Flatbed Towing Gladiator for Big Move

[Aleph]

Hi all. I'm interviewing for jobs and most of them are across the country from me and would necessitate a big move. I'm located in the Southeast and most of these positions are in the west coast/PNW area, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. I could drive the truck there for some of these "closer" positions (Idaho, Texas, etc.) but I doubt I could fit all my crap inside my rig and the Gladiator Mojave isn't the best long-distance towing platform.

• Does anyone have experience with this? I'm not really interested in flat towing my truck, as I'd have to spend $3-4k (according to other forum posts I've searched) to prep the Gladiator to flat tow, and I don't anticipate any future need to regularly flat tow.
  Have any of y'all towed a Gladiator on a flatbed trailer?
• Anyone have experience with rental truck companies for a towing rig or box truck that can tow the Gladiator on a flatbed?
• One of these positions is in Alaska, which would probably make this process significantly more difficult. Any idea what rental companies would allow me to tow all the way to Alaska?

I won't find out where I end up going until December this year, but I do want to get started on understanding what all of this will entail.

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[aFatBird]

U haul let's you drive up to Alaska with their trucks. I've seen u hauls with 5500 class trucks, those won't even notice a gladiator behind them on a trailer

 

[Aleph]

U haul let's you drive up to Alaska with their trucks. I've seen u hauls with 5500 class trucks, those won't even notice a gladiator behind them on a trailer

But will U-Haul rent a trailer capable of towing the Gladiator? The U-Haul website just says "this configuration is not recommended" when I specify that I'm towing a Gladiator Mojave.

 

[aFatBird]

But will U-Haul rent a trailer capable of towing the Gladiator? The U-Haul website just says "this configuration is not recommended" when I specify that I'm towing a Gladiator Mojave.

Yeah, their car hauler trailers don't really fit trucks. Not a bad excuse to buy your own

 

[PuddleJumper]

But will U-Haul rent a trailer capable of towing the Gladiator? The U-Haul website just says "this configuration is not recommended" when I specify that I'm towing a Gladiator Mojave.

It'll work. I've squeezed a GX470 fully built onto U-haul carhaulers. And towed it with my Mojave. Mojave being towed on that same trailer behind a 550 should be a breeze

 

[TheSolarWizard]

if it ends up being alaska id pick up a used trailer for cheap, have someone put new bearings, tires and whatever else it needs and the sell it when you get up there. If its hawaii id sell it and buy something else when u get there

 

[ShadowsPapa]

IMO, Uhaul trailers suck.

Years ago I hauled a Grand Cherokee and some other stuff using one, never again.

I have my own tilt-bed trailer for hauling cars and trucks. Light and super-simple to use with the tilt bed.

 

[NVjeff]

I tried to rent a U-haul trailer to get my Gladiator home after hitting a deer, they wouldn't rent it to me.
I borrowed my neighbors 18 foot trailer, it was big enough but I'd have been more comfortable with a larger trailer.
I had to run the front tires up against the rail on the front of the trailer.

If I buy my own it will be a 20 foot.

 

[Aleph]

It'll work. I've squeezed a GX470 fully built onto U-haul carhaulers. And towed it with my Mojave. Mojave being towed on that same trailer behind a 550 should be a breeze

I’m glad this worked out for you. This is somewhat promising, but the gladiator has nearly 20 inches longer wheelbase than the GX470, which gives me pause.

 

[Aleph]

if it ends up being alaska id pick up a used trailer for cheap, have someone put new bearings, tires and whatever else it needs and the sell it when you get up there. If its hawaii id sell it and buy something else when u get there

No way I’m selling my Mojave! If I end up going to Hawaii I’m likely going to buy/rent a cheap hybrid sedan or something like that and get the Gladiator shipped later. Or just ship the truck in the first place.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I’m glad this worked out for you. This is somewhat promising, but the gladiator has nearly 20 inches longer wheelbase than the GX470, which gives me pause.

That gx470 had a rear swing out and front steel winch bumper on top of weighing 6900lbs. Plus whatever the U-Haul trailer weighed

 

[Aleph]

That gx470 had a rear swing out and front steel winch bumper on top of weighing 6900lbs. Plus whatever the U-Haul trailer weighed

Got a picture of the Mojave on the trailer? That’s what I really wanna see!

 

[PuddleJumper]

Got a picture of the Mojave on the trailer? That’s what I really wanna see!

Not yet but there’s definitely a good bit of room left on the trailer wheelbase wise. You can just swing by a U-Haul and whip out a tape measure to be sure.

 

[Mightytalldude]

So, for Uhaul flatbed and a Gladiator, it's close, by half inches. I trailered it from Denver to South Texas, no issues, but I made sure everything was tight, used my winch to pull it as far forward, safety chains tight. Stock tires will give you more space, but definitely not recommended for a JT especially for tires larger than 35".

 

[Aleph]

So, for Uhaul flatbed and a Gladiator, it's close, by half inches. I trailered it from Denver to South Texas, no issues, but I made sure everything was tight, used my winch to pull it as far forward, safety chains tight. Stock tires will give you more space, but definitely not recommended for a JT especially for tires larger than 35".

Thank you! These photos are helpful. Don't think I'll be going U-Haul trailer, especially since it may be for 4k+ miles.

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