Gladiator or another brand for a work truck?

[1996XJ]

I just got my Mojave and i will not beat that thing up working out of it. I do residential remodel and repair.
I am considering buying a cheaper gladiator to work out of as the bed size is good enough for what i need most of the time. I am also looking at Dodge because maybe a Gupton deal. Do you guys have any input on what you would get for a reliable new work truck? Gladiators kind of new so i dont know how reliable it will be but im not counting it out. I feel like most people will say get a Tacoma. what about GMC, Chevy, Ford? So many people say the brand they dont like is crap lol.

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[rharr]

don't need to tow heavy stuff? need something that is a tool, just get a chevy fleet truck for 29K
big bed which is alway good for haulin stuff, save money not paying for 4x4

Can't get any simpler

 

[1996XJ]

don't need to tow heavy stuff? need something that is a tool, just get a chevy fleet truck for 29K
big bed which is alway good for haulin stuff, save money not paying for 4x4

Can't get any simpler

Thanks, i do see a lot of older silverados on the road still. Wasnt sure what people think of the reliability of the new ones.

 

[rharr]

the 4.3 has been around for ever and the transmissions are super common.
the nice thing with chevy is nothing is weird or exotic. I think they are built better then rams. chevy/ford about the same ram 3rd in build quality.
Ram has really nice interiors to make up for cheapness of everything else.
chevy has cheap interior/features but better machine.

The ram base comes with the 3.6 which i think is to small for a full size. the 4.3 is a pretty strong motor, ford probably only has some sort of turbo motor.

like i said the chevy is simple, go out and drive a base model of each.

 

[dcmdon]

If you love your Gladiator and want to use it as a work truck, its not my place to piss on your parade.

But if you are going to be logical about it, the Gladiator is a terrible work truck.

1) its too expensive
2) its noisy
3) it doesn't carry much
4) it doesn't tow much
5) the bed is small.

the reality is that for what a Gladiator costs you can get a full sized truck from the big 3.

Or if the capabilities of the Gladiator meet your needs, then you can get a similarly capable truck like the Colorado or Ranger for $10,000 less.

It may work great for you. But don't pretend its a rational choice.

 

[Florida Mojave]

My 2 cents worth -
Why not a base model Gladiator? You can still get a good deal, better discount than any of the trucks available. Plus you can still go topless or doorless at the jobsite! Added bonus IMHO!

 

[1996XJ]

If you love your Gladiator and want to use it as a work truck, its not my place to piss on your parade.

But if you are going to be logical about it, the Gladiator is a terrible work truck.

1) its too expensive
2) its noisy
3) it doesn't carry much
4) it doesn't tow much
5) the bed is small.

the reality is that for what a Gladiator costs you can get a full sized truck from the big 3.

Or if the capabilities of the Gladiator meet your needs, then you can get a similarly capable truck like the Colorado or Ranger for $10,000 less.

It may work great for you. But don't pretend its a rational choice.

Any opinion on what might be the most reliable choice to put high milage on?

 

[dcmdon]

My 2 cents worth -
Why not a base model Gladiator? You can still get a good deal, better discount than any of the trucks available. Plus you can still go topless or doorless at the jobsite! Added bonus IMHO!

Once you add power windows and locks, an AT and hard top (because that is what you put in a work truck) you are at $40,605.

A 4wd Ranger with an AT, PW and Power locks is 33,050.

That's $7500 less.

 

[dcmdon]

Any opinion on what might be the most reliable choice to put high milage on?

I have no idea. This is where spending $50 on an electronic subscription to Consumer Reports is probably worth it.

My gut says Toyota. But I really don't know.

 

[DirkG]

I agree with others that the Gladiator doesn't make great sense for a bare bones work truck. So rowing through the options...

• The F150 is probably going to be the least expensive to acquire. Probably enough to make you look past a Ranger.
• The Ram, as others have said, is very nice but I'm not sold on reliability.
• Nissan Frontier or Titan: um, next.
• Honda Ridgeline is going to be too expensive as there really isn't a bare work truck version.
• A Tacoma or a base Tundra may give you the most peace of mind. Then again, it may not.
• Colorado or Canyon: way too dated. Ready for a refresh (like 6 years ago).
• IMO the Goldilocks truck is the base Silverado. I'm a fan of the 4.3L V6 which is now aluminum block and heads and a derivative of the venerable small-block V8. This engine should last a long time. Plus this truck just looks so damn cool in any form...
  

 

[dcmdon]

I wouldn’t do that, they lie and cheat.

They are an excellent source provided you consider who they are.

They will complain about a high cargo lift over height on a Corvette. Dumb but easy to filter out.

Are you going back to the Suzuki Samurai Consumer report lies?
That was quite literally almost 40 years ago.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

If you love your Gladiator and want to use it as a work truck, its not my place to piss on your parade.

But if you are going to be logical about it, the Gladiator is a terrible work truck.

1) its too expensive
2) its noisy
3) it doesn't carry much
4) it doesn't tow much
5) the bed is small.

the reality is that for what a Gladiator costs you can get a full sized truck from the big 3.

Or if the capabilities of the Gladiator meet your needs, then you can get a similarly capable truck like the Colorado or Ranger for $10,000 less.

It may work great for you. But don't pretend its a rational choice.

Umm yeah. Been working out of trucks for over 35 years. It's not the most practical but how you set up goes a long way in making it efficient.

I drive a lot for my work. This is the vehicle I want to drive all day so why not? The jobs get done. I enjoy my drive. If the weather is nice the top goes down along the way. Maybe there's a trail I saw that I want to hit on the way home.

I like my logic better.

 

[trailless]

I personally wouldn't get a gladiator for a work truck, especially if you have one already. If I didn't have to drive long distances I'd probably get a bare bones, single cab F150 with the 5.0 v8. You can order a bare bones one for under $35k.

 

[JeepTaco]

Thanks, i do see a lot of older silverados on the road still. Wasnt sure what people think of the reliability of the new ones.

I considered purchasing a 2021 v8 silverado but changed my mind after researching how many issues related to dynamic fuel management (DFM) and valve lifters. The 8 speed transmission has/had its fair share of issues as well.

If I was in your situation and needed a reliable work truck close to the size of the gladiator, I'd probably go with tacoma.

Tacomas have terrible auto transmission shiftpoints and a gutless 3.5 liter engine (likely because of the engine and trans combo) but they do live up to their name when it comes to reliability.

Maybe snag a 2021 base tundra or sr5 since the new 2022 TTV6 tundra will likely experience some issues.

My 2 cents.

Good luck and cheers!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Umm yeah. Been working out of trucks for over 35 years. It's not the most practical but how you set up goes a long way in making it efficient.

I drive a lot for my work. This is the vehicle I want to drive all day so why not? The jobs get done. I enjoy my drive. If the weather is nice the top goes down along the way. Maybe there's a trail I saw that I want to hit on the way home.

I like my logic better.

Most guys around here that do that sort of work have a trailer - almost everything they need is in the trailer, including a work surface, tools, and more. They run a cord to it and there's outlets inside for multiple tools, air compressor, whatever. Every person I've hired to do anything here (which is few since I do most stuff myself) has a trailer and a medium size truck. I think at least here the days of the huge truck that does it all are about gone. Trailers are the way to go.

I'd to a gladiator because they'll go anywhere in any weather, great in winter, would tow a tool/work trailer, can haul said trailer into most work areas, including mud and rock and snow and they are comfortable as heck to drive. The only way one guy even used his truck as a truck was when he hauled rock and sand here for some major hardscaping. But he could have hauled it in a trailer, too.
I bought mine because it's a TRUCK. I wanted a smaller truck, I bought this TRUCK. It's a truck first. And it's done all the truck stuff I've asked it to. It's easier to take into some places because of the size. It will go places my Silverado would never have gotten into. Turns tight, maneuverable, comfortable, far better MPG than any other truck I've had.

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