considering a gladiator, but got some requirements

[Dickster]

yeah, but really really wanted to stay away from a full size truck, due to mpg's and size.

In town my hemi got 16mpg free way was 19-20. Towing down to 12mpg 6000lbs boat. My 3.6L JT struggles to compare most days.

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[Kirk*Mojave]

yeah, but really really wanted to stay away from a full size truck, due to mpg's and size.

You'll get better mpg in a 1/2 truck plus more power. I get around 16 mpg in my bone stock Mojave

 

[kauffmj1]

Ram power wagon would be a good fit.

As a newer owner of one, I second that. Full-size space inside, plenty of towing power from the hemi and it’s essentially a ram pickup version of a rubicon wrangler. Towed our 4-door JK down to the Cumberlands, Ky this week and it had zero issues pulling it through all the hilly and curvy roads down here.

 

[kauffmj1]

You'll get better mpg in a 1/2 truck plus more power. I get around 16 mpg in my bone stock Mojave

Whoops. Missed that reply before posting my other one. Yeah the Powerwagon is a big truck and to say it’s thirsty for gas is an understatement.

What about a half ton Rebel or Chevy ZR2? I know that’s still bigger than a gladiator but as others have stated, the gladiator maybe not be a perfect fit either.

 

[Dickster]

As a newer owner of one, I second that. Full-size space inside, plenty of towing power from the hemi and it’s essentially a ram pickup version of a rubicon wrangler. Towed our 4-door JK down to the Cumberlands, Ky this week and it had zero issues pulling it through all the hilly and curvy roads down here.

Awesome! Since I sold my 73' in high school I've always wanted a newer. Ended up with a 3500 diesel for more towing capacity so I'll have to wait longer.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Full size truck will often get better mpg.

I have an F150 that gets about 19 mpg, the Gladiator gets about 16 mpg.

I am towing 4000+ at 65 mph with 23 mpg with the Diesel Gladiator.

 

[kauffmj1]

Awesome! Since I sold my 73' in high school I've always wanted a newer. Ended up with a 3500 diesel for more towing capacity so I'll have to wait longer.

I was a GM guy my whole life and this is my first Ram. I LOVE IT. It’s like one of my tonka trucks from childhood came to life. The 12k winch has already pulled out an F-250, pulled a 50ft tall dead tree down and yanked a monster stump in my first 7 months of owning it.

I was considering Cummins for towing the JK when I was shopping but my daily commute is short and I would have had all sorts of DPF clogging and exhaust issues without longer runs to let it burn and regen more often.

So far zero regrets on the gas hemi except for its penchant to make gasoline disappear at an alarming rate. Power wise it hauls the 4 door JK with no issues.

 

[Dickster]

I was a GM guy my whole life and this is my first Ram. I LOVE IT. It’s like one of my tonka trucks from childhood came to life. The 12k winch has already pulled out an F-250, pulled a 50ft tall dead tree down and yanked a monster stump in my first 7 months of owning it.

I was considering Cummins for towing the JK when I was shopping but my daily commute is short and I would have had all sorts of DPF clogging and exhaust issues without longer runs to let it burn and regen more often.

So far zero regrets on the gas hemi except for its penchant to make gasoline disappear at an alarming rate. Power wise it hauls the 4 door JK with no issues.

I had 16' chevy 3500 is was nice but doesn't tow like a Ram. I tow 10k to 18k as I use my truck for work as well. DEF is definitely a pain and short travel is definitely not suggested.

As I type this I just hit 40k in 21 months lol.

 

[berlinguyinca]

I am towing 4000+ at 65 mph with 23 mpg with the Diesel Gladiator.

This is kinda the answer I was hoping for. Any issues at higher altitude?

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Unfortunately, I don't have a high altitude experience.

Highest was about 700 meters ...

But I have done some quite steep climbs with the trailer and I could hardly notice that I was towing something.

Just for comparison, some years ago I drove the same hill with a BMW 320 ti (170 hp, no torque) and a trailer loaded with a Triumph Spitfire (would assume 2600 in total) and I had to shift back to second gear and rev up to 6000 for a similiar speed.

 

[berlinguyinca]

Unfortunately, I don't have a high altitude experience.

Highest was about 700 meters ...

But I have done some quite steep climbs with the trailer and I could hardly notice that I was towing something.

Just for comparison, some years ago I drove the same hill with a BMW 320 ti (170 hp, no torque) and a trailer loaded with a Triumph Spitfire (would assume 2600 in total) and I had to shift back to second gear and rev up to 6000 for a similiar speed.

Yeah that's what I'm used form my wk2. 2nd gear, 25mph.
And nobody would let you tow anything with a 320ti here. The us towing standards are super odd.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I was towing with the 320 my 968 CS several years to the Nordschleife ...

I would recommend to check if the Gladiator fits your size and if yes, my suggestion would be to buy a Diesel in your preferred trim and get you some additional vehicel for the short rides.

I owned up to now about 65+ motorized vehicles and the Gladiator is one of the best. (maybe I will be telling different things if the typical Eco Diesel problems are catching me too).

Regards from Berlinguy1986-2004 ...

 

[berlinguyinca]

I was towing with the 320 my 968 CS several years to the Nordschleife ...

I would recommend to check if the Gladiator fits your size and if yes, my suggestion would be to buy a Diesel in your preferred trim and get you some additional vehicel for the short rides.

I owned up to now about 65+ motorized vehicles and the Gladiator is one of the best. (maybe I will be telling different things if the typical Eco Diesel problems are catching me too).

Regards from Berlinguy1986-2004 ...

I have a 981 for short (fun) trips and an AUDI A6 for longer distance traveling wise. So it looks like, if gladiator, than it will need to be a diesel.

Not getting the quote:

Regards from Berlinguy1986-2004 ...

 

[berlinguyinca]

Gladiator will not fit your needs. I have trouble pulling a 2k lbs trailer up the mountains. Kayak and rtt? You'll need to mount your kayak on the roof of the rtt. Some rtt have racks that can carry up to 150lb (unopen).

The idea I had was a combination between this for the tent, so it's flush with the roof

and this for the kayak:

the current WK2 with the kayak looks like this

and with the upgraded rack, which should give me enough spacing ( ~5" over roof roughly )

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I am towing 4000+ at 65 mph with 23 mpg with the Diesel Gladiator.

That’s pretty impressive! I wouldn’t expect that mpg while towing? Do you know if that’s typical?

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