Gladiator trailer tow

[jeeper dan]

I just wanted to introduce myself.
Dan from Oklahoma. I’ve owned jeeps since I was old enough to have any money. I’ve got a 65 and 68 cj5 and a 64 Cj3b. Main reason I joined, I’m thinking about a Gladiator Rubicon. My wife loves jeeping and we’ve done lots of the passes in and around Ouray, including Black Bear.
My question about the Gladiator, can you legitimately pull a 7000 lb travel trailer without just gutting it. Looking forward to you guys answers and opinions.
Thanks in advance guys

Sponsored

 

[ChrisNLA]

I just wanted to introduce myself.
Dan from Oklahoma. I’ve owned jeeps since I was old enough to have any money. I’ve got a 65 and 68 cj5 and a 64 Cj3b. Main reason I joined, I’m thinking about a Gladiator Rubicon. My wife loves jeeping and we’ve done lots of the passes in and around Ouray, including Black Bear.
My question about the Gladiator, can you legitimately pull a 7000 lb travel trailer without just gutting it. Looking forward to you guys answers and opinions.
Thanks in advance guys

A Gladiator moving a legit 7,000 pounds with any regularity would be a miserable experience.

A few members here claim to have moved more - and I'm sure you could occasionally for short distances - but for my money, no shot.

More than 5500 with any regularity, I'd be buying a bigger truck.

 

[rharr]

It's a jeep at heart not a tow pig.

 

[matthewmcw]

I know as i get older i like to be comfortable so a 7000lb camper would be awesome. In reallity with a Gladiator a lightweight camper is more reasonable. There are several camper manufacturers making nice lightweight campers perfect for 2 people. Some with kitchen that slide out givin you a outdoor cooking area. Rethink your camping experience, remain outdoors as much as possible. Use your RV for sleeping, showers , toilet and TV if you have to. Otherwise enjoy the great outdoors!
Couldnt imagine pulling 7000lb and a good wind hits you.

 

[Oilburner]

More than 5500 with any regularity, I'd be buying a bigger truck.

I second this notion-

 

[Gvsukids]

My question about the Gladiator, can you legitimately pull a 7000 lb travel trailer without just gutting it

Not in Colorado, or with any bigger tires. If you're looking at moving close to that much, a diesel would work less.

 

[matthewmcw]

Not in Colorado, or with any bigger tires. If you're looking at moving close to that much, a diesel would work less.

Yep, i know a 1/2 ton will pull it but i would feel better in a 3/4 diesel or a big block gas engine if they still make them.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Wind resistance is hell on these trucks when towing.

My truck pulls my buddies 20' steel car trailer empty better than it pulls my 5x10 utility trailer with a lawn mower on it, because the utility trailer has a gate in the air acting like a parachute.

I had the lawnmower AND a 6' tall shelf on that trailer yesterday catching air (along with the tailgate) and you'd have thought there was a car on it the way the truck was acting.

 

[ivanfrank]

Another vote here for staying under 5k pounds if you're towing regularly. Also highly recommend a WDH over 3-3.5k pounds. The rear sag is real. The wind resistance is real.

 

[Tripp]

I personally would not want to tow anywhere near 7k lbs with any regularity with my gladiator.
I tow trailers every day for work. I much prefer an “overkill” tow vehicle. Disregarding the lack of torque with the 3.6, the gladiator is a small truck and will get pushed around by that heavy of a trailer.
I care a lot more about how quickly I can slow down then how quickly I can get up to speed when towing so, the lack of power is irrelevant to me.
I would hate to be in an emergency braking situation in the gladiator with 7k lbs behind me

 

[danimal2000]

Agree on 7k, i wouldn't get to the absolute limit like that. But 5k i find perfectly comfortable towing and camping in that size. No issue with braking, having the right setup obviously important but I have no concerns pulling 5k regularly

Another note, very very unlikely you will be able to stay under payload limit with a 7k trailer. It's possible, sure, but not worth the hassle or risk imo

 

[jeeper dan]

A Gladiator moving a legit 7,000 pounds with any regularity would be a miserable experience.

A few members here claim to have moved more - and I'm sure you could occasionally for short distances - but for my money, no shot.

More than 5500 with any regularity, I'd be buying a bigger truck.

I’ve got a 1 ton Denali. I just wanted to have 1 rig

 

[Gvsukids]

I’ve got a 1 ton Denali. I just wanted to have 1 rig

It will not be the same.

 

[Blade1668]

I have a Max-Tow package on my JT towing my large utility trailer is definitely noticeably even empty. Axle wise it's a 3500 lbs trailer trailer otherwise it would be 5k trailer build to order. Now as T.T. wise I have a 16ft Scamp it tows it okay. . . My 05 LJ Wrangler tows it better in MPG and other ways (power) but lacks the weight, length and stability. A friend who had a Launch addition Rubicon towed his larger T.T. then had severe transmission problems then traded it off due to problems. This was "back east side" of Mississippi River definitely not the altitude and being always on a hills/ mountains.
You can but expect to be underwhelmed and possibly major wearing out of it.

 

[jeeper dan]

My trailer ways 6000 empty according to the weight sticker. I’m going to put it on the scale. I wouldn’t think of doing it without sway control and a brake. I’ve pulled lots of trailers and wouldn’t crowd it and I’m not talking about pulling everyday.I don’t have to pull it 80 but if I could pull it 60 and some in the mountains without gutting the engine and then have the off road capability while I’m camping is what I would like. I’ve been reading some about it and keep rates the Rubicon for 7000 lbs.
Thanks for all the replies

Sponsored