Buying a Gladiator, what do I need to know about "tow packages"?

[WILL1E]

Hey everyone! New to the forum and a long time Jeep lover! I've been jeepless for over 10 years now and life is finally shifting to a point where i'm ready to get back into one!

So i'm pretty set on getting a Rubicon Gladiator, ideally used with low mileage. There seems to be alot of 2020 model's with less than 10k on locally. The question i have is regarding the "tow package". Are all Rubi Gladiators with the 8 speed auto created equal or is there a true towing package i need to make sure they (any Gladiator model year) in order to get the maximum towing capacity? I know there is a sport model that has the absolute max, but i want a rubicon. So what do i need to look for?

TIA!
WILL1E

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[Hootbro]

Rubicons already come with 4:10 gears and the wide axle. So their "tow package" is just basically a hitch with some improved cooling.

On the Sport models that generally come with 3.73 gears and the standard axle, they have the "Max Tow" package that bumps them up the wide axle and 4.10 gears plus the hitch and improved cooling.

Basically the Rubicon with a tow package will have the same rating as a Sport with Max Tow package minus a few hundred pounds deduction (7000 vs. 7600) for having extra equipment on the Rubicon that is not on the Sport.

 

[WILL1E]

Thanks for the info!

So to be clear, there is an actual "tow package" that i need to ensure is installed on the Rubicon model?

 

[Jefe1018]

Thanks for the info!

So to be clear, there is an actual "tow package" that i need to ensure is installed on the Rubicon model?

Yes, that’ll improve the cooling system, possibly the alternator (sorry can’t recall atm) and has all the factory wiring for the trailer. The only thing you’ll need to do after that is add a brake controller which is very straightforward and plug n play.

 

[Joe Gladiator]

2021 Rubi tow package includes

 

[WILL1E]

The only thing you’ll need to do after that is add a brake controller which is very straightforward and plug n play.

Yup, i've installed those before.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes, that’ll improve the cooling system, possibly the alternator (sorry can’t recall atm) and has all the factory wiring for the trailer. The only thing you’ll need to do after that is add a brake controller which is very straightforward and plug n play.

If it has aux switches, it has the larger/240 amp alternator.
The trail rail system also has the 240 amp alternator.

They all - towing package or not - have the trailer connectors and wiring to the rear.
Every Gladiator has that wiring.

The tow package has the receiver hitch. If that's not on the rear, it has no tow package, although people can buy and install that hitch at any time themselves.

Best to get the VIN, plug it into this site (letters must be all caps as I recall)
https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=
put the VIN of the vehicle after the = sign.

Sport max tow (a special towing package ONLY on Sport versions) trailer towing - 7,650
Rubicon with tow package - 7,000
Others with tow package - 6,000

Payload listed in books and on the web is MAX with zero options, the very most basic version of that level. Any options change that number.
The only way to know payload rating of any vehicle - truck, SUV, whatever, is on the door jamb sticker after it's built.

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