How do Gladiators handle on the highway?

[Summitsearcher]

That's up to the driver.....

Touché

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[ShadowsPapa]

This applies to us

Yes, but I have not heard of anyone going out Jeep tipping.

 

[DenverBob]

Yes, but I have not heard of anyone going out Jeep tipping.

Lol. Moab ? But the Jeep and the tipper are awake…

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Lol. Moab

Oops........... ok, never mind.

 

[cafecito]

Depends on your perspective... If you've driven other Wranglers then this is a big improvement. If you're comparing it to other vehicles then yeah it's just a Jeep thing

Pretty much this.

Is my Mojave a better ride than my wife's 2-door Rubicon? Absolutely no question. The wind blows that thing around like a toy. My Mojave feels much more planted, absorbs bumps better, and I have noticed zero of the steering wander/drift like so many people complain about.

But, is it going to handle like any of the amorphous blob SUVs out there? No, because it's not that.

 

[FLGladiator]

The first time I got on the highway in high winds going to have it serviced at the only reliable dealer 40 minutes away. The wind was crazy and I thought wow this is nuts. But after a few times you get used to it.

 

[BaliMawr]

Be honest. Asking about stock not modified Gladiators. I was fairly unimpressed when I test drove a Gladiator on the highway. It reminded me of a VW van getting pushed around in crosswinds. Off the highway it felt like any other decent modern vehicle... no issues. But on the highway at 75 mph I wondered how much I would enjoy a 5 hour drive... or not.

Depends what flavor you are talking about. Based on the highway test drive of a Sport S, two of them, actually, I was seriously considering a Ford Ranger; they were that loose and imprecise ('21). But the Ford is sooo boring that I ordered the Max Tow (because I tow), intent on sucking it up. I shouldn't have worried. The Max Tow ('22) (unique spring rate/axle/gearing/tire combo) is SMOOTH. Much more stable than the '14 Ram 1500, probably on par with my '08 Ridgeline.

 

[High Alextude]

Reviving this thread because I took a trip this week. First thing I did was make sure my psi was between 35-38, . Then I was off.

Cons: I had to correct my steering way more than I anticipated, but it did become better (more of a habit/getting used to) as I went on, still learning, this is also my first truck! There were a couple moments of high wind and other trucks passing where I white knuckled it.

Pros: the noise, even with the sunrider wasn’t that bad. Passengers and I were actually quite comfortable in the seats. Falcon shocks handled any imperfections with ease. MPG was decent around 18 mpg, was expecting less. No electrical issues along the way and it was nice and toasty in the cabin.

Do most of you highway commuters get frustrated with the constant correcting, or even experience it? It wasn’t Ace Ventura driving through the jungle crazy, but enough to make me glad this isn’t a daily commuter highway vehicle for myself.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Do most of you highway commuters get frustrated with the constant correcting, or even experience it? It wasn’t Ace Ventura driving through the jungle crazy, but enough to make me glad this isn’t a daily commuter highway vehicle for myself.

No problem here, with my first or this one.
Drove my 2020 to Colorado Springs from Des Moines, all around that area, up Pike's Peak, etc. and then took my 2022 to Sarasota and St. Augustine from Des Moines and back - no issues. My wife even likes to drive it and has no trouble. Yes, the wind with a passing semi is funky sometimes, but you get used to that and it's not a huge deal on an interstate.

We're not afraid to take my JT anywhere.
I tow with it, been to KC and back twice to pick up quilting supplies for my wife, just not a big deal.

 

[MattKay]

Reviving this thread because I took a trip this week. First thing I did was make sure my psi was between 35-38, . Then I was off.

Cons: I had to correct my steering way more than I anticipated, but it did become better (more of a habit/getting used to) as I went on, still learning, this is also my first truck! There were a couple moments of high wind and other trucks passing where I white knuckled it.

Pros: the noise, even with the sunrider wasn’t that bad. Passengers and I were actually quite comfortable in the seats. Falcon shocks handled any imperfections with ease. MPG was decent around 18 mpg, was expecting less. No electrical issues along the way and it was nice and toasty in the cabin.

Do most of you highway commuters get frustrated with the constant correcting, or even experience it? It wasn’t Ace Ventura driving through the jungle crazy, but enough to make me glad this isn’t a daily commuter highway vehicle for myself.

i think that’s a solid front axle thing. As I’ve had only wranglers then went to a Suburban and now a JT. And yes very different than the suburban. You actually have to ‘drive’ the JT on the highway…no dozing off at the wheel. Lol! The suburban ran true with little correction needed at highway speeds.

 

[ALT2870]

It's not just a Gladiator thing, any solid front axle vehicle is going to wander. That being said agree with others it's not terrible. Does get a little more wandery once you tow heavier stuff though.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

i think that’s a solid front axle thing.

Not on the highway. They should steer and handle the same on a smooth even road.
Think about it - the ZJ and WJ were solid front axle vehicles and handled fantastic. Even my father had one and drove it all over the place (and it had over 100,000 miles on it)
On uneven roads it's different because of how the steering geometry works vs a IFS.
IFS the steering linkage pivots at about the same point and on the same plane as the control arms pivot up and down. So uneven roads the wheels aren't wanting to move left or right.
On a highway, they should handle about the same.
My F250 didn't handle badly at all - at least for the first 70,000 miles then it got a wobble to it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It's not just a Gladiator thing, any solid front axle vehicle is going to wander. That being said agree with others it's not terrible. Does get a little more wandery once you tow heavier stuff though.

No, they won't. Think the first Grand Cherokees. ZERO wander, handled great. There's no reason at all for the difference on the highway.
The bigger difference is steering ratio and most vehicles people are used to today have faster ratios and rack and pinion steering vs. recirculating ball type steering sectors.
On an interstate that's not rough, there's no reason for wander unless you have poor alignment or loose parts.
But again - people keep comparing to rack and pinion or close ratio steering.
The WK and WL have rack and pinion and really fast steering and that makes the JT feel loose when you switch back and forth.
But my JT doesn't really do any worse than my cars with standard recirculating ball steering do.
The solid axle on a good road doesn't determine steering, it determines ride.

Our ZJ and WJ Grand Cherokees had solid axles and man those steered like a dream, even after 100,000 miles.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

.

Reviving this thread because I took a trip this week. First thing I did was make sure my psi was between 35-38, . Then I was off.

Cons: I had to correct my steering way more than I anticipated, but it did become better (more of a habit/getting used to) as I went on, still learning, this is also my first truck! There were a couple moments of high wind and other trucks passing where I white knuckled it.

Pros: the noise, even with the sunrider wasn’t that bad. Passengers and I were actually quite comfortable in the seats. Falcon shocks handled any imperfections with ease. MPG was decent around 18 mpg, was expecting less. No electrical issues along the way and it was nice and toasty in the cabin.

Do most of you highway commuters get frustrated with the constant correcting, or even experience it? It wasn’t Ace Ventura driving through the jungle crazy, but enough to make me glad this isn’t a daily commuter highway vehicle for myself.

Mine only requires special attention on very windy days and sometimes getting passed by semi trucks. It’s pretty predictable to correct though, maybe I’m used to it by now.

Other than those situations, it’s easy to handle with two fingers and my thumb on highway drives…65mph, 70, 75, 80 are all smooth. I don’t have a stock steering setup now but it was like this before as well.

 

[High Alextude]

Sounds like I might just need to take more vacations and drive this thing on the highway more!

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