Why a gladiator might not work for me.

[ACAD_Cowboy]

To alleviate a lot of the burning questions:

1. Wife and I have discussed crates, the dogs are not the more crate friendly, the shitty part of buddys life was spent in one and lyn is a corgi ie sits on the lap of god. They can and will crate it.

2. Gladiator with a cap is a solid plan, my Gladiator "aspirational photo collection" aka photo recon for planning is a cap with rack and hardtop with rack on the same plane so it's nearly as close to one rack as I can manage.

3. Suburbans, Tahoes, 4Runners etc lack the ability to get peeled and go have some assing around fun which is one of the reasons I like jeeps in general. You can track half the beach inside and cover the seats in mud and shrug it off as... next weekends chore.

4. Form factor. I'd love me a power wagon on some big meats but now I may not enjoy all the same trails etc. A Gladiator is still small enough. But a big truck means a lot more bed space. Honestly I could fit the whole beach day in a half ton long bed.

5. This long logistics tail is a combination of required **ahem mandated** equipment and the fact that a day spent splashing in the surf on a hot day in full sun is not idea for a passel of 4th graders, they must eat and must drink and must rest in some shade. The poochies need some shade or I will figure it out (wife speak for there is no choice or decision really). Me, I can get by with a tuna lunch to go, a jug of water and some snacks, wifes the same but the boys have needs like camp chairs and toys and a choice of melons... the list never ends.

The reassuing thing is a day or a week, the typical load remains fairly constant. And I know plenty of people have a lot ot say about decked. For my needs its a mix of a safe place for recovery gear etc and work equipment, having a trunk box to hold it all would do wonders as right now it lives in a nice 511 bag while the jeep sleeps at home.

Ultimatly I suppose the answer is I'm still not sure which way I want to go. It will be time to move forward to a JLU or something soon I guess. Until then I'll just keep figuring it out I guess.

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[ACAD_Cowboy]

Is there room for the kitchen sink?

Sorry, dry toilet is all you got. For everthing else there is the atlantic ocean.

The back story is I spent too many days at the beach where other people failed to bring any food or water, just assuming services would be right there. They are "right there" by way of a 4 mile drive back to the ranger station. Sorry but no, I'll haul enough just in case chow to feed and water everyone than watch your kid suffer because you didn't ask or plan. It's my mother hen instinct.

 

[Ball_Ze]

4X$ Sprinter

 

[dcmdon]

Or at least a Tahoe.

A Tahoe gives you zero cargo space with 3 rows in place.

True, though roof racks and hitch trays help alleviate that. But honestly I think OP needs a suburban or expedition max and nothing else really and truly fits their very specific and detailed needs.

I agree. I actually think the Gladiator could meet the need with dogs in a crate , a roof rack and possibly a receiver rack on the front.

But I'd bet a Suburban could get everything inside without the need for racks. I've rented a suburban a few times for hunting trips out west with 2 other guys. 3 guys, 4 dogs and all our gear for 2 weeks fit in total comfort. They really are amazingly roomy.

Sorry, dry toilet is all you got. For everthing else there is the atlantic ocean.

The back story is I spent too many days at the beach where other people failed to bring any food or water, just assuming services would be right there. They are "right there" by way of a 4 mile drive back to the ranger station. Sorry but no, I'll haul enough just in case chow to feed and water everyone than watch your kid suffer because you didn't ask or plan. It's my mother hen instinct.

You are too kind. I'm a project manager by trade, so I generally assault friends with checklists and requests for confirmation before any kind of trip.

And if they forget anyway. I"m happy to feed their kids. But they are S4it out of luck.

4. Form factor. I'd love me a power wagon on some big meats but now I may not enjoy all the same trails etc. A Gladiator is still small enough. But a big truck means a lot more bed space. Honestly I could fit the whole beach day in a half ton long bed.

A Power Wagon with a cap is as much of a turd as a Suburban. Maybe more.

1. Wife and I have discussed crates, the dogs are not the more crate friendly, the shitty part of buddys life was spent in one and lyn is a corgi ie sits on the lap of god. They can and will crate it.

I'm still learning about Jeeps. But I know dogs. Any dog can be trained to love his crate. Even if he's had a history of neglect that involved them. Its just a matter of how much YOU want them up front. They can be conditioned to be perfectly content in back. Our wants aren't always logical.

My dog rides in back, but my wife insists the cat rides in front. I have no idea why.

 

[SSinGA]

Or at least a Tahoe.

Grand Wagoneer ?

 

[dajudge]

Grand Wagoneer ?

What was I thinking! Definitely a Grand Wagoneer!

 

[dajudge]

A Tahoe gives you zero cargo space with 3 rows in place

Why would he need three rows? Two adults and two children don't require a third row.

 

[AXISJT]

A gladiator with a cap will be fine and easy to fit everything. The two coolers can go to the rear of the Bed stacked on each other and strapped( in all honesty id say throw the coolers out and get a large fridge instead). then just lay everything else down in an even layer set a piece of plywood on top of that and cover it in blankets and the dogs can go on that area. That's what I would do at least. if you not comfortable with that id just stick the corgi on the wifes lap and the other pup in the middle seat between the kids With a rack, this would all become even easier

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

They would be highly offended to hear your point of view.

For the high speed low drag trips, I'll flop the 2nd row and throw the boys into the harnesses on the jump seat and stuff the goods into the middle space.

 

[Mister Lamb]

Between truck bed, roof rack/basket, and a purchasable hitch basket, you can definitely swing a Gladiator. Some of the hitch baskets I've seen are impressively large. You can also tow a trailer/cargo cart.

 

[22_Sarge_Sport]

Easy solution is to get rid of kids. But if you can fit it in what you have now, I would be surprised if you can fit it in a Gladiator. But I have a feeling you like what you have now so the real question is do you want to switch. That question is one you will have to make. I do believe the bed is very swallow and with a cover on it holds surprisingly little. I have a cover and have since ordered a cap. Went from a Frontier and a half ton pickup, to just a gladiator and couldn't be happier.

The easy solution is...what now?

 

[Blade1668]

I was thinking it sounds like you're needing a 8'×'12-16' enclosed trailer or similar size. A plus is can leave a lot of the stuff packed up ready to go. And a shelter from rain and sun can permanently mount awnings too. Slightly lower cost than another self propelled vehicle. I do miss my enclosed trailer but even I needed a larger one than I had (5×8). It would fit just my 4wheeler but not tall enough to drive in.
Now if your moving on from JT best to you, you will be missed.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

The easy solution is...what now?

It's obviously just wait the ~15 years until the dogs have passed and the boys moved out... so simple, I'll just park it in the garage and wait.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

It's obviously just wait the ~15 years until the dogs have passed and the boys moved out... so simple, I'll just park it in the garage and wait.

Nah you ain't gotta wait that long. I'll give you 50 bucks each for them kids right now. I'll go $75 if they already know how to work a lawnmower and weed eater.

 

[ACAD_Cowboy]

Now if your moving on from JT best to you, you will be missed.

Oh no, I've been here since before the JT premiered, I'll keep lurking. I'm like corgi hairs... always there.

I'm in no rush and a camp trailer keeps gnawing at me. As of right now I have ple ty of time to make decisions.

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