Gladiator vs F150 RV towing

[Jobofly]

I had a 2020 F150 and towed a 32 foot travel trailer. I now have a 2022 Mojave and tow a 27foot travel trailer. The Mojave hands down tows better than my f150 did. There I said it.

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[Osteodoc08]

Can you tell us more about your respective setups?

 

[Rahkmalla]

so the smaller truck tows a smaller trailer better than a larger truck tows a larger trailer?

You see how there are too many variables present for you to isolate your results to the capabilities of the truck, right?

 

[Elff]

Methinks you are taking the O.P's post way too seriously

 

[Idlethunder]

Comparing travel trailers towed with both my JT Rubi and Ford F150 crewcab eco boost 3.5, I completely agree with the OP. My company builds small 22’, single axle travel trailers for a customer who rents them out. Back in the fall of 2021 I made two trips delivering them 185 miles to Fort Worth driving into a south wind with the Ford and both trips got 9.5 to 10 mpg with me averaging around 60 mph. A few months later I bought the Gladiator. Early last summer, I made two trips towing the exact same travel trailers back to Fort Worth, both driving into a strong south wind and both trips averaged 12 to 13 mpg at 60 mph. One of the things that bothered me when using the Ford was being pushed around a lot by wind every time a semi passed me on the interstate. In the JT, there was still some of that, but it wasn’t nearly as strong. I actually like towing small trailers more with the Gladiator than the F150.

 

[bleda2002]

The gladiator is more like a midsize and a half truck based on its size and weight than a true midsize. The specs blurr even more if you compare it to an early 2000's full size, as the gladiator is basically an early 2000's f150.

Gladiator (wide track axles)
Wheelbase - 137.3″
Track width - 64.5"
GVWR - 6,250

Ram 1500 Crew Cab Short Bed
Wheelbase - 144.5"
Track Width - 68.5"
GVWR - 6,900

Tacoma
Wheelbase - 127.4
Track Width - 63
GVWR - 5600

2002 F150 Super Crew
Wheelbase - 138.8
Track Width - 65.3
GVWR - 6,500

 

[Labswine]

I remember as a kid watching my Dad get white knuckled when ever a tractor trailer would pass us when we were towing our family camper.

Our first one we had a 19' single axle trailer from the early-mid 60s...Initially towed it with a Buick Station wagon with a V-8 that I guess did fine but, later we had a 1969 Ford Econoline Passenger Van. With both of those tow vehicles, I was too young to really pay attention as I was always fighting with my older sister for the rear most seat

After that, we had a 1974 Chevy Suburban (350 cu.in.) and a 22' Terry Camper (2 axle). After a few trips of getting blown all over the place, Dad did get an antisway set up but still, that rig would get pushed all over the place.

I tow a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) two axle camper with a good WDH/sway control set up with my Overland that is still stock from the factory. Only 25+K on it and the tires are still good so... Anywho, I've been passed, driving at 65 MPH, like I'm standing still by tractor trailers and have not experienced any significant sway from those events. The Gladiator is a nicely planted tow vehicle.

I do plan, when the tires are ready to be replaced to get a 265 or 275 tire (as opposed to the factory 255), with the same height geometry, for just a little more footprint whilst towing

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

F-150:

Higher tow ratings
Higher payload capacities
More power
Bigger brakes

I don't see how the Gladiator can ever come out on top in this.

 

[Idlethunder]

F-150:

Higher tow ratings
Higher payload capacities
More power
Bigger brakes

I don't see how the Gladiator can ever come out on top in this.

Overall I don't think it can, the higher rated vehicle wins. The point I was trying to make about my Gladiator vs my F150 is that when towing identical travel trailers well under the weight limits for the JT, the Gladiator was more stable and got noticeable better fuel mileage.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Overall I don't think it can, the higher rated vehicle wins. The point I was trying to make about my Gladiator vs my F150 is that when towing identical travel trailers well under the weight limits for the JT, the Gladiator was more stable and got noticeable better fuel mileage.

I'd have to see it to believe it.

The F-150 has a wider track width, usually more wheelbase, and it weighs more. It also gets better MPG when unloaded. Stability and MPG seem like it would favor the F-150.

 

[Idlethunder]

I'd have to see it to believe it.

The F-150 has a wider track width, usually more wheelbase, and it weighs more. It also gets better MPG when unloaded. Stability and MPG seem like it would favor the F-150.

My first experience towing with the Gladiator was that first trip down to Texas. I babied it meaning no quick acceleration, no cruise control, and I tried not to go over 65 but did so a few times. I filled up here at the plant then again across the street after dropping the trailer off. I don’t remember the number down to the decimal but it was just a hair over 13.0 mpg calculated by hand and the dash showed 13.1. I had done that same trip a few months earlier in the 2017 Ford and the computer showed 10 mpg. A few weeks earlier that same trip in the Ford showed 9.5. Don’t take that a s a knock against Fords, I have been a Ford guy my whole life and until trading for the Jeep I had one for the last 30 years. The 17 model F150 had plenty of power and I loved the truck but I never got anywhere near the advertised mileage of the window sticker. The Ford averaged out around 16.5 to 17 mpg each tank, and that is exactly what I’m getting out of the Gladiator. The second trailer I took to Texas with the Jeep I drove more like normal, still without using cruise, and my mileage went down to 12. These things are not meant to be a full time tow vehicle but they do a good job at it as long as you stay short, lite, and use common sense.

The only bad experience I’ve had towing with the JT was pulling a 27’ travel trailer. The hitch and overall weight of the trailer was at the very upper end of what the gladiator is capable of but I really think it was the length and the wind that created the pucker factor for me. I delivered it about 30 miles north of here and the wind was blowing hard out of the west. I couldn’t drive over 45 mph or it would fishtail badly. I was very happy to find out that the brake controller worked perfectly.

If someone is looking for a vehicle to tow their RV 100+ miles several times a year, depending on the size of the trailer, I would suggest at least a full size or better yet a ¾ or 1 ton truck. But, when used occasionally to pull a small travel trailer or boat, the Gladiator works great for me.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

My first experience towing with the Gladiator was that first trip down to Texas. I babied it meaning no quick acceleration, no cruise control, and I tried not to go over 65 but did so a few times. I filled up here at the plant then again across the street after dropping the trailer off. I don’t remember the number down to the decimal but it was just a hair over 13.0 mpg calculated by hand and the dash showed 13.1. I had done that same trip a few months earlier in the 2017 Ford and the computer showed 10 mpg. A few weeks earlier that same trip in the Ford showed 9.5. Don’t take that a s a knock against Fords, I have been a Ford guy my whole life and until trading for the Jeep I had one for the last 30 years. The 17 model F150 had plenty of power and I loved the truck but I never got anywhere near the advertised mileage of the window sticker. The Ford averaged out around 16.5 to 17 mpg each tank, and that is exactly what I’m getting out of the Gladiator. The second trailer I took to Texas with the Jeep I drove more like normal, still without using cruise, and my mileage went down to 12. These things are not meant to be a full time tow vehicle but they do a good job at it as long as you stay short, lite, and use common sense.

The only bad experience I’ve had towing with the JT was pulling a 27’ travel trailer. The hitch and overall weight of the trailer was at the very upper end of what the gladiator is capable of but I really think it was the length and the wind that created the pucker factor for me. I delivered it about 30 miles north of here and the wind was blowing hard out of the west. I couldn’t drive over 45 mph or it would fishtail badly. I was very happy to find out that the brake controller worked perfectly.

If someone is looking for a vehicle to tow their RV 100+ miles several times a year, depending on the size of the trailer, I would suggest at least a full size or better yet a ¾ or 1 ton truck. But, when used occasionally to pull a small travel trailer or boat, the Gladiator works great for me.

My DD is a 2020 F-150 5.0 V8 with probably the worst motor for MPG and I’m seeing 19.5 on the dash. With a heavy enough right foot to wear out the rear tires when I don’t rotate.

 

[TheRealStreetcommander]

I agree with the OP. I’ve had both as well —and a 5G Ranger and a Cummins all in the past 6 years. The f-150 could pull more weight comfortably, power wise, but did not handle as well. The Gladiator feels much more stable and controllable but has a severe disadvantage in terms of perceived power. I attribute the towing stability to the frame design, coil rear, and the solid front axle. The Gladiator drives and feels like a smaller Cummins. That’s very high praise.

I prefer to tow at the same speed I drive. In my environment that’s 75-80mph. This means I value stability and handling over absolute power.

I’m not even convinced the Gladiator is down on power either. You do have to spin the engine much higher than turbo trucks. This alone can get very irritating over a longer tow session. All these modern trucks seem to have stupid good power to weight ratios vs even 10 years ago. Stupid good brakes too. We have it good.

 

[Idlethunder]

My DD is a 2020 F-150 5.0 V8 with probably the worst motor for MPG and I’m seeing 19.5 on the dash. With a heavy enough right foot to wear out the rear tires when I don’t rotate.

That is impressive especially considering you have the 5.0. I had the 2017 F150 for almost 5 years and very rarely saw that kind of mileage over a full tank. The problem is that most of my driving in the Ford was short 5 to 40 mile trips either in town or half city and highway. On rare occasions I had it on the interstate for a few hundred miles I’d see 20 to 22 but that didn’t happen very often. The very best mileage I remember was a 400 mile drive home from Houston and that was a little over 24 mpg. The Jeep has never done that well but coming home from Austin a few weeks ago with a tail wind I did get 22.

 

[MrClortho]

I am not discounting the OP's experience but that is not mine at all.

I have two TT's, a big bumper pull (7,500lbs duel axle) and a R-Pod (3,500lbs single axle). My Gladiator is setup with a brake controller and air bags for perspective. I also have a Blue Rhino anti-sway and weight distribution setup and 5.13 gears.

My second vehicle is a '23 RAM 1500 with the tow package, Hemi and e-torque.

Pulling the big trailer with the Gladiator is umm...interesting. I cannot see around it, the tail wags the dog, overall stability is not good, and fuel economy is in the 6-8mpg range. That means a fuel stop every 100 miles, oooof. When rounding a bend, the trailer wants to tow the Jeep instead of the other way around unless speeds are kept way down. Will it do it, yes.....um I suppose but take a long pull of whiskey and set your jaw firm.

The question of "will it do it" is yes. The follow up question should be "will it do it safely" is no. What happens when the truck in front of you swerves to avoid a crate in the road and you can't because the trailer is too heavy for the Jeep so you smash over it? Ask me how I know.

The RAM pulls the big trailer with ease. I can set the cruise control at 75mph with one hand on the steering wheel and get 10-12 mpg. In the hill country, it glides around the corners with no drama. I don't pull the big trailer with the Gladiator anymore except maybe for a few miles if there is no other way.

On the other hand, the Gladiator pulls the R-pod wonderfully. It is nice and stable and cruises along. In my experience, these Jeeps comfortable tow limit is probably around 4.5k.

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