How do Gladiators handle on the highway?

[calicorks]

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

When I first bought it, and drove on the highway, I was concerned and didn’t like
Driving fast. Then, I lowered the PSI to 37 and got a tonneau cover. Since then, I’m confident driving highway speeds and passing people over 70mph. It dose take a little getting used too to not over correct the steering. I’m 3k miles in, and in LOVE with my truck.
I came from a dialed in sports car that handled like it was on rails. If your open minded and want a bad a$$ truck, then it’s so worth getting a Gladiator. I get more looks, and people coming up to me then I ever got on my sports car.

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[Gvsukids]

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)?

The 4.10 is also on the Max Tow and Rubicon automatic. Higher axle equates to smaller gear sprocket which makes accelerating easier but at a loss of mpg. I also have small 31.5" tires.

 

[joeym7]

Yea, I am really glad I joined this Forum to get opinions from people who really own these Gladiators, not all the BS in the editorial outlets...Having been a memeber for only a few days I can see this is a driver-enthusist truck (enjoying being actively driving). As far as highway, as long as it can pass saftely at 60-70 MPH, I'm pretty comfortable taking this issue off my 3 lists of concerns (not show stoppers, the other two being towing (but I ain't going to tow much) and wind noise (which is subjective, the complaints from CR's, motertrend, and the like, isn't nearly echoed as a concerm from most of the owners on the forum.)

 

[Gvsukids]

Yea, I am really glad I joined this Forum to get opinions from people who really own these Gladiators, not all the BS in the editorial outlets...Having been a memeber for only a few days I can see this is a driver-enthusist truck (enjoying being actively driving). As far as highway, as long as it can pass saftely at 60-70 MPH, I'm pretty comfortable taking this issue off my 3 lists of concerns (not show stoppers, the other two being towing (but I ain't going to tow much) and wind noise (which is subjective, the complaints from CR's, motertrend, and the like, isn't nearly echoed as a concerm from most of the owners on the forum.)

Mojave towing threads...
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/search/1140359/?q=Mojave+towing&c[title_only]=1&o=date

 

[solfrost]

I daily drove a Miata for 7 years before buying my JT. The JT handles fine. The only real adjustments for me were needing to compensate a little more when the road is bumpy (the Jeep-wander is real), and needing to be a little more active with my shifter on the highway (the JT 6-speed is completely gutless in 5th and 6th gears).

Wind noise isn't a problem (but then, as I said, I daily drove a miata for 7 years and for 9 months out of the year it was "if the sun's out the top's down" sorta deal so maybe I'm not the best judge), if you have the hardtop I highly recommend some kind of headliner -- I have the hothead headliners w/ their "sound assassin" strips and it cuts down the noise quite a bit. If you have a soft top it's gonna be loud no matter what you do.

I haven't towed anything but I've carried a lot of stuff (probably well over payload a couple times on ~3-4hr trips) and haven't had any issues.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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?

Yes.

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)?

IT's a whole heck of a lot more than axle ratio. That's only part of it - due to power/torque abilities of the engine. Weight of the truck, springs, just a whole lot of things. These are rated for towing and payload using very specific testing in the real world. They must survive and they must be able to handle emergency maneuvers and handle braking with a load. A vehicle that sits higher can't do as well as one with a lower center of gravity, for example, so anything lifted loses tow and payload ratings.
There are numerous and huge threads dating back way over a year- many dozens of pages on the topic. Don't try to over-simplify by saying "I have the same axles and hitch so I can tow the same". No, you can't.
And you can't start swapping parts to make it tow more......... not and stay out of trouble.
If you need to tow more - buy the correct truck. Don't buy one for pretty or to be impressive and then think you'll tow more than it's rated for.
Weight of the truck (max tow is lighter than Mojave, Rubicon, etc.) springs, axles, center of gravity and any combination of other factors determine what it can tow - and then the truck is tested to see if it can actually pass the SAE testing process. Any problems, it fails.
Truck makers have been gaming the system and cheating for years - finally, they are starting to stop the BS. For example, Ford took their trucks for the testing minus spare tire and rear bumper! That's how much difference that weight can make.

 

[Haley]

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'll say that at 60-70mph around here, you aren't passing anybody. I feel totally comfortable passing someone at 70-80+ on our highways, though it does make me cringe knowing I'm burning a gallon of gas to do it.

 

[jac04]

I have about 2500 miles on my '21 Mojave auto with ATs and a hard tonneau cover. I run the tires at 37 psi. I've taken three 350-mile round trips from CT to Maine with my wife, 2 kids, all our stuff and assorted tools.

I am pleasantly surprised at how well the Mojave rides and handles on the highway, even in heavy cross-wind conditions. Sure, it takes a bit more steering attention than my old 2019 Audi Allroad, but it is a compromise I am willing to accept.

I have a hard top with the factory headliner. Road & wind noise is obviously much louder than my Audi, but not enough to generate any complaints from the family. The one thing that I do notice is that you can hear things beside you much clearer than in other vehicles.

I don't have any issues with passing power on the 3.6, but I'm usually loafing along at 70-73 in the right lane. I've never had any issues merging either. But, I do find that I am a much more defensive driver when in my JT (or JK), so I'm never trying to make any aggressive passing maneuvers.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'll say that at 60-70mph around here, you aren't passing anybody. I feel totally comfortable passing someone at 70-80+ on our highways, though it does make me cringe knowing I'm burning a gallon of gas to do it.

When not towing, this thing goes like most other things I've had - even more stable than some, and quicker than some.
70 is our speed limits around here, unless it's around Des Moines or other metro areas, then it's 65, and the freeway is 55 or 60, depending on location. So there's not much passing at those speeds, but I have - in order to get around fools who are playing games trying to control traffic flow or who pull along side you and just sit there like a good dog heeling. Idiots. Don't pace me in the "blind spot". Yes, I have mirrors, and yes, this has BSM - but don't be stupid.
So I have nailed it to get away from rural drivers who find themselves in real traffic and can't figure it out or think it's fun.
Then there was our outrunning the derecho of a year ago. Seldom do I EVER hear the words "faster, faster" out of my wife's mouth. I wanted to look over and see who yanked her out of the truck and took her place. Pass that guy, get around him, hurry, get home before it hits!
Smooth as silk and I never felt worried about the truck getting us there safely.
It goes, it stops, it handles well.
And yes - the MPG plummets like those fools who drive out onto Clear Lake in the winter.......straight down.

 

[MrJeep]

My answer to OPs question is it is entirely dependent on the top and tires.
After about 18 months of this being my DD I have found it quite comfortable with quiet tires not inflated too high and the hardtop with sound deadeners installed. You can cruise comfortably at 80 or so and I've seen the other side of 104 and was very impressed, did not feel squirrelly at all (stock Overland tires at that point).
All this said, if I lived in the Texas plains where it was windy this all goes out the window. It's no good in high cross winds.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have about 2500 miles on my '21 Mojave auto with ATs and a hard tonneau cover. I run the tires at 37 psi. I've taken three 350-mile round trips from CT to Maine with my wife, 2 kids, all our stuff and assorted tools.

I am pleasantly surprised at how well the Mojave rides and handles on the highway, even in heavy cross-wind conditions. Sure, it takes a bit more steering attention than my old 2019 Audi Allroad, but it is a compromise I am willing to accept.

I have a hard top with the factory headliner. Road & wind noise is obviously much louder than my Audi, but not enough to generate any complaints from the family. The one thing that I do notice is that you can hear things beside you much clearer than in other vehicles.

I don't have any issues with passing power on the 3.6, but I'm usually loafing along at 70-73 in the right lane. I've never had any issues merging either. But, I do find that I am a much more defensive driver when in my JT (or JK), so I'm never trying to make any aggressive passing maneuvers.

I found it interesting that not only did I have several people see me pull in, and with my rig parked, etc. and came to ask me how it did and how I liked it, I also talked to a few Jeep people - one a JT Mojave owner. He also commented on how nice the ride was on the highway. Mine is no slouch and rides and handles great - so my thinking is that if a Mojave is even the smallest bit better, even a fraction of a percent better, it must have an amazing ride and handle great. I don't doubt it - but knowing how nicely mine does, to imagine the Mojave being better ride and handling it must be a heck of a truck.

Love your post - well said.

 

[fun2drum]

Yes.


IT's a whole heck of a lot more than axle ratio. That's only part of it - due to power/torque abilities of the engine. Weight of the truck, springs, just a whole lot of things. These are rated for towing and payload using very specific testing in the real world. They must survive and they must be able to handle emergency maneuvers and handle braking with a load. A vehicle that sits higher can't do as well as one with a lower center of gravity, for example, so anything lifted loses tow and payload ratings.
There are numerous and huge threads dating back way over a year- many dozens of pages on the topic. Don't try to over-simplify by saying "I have the same axles and hitch so I can tow the same". No, you can't.
And you can't start swapping parts to make it tow more......... not and stay out of trouble.
If you need to tow more - buy the correct truck. Don't buy one for pretty or to be impressive and then think you'll tow more than it's rated for.
Weight of the truck (max tow is lighter than Mojave, Rubicon, etc.) springs, axles, center of gravity and any combination of other factors determine what it can tow - and then the truck is tested to see if it can actually pass the SAE testing process. Any problems, it fails.
Truck makers have been gaming the system and cheating for years - finally, they are starting to stop the BS. For example, Ford took their trucks for the testing minus spare tire and rear bumper! That's how much difference that weight can make.

This needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

I've seen numerous trucks (not just Jeeps) loaded with gear, and with so much extra steel mounted to them that they're probably close to their payload limits before even adding tongue weight to the equation. I often see these trucks with 6,000+ lb trailers attached to them. I hate to spoil all the fun, but a Max Tow JT that's loaded up with big tires and extra steel parts is probably overweight with a 6,000 lb trailer.

Edit: Sorry - I didn't mean to digress the thread from hwy handling into towing. That just touched a nerve and couldn't resist pointing it out.
On topic:
My truck handles the highway as well or better than most suv's trucks I've driven. It has developed a bit of a loose steering on the highway, but that's not normal and about to be fixed.

 

[jac04]

It's no good in high cross winds.

I wonder how much trim level and suspension / tire changes play into this. My stock Mojave on the factory ATs does really well in cross-winds. On our last highway trip I actually commented to my wife that the Gladiator isn't much worse in the wind than my 2019 Allroad.

 

[jac04]

... but knowing how nicely mine does, to imagine the Mojave being better ride and handling it must be a heck of a truck.

Love your post - well said.

Thanks. Yeah, I really like it. A little OT, but my daughter and I took the Mojave on some unmaintained dirt roads about a week back (with the tires still at 37psi). The suspension is magic. Ruts, washouts, whoops - it doesn't matter, just take it all at speed. I couldn't stop giggling like a little kid. We actually went back and did it all again!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I wonder how much trim level and suspension / tire changes play into this. My stock Mojave on the factory ATs does really well in cross-winds. On our last highway trip I actually commented to my wife that the Gladiator isn't any worse in the wind than my 2019 Allroad.

The Overland won't be as stable in strong winds due to the less wide axles. Yes, it's "only 1.5" " total width, but recall the old Pontiac ads.......
On the other hand, I was driving mine 80-85 mph with cross-winds of 70 mph at times - no real issues. It was enough wind to flatten thousands of acres of corn and blow steel interstate signs down flat. (luckily we made it home before the very worst hit - maybe......... trees already down, power already out when we got home. The garage door wouldn't open)

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