Can I Tow this?

[BDoerr54]

I have a Gladiator Rubicon (Automatic).

I'm looking at possibly buying a new camper.

Here's the specs:
GVWR 7000LBS
Dry 5040LBS
Hitch 685LBS

I know I have 7000LBS towing capacity. When I camp I am mainly doing instate trips. I always travel with the tanks empty and usually just carry, food, clothes, mountain bikes, and maybe firewood.

Is the hitch weight too much? Anyone with a rubicon have experience towing this heavy and with this hitch weight?

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[sharpsicle]

Are you going to use a weight distribution hitch? Also, what's the frontal area like, and overall length?

Better yet, what camper is it?

 

[jeepers29]

Lots will say yes, I would never tow with that combination. Tongue weight alone eats up a lot of your carrying capacity. Also, your MPG will be horrific

 

[DCPHOENIX]

You'll be over weight, just like most people that tow. The payload of the Gladiator is small.

But you'll probably be fine. OR you won't

 

[BDoerr54]

Are you going to use a weight distribution hitch? Also, what's the frontal area like, and overall length?

Better yet, what camper is it?

Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2290BH. It's a new model they have coming out. Will use whatever hitch is recommended.

 

[sharpsicle]

Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2290BH. It's a new model they have coming out. Will use whatever hitch is recommended.

Thanks. Based on what I see there, you could do it, but you're not going to be able to absorb much in the way of added payload on the Jeep, and your control over the camper is going to be diminished. Swaying in traffic is always a concern, especially on the freeway. MPG will be in the toilet no matter what you tow so don't let that become a factor for you. Overall, this is probably at the limit for non-Max Tow Gladiators. These are fairly small trucks after all in the grand scheme of trucks.

You can tow this with a WDH, but how comfortable you will be doing it is going to be the question. A camper like that is really better suited to an F150 or comparable. But that doesn't mean you can't use the Gladiator so long as you're prepared and comfortable with it.

 

[Gren71]

2019 Sport Max Tow

I pull a keystone 250 BHS

6,000lbs
715lbs tongue

use a WDH for sure. And consider sumo springs for your truck AND the camper. They’re actually doing %25 now.

i get 9-12mpg depending on where I tow. Ive taken this camper thousands of miles this year already and have NO ISSUES with it.

it is a small truck so you will get pushed around on the highway a bit. Par for the course.

if i had listened to the nay sayers on this forum id have never made the move. My family and I are beyond happy we pulled the trigger and got it.

follow your heart and drive smart. Large reactionary gap, slow speed, ect.

 

[antwon412]

Can you? Yes

Should you? No

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You are pushing it on tongue weight. Aren't these limited to something like 600 or so pounds tongue weight?
That 7,000 number is also max - most "towing sites" will say (sometimes strongly) best to stay 10% under that, or about 6300 pounds.
You aren't going to like it with that much tongue weight, and no, a WDH does not reduce tongue weight so you can't say if it's a limit of 600 pounds you'll be fine with a WDH - doesn't work that way.
IMO, you won't be happy, you'll be maxed out, and taking it to the limits at best, over the limit on tongue weight at worst.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Lots will say yes, I would never tow with that combination. Tongue weight alone eats up a lot of your carrying capacity. Also, your MPG will be horrific

Tongue weight plus driver and passenger and anything else IN the truck, and any things bolted to the truck after purchase will suck that payload down.
a 200 pound guy, wife at ???:, plus a dog - you've eaten up over 300 pounds. That plus the tongue weight, it's going to be tough.

 

[Bonanza]

I have a Keystone 1800BH rugged terrain. The floorplan is very close to yours, minus the slideout, but mine is 3300 lbs dry. You're going to be near or at the limit with yours. I considered a similar trailer to yours, but it also made me consider whether I wanted to go to a 1/2 ton truck. I decided to go with a smaller trailer because I refuse to rock crawl with anything bigger or on IFS.

I bought mine used, just a few months ago, for $14500. Used 2018. I was considering new, and most are nearly double the price at $30k. I didn't want to finance, and found what I think was a smokin deal. You said possibly buy, so might I recommend keeping the same floorplan, and ditching the slideout? It'll tow easier, be cheaper, and might be a much better fit. I have a family of 4- 4 year old and 6 year old.

I installed airbags after this, and also lowered the WDH so the trailer is more level. I'm on 37s and a 3" lift. 4.88 gears.

 

[kevman65]

First, the number in the book can't be used. Use the number on the B pillar Driver Door.

Second, you have to do math. Start with what YOUR JT will haul in the bed (sticker on door) now start subtracting from that number. 1.) tongue weight of trailer 2.) weight of weight distribution hitch AND anti sway bars 3.) weight of each person that will travel in the truck (includes pets) 4.) ANY and ALL gear in cab and bed (this is ANYTHING that didn't come on the truck from factory) if you end in a negative number you are overloaded.

Now, you can reduce the trailer weight/tongue weight by hauling it dry. That's empty water tanks and empty waste tanks (grey and black) empty LP tanks. That is a BUNCH of weight that most people don't realize. But, you're going to pack linens, utensils, pots & pans and dishes, clothes, toys, chairs, etc etc etc.

The big question you have to ask yourself, and you need to throw your ego away and answer it honestly to yourself. How much have you towed and how well do you tow?

If that honest answer is not much and you don't know, then no you shouldn't do it.

You can't go by what others have done and had no problems, they aren't you. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, if you're uncomfortable then your family isn't safe.

I am one of the naysayers, but people get killed daily driving overweight vehicles.

 

[Bulldog4xfour]

I just pulled a 3400lbs camper and I wouldn’t go much bigger than that. With the brake controller it would push and pull me almost at every light. It got really annoying. I did have a crappy controller from autzone though so a better one might help.

 

[Bulldog4xfour]

I have a Keystone 1800BH rugged terrain. The floorplan is very close to yours, minus the slideout, but mine is 3300 lbs dry. You're going to be near or at the limit with yours. I considered a similar trailer to yours, but it also made me consider whether I wanted to go to a 1/2 ton truck. I decided to go with a smaller trailer because I refuse to rock crawl with anything bigger or on IFS.

I bought mine used, just a few months ago, for $14500. Used 2018. I was considering new, and most are nearly double the price at $30k. I didn't want to finance, and found what I think was a smokin deal. You said possibly buy, so might I recommend keeping the same floorplan, and ditching the slideout? It'll tow easier, be cheaper, and might be a much better fit. I have a family of 4- 4 year old and 6 year old.

I installed airbags after this, and also lowered the WDH so the trailer is more level. I'm on 37s and a 3" lift. 4.88 gears.

What was your gas mileage with the 4.88? I was around 12mpg with 37s and 4.10s. I had to stay below 60 or I was looking at 9mpg.

 

[Rattydude77]

All jokes aside I don't tow much I sold my camper a couple years ago but when I go to buy something like this I always ask myself what would Chuck Norris do????

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