Daily Towing 5000lb Enclosed Cargo Trailer?

[Jerome10]

Hello all! never owned any truck. Need one for work purposes to tow daily (or near daily) around town, max 40 miles one way on interstate, hills/mountains at say 35-45mph, pulling a 5000-ish total trailer weight (trailer+contents) enclosed cargo trailer.

I’d frankly decided on a Ram 1500 V8. Love the truck, only missing dead pedal bothers me slightly, rented the shortest model and found that while I can likely back into my garage and get it to fit, it’s extremely tight in length and width.

So last week thought maybe a midsize could work at that trailer weight. Basically narrowed down to Gladiator max tow or Ranger. I don’t like GM vehicles and Tacoma apparently bad payload, iffy transmission performance. Frontier is a “maybe” but I haven’t researched.

The Ranger is clearly the working midsize truck king. Great payload and engine and transmission for towing. But I looked at one and my god, talk about a truck with absolutely zero personality. Outdated design, zero pizazz or style anywhere. It’s fine but it seems more boring and blah than even the cheapest cars on sale today. Yeah it will probably work for me, but I’ve always tried to own vehicles with some pizazz or unique features and this is maybe one of the worst let-downs in my automotive life.

Sat in but did not drive a gladiator. Massively better. Better more useful back seat. Bed appears a bit larger (maybe not), actual style, decent materials and design in the cabin.

so finally to my question… is the max tow sport an “everyday towing” type of truck for the 5000ish lbs enclosed cargo trailer? Truck seems more than capable of handling it, but looks like I’d need an WDH (are they a pain to attach and detach daily). Suspension is more off road than towing stability it sounds like. I don’t mind working an engine but will I really be beating up the drivetrain?

watched many towing videos and again, the truck can do it. But some were screaming engines and 50mph on grades. Safe. Works. But maybe not the best for everyday?

basically is this truck even something I should consider? Or is it really more of a midsize truck with style and off road ability that will get your camper or dirt bikes to the trail a couple times a month? Not an everyday tower?

i will add that i suspect the Gladiator style could help my business from a marketing standpoint. It gets attention the way a white work truck or even a big horn ram never will.

I suspect I need to bite bullet, get full size, and deal with garage difficulty and/or park outside (which I HATE the thought of).

midsize I just don’t see anything else working besides the beyond-boring Ranger and I’d honestly probably rather the full size parked outside over the Ranger.

leaving the Gladiator as really my only midsize consideration.

I just have no idea if I’m asking for hassles and driveline problems towing the 5000lbs nearly daily with it. An off road Truck that can tow and not a tow truck that can Do some off-roading?

trying really hard to make right choice for me but I just have zero experience with all this truck and towing stuff. And buying a gladiator and it “works” but eventually realizing it wasn’t the right choice and having to sell and buy something else and the depreciation and lost sales taxes is not something I want to make a mistake with.

appreciate any insight or advice.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Truck seems more than capable of handling it, but looks like I’d need an WDH (are they a pain to attach and detach daily). Suspension is more off road than towing stability it sounds like.

IMO, the weight distributing hitches today aren't a hassle. Yes, there's a slight bit more to them, but no big deal, IMO. A minute extra once set up. Initial setup will take a few minutes, but once set, you're fine.
These trucks will tow fine. I tow with an Overland and with the Sport Max tow you have a bit wider axle and a lower ratio so if mine will do ok with being an Overland, the Sport max tow should be really fine.

max 40 miles one way on interstate, hills/mountains at say 35-45mph, pulling a 5000-ish total trailer weight (trailer+contents) enclosed cargo trailer.

Speed matters - going under 65 makes towing with these even better. 40 miles is nothing - I tow my car on my car hauler for 2.5-3 hours at a time. Granted it's not mountain, but I80 east in Iowa sucks - OTR drivers at times have trouble with the hills - a lot of smoke out the stacks and a lot of downshifting for the poor drivers.

Trailer brake controller, WDH, and keep the speed down, IMO - fine.
Others with the max tow can chime in............ maybe their experiences differ.

Oh, the Overland is rated for 6,000 pounds. I tow 5,000 pounds at 65 mph.
the Sport max tow has a higher rating than mine and yet you'll not be towing any more, so.............

 

[22EcoDs]

Check out the frontier. It's got a good drivetrain and was recently refreshed. Downside is rear seat smaller than the gladiator but it will be a better DD...

 

[Jefe1018]

Any properly equipped midsize truck with a trailer that size will be capable of towing it, maybe with a little more sweat being broken.

That being said, it sounds like you like the JT. Get the JT.... we are a little biased here.

 

[sarguy1941]

If you doing this every day I'd stick with the RAM. I love my JT but if I had to haul a trailer daily I wouldn't use it. I went thru this years ago with RV. We started with a F150 that "could" tow the camper but in the end went to a F350 so i could relax while driving.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you doing this every day I'd stick with the RAM. I love my JT but if I had to haul a trailer daily I wouldn't use it. I went thru this years ago with RV. We started with a F150 that "could" tow the camper but in the end went to a F350 so i could relax while driving.

Yeah but how big a camper? I'd not be afraid to tow with mine more frequently and if I had a max tow, no sweat at all.
But the other side of this one - it's a work truck situation............ towing for recreation, towing like I do, whatever, is one thing.... but I try to think of mine as a "work truck" and not a daily driver like mine is.
But then, I used a Comanche as a farm truck for a couple of years, no problems at all. It was my transportation, my pickup, my tow vehicle, my farm truck, you name it. Even hauled anhydrous tanks into the fields to the tractor.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Jeep says the Gladiator frame was designed to be a pickup that could offroad. Gladiator has a ladder frame and different suspension.
It's not just a stretched Wrangler.

 

[Elff]

We have 1 of each.

 

[Killroy Was Here]

trying really hard to make right choice for me but I just have zero experience with all this truck and towing stuff.

I believe this quote above is the key part of your question, and should be given the most serious thought. Not only for your safety, but for everyone else out there on the road.

If you are new to towing, particularly an enclosed trailer, you will want to keep in mind that any mid-size truck will most likely be considerably narrower than the overall body width of most enclosed trailers. You mention that your trailer is in the 5000# range, so the trailer body is most likely quite wide.

One of the most important pieces of equipment when towing for the truck is the rear view mirrors.

The factory mirrors on the Gladiator, as well as any mid-size truck will not stick out far enough to give you the best rear view of not only what is in your blind spot, but also along the sides of the trailer so you can monitor potential tire problems, and aid in backing up.

Most aftermarket add on trailer towing mirrors to extend your view (if there are any available for the Gladiator) are designed for temporary mounting when needed, and not a permanent installation.
Couple that with the fact that add on towing mirrors can be problematic both with wind buffeting, and vibration which can make them completely useless in actual driving conditions.

I love my Gladiator like most everybody else on this forum, but truely believe your most practical & safest choice for both you, and others on the road will be to go with a full size truck for what you require.

Full disclosure: I am a Class A semi truck driver with over 2 million miles under my belt, so fully understand the necessity, and importance of good rear view mirrors while both towing & backing up with a trailer.

Hope this is a help.

Dave

 

[futzin']

My JT is the same length as my '06 Suburban.

 

[Bananaman]

I believe this quote above is the key part of your question, and should be given the most serious thought. Not only for your safety, but for everyone else out there on the road.

If you are new to towing, particularly an enclosed trailer, you will want to keep in mind that any mid-size truck will most likely be considerably narrower than the overall body width of most enclosed trailers. You mention that your trailer is in the 5000# range, so the trailer body is most likely quite wide.

One of the most important pieces of equipment when towing for the truck is the rear view mirrors.

The factory mirrors on the Gladiator, as well as any mid-size truck will not stick out far enough to give you the best rear view of not only what is in your blind spot, but also along the sides of the trailer so you can monitor potential tire problems, and aid in backing up.

Most aftermarket add on trailer towing mirrors to extend your view (if there are any available for the Gladiator) are designed for temporary mounting when needed, and not a permanent installation.
Couple that with the fact that add on towing mirrors can be problematic both with wind buffeting, and vibration which can make them completely useless in actual driving conditions.

I love my Gladiator like most everybody else on this forum, but truely believe your most practical & safest choice for both you, and others on the road will be to go with a full size truck for what you require.

Full disclosure: I am a Class A semi truck driver with over 2 million miles under my belt, so fully understand the necessity, and importance of good rear view mirrors while both towing & backing up with a trailer.

Hope this is a help.

Dave

I agree with this^^^^
I have an older F250 with the 7.3 diesel that I use in my business to tow a 16' cargo trailer.
I put the later model Ford mirrors on it that extend out. A HUGE difference when towing.
I bought my JT with the Eco-diesel option as a backup in case the F250 goes down.
It tows the trailer fine, but I wouldn't want to do it everyday.
If you're going to use this truck as an everyday tow vehicle, I would get something designed for towing. My .02

 

[concretewolf]

For two seasons now I tow a 5,000 # plus camper trailer with my gas powered Sport that has the max tow option. I have a WDH, sumo springs and brake controller and rampage mirror extensions. It works and is safe but not comfortable. I would not reccomend my set up (or any gas powered Gladiator) for daily towing as you described. Biggest draw back is mirrors and lack of power/torque on up hills.

 

[Mr._Bill]

You need to look at the truck as the tool that it is, and get the right one for the job. Don't buy for looks, or try to get something that is an extension of you or your personality. The goal is to be safe on the road, not to get noticed by others.

 

[Jerome10]

We have 1 of each.

I know I kinda ripped the Ranger in my post, but if you're willing to share your thoughts a bit, I'd love to hear it

 

[Jerome10]

I believe this quote above is the key part of your question, and should be given the most serious thought. Not only for your safety, but for everyone else out there on the road.

If you are new to towing, particularly an enclosed trailer, you will want to keep in mind that any mid-size truck will most likely be considerably narrower than the overall body width of most enclosed trailers. You mention that your trailer is in the 5000# range, so the trailer body is most likely quite wide.

One of the most important pieces of equipment when towing for the truck is the rear view mirrors.

The factory mirrors on the Gladiator, as well as any mid-size truck will not stick out far enough to give you the best rear view of not only what is in your blind spot, but also along the sides of the trailer so you can monitor potential tire problems, and aid in backing up.

Most aftermarket add on trailer towing mirrors to extend your view (if there are any available for the Gladiator) are designed for temporary mounting when needed, and not a permanent installation.
Couple that with the fact that add on towing mirrors can be problematic both with wind buffeting, and vibration which can make them completely useless in actual driving conditions.

I love my Gladiator like most everybody else on this forum, but truely believe your most practical & safest choice for both you, and others on the road will be to go with a full size truck for what you require.

Full disclosure: I am a Class A semi truck driver with over 2 million miles under my belt, so fully understand the necessity, and importance of good rear view mirrors while both towing & backing up with a trailer.

Hope this is a help.

Dave

Dave, this is really helpful. Thanks for the input. I have towed before, funny enough, a 17 foot daysailer sailboat with a 1990 Mazda 626 with manual transmission. I'd get looks pulling that sailboat with that car.

The mirror feedback is helpful as well. I am also debating if I need the trailer-tow mirrors on a RAM. Might be helpful to this thread but I'd likely be in a 6x12 tandem axle enclosed trailer. So I am nearly certain I'm OK with standard mirrors on the RAM, and that truck also has BLIS that can account for the trailer too, also helpful. I'll have to look more closely at mirror width on the Gladiator.

Otherwise the more I'm pondering this question today the more I think I am coming to your conclusion that RAM is probably the better choice. But man... if I come to find its gonna have to sit outside.... really a big plus that I'd like to make a Gladiator work if I can.

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