocking airflow, it's all stock rubicon.

I just did the same route again, as I was curious.... This time I added another 400lbs of weight (filled the water tank).

This time I took it MUCH easier on the throttle pedal, and maintained within 1-2 mph of the same speeds through the same VERY steep sections (FYI if you haven't driven this drive in Colorado it is very steep parts are 6% grade or steeper, and it's long, so your turbo is always under boost, generating mad heat....).

This time my temps were lower, like 228-232 (highest point) water temp.

I noticed some differences in the engine, It didn't feel like it pulled as much power and it maintained lower RPM (maybe 2800RPM) vs 3400 RPM, and continued to climb. (as I wasn't floored)

This hill FYI is not like anything else in the country, there are only a few that are as steep and as long, the Eisenhower tunnel, pass going into Jackson WY. Frankly F250's are not going to love going 75 up this pass with a trailer.

Long story short, I think I had unrealistic expectations of the EcoDiesel as the torque number was so much higher than the tacoma, I really thought it would move faster up that hill...

Overall though it towed fine, just not at the speed I was hoping / thinking it would do, but 50mph is respectable I guess for a brick, towing a brick.

Long story short, i feel like I might have come off too strong in the post title, etc, but just know, the eco diesel under extended periods of boost, generates heat, and that ECU will pull power from the system.

Yes your expectation is misplaced on a midsize diesel truck to perform like superduty role, that's quite impossible deal.

Gladiator is a toy for light towing duty in my opinion. I will never use it as a half ton or 3/4 ton duties

 

[jetrocker]

Hope you didn't break anything, with only 426 miles on the truck.. Here's what the OM says:

• 
  Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle or other parts could be damaged
  
• 
   Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier loads
  

 

[benny_rt2]

I've only read the first page, but could it have been something like air in the radiator and/or transmission cooling system(s)?

 

[Advguy]

Hi all, hope a few folks get a chance to read this post.

I purchased a new diesel gladiator with high hopes that it would out perform my Toyota tacoma towing my 2900lb travel trailer (RPOD 179). My hopes were crushed today on its first voyage.

I live in Golden Colorado, and spent an hour this afternoon adjusting my equalizer hitch to sit perfectly on the Gladiator. I made sure the the weights were set perfect, the brake controller was installed correctly, and got everything in check.

Trip Info

Air Temp 86*F

RPOD 179
--Apx 50 sq/ft of frontal area
--2890 ish dry weight; no water loaded, just basic camping gear (call it 250 lbs)
--Equalizer 600lb weight distribution hitch.

It is a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel
--Empty Bed
--Bag of standard tools (maybe 20 lb)
--1 Human
--Factory setup, no added weight at all.
--Tires set at 39PSI all around (standard 33")

The route was from 6th Ave and Simms in Denver to Evergreen (up the I70 Hill)

I could barely maintain 45-50MPH, that was floored the entire way....
Engine temps were through the roof (IMO), and so were oil temps.
I could actively feel the ECU pull power from the engine as the temps got hot, and it got harder and harder to maintain speed.

Once I got to evergreen the engine quickly cooled off and then ran great.
It's clear to me that Jeep couldn't build sufficient cooling, and handled extended high loads by pulling power from the engine.

DO not buy the diesel gladiator to tow, my 4.0L Tacoma I traded in with lots of extra weight, bigger tires, a lift, tools, etc would do this same route with the same trailer and hitch at 55mph and the temp gauge wouldn't rise at all.

The only positive I see is slightly higher fuel mileage. (This same route on my tacoma would be 7mpg, the jeep did 13.5)
I don't think it makes sense to take it to the dealer, as it didn't overheat, and it didn't have any 'problems' per say; it is just weak.


I really wish I could just take my tacoma back.... pay a small fee for the few days of rental, and be on my way.

Again DO NOT buy the diesel thinking it will tow up hills better than your Tacoma. It will not.

View attachment 167809

Sorry to hear about your experience. I’d be mad too.. couple observations:
1) my fuel economy got better after a few thousand miles, and better still after 15,000 miles. I’m averaging 30.9 mpg these days and 20 mpg pulling my 3,500 lb camper.
2) your photo shows you were driving 50 mph in 4th gear. Is there any chance you had your keep in sport shifting mode? That may have prevented you from getting more speed.

 

[CreepyJeepy]

So I’m wondering if something like this might help she

Sorry to hear about your experience. I’d be mad too.. couple observations:
1) my fuel economy got better after a few thousand miles, and better still after 15,000 miles. I’m averaging 30.9 mpg these days and 20 mpg pulling my 3,500 lb camper.
2) your photo shows you were driving 50 mph in 4th gear. Is there any chance you had your keep in sport shifting mode? That may have prevented you from getting more speed.

Hey there! The images were taken with me full throttle going up i70 towards evergreen Colorado. 6% grade with about 3100(ish)total weight in the trailer.

I am told I should try to pull in Manual mode as you can jump RPMs up a bit higher if needed. (I haven't tried that)

I am also wondering if the engine was in a regen phase and maybe that caused the extra heat...

It's really good to hear you can pull 3500 lb with that type of fuel mileage.

What type of terrain do you tow on?
What type of camper is it?
What is the frontal area on that camper?
What type of speed do you typically tow at to get 20mpg?

 

[JT4000]

I have a Diesel Gladiator and tow my 3000 boat. It outtows my Chev Silverado V8 all day long. On boat launches in low its idles up the steepest ramps and hills are never an issue. You are only the second diesel owner I have ever heard of that has issues towing and with heat. I have put a catch can on mine since new and opened up the hood vents. Don't know if that did anything but I do not get anywhere near the temps you do. Tell the dealer to fix it.

 

[Overland-2021]

Hi all, hope a few folks get a chance to read this post.

I purchased a new diesel gladiator with high hopes that it would out perform my Toyota tacoma towing my 2900lb travel trailer (RPOD 179). My hopes were crushed today on its first voyage.

I live in Golden Colorado, and spent an hour this afternoon adjusting my equalizer hitch to sit perfectly on the Gladiator. I made sure the the weights were set perfect, the brake controller was installed correctly, and got everything in check.

Trip Info

Air Temp 86*F

RPOD 179
--Apx 50 sq/ft of frontal area
--2890 ish dry weight; no water loaded, just basic camping gear (call it 250 lbs)
--Equalizer 600lb weight distribution hitch.

It is a 2021 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel
--Empty Bed
--Bag of standard tools (maybe 20 lb)
--1 Human
--Factory setup, no added weight at all.
--Tires set at 39PSI all around (standard 33")

The route was from 6th Ave and Simms in Denver to Evergreen (up the I70 Hill)

I could barely maintain 45-50MPH, that was floored the entire way....
Engine temps were through the roof (IMO), and so were oil temps.
I could actively feel the ECU pull power from the engine as the temps got hot, and it got harder and harder to maintain speed.

Once I got to evergreen the engine quickly cooled off and then ran great.
It's clear to me that Jeep couldn't build sufficient cooling, and handled extended high loads by pulling power from the engine.

DO not buy the diesel gladiator to tow, my 4.0L Tacoma I traded in with lots of extra weight, bigger tires, a lift, tools, etc would do this same route with the same trailer and hitch at 55mph and the temp gauge wouldn't rise at all.

The only positive I see is slightly higher fuel mileage. (This same route on my tacoma would be 7mpg, the jeep did 13.5)
I don't think it makes sense to take it to the dealer, as it didn't overheat, and it didn't have any 'problems' per say; it is just weak.


I really wish I could just take my tacoma back.... pay a small fee for the few days of rental, and be on my way.

Again DO NOT buy the diesel thinking it will tow up hills better than your Tacoma. It will not.

View attachment 167809

Hey CreepyJeepy,

I am very confused you are getting such bad performance - my experience has been completely different with the same outside temps and a lot more weight:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...with-your-eco-diesel.38774/page-2#post-714739

I have 5k on a stock Overland and it pulls fantastic... for a 1/2 ton truck. Never struggles unless the hill is real steep or Im passing with a full load.
Only question I have is how many miles are on it?
Maybe its still breaking in?

 

[CreepyJeepy]

JT and Overland, What elevation do you tow at?

It's only at 900 miles now. So the break in might be the issue.

The dealer does want to check it out, so it's scheduled to go in in 2 weeks (soonest appt they had). (for the heat issue while towing and the soggy front springs bottoming out on potholes / speed bumps)

It's 6-7% grade up i70 in those parts. Steep and Long.

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