Considering selling my 2 door JK for a Gladiator. Do I have realistic expectations?

[chorky]

hell I’m looking at is under 300 pounds. No kids yet but planning on it soon. Not necessarily Planning on towing an off-road trailer, but it would be nice to have the capability to tow. Looks like a Rubicon gladiator has around a 1,300 pound payload? I would definitely add an engine/trans skid plate if it doesn’t come with one, I would add a winch, stick to the stock steel rubicon bumpers, and possibly add beefier rock sliders and of course a lift and tires but that doesn’t

That 1,300 payload is a base rubicon with 0 options or accessories and a soft top. let's put this in a functional way. I have a '22 JTR - from the factory it had a hard top (dual top group) and a tonneau cover. The bone stock payload capacity was something like 925 pounds. After installing a front and rear bumper, front and rear winch, canopy, and skid plates, I was only a few hundred pounds from maxing out. That was with full gas, and with NO people weight. With my weight alone (I'm short and light) I would have been unable to legally carry a 220 pound person as a passenger. The MOPAR performance rails are about 30 pounds heavier than the standard rock rails, aftermarket options are even heavier depending. The Rubicon comes standard with a plastic front, steel rear bumper - the steel front bumper is an option, not sure how much extra weight it is. If you're looking at a future trailer that's 5,000 pounds, that's at least 500 pounds removed from your payload. So in my case, my stock JTR with 925 pounds payload, after said trailer, can now only haul 425 pounds. Minus me is 245 pounds left. I bet your wife, future kid, dog, and toys in the bed will exceed 245 pounds not even including any aftermarket fun parts. Weights add up quickly. Many people have found it out the hard way. Again will the truck do it? Sure it will. Will it be legal? No. Will that matter? It depends..... I'm not trying to sway you any particular direction. I absolutely love my JTR despite its terrible payload capacity. It is just something that needs consideration that most people ignore, but different people have different levels of acceptable risk.

I have never in my life cared about payload weight so long as the suspension can handle it. I have seen it mentioned a lot over the years. This is not my first off road vehicle. Not my second. I have been doing this a long time. That has never been an issue for myself or anyone I have ever known. I'm sure I could find some obscure case, but I really don't see how it is an issue. I have been in wrecks over the years and I have never had a request to weigh my vehicle. How many work trucks on the road right now are loaded above GVW? All of them?

You might not care, but the law cares. I am not in any way stating my own personal opinion nor am I saying you are right or wrong - but I do recall some big news happening a few years ago where people somewhere around AZ, NM, maybe UT or CA were actively being weighed and civilian vehicles with trailers/campers were being given significant fines for being over GVW/CGVW. That's probably not even legal and I have never heard of it happening since - but the bigger problem is if there is an accident, and if it is found that you were/are over GVW - insurance can entirely deny coverage and you potentially could be pinned and on the hook for the entirety of the cost of every aspect of that accident even if it was not 'your fault'. Put someone else in the hospital? There goes your retirement. Chances of that happening? Probably slim to none. But is it a possibility? Yes - so therefore, it is the reason I mentioned above that it is a risk you must be willing to accept the liability for. There was a pretty lengthy thread just on this topic not long ago in a different part of this forum.

The fact is - if you are over GVW you are illegal. period. There may be no repercussions, ever. But, there may be some that bankrupt you for life. It's a judgement call, and a level of risk one has to consider. To suggest to anyone that it doesn't ever matter is misleading and potentially putting someone over their own risk threshold.

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[Jefe1018]

I have never in my life cared about payload weight so long as the suspension can handle it. I have seen it mentioned a lot over the years. This is not my first off road vehicle. Not my second. I have been doing this a long time. That has never been an issue for myself or anyone I have ever known. I'm sure I could find some obscure case, but I really don't see how it is an issue. I have been in wrecks over the years and I have never had a request to weigh my vehicle. How many work trucks on the road right now are loaded above GVW? All of them?

It’s a probability risk matrix. How probable is it your truck is weighed and what is the associated risk tied to that action? Find a sweet spot of comfort and act accordingly.

 

[Gvsukids]

hard top (dual top group) and a tonneau cover.

Truck was weighed after everything was installed; so your hard top hurt your payload.

 

[chorky]

Truck was weighed after everything was installed; so your hard top hurt your payload.

Maybe? I actively use the hard top. I sold the soft top - no need or want for it in my particular case. The hardtop was what was 'installed' when it arrived and I drove off the lot. I suppose it would be more accurate to say the 'soft top hurt my payload' if the factory weighed it with the soft top in the bed, which...maybe? I'm not sure how that level of detail works tbh. Either way if I were to deduct the soft top weight (or add that to the payload) it's probably.....what 75 pounds or so? Taking a wild guess there. So that would put payload even at 1K, as she sat on the lot.

 

[MattK]

I went from a 2013 JK 2-door Rubicon on 35s, AEV's 3.5" lift w/ hi-steer kit to a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. My tipping point was just storage for gear when on long 2-3 week camping trips.

My JTR is on AEV's 2.5" lift on 37s. I have an ARE topper on the back. My JT gets buffeted by wind almost the same as the JK did, (a little higher up and more surface area). I had to fight some strong winds this past weekend through AZ and it reminded me yet again that a brick doesn't cut through air.

If you're planning on loading up a family into it and then putting all this camping gear and canopy camper on it you should probably start thinking about payload. You're going to run out fast. GVWR is your enemy and every person, backpack, canopy camper, gas can, etc etc eats through it. Depending on the payload maybe an off-road capable full-size would be better?

Good luck with your choice!

 

[AustyPosty]

I went from a 2013 JK 2-door Rubicon on 35s, AEV's 3.5" lift w/ hi-steer kit to a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon. My tipping point was just storage for gear when on long 2-3 week camping trips.

My JTR is on AEV's 2.5" lift on 37s. I have an ARE topper not he back. My JT gets buffeted by wind almost the same as the JK did, (a little higher up and more surface area). I had to fight some strange winds this past weekend through AZ and it reminded yet again me that a brick doesn't cut through air.

If you're planning on loading up a family into it and then putting all this camping gear nd canopy camper on it you should probably start thinking about payload. You're going to run out fast. GVWR is your enemy and every person, backpack, canopy camper, gas can, etc etc eats through it. Depending on the payload maybe an off-road capable full-size would be better?

Good luck with your choice!

A full size rig did cross my mind. Either that or just splitting the family into two rigs for off-road trips.

 

[jtjeff]

I went from a lifted jk to a lifted gladiator. I have a wife and 2 young kids and it’s the perfect mix. Not to mention it’s much more stable in inclement weather than my 2 dr JK ever was.

it’s never going to be as practical as a typical SUV - that’s what we have our Grand Cherokee L for (and it’s got all the bells and whistles). But I travel a lot for work in the gladiator and unless we’re going somewhere for a long weekend, we usually take the gladiator. That being said, as I build the gladiator into a more overland type rig, it will likely become a toss up between vehicles.

Obviously everyone has a different experience. I’d say see if your local dealership would be willing to give you a demo Gladiator for a weekend to give it a true test.

 

[Like-a-virgin]

So the short of it is that my 2 door is great on the trail and pretty ok on the highway. Unless their is a cross wind then I am absolutely thrown around the highway. I am also planning on starting a family very soon, within the next 1-2 years, the wife also only has a two door vehicle. Not ideal lol

I was hoping the gladiator would be a good choice to get a “family” vehicle that can still do the trails I want to do such as the Rubicon, slick rock, deer valley etc. i would most likely put it on a 3.5 inch lift with 37s/38s. Built on a Rubicon model. I also am considering either a go fast camper or OVRLND pop up camper. I’m also curious how the Gladiator handles high cross winds? Is it manageable or does it get tossed around as well? I’m sure anything would be an improvement over my 2 door on the highway however I just want to ensure I can drive this thing 6 hours and be reasonably comfortable. I’m not asking for a luxury vehicle, I don’t want that.

is it reasonable to expect the gladiator with a lowish profile pop up camper will handle long road trips(even in heavy desert crosswinds) and get me through tough trails?

the other option is keep the 2 door and get a gladiator as well, but of course that’s more financially draining.
I’m sure the 4 door wrangler is also a good option, but honestly I think I’d be happier in a truck.

I’m sorry for the incoherent rant.

Buy the JT! This is a great group, great information, great help! Enjoy your magical beast!

 

[Like-a-virgin]

I went from a lifted jk to a lifted gladiator. I have a wife and 2 young kids and it’s the perfect mix. Not to mention it’s much more stable in inclement weather than my 2 dr JK ever was.

it’s never going to be as practical as a typical SUV - that’s what we have our Grand Cherokee L for (and it’s got all the bells and whistles). But I travel a lot for work in the gladiator and unless we’re going somewhere for a long weekend, we usually take the gladiator. That being said, as I build the gladiator into a more overland type rig, it will likely become a toss up between vehicles.

Obviously everyone has a different experience. I’d say see if your local dealership would be willing to give you a demo Gladiator for a weekend to give it a true test.

The answer to all of these questions is always a Mojave.

Im starting to think that will be the model I would most closely like to mod up to.

 

[aldo98229]

I owned nine Wranglers over the years, a collection of 2 and 4-door. I got a Gladiator six months ago.

While Wranglers were fun in their own right, I won't be going back. I recently completed a 3,000-mile road trip in the Gladiator: the vehicle is much more stable on the road, the suspension much smoother.

Gladiator's main drawback is its large turning radius. But I can deal with it.

 

[johnchabin]

The answer to all of these questions is always a Mojave.

If the question is, “What’s the second most capable Gladiator?”

Then I agree.

Most capable? Rubicon, hands down.

 

[MeiMei]

I came from a JKU soft top to a Rubi hard top Gladiator. The Gladiator doesn’t get blown around as much due to the extra weight. It has more towing capacity but less gas milage and get up and go assuming you get the regular 3.6. With some kind of bed cover, you can hold way more stuff. The soft top down looks better on Wrangkers, but the hard top is easier to take down and takes less storage on gladiators. Of course there is the garage space issue. My gladiator takes up as much space (length only) as a Navigator/Expedition. You can get a 23 Gladiator cheap if you can find one, and even 24’s have incentives. Both have pros and cons. Since you have a family, the question is do you need a bed or not? With two kids, my JKU was fine, but it is nice having a truck. You could just get a utility trailer if you have light loads or even get a basket to attach to your hitch. Wrangler unlimited have the best resale or the three; but vehicles aren’t real investments most of the time, so I would get what works for you.

 

[aFatBird]

I owned nine Wranglers over the years, a collection of 2 and 4-door. I got a Gladiator six months ago.

While Wranglers were fun in their own right, I won't be going back. I recently completed a 3,000-mile road trip in the Gladiator: the vehicle is much more stable on the road, the suspension much smoother.

Gladiator's main drawback is its large turning radius. But I can deal with it.

Throw in an atlas transfer case and do some front digs.
Problem solved

 

[WestwallNF104A]

So the short of it is that my 2 door is great on the trail and pretty ok on the highway. Unless their is a cross wind then I am absolutely thrown around the highway. I am also planning on starting a family very soon, within the next 1-2 years, the wife also only has a two door vehicle. Not ideal lol

I was hoping the gladiator would be a good choice to get a “family” vehicle that can still do the trails I want to do such as the Rubicon, slick rock, deer valley etc. i would most likely put it on a 3.5 inch lift with 37s/38s. Built on a Rubicon model. I also am considering either a go fast camper or OVRLND pop up camper. I’m also curious how the Gladiator handles high cross winds? Is it manageable or does it get tossed around as well? I’m sure anything would be an improvement over my 2 door on the highway however I just want to ensure I can drive this thing 6 hours and be reasonably comfortable. I’m not asking for a luxury vehicle, I don’t want that.

is it reasonable to expect the gladiator with a lowish profile pop up camper will handle long road trips(even in heavy desert crosswinds) and get me through tough trails?

the other option is keep the 2 door and get a gladiator as well, but of course that’s more financially draining.
I’m sure the 4 door wrangler is also a good option, but honestly I think I’d be happier in a truck.

I’m sorry for the incoherent rant.

I have a JTR and regularly have to deal with significant cross wind driving through the Washoe Valley. So far I have had no real issues. I got broadsided by a 60 to 70 mph wind gust that slowed me from 70 to 62 mph, and knocked me about 2 feet sideways. I am installing an OVRLND in June so will be able to give you some more info based on the increased windage.

 

[johnchabin]

I have a JTR and regularly have to deal with significant cross wind driving through the Washoe Valley. So far I have had no real issues. I got broadsided by a 60 to 70 mph wind gust that slowed me from 70 to 62 mph, and knocked me about 2 feet sideways. I am installing an OVRLND in June so will be able to give you some more info based on the increased windage.

We travel 285 from Denver to the Wolf Creek area often. It can get quite windy, and the Jeep is no worse than my Tundra was in crosswind.

I definitely feel a headwind more, but it’s not hard to control.

And the 3.6 has good power on the passes.

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