How do Gladiators handle on the highway?

[Sammar]

Be honest. Asking about stock not modified Gladiators. I was fairly unimpressed when I test drove a Gladiator on the highway. It reminded me of a VW van getting pushed around in crosswinds. Off the highway it felt like any other decent modern vehicle... no issues. But on the highway at 75 mph I wondered how much I would enjoy a 5 hour drive... or not.

Right from the dealer it did " drift" a bit at speed. I lowered the psi from over 40 to 35 on all 4 tires and it made a noticeable difference.

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[calicorks]

Right from the dealer it did " drift" a bit at speed. I lowered the psi from over 40 to 35 on all 4 tires and it made a noticeable difference.

 

[calicorks]

I got a bed cover for my truck and that helped with wind pushing it around. It was a noticeable difference, and the psi is at 37. I felt the wonder at first, but now, not really and can drive 80+ mph.

 

[Jocww]

Its common practice to air-up the tires to ridiculous levels to maximize ride height to minimize damage coming onto and going off of the car carrier.

When I worked at the car dealer we would get cars off the trailer with well over 40 psi in the tires. If a salesman complained that a new car rode like a dump truck we would often find that the tech in his rush to maximize his pay in a flat rate system had not bothered to air down the tires to the recommended pressure during the post delivery prep servicing.

Other than that, I can't imagine why they would ship the cars with so much air in the tires.

maybe to get better mpgs?

 

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Just got a 2020 Mojave that had 4500 miles on it when we bought it, still smells new inside and 100% stock so far. Came from 10 years of Raptors previously (2x 1st gens, 1x 2nd gen lemon). The Mojave drives great but its definitely "busy" on the road compared to the Raptor. Not nearly as confident, likes to push corners, steers somewhat drastically on bumps. But really overall, pretty good, definitely not the worst modern all-solid axle truck I've driven. Inside is comfortable, though I wish the seats went down an inch or two. A little cozier and more spartan than we usually like but so far the kids and wife love it.

I do really like the "vintage 4x4" feel of everything. The shallow dash, the way it drives, feels like a modernized version of a vintage 4x4

 

[Haley]

did dropping the pressure effect mpg any? does it bounce a bit more now that it can flex?

I dropped it within a week of bringing it home, so hard to say. Doesn't bounce much at all - these Mojave's have a pretty smooth ride.

I'm surprised he said "dropped it down to 37" - what was it before? If over 38 - they were over-inflated to begin with most likely.

...I suspect same for Mojave.

It was 43! Though even when cold the outside temp was 85+. Door sticker reads 37. Now that the temps are coming down a little in the morning, pressure is closer to 34/35 when cold so I may air them back up a bit.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I dropped it within a week of bringing it home, so hard to say. Doesn't bounce much at all - these Mojave's have a pretty smooth ride.


It was 43! Though even when cold the outside temp was 85+. Door sticker reads 37. Now that the temps are coming down a little in the morning, pressure is closer to 34/35 when cold so I may air them back up a bit.

43????????? Wow.

 

[calicorks]

43????????? Wow.

When I bought mine, it was at 47 PSI.

 

[Rvalas]

When I bought mine, it was at 47 PSI.

47? wow pretty sure the wildpeaks on the rubicon aren't E rated towing tires much less for other models I am sure. Appears like someone was guessing instead of trying to find the tire pressure gauge that day.

 

[dcmdon]

I do really like the "vintage 4x4" feel of everything. The shallow dash, the way it drives, feels like a modernized version of a vintage 4x4

This is a brilliant perspective. I've never thought of it that way. but its spot on.

 

[joeym7]

I'm 90% or so ready to make my purchase on the Mohave...I have no issue if it rides like a truck (optimized for off road) on the highway. I'm not looking to buy another street car. I don't want a Ridgeline or Santa Cruz for example.

But I do have one concern about highway driving, given that the "theroetic" power specks (HP/torque) are a little light vs some of its "competetors" in the class.

So I'm wondering how the Mohave will perform passing at highway speed? Obviously, not buying this vehicle for its highway performance per say, but I do want a vehicle that performs in a manner which is safe.

Lets say passing at 60-70 mph on the highway (without a tow). Do you current Gladiator owners with the gas 6 cylinder engine feel at least comfortable (as far as saftey) when doing so with your Gladiators?

I appreciate your opinions and put way more value on them then those of the various Auto editorals out there (which are mixed to somewhat negative on this issue).

Thanks,
-Joe

 

[No Quarter]

I bought my JT lightly used with 20" fuel rims and 275/60 R20 Ridge Grapplers. They were aired up to 42psi. It does not drive poorly on the highway. Regardless, would it still be a good idea to air them down to 38 or so?

 

[Gvsukids]

I'm 90% or so ready to make my purchase on the Mohave...I have no issue if it rides like a truck (optimized for off road) on the highway. I'm not looking to buy another street car. I don't want a Ridgeline or Santa Cruz for example.

But I do have one concern about highway driving, given that the "theroetic" power specks (HP/torque) are a little light vs some of its "competetors" in the class.

So I'm wondering how the Mohave will perform passing at highway speed? Obviously, not buying this vehicle for its highway performance per say, but I do want a vehicle that performs in a manner which is safe.

Lets say passing at 60-70 mph on the highway (without a tow). Do you current Gladiator owners with the gas 6 cylinder engine feel at least comfortable (as far as saftey) when doing so with your Gladiators?

I appreciate your opinions and put way more value on them then those of the various Auto editorals out there (which are mixed to somewhat negative on this issue).

Thanks,
-Joe

I have a Max Tow on stock tires, so passing for me is quite easy at 70 to 80 mph. We'll see how that changes with Rubicon wildpeak M/t takeoffs.

I bought my JT lightly used with 20" fuel rims and 275/60 R20 Ridge Grapplers. They were aired up to 42psi. It does not drive poorly on the highway. Regardless, would it still be a good idea to air them down to 38 or so?

Or 36 on the door sticker. Higher tire pressure accelerates wear.

 

[joeym7]

I have a Max Tow on stock tires, so passing for me is quite easy at 70 to 80 mph. We'll see how that changes with Rubicon wildpeak M/t takeoffs.


Or 36 on the door sticker. Higher tire pressure accelerates wear.

I just checke the Mohave specs in the Catalog...Looks like it has a tow package available/option (but not max tow)...The Mohave tow package is the 240 alternator, heavy engine cooler, class 4 hitch reciever, and camera...The Mohave is stock with a 4.10 axil....I "geta" how most of this will help the cause, but being ignorant/new to this stuff, how does the 4.10 axil help? From what I've googled it is the same axil ratio in the Max Tow package (I think)?

 

[Skdmarc]

Be honest. Asking about stock not modified Gladiators. I was fairly unimpressed when I test drove a Gladiator on the highway. It reminded me of a VW van getting pushed around in crosswinds. Off the highway it felt like any other decent modern vehicle... no issues. But on the highway at 75 mph I wondered how much I would enjoy a 5 hour drive... or not.

Not sure what you're used to driving I've got 6k on my Mojave mainly highway miles top off, doors off, top on etc... I haven't noticed any wind affect and I live in north dakota is always windy you get the jeep wander that doesn't take long to get over the one thing that might catch you off guard if you hit a bump they have a tendency to jump other than that I get 17 - 20 on the highway if you are expecting a civilized ride don't buy a jeep

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