Is the jeep Gladiator the best off road truck?

[guarnibl]

I do and I had to build a custom fork mount bed rack so my carbon fork doesn’t get damaged bouncing on the bed floor. Even with the front wheel off the hoods still rub the tailgate. 5ft really isn’t long enough for a “truck”. If we’re all honest with ourselves, the gladiator was designed to haul yeti coolers and beach chairs.

Yep pretty much. Wish I could have gotten a two door gladiator with a 6.5 foot bed. Still love mine as a daily though.

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[kickingaz]

Has to be the best rock crawler at least right? Rubicon with a diesel I would imagine beats any truck on rocks. I could be wrong though ??‍

I considered another Gladiator, a Rubicon diesel, but learned that they have heat issues. that won't go well here in AZ with temps above 115 in the summer.

 

[HardCase]

My Mojave says it is desert rated, so I’m solid in the yes camp.

 

[DocMike]

I watched a modded Taco and a modded 4Runner on Schnebly Hill. Taco could not keep up with my 16 year old at the wheel. Newbie to offroad. WE waited FOREVER for the 4 runner to get to us so we could yield.....so...

As for Raptor and TRX....they are amazing. I'd love a TRX. Would not want to rock crawl it or get it on narrow shelf roads.

I think it's interesting to check out some of the lines they use to test IFS like the Bronco. They pick obstacles that seem to minimize the need for SFA. Anyone else notice that? It's like year that is a sweet climb. But the front doesn't need to flex much. Perhaps a game of HORSE with similar equipped vehicles and different obstacles?

I don't know. I just went on the Tacoma forum and they all told me that the Taco was the best off roading truck.​

 

[DocMike]

Driver skill matters. I had a guy in an overland 2500 Diesel Chevy follow me through a Black Bear styled switch back and a set of rollers that made my jeep rub at full flex. It took him a hot minute, but he made it.

Coming from a Power Wagon that did most of the trails in Moab. And the trails at Rausch Creek, AAOA, and the Badlands.

I will say this. Fast desert running. The TRX, then the Rapturd.

Mid size truck. The Gladiator. I consider the Rubi a small version of the Power Wagon.

Full size truck. Power Wagon. Don't even consider the Temor. They don't flex well. I had my Power Wagon places where people in Jeeps have asked me how in the f@#k did you get back here. Have never seen a Rapturd on the trails in Moab or Rausch Creek.

 

[rybaby007]

Serious? No mention of the Ram Power Wagon? …3/4 ton, solid front axle, Almost 500hp, front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, factory winch..

 

[porsharman]

The best of anything depends on the opinion of who ever answers the question. Not sure how to determine the best of anything. I can only speak for myself and for me my 2021 JTRD is a very capable truck. It can haul people and cargo wherever I point it. It is extremely customizable making it easy to make it “your” truck and reliable despite what we do to it or take it.

Are there other trucks as capable…. sure. Would I own some other truck…. no. My JTRD fits my needs completely.

So yes the Jeep Gladiator is a very capable truck right off the showroom floor. You can make it into an extremely capable truck depending on your imagination and your wallet. Good luck with your search.

 

[Thistle-twister]

Has to be the best rock crawler at least right? Rubicon with a diesel I would imagine beats any truck on rocks. I could be wrong though ??‍

Mine is pretty incredible.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Serious? No mention of the Ram Power Wagon? …3/4 ton, solid front axle, Almost 500hp, front and rear lockers, sway bar disconnect, factory winch..

It was mentioned twice, but it probably does deserve more attention in this thread.

From an overall perspective and the trim levels I would say yes. From a Full size perspective FCA I think wtill has everyone beat, with the Power wagon is comparable with Rubicon and TRX is supposed to outperform the raptor, so there really is no competition for offroad outside of FCA products...*****Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated or sponsored by FCA , but maybe I should be so I can get a new 2024 JT when they come out....just saying, in case anyone from FCA Canada is listening, lol

Coming from a Power Wagon that did most of the trails in Moab. And the trails at Rausch Creek, AAOA, and the Badlands.

I will say this. Fast desert running. The TRX, then the Rapturd.

Mid size truck. The Gladiator. I consider the Rubi a small version of the Power Wagon.

Full size truck. Power Wagon. Don't even consider the Temor. They don't flex well. I had my Power Wagon places where people in Jeeps have asked me how in the f@#k did you get back here. Have never seen a Rapturd on the trails in Moab or Rausch Creek.

 

[balakachai]

I have over 91k miles on my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon - of these, I'd reckon about 60k miles on tarmac, about 28k on dirt roads of various degrees of maintenance and about 2k on "tough terrain" (American South West or VT/NH/Maine Class IV roads types). No "mods" other than 35" BFG AT tires. Some other useful stuff like a pair of BajaDesigns lights in the front, dual battery, ARB dual compressor, a Decked drawer system, a Front Runner bed rack, a Front Runner roof rack, and a Front Runner water tank. We also tow a Patriot Campers trailer with this on all of our journeys. Has worked like a charm. My only gripe is the low payload (1100lbs). For a single person or a couple, if you modify the seats to be a best-in-class seat (like the Scheelmann seats) this is most likely the best "all terrain" overland vehicle in the market right now (where you can also get out of sticky situations, should the need arise, given the vehicle's capability and size). For a family (with or without a trailer) you run out of payload really fast, even without any fancy mods - to wit, a family of 5 and not very heavy people is about 700lbs, add a full tank of gas and water and you're already pushing 900lbs+, leaving you with very little usable payload. If I were going to Alaska or wide open roads without tight tracks, I'd reckon a full-size truck would easily win out just given the sheer comfort and payload involved. I'm waiting for the Grenadier, I think that will address the payload issue well, not to mention that it's purpose built - only the price tag is likely to be very scary. All that said, I'm super happy with the Gladiator. It's been a helluva ride and experience.

 

[guarnibl]

I considered another Gladiator, a Rubicon diesel, but learned that they have heat issues. that won't go well here in AZ with temps above 115 in the summer.

Mine is fine in AZ temps. I don’t tow though

 

[guarnibl]

It was mentioned twice, but it probably does deserve more attention in this thread.

power wagon is sweet though I’d prefer an AEV prospector

 

[jebiruph]

I have over 91k miles on my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon - of these, I'd reckon about 60k miles on tarmac, about 28k on dirt roads of various degrees of maintenance and about 2k on "tough terrain" (American South West or VT/NH/Maine Class IV roads types). No "mods" other than 35" BFG AT tires. Some other useful stuff like a pair of BajaDesigns lights in the front, dual battery, ARB dual compressor, a Decked drawer system, a Front Runner bed rack, a Front Runner roof rack, and a Front Runner water tank. We also tow a Patriot Campers trailer with this on all of our journeys. Has worked like a charm. My only gripe is the low payload (1100lbs). For a single person or a couple, if you modify the seats to be a best-in-class seat (like the Scheelmann seats) this is most likely the best "all terrain" overland vehicle in the market right now (where you can also get out of sticky situations, should the need arise, given the vehicle's capability and size). For a family (with or without a trailer) you run out of payload really fast, even without any fancy mods - to wit, a family of 5 and not very heavy people is about 700lbs, add a full tank of gas and water and you're already pushing 900lbs+, leaving you with very little usable payload. If I were going to Alaska or wide open roads without tight tracks, I'd reckon a full-size truck would easily win out just given the sheer comfort and payload involved. I'm waiting for the Grenadier, I think that will address the payload issue well, not to mention that it's purpose built - only the price tag is likely to be very scary. All that said, I'm super happy with the Gladiator. It's been a helluva ride and experience.

If you can get by without the Rubicon features, the Max Tow gets you over 400 lbs more payload.

 

[balakachai]

If you can get by without the Rubicon features, the Max Tow gets you over 400 lbs more payload.

Agreed. Just that I didn't want to buy one and then modify it - not that much of an expert and then there are warranties to worry about. But your point is well taken. For the capabilities of a base Max Tow (vs. Rubicon), you'd likely be better off in a full-size, I think.

 

[Geoarch]

I wonder what the Tundra forum would think?

Well I’ve owned five Tacomas and my JTR is much better off road and more fun to drive.

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