How much weight have you towed with your Diesel Gladiator?

[3TDJEEP]

I have a 2023 JTRD. I am in the process of buying a toy hauler. The one I want is short, tall, and heavy for its size. 16' box, 5' tongue, flipped dual 5200lb axles with a 7' to 8' pitched roof. It would be custom built but estimated dry weight is around 4900lbs to 5000lbs. So I'd be looking at around 6000lbs loaded.

I have read so many threads on towing and diesel cooling that my head is still spinning. I found quite a few comments from diesel owners towing at and some above the weight limits. But most of these posts are old. Back from 21, 22, and 2023. Figured I'd start a thread to see if I can get some more recent feedback and maybe some long term towing reviews.

So, how much weight have you towed with your Diesel Gladiator and how did or is it performing for you?

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[rharr]

why not try to rent something for the weekend that is close to what you want and see how it does before you put down a big pile of money.

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental

 

[3TDJEEP]

why not try to rent something for the weekend that is close to what you want and see how it does before you put down a big pile of money.

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-rental

Yes, I'd like do that. My current challenge is finding time. I'm booked for the next two months and the toy hauler I want to buy is custom built and takes around 8 months. I'd like to order it asap. Also, my JTRD is not yet fully modified. My 37's are on backorder until September, and I still need to schedule the regearing to Spicer 4.56. Also have cooling mods to install. And a weight distribution hitch to buy.

For now, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible from this thread. Would love to hear from those towing the max with their diesels.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Yes, I'd like do that. My current challenge is finding time. I'm booked for the next two months and the toy hauler I want to buy is custom built and takes around 8 months. I'd like to order it asap. Also, my JTRD is not yet fully modified. My 37's are on backorder until September, and I still need to schedule the regearing to Spicer 4.56. Also have cooling mods to install. And a weight distribution hitch to buy.

For now, I'm hoping to learn as much as possible from this thread. Would love to hear from those towing the max with their diesels.

What hauler are you looking at?

 

[3TDJEEP]

What hauler are you looking at?

A custom built Dune Sport similar to this one:

 

[Chance575]

5200 ish total, I have csf rad, insane diesel oil cooler add on , running 4.88s on 37s. Windy day and up and down hills/mountains it will get hot. You’ll have to slow down

 

[3TDJEEP]

5200 ish total, I have csf rad, insane diesel oil cooler add on , running 4.88s on 37s. Windy day and up and down hills/mountains it will get hot. You’ll have to slow down

Thanks. I've read several of your posts in the long cooling thread. I have the CSF rad and the Mishimoto trans oil cooler in my garage ready to install. Also the Zerex yellow coolant and a 2024 grill.

4.88's is pretty low for 37's no? I'm planning on 4.56.

A bit worried since my camper would be 1k heavier. Tough decision.

 

[Chance575]

I could have just changed, had a bearing go bad after 40k on my gear install so I decided just to put a new spicer set in. I’ll finish Friday. I’m fine with them but questioned my decision a lot at first. You’ll be fine with 4.56s. I towed through Denver and right up the mountain with not much problems at all. I can tell when a code will throw, if you start hearing the turbo sing and really work back out of it. Also down shifting and letting it rev will lower egts. High egts really cause all of the temps to soar. Never a code or a problem while not towing. My truck is 6000lbs dry. I don’t know if you have much of a lift but look into timbrens for the rear. I’ve had them and bags and I like them better. Only downside is less up travel in the suspension so if you hard wheeling you might need to remove em (one bolt/nut) before hand

 

[3TDJEEP]

I could have just changed, had a bearing go bad after 40k on my gear install so I decided just to put a new spicer set in. I’ll finish Friday. I’m fine with them but questioned my decision a lot at first. You’ll be fine with 4.56s. I towed through Denver and right up the mountain with not much problems at all. I can tell when a code will throw, if you start hearing the turbo sing and really work back out of it. Also down shifting and letting it rev will lower egts. High egts really cause all of the temps to soar. Never a code or a problem while not towing. My truck is 6000lbs dry. I don’t know if you have much of a lift but look into timbrens for the rear. I’ve had them and bags and I like them better. Only downside is less up travel in the suspension so if you hard wheeling you might need to remove em (one bolt/nut) before hand

Thanks for the feedback. I have a complete Teraflex Alpine RT lift (2.5" front, 3.5" rear with heavy duty rear springs and Air Lift 1000 HD bags). I also have the Falcon SP2 3.3 diesel shocks. And I'm thinking of adding the Teraflex Forged S/T rear swaybar.

 

[AlpineChip]

Same year truck and late last year switched from RTT to ePro trailer (19FDS), about 3600 dry, and another 600+ wet and with gear. No issues with heat or towing power. Weight distribution hitch was a must for me with ebikes on the trailer.
Should have also said I added a brake controller as well.

 

[RudeJeepin]

A custom built Dune Sport similar to this one:

I was kinda wondering if that was it. I've looked at those, but didn't like the total weight once a toy was loaded.

I'd suggest a weight distribution hitch and sway control. Makes a world of difference.

My current setup is a 7x12 plus height dual axle enclosed trailer I've added shelf and a lift bed to. Probably 4500 when loaded with our SxS and stuff for a week.

Just camping out of it this week.

 

[3TDJEEP]

I was kinda wondering if that was it. I've looked at those, but didn't like the total weight once a toy was loaded.

I'd suggest a weight distribution hitch and sway control. Makes a world of difference.

My current setup is a 7x12 plus height dual axle enclosed trailer I've added shelf and a lift bed to. Probably 4500 when loaded with our SxS and stuff for a week.

Just camping out of it this week.

Yes, Dune Sport trailers are heavy (and expensive once you start customizing them!). But it's because they are well built, although they are wood framed and not aluminum like some of the higher end haulers. A lot of the new mass built campers are complete crap. Lot's of engineered laminated panels that are glued and stapled together. The weight savings is attractive but long term, I don't think those trailers will hold up. With that said, the wood framed trailers are much more susceptible to moisture. So pick your poison I guess.

Had I known back when I bought my Gladiator that I'd end up wanting a heavy trailer, I would have passed on the Rubicon and went for a Sport max tow diesel instead. But I originally planned to convert a utility trailer but I just don't have the time for another project. And I really like that Dune Sport set-up in the video I linked. Just wish it were a little lighter and cheaper.

BTW, just loading an electric dirt bike in it that weighs 200lbs.

 

[NCJL]

Pull a 4k off-road trailer. Not much wind drag. The JT weighs about 7k. Sitting on 42’s with 5.13 gears. Only about a 1,000 miles, some of that with 40’s.
Never an issue while pulling the trailer. In the beginning, many issues with derating. Always after 6 hours of continuous driving. On a 18hour trip I learned the mid 220’s and lower equaled no derate. High mid 220’s equaled derate.
I monitor oil temps crazily now. Have added an oil cooler plus items to control engine temps. No derating in years. I think I drive on the safe side, especially when towing. I do not see a large difference in oil temps from towing or not. I think continuous driving matters more.
As for power, control and comfort levels, no issues.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Yes, Dune Sport trailers are heavy (and expensive once you start customizing them!). But it's because they are well built, although they are wood framed and not aluminum like some of the higher end haulers. A lot of the new mass built campers are complete crap. Lot's of engineered laminated panels that are glued and stapled together. The weight savings is attractive but long term, I don't think those trailers will hold up. With that said, the wood framed trailers are much more susceptible to moisture. So pick your poison I guess.

Had I known back when I bought my Gladiator that I'd end up wanting a heavy trailer, I would have passed on the Rubicon and went for a Sport max tow diesel instead. But I originally planned to convert a utility trailer but I just don't have the time for another project. And I really like that Dune Sport set-up in the video I linked. Just wish it were a little lighter and cheaper.

BTW, just loading an electric dirt bike in it that weighs 200lbs.

One less thing to worry about, there was never a max tow EcoDiesel. The highest rated towing was 6500 for the ED. Not much more than the Rubicon.

If I was being truly honest with myself when I got the Gladiator...I should of really just gotten the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. We already had a 21JLURD.
But I WANTED a Gladiator and the EcoDiesel was the only motor for me.

 

[Tlicious556]

I was kinda wondering if that was it. I've looked at those, but didn't like the total weight once a toy was loaded.

I'd suggest a weight distribution hitch and sway control. Makes a world of difference.

My current setup is a 7x12 plus height dual axle enclosed trailer I've added shelf and a lift bed to. Probably 4500 when loaded with our SxS and stuff for a week.

Just camping out of it this week.

what do you have for an SxS?

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