Gladiator vs 1500 MPG

[IamPro2A]

Wow thats awesome i sell alot of 3.6 Jeeps have never heard of one averaging that much usually 14 to 16 stock whats the secret?

This recent trip was a bit better than average.

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[Koolcarguy]

This recent trip was a bit better than average.

Thats awesome curious do you hand calculate the mpg? My 23 cummins says its getting 17.6 average hand calculated more like 11.1 we live in Northern Colorado southern Wyoming and have sold a ton of 3.6 Jeeps never seen one get that mileage if I could get even 20 mpg here with my local guys I might sell an extra Jeep or 2 to guy's that want to daily drive them

 

[IamPro2A]

Thats awesome curious do you hand calculate the mpg? My 23 cummins says its getting 17.6 average hand calculated more like 11.1 we live in Northern Colorado southern Wyoming and have sold a ton of 3.6 Jeeps never seen one get that mileage if I could get even 20 mpg here with my local guys I might sell an extra Jeep or 2 to guy's that want to daily drive them

No, I generally do not manually calculate, but I suspect it would have been close. I went through about 1.5 tanks of gas on that trip. I do a lot of highway driving, and for years I was doing a 265 mile trip twice a week. I would average around 12-13 gal per trip, though there were a few sub 4hr runs I "might" have made that averaged closer to 17mpg, lol.

 

[Gvsukids]

I get sucky fuel economy, but I'm having fun.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Haven't read everyone's response but I don't get "good" MPG either.

Just returned yesterday from over 900 mile round trip in 36 hours. SoCal (Glendora, CA) to NOrCal (Auburn, CA) and got 16.9 mpg in total.

Yeah, I was hitting it fairly hard - 80 mph when I could but mostly more like 75 mph. Around town in normal driving I usually get somewhere in the 15 mpg range. 2020 totally stock Rubicon. I this typical? I really don't think I have a lead foot.....but maybe I do. PS: AC is usually on.

 

[Mobilemike01]

For what it’s worth, I came from a RAM Rebel and best MPG I got was like 16-18. Stock other than a 1” level. Before adding 35s and wheels, my Altitude was getting 20-21 average.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No, I generally do not manually calculate, but I suspect it would have been close. I went through about 1.5 tanks of gas on that trip. I do a lot of highway driving, and for years I was doing a 265 mile trip twice a week. I would average around 12-13 gal per trip, though there were a few sub 4hr runs I "might" have made that averaged closer to 17mpg, lol.

I was getting over 20 - around 21-22 with my Overland when it was stock. Every single change dropped it some, especially TIRES.
I have used the cluster display in mpg and an app on my phone - they are always really close. If you average things out over say 4 or 5 tank fulls, it comes out the same. One may be high by a little, the next low by a little and so on, but over time, the average from the cluster vs. the average using real gallons pumped come out the same. So the cluster display is actually very good.

 

[Labswine]

I usually average 20 MPG bopping around with my Overland (delivered 7/19).

Just did a trip this weekend from S.E. PA to Niagara Falls, Ontario and back for over 1,100 miles and averaged (calculated fill to fill) just over 25 MPG, the VIC was also showing right around 25 (+/- 0.2) MPG. This was with the cruise set at 70 MPH. Just me and the bride and some luggage for the weekend.

This ALSO included driving around the Niagara falls area to Port Dover, Ontario and up to Port Delhausie (St. Catherines, Ontario area) for a day then back home again, probably averaged between 45 and 55 MPH (dunno, had speedo set for KM/h vs MPH ).

So, can't compare to the RAM but, over the past 4+ years, this is what I've been averaging with my JTO.

 

[John Lenheiser]

I've got a RAM 2019 1500 5.7 Hemi 4X4, I think it has the 3.21 rear axle, I know it's not the 3.93 (due note here I could be wrong on these exact numbers, but close enough). I get 19.5 in town and 24.0 on the highway (70MPH). I wanted to buy a new Gladiator and trade in my 26,000 RAM, but just having a hard time going backward on the fuel mileage, ride and comfort, room inside cab, etc. All being said, plus the fact on the Gladiator not having a great resale value and the dealer lots are stacked to the brim, my commonsense still tells me it's a bad deal to trade. I don't need a 4X4, just like the looks of them and I like the Jeep Gladiator as I can use it around the home for those pickup needs. I do own a 2004 Jeep TJ that is like brand new for my TOY, but I guess I just need to spend some money, as old guys think this way.

 

[Hootbro]

I've got a RAM 2019 1500 5.7 Hemi 4X4, I think it has the 3.21 rear axle, I know it's not the 3.93 (due note here I could be wrong on these exact numbers, but close enough). I get 19.5 in town and 24.0 on the highway (70MPH). I wanted to buy a new Gladiator and trade in my 26,000 RAM, but just having a hard time going backward on the fuel mileage, ride and comfort, room inside cab, etc. All being said, plus the fact on the Gladiator not having a great resale value and the dealer lots are stacked to the brim, my commonsense still tells me it's a bad deal to trade. I don't need a 4X4, just like the looks of them and I like the Jeep Gladiator as I can use it around the home for those pickup needs. I do own a 2004 Jeep TJ that is like brand new for my TOY, but I guess I just need to spend some money, as old guys think this way.

Gladiator is a lifestyle vehicle that does some truck things. It hardly is ever a apples to apples comparison to traditional 1/2 ton truck models like the Ram and others. You have to want a Gladiator to overcome the things like better MPG you are use to.

Unless you can overcome your hesitations, I think you are better off sticking with the RAM than getting a Gladiator and still pining for the things you like about your RAM.

 

[briscoelab]

As others have stated, tire rolling resistance has significant effect at any speed. Stock 1500s have all season tires for the most part. Even a good all terrain tire is going to have a big impact there.

Aerodynamics are far more important that weight for fuel mileage (unless you’re driving very slowly, up a steep grade. This is surprisingly (no many at least) detectable even at lower speeds. Once you’re in the 10mph + range, fighting aero forces massively predominate other factors for speed at a given power output. This is true for everything from bicycles to race cars.

Gearing, as mentioned is also a big factor when you’re at cruising speed. Rams have a higher rear diff gear ratio.

Taken together these can easily account for the differences seen in the vehicles. We drive our jeeps becuase we love them

Even my JTR Eco diesel gets worse than my father’s 1500 ED.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Aerodynamics are far more important that weight for fuel mileage (unless you’re driving very slowly, up a steep grade. This is surprisingly (no many at least) detectable even at lower speeds. Once you’re in the 10mph + range, fighting aero forces massively predominate other factors for speed at a given power output. This is true for everything from bicycles to race cars.

All one has to do is watch the Tour de France or other biking events - heads down, low profile, present the least resistance to the air............ and they aren't going 50 mph.

 

[sharpsicle]

All one has to do is watch the Tour de France or other biking events - heads down, low profile, present the least resistance to the air............ and they aren't going 50 mph.

Actually they can achieve speeds closer to or even above 60 mph during descents! The sprints themselves even see them get close to 50 mph.

 

[troverman]

Why does the Gladiator do worse than the RAM 1500 with the same engine and transmission?

I think the first question would be, does it actually? EPA fuel economy ratings have been known to be inaccurate in the past.

The different axle ratios have been mentioned. Next, weight. Does the Gladiator really weigh less? Which model RAM is actually the one used to certify mpg ratings? Is a fully-featured 3.6L RAM? Or a base model Tradesman with no options? The EPA doesn't mention if the RAM is a crew cab or extended cab; just that it is 4WD. The Gladiators are of course all 4x4 and crew cabs. But even with the Gladiator, is it a hard top or soft top? How well equipped is it? Tires are a major factor in terms of fuel economy. Jeep does offer some H/T tires, but many are A/T or even M/T. The RAM 1500 probably was tested on more mild tires.

There's no doubt the Gladiator has terrible aerodynamics, especially at highway speed. There's a lot more air going under the Jeep than the RAM, and there is nothing smooth about the front end of a Wrangler / Gladiator.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Actually they can achieve speeds closer to or even above 60 mph during descents! The sprints themselves even see them get close to 50 mph.

Yeah, but that's not the typical - or maybe it's like it was for when we were in school - it's all downhill all directions, both ways.

One wonders how much aerodynamics actually play into it since it's all done on a dyno anyway, now that I think of it - maybe my "aerodynamics" argument is moot.

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