Gladiator camper hauling add ons??

[mgenbox]

Do those airbags help the squat?

Yes my rig sits flat

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[Mattyboy93]

For a WDH, I have the BlueOx and it works very well, and also helps tremendously with sway control. I did measure from the bottom of the receiver to the ground, then hooked up my trailer and saw a 1.5" droop. Hooked up the WDH and droop was only 3/4". The front end feels just as planted as if I'm not towing anything.

For a brake controller, I have the Tekonsha Primus IQ which is plug and play. Does it's job very well. I got mine when I bought my trailer 4 years ago, and it was installed by the trailer dealership at $140.

I tow a 2021 27' Vantage Sonic SN220VRB which weighs around 5,100 lbs with all we want or need. My Overland (trailer pkg., ordered 5/19, delivered 7/19) handles it quite well. Like you, I'm in PA but S.E. about 8 miles from the Delaware line (Wilmington area) so most of my towing has been east coast to shore areas. Will eventually get up into the Poconos, and further north. One of these days I want to go to Maine, like Acadia National Park.

Manual shifting of the 8sp is the way to go. I don't drive over 65 MPH and never see 8th. I am typically in 7th at around 65 MPH at around 2,100 RPMs. Hit a grade, drop a gear at around 2,800-2,900 RPMs until I crest the grade then it's back to 7th. I also typically get between 12 and 13 MPGs.

My set up...

do you have the max tow package? Or do you just have a standard tow package? Do you have any issues with the length of the trailer or does length not really matter as much as weight?

 

[Mattyboy93]

So originally, I was going to keep the length around 23 foot but since I’m going to be living in it for a little while while my house is being built, I may go longer.

Does length affect towing at all or is it really just weight that’s the factor?

I only have a standard tow package (not the max tow package) so my max tow is 6000 pounds.. Id like to find a trailer that is around 4500ish pounds

 

[Labswine]

do you have the max tow package? Or do you just have a standard tow package? Do you have any issues with the length of the trailer or does length not really matter as much as weight?

I have the Overland edition so my factory tow package gets me 6,000 lb capacity.

I think weight matters more than length but I, personally, wouldn't want to go much longer than 27', which is what mine is.

I have seen anything longer really approaches the limits of towing capacity, without any extra comforts one would want to bring.

I do know of one guy who used to be here who towed a 30' but he also had the MaxTow package and it was within limits, barely.

 

[Mattyboy93]

I have the Overland edition so my factory tow package gets me 6,000 lb capacity.

I think weight matters more than length but I, personally, wouldn't want to go much longer than 27', which is what mine is.

I have seen anything longer really approaches the limits of towing capacity, without any extra comforts one would want to bring.

I do know of one guy who used to be here who towed a 30' but he also had the MaxTow package and it was within limits, barely.

do you find the 5100lb dry weight pretty noticeable when driving?

 

[Labswine]

do you find the 5100lb dry weight pretty noticeable when driving?

The 5,100 lbs is the guestimated weight of the trailer with all we want or need on board. The original weight of the trailer is like 4,650 (+/-) lbs.

Yeah, you know it's back there but the truck handles it fine. There are times you're reminded it's only a V-6 like on an upgrade on the highway, so as I said before, I run at 65 MPH in 7th. When I encounter an upgrade and my speed drops to around 59 MPH, I just drop a gear an go until I crest that hill, reach 65 MPH again, then it's back to 7th.

I pretty much stick to the right lane unless on an upgrade, there's a semi in the right lane struggling up the hill at like 55 or 50 MPH, then if it's safe, I'll even drop to 5th and still be able to accelerate to get past safely. It's a pretty capable tow vehicle (within the weight range) in spite of what others may say about it. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[David G]

I didn't want to hassle with wiring and removing my 12v connection, so I opted for the Curt 51180 Echo... a blu tooth phone controlled brake controller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ99SD...FJXVWEOQ&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[4x4 Mule]

I tow our Rpod 172. Zero issues aside from the oil temp (2021 diesel) if dragging up the mountain passes if it's hot outside. Redarc brake controller is fantastic and adapts/learns as you drive. I do have rear air bags and it makes a noticable difference when aired up to 10psi.
I don't use a WDH and have never had any issues. Used to tow this same trailer with our Q7 TDI and was not able to use a WDH with the vehicle.

I tow our Rpod 172. Zero issues aside from the oil temp (2021 diesel) if dragging up the mountain passes if it's hot outside. Redarc brake controller is fantastic and adapts/learns as you drive. I do have rear air bags and it makes a noticable difference when aired up to 10psi.
I don't use a WDH and have never had any issues. Used to tow this same trailer with our Q7 TDI and was not able to use a WDH with the vehicle.

… what brand of cap is on your truck?

 

[AOGAudiman]

ARE CX Classic

 

[danimal2000]

About 4200 dry and my 21 willys with tow package pull it well. Been thru Poconos, up to Maine, never felt it was too much.

Have the mopar brake controller and it works very well. Have e2 wdh which has friction sway control. I'm happy with the setup. Hoping to do a pretty nifty rear camera setup this spring when it finally warms up. Have consider air bags but so far I haven't felt it was necessary

 

[Gene26]

Going to be hauling a camper soon. My Jeep Gladiator has the tow package not the max tow package.. so it’s good up to 6000lbs.

I was planning on a 4000 to 4500 lb trailer under 25ft.

Questions.. trailer brakes. I was looking at the mopar one or the redarc. Are those decent? (Mopar is the pricey one) Are there any other comparable ones for the gladiator?

I know the weight distribution hitch will need to be purchased. Any other suggestions to purchase for towing?

Mopar brake controller works great, curt weight distribution hitch, regeared to 5.13 gears to stop the high revs

 

[brsnow2585]

I've got a '22 gladiator Rubi, I replaced my 12v outlet for the factory break controller, it's a y plug so you could relocate the original 12v plug if you thought about it. The brain box for the factory break controller probably is meant to be installed before the driver front quarter panel and dashboard is installed, it's about a 4x6 or 6x6 box, I found the mounting holes but there's about zero chance you can get it in there or a wrench on if. The module fits very nicely in between the supports under the steering column though, like a glove

 

[brsnow2585]

I have the Overland edition so my factory tow package gets me 6,000 lb capacity.

I think weight matters more than length but I, personally, wouldn't want to go much longer than 27', which is what mine is.

I have seen anything longer really approaches the limits of towing capacity, without any extra comforts one would want to bring.

I do know of one guy who used to be here who towed a 30' but he also had the MaxTow package and it was within limits, barely.

Tow capacity is a really dodgy number. When you start to talk about how long of a trailer you can comfortably pull, think about how much you're truck weighs, that's your anchor point. Then think about the ratio between your truck length and trailer length. Then think about either drafting a semi or passing it getting passed by and having to navigate that slipstream with the trailer joint in the middle. I pull a 22' camper with mine, the semis, I get beat around in the slip streams. @Labswine you nailed it, you gotta have some weight to plant the wheels to command that thing behind you. The cutting edge aerodynamics of a cinder block don't help either, but we all know that's not what we're here for, otherwise we'd be in a civic, Corolla or Prius room

 

[Labswine]

Tow capacity is a really dodgy number. When you start to talk about how long of a trailer you can comfortably pull, think about how much you're truck weighs, that's your anchor point. Then think about the ratio between your truck length and trailer length. Then think about either drafting a semi or passing it getting passed by and having to navigate that slipstream with the trailer joint in the middle. I pull a 22' camper with mine, the semis, I get beat around in the slip streams. @Labswine you nailed it, you gotta have some weight to plant the wheels to command that thing behind you. The cutting edge aerodynamics of a cinder block don't help either, but we all know that's not what we're here for, otherwise we'd be in a civic, Corolla or Prius room

I haven't had any issues with getting passed by the tractor trailers (BSTs...Big Scary Trucks). As my eyes are constantly surveying my mirrors, being on the lookout for what's coming up on me, and always making sure I have an escape route if necessary. I see one of those BSTs coming up and I get ready...make sure I'm centered in my lane, and expect the blast to move me to the right, and I am ready to counter steer. Nine times out of ten, I don't have any issues, and that tenth time, it's really not that bad. My WDH set up really helps with sway control too. As mentioned before, I have the BlueOx system and it really does it's job.

Yeah, I'm sure the ratio of length between tow vehicle and trailer makes a huge difference which is why I really wouldn't go any bigger than 27' with mine. One also needs to take into account the front of the trailer. A lot of them are more squared off than mine so there's that with regards to aerodynamics. Mine seems to slip through the air fairly well with it's sloped/rounded front.

 

[brsnow2585]

I haven't had any issues with getting passed by the tractor trailers (BSTs...Big Scary Trucks). As my eyes are constantly surveying my mirrors, being on the lookout for what's coming up on me, and always making sure I have an escape route if necessary. I see one of those BSTs coming up and I get ready...make sure I'm centered in my lane, and expect the blast to move me to the right, and I am ready to counter steer. Nine times out of ten, I don't have any issues, and that tenth time, it's really not that bad. My WDH set up really helps with sway control too. As mentioned before, I have the BlueOx system and it really does it's job.

Yeah, I'm sure the ratio of length between tow vehicle and trailer makes a huge difference which is why I really wouldn't go any bigger than 27' with mine. One also needs to take into account the front of the trailer. A lot of them are more squared off than mine so there's that with regards to aerodynamics. Mine seems to slip through the air fairly well with it's sloped/rounded front.

I don't have issues getting around the BSTs, didn't have a WHD currently, I was more pointing out the weight of the pull truck, to plant and command what you're pulling. When I get my hitch to the back corner of a semi, feels like it's sucking the camper and tailgate in so I have to correct, when same spot gets to passing the nose if the semi, getting pushed the other way. Just a driving feel things you have to get used to what you're pulling, I've had the same behavior in an f-150 too. I think it'd be better in my gladiator if I had an extra 5-600lbs in the bed, but that's eating a good 2/3 of my sticker capacity with me included(it's 960lb ish), without the trailer. (I don't subscribe to stickers, so don't think I'm in the emissions cult). Oh I missed the length of towing vehicle you mentioned, that's a good point too, basically breaks down to leverage, longer pry bar, but still you gotta have the weight and be able to plant and use that leverage

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