considering a gladiator, but got some requirements

[berlinguyinca]

so, I'm starting to slowly getting into the market of a new vehicle. Having a 12 year old WK2 (gas, 5 speed auto transmissions) at this stage and have a couple of requirements.

1. needs to be a pickup ( love the gladiator, but not a huge fan of the aging pentastar )
2. able to tow 4k+ pounds, I got a popup trailer, which the WK2 struggles pulling up lake tahoe and so. I'm the idiot going 25mph on the right side
3. fits my 6'6 foot frame, my 5'10 wife and my two kiddos
4. fits fishing rods, up to 7ft long in car or on the roof rack
5. can have a roof top tent, fitting me + and carry a 14ft kayak on the roof.It would be nice to fit a total of 4 people into it, but I think this is not possible with the tiny bed, while having a trailer hooked up


Point 5 is where it gets complicated, I envision having a half height rack on the bed, with the tent and a roof rack with thule load assists to load the 14ft kayak. So it's kind of a staggered setup and just haven't found anything like this yet. Kayak is about 70lbs weight wise + random crap in it like battery, fish-finder, etc. So say 90 lbs max.

I'm considering the overland trim, hopefully with the diesel in the next year or two ( which means I have to buy used, since they stop making them ). No real need for the Mohave or Rubicon. Unless the ride quality is better. I will never use the Rubicon features and maybe hitting some dirt roads and light offloading. If I need locker I at them when I need them, haven't needed them in the last 12 years, so doubt it.


can the gladiator due? We are right at the load capacity of the WK2 (which is around 1000lbs), so the Gladiator might be overloaded by 100-200 lbs, if we go camping with the trailer (200lbs tongue weight or so) and 4 people + all the crap kids need these day

I'm open to the coming 4xe version, since my daily driving is about 10 miles to and back from work and having solar at home. So this would be a good use case, but I think the diesel is a way superior platform. I tow the camper about 5 times a year and might want to tow a 18ft fish and ski, once in a while

any feedback?

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[whiteglad]

Your needs clearly match the Cummins powered Ram. High altitude pulling 4000 pounds, 6'6" tall, etc.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I saw 6’6” and immediately came to comment (briefly looked at the other points too). If you’re more legs than torso, then I’d keep looking. I can’t imagine the JT being comfy for you.

Also, I know the exact drive up to Tahoe. I’m sure the JT will handle it with 4k lbs behind, but it’s gonna scream going up, especially as the elevation gets closer to that 6k feet mark.

I’d get a full size truck if I were you just from a comfort standpoint alone. Just my 2 cents but I’m sure people with more mountain towing experience will chime in. There’s a BUNCH of existing threads on it too.

 

[KevinC]

Towing 4000# with the 3.6L is not very pleasant. Expect 10 mpg, high RPMs and not ever getting out of 5th gear. Any mid size truck will claim it can tow +- 7K, but in reality it is not built to do it often. I would look elsewhere.

KevinC

 

[Gvsukids]

so, I'm starting to slowly getting into the market of a new vehicle. Having a 12 year old WK2 (gas, 5 speed auto transmissions) at this stage and have a couple of requirements.

1. needs to be a pickup ( love the gladiator, but not a huge fan of the aging pentastar )
2. able to tow 4k+ pounds, I got a popup trailer, which the WK2 struggles pulling up lake tahoe and so. I'm the idiot going 25mph on the right side
3. fits my 6'6 foot frame, my 5'10 wife and my two kiddos
4. fits fishing rods, up to 7ft long in car or on the roof rack
5. can have a roof top tent, fitting me + and carry a 14ft kayak on the roof.It would be nice to fit a total of 4 people into it, but I think this is not possible with the tiny bed, while having a trailer hooked up


Point 5 is where it gets complicated, I envision having a half height rack on the bed, with the tent and a roof rack with thule load assists to load the 14ft kayak. So it's kind of a staggered setup and just haven't found anything like this yet. Kayak is about 70lbs weight wise + random crap in it like battery, fish-finder, etc. So say 90 lbs max.

I'm considering the overland trim, hopefully with the diesel in the next year or two ( which means I have to buy used, since they stop making them ). No real need for the Mohave or Rubicon. Unless the ride quality is better. I will never use the Rubicon features and maybe hitting some dirt roads and light offloading. If I need locker I at them when I need them, haven't needed them in the last 12 years, so doubt it.


can the gladiator due? We are right at the load capacity of the WK2 (which is around 1000lbs), so the Gladiator might be overloaded by 100-200 lbs, if we go camping with the trailer (200lbs tongue weight or so) and 4 people + all the crap kids need these day

I'm open to the coming 4xe version, since my daily driving is about 10 miles to and back from work and having solar at home. So this would be a good use case, but I think the diesel is a way superior platform. I tow the camper about 5 times a year and might want to tow a 18ft fish and ski, once in a while

any feedback?

Test drive one.

 

[berlinguyinca]

thanks yes this was my fear, of being tall, that its going to be cramped. The WK2 is border line, and on paper has the same legroom. And yes I know the screaming of the engine too well up Tahoe, hence looking at diesel options

 

[dmwphoto]

the Gladiator is just not the right truck for your requirements

 

[Dickster]

Ram power wagon would be a good fit.

 

[berlinguyinca]

Ram power wagon would be a good fit.

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

 

[Rahkmalla]

At 6'6 you may or may not fit depending on your ratio of legs to torso. gotta test drive one, no way around that. the gladiator has a lot of room for a small truck, but that doesn't make it not a small truck.

beyond that, with the level of towing and payload you require, you have no options other than a maxtow.

As for point #5... maybe i'm not reading you correctly, but I cant think of any vehicle with any roof top tent that you can fit along side a 14' kayak. Maybe there's a company out there making a half tent that i'm not aware of, but that's definitely not fitting 4 people.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

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

Full size truck will often get better mpg.

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

 

[cranbiz]

The diesel would do all you want as far as towing and the camping part. It also will get 19 MPG easily as long as you don't go Mario Andretti on it.

You really need to sit in one and drive it. I have a friend who is 6'1 with a Rubi Gladiator and he fits with no issues.

Now the roof top tent with a kayak could be an issue. That you will need to work out but even a full size truck will have that issue.

You got to drive one and see if it works. If it does, buy one, if not get something else.

 

[JRobes]

thanks yes this was my fear, of being tall, that its going to be cramped.

For what it's worth, I'm 230 lb 6'-4" (36" inseam), and fit fine in the JT, and think it's big enough for 3 adults fine. I don't think I'd want to cram a family of 4 or 5 in it though, if I was in that position I'd be getting a long SUV.

Also keep in mind that the division between cab and bed with a truck can limit you in many ways for storage (and extra inside sleeping space) that a large internal storage space of a SUV does not.

 

[Minty JL]

Seems like your opening post already answered the question at hand.

Have you taken one for a test drive yet. Everything at this point is moot until you do so

 

[ttn333]

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).

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