Is my brother making the wrong move?

[Papa Jawa]

I love the Jeep and for me the Gladiator is perfect. Unless he plans on hitting trails, taking the doors and roof off the Gladiator doesn't have any advantages as a family vehicle. If he likes doing "Jeep" stuff that only the JT can do the answer is obvious. If it's pretty much a family hauler with a bed the Ram is probably the better truck for him.

This for sure, but also... if he wants to wheel a Ram, don’t get the air suspension. Completely limits upgrades.

Sponsored

 

[DirtySaylor]

My brother put a deposit down on a 2021 Ram 1500 crew cab big horn! He’s been back and forth between the Ram and Gladiator for about 6 months now! Anyone have any experience with both and can provide some insight? He’s got 2 kids and is worried about the space and the ride in general of the Gladiator which is why he finally left a deposit. He called me today and isn’t sure he made the right move! It’s still refundable! He loves the Gladiator, but thinks the Ram is the “safer” pick even though it’s like every other truck and not a head turner. He said my Gladiator creaks and rattles a bit and is obviously smaller. He loves the whole idea of having a Gladiator though. What do you all think?

I'd go with the Ram. It's going to be safer and have a much smoother ride. You can take it on a road trip and not worry about your dental fillings falling out.

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

I had a 2019 Ram Rebel quad cab and there's more passenger room in the Gladiator. It's a little narrower but significantly more leg room.

The Ram will ride and drive better, quieter, haul more, tow more, but it is also very large as a daily driver. I went from a PowerWagon to the Rebel to a JTR and am quite pleased.

I'm in the same boat kind of...it's just me but I drive 40,000+/year. Not sure how comfortable JT will be on 500 mile trips. The RAM Rebel seems badass as well but not sure yet. I'll be test driving both this week.

 

[Jeep24MA]

I'm in the same boat kind of...it's just me but I drive 40,000+/year. Not sure how comfortable JT will be on 500 mile trips. The RAM Rebel seems badass as well but not sure yet. I'll be test driving both this week.

Love the Rebel! That was my first choice actually, but just so damn expensive.

 

[Trippin01]

To me, a Gladiator is a Jeep with a bed, more of a recreational toy. Exactly what I wanted. If I needed a work truck, I would have gotten a 2500 or a 3500. But thats me. I'm not a 1/2 ton fan, of any brand. The Gladiator is probably the best 1/4 ton truck around, ha ha

 

[SuburbanGP88]

I had a Ram crew cab hemi.

Love that truck. Super comfortable and great mpg. The only problem is it's too big sometimes to maneuver in urban areas but I wouldn't hesitate to get either one.

 

[Mopar King]

My brother put a deposit down on a 2021 Ram 1500 crew cab big horn! He’s been back and forth between the Ram and Gladiator for about 6 months now! Anyone have any experience with both and can provide some insight? He’s got 2 kids and is worried about the space and the ride in general of the Gladiator which is why he finally left a deposit. He called me today and isn’t sure he made the right move! It’s still refundable! He loves the Gladiator, but thinks the Ram is the “safer” pick even though it’s like every other truck and not a head turner. He said my Gladiator creaks and rattles a bit and is obviously smaller. He loves the whole idea of having a Gladiator though. What do you all think?

Hi! I have owned 10 Rams and 5 Jeeps. I traded my 2018 Rebel in on a 2020 Gladiator. Like your brother I also have 2 kids - (13 and 9). My kids were a big part of my decision - they both love Jeeps. Granted the Rebel does have a bit more room depending what cab you go with - for me it was a non-factor. The Gladiator does great for us even on long trips.

 

[SnazGlad]

I've had Rams and Jeep Wranglers in the mix on and off for years. I'm now 10 months into my lemon law battle with FCA over my new Ram. They finally sent the paperwork last month and it was wrong, to their advantage of course, so back the paperwork went. How many more months will this take?

Have him google Ram fuel pump sticking, Ram gas pump stuck etc. There's a class action lawsuit that will come up etc. It seems to be from 2016, when they still had gas caps to the tanks and up to the new ones, capless tanks. I have the new Ram with the capless tank. In the shop for about two months off and on, various fuel neck redesigns etc etc from FCA engineers to no fix. Truck sticks to gas station pumps for up to a half hour at a time while you twist, turn, pull, push, use nice words, the F word etc. You wonder if this will finally be the time it won't free up.
Some people have no problems. Maybe it is more of a California/Oregon gas pump thing. But, I just want to know I can travel to any state and not get stuck there.

Sucks because I love my Ram trucks. The vented seats, the bigger interior. Yet, when I look at the Ram, it's just a truck. I mean a nice truck with a nice interior, but just a truck. My Ram was about 72k.

My problem has been with Wranglers, though I'm a huge fan, I really need a bed sometimes for yard clearance, home improvement store pick ups etc.

I must have spent 6 months talking about if I should get the new Ram or the new Gladiator. Family was sick of hearing about it! lol. I went with the Ram for comforts.

Well, those comforts don't mean crap when you're stuck to the gas pumping somewhere, especially if trying to do a family trip. No one in the family wants to go in it because they are worried about putting gas in it. A neighbor has a new Ram truck. His wife also won't drive it for the reason fuel pumps stick to theirs as well. They've just started the process of trying to get it fixed.

I ordered the new JTM amidst all this buyback lolly gagging by FCA. The MSRP on the JTM came to 64,400. Seems crazy it's so close in price to a loaded up Ram.
As, the Ram does seem like so much more vehicle.

I have both the JTM and Ram Limited with me now. I see the Ram and I think, Comfy truck, great interior. The grill is ugly. The Ram boxes, though the doors fell off of them when only a few miles on the truck, and the dealer had to put entire new Ram boxes in, get them painted etc. are nice for storage. Overall, the exterior look of the new Ram truck just reminds me of something my grandpa would have. Nothing special about it. Looks like a Toyota and most other trucks on the road.

I look at the Gladiator and it makes me smile every time. The Mojave ride is not as smooth as a Ram, but is decent. I always got the Rubicon level Wrangler in the past. The Mojave also comes with a bit bigger seat bolsters, steering wheel etc in addition to the dual shocks and so on. I really like it. Family, dogs, etc just have to pile in and buckle up!

Oh, the center storage compartment isn't as big as the Ram so less room to hide candy and snacks I'm not supposed to have in there!

He can of course search out Gladiator problems too, to send him into a further spin of maybe he shouldn't get one either. I did that for months too.

I'm really liking the Gladiator, gives me much more happiness. Even if the Ram didn't have the fueling issue, I'd still feel the same way about it, "Great truck but so generic and boring with the new design that looks like all others now."

If his kids are young, the JT makes much more fun memories. If the kids are older, how much longer until they will be driving themselves anyway?

OH, and if getting a JT, the aftermarket Sunrider top, that I was hesitant on spending the money for...is fantastic. Open/close in seconds based on weather etc.

Hope some of that helps as I'm living with the Ram and the Gladiator now.

 

[DrewP]

I have both a Ram 2500 megacab and a gladiator. Two different beasts. Gladiator is a toy truck compared to 1500/2500 imo. Feels light and hollow compared to a real work/tow truck. I love them both, but gladiator on 37's is wife's mall crawler....which could be perfect for him depending on use.

 

[jbmdux]

Yes, big mistake. If he wants/needs a full size truck he should get a Sierra/Silverado not the Ram. If he wants an awesome and fun utility vehicle he should get the Gladiator. My friends with Rams drool over my gladiator and Sierra, especially when they are at the gas station.

 

[BAT]

Having had both a Ram 1500 and Gladiator and in his position I would honestly have to say at this time go with the Ram simply for the features it offers. Its not going to be nearly as fun as my gladiator but I am past the kids stage now and the truck is for me. But my 1500 was a pure pleasure to own. Super comfortable ride better than my wife's car and many other vehicles I have been in. Gas mileage was ok, but the back seat was huge with space, easy to get kids and lots of other things in an out. Plus lots of bed to load other toys, etc that all seem to come with kids.

 

[it_trailblzr]

Agree with the letting him borrow yours.
Tell him if he does not grin from ear to ear afterword's, go with the Dodge.

 

[Bulldog10]

I'd go with the Ram. It's going to be safer and have a much smoother ride. You can take it on a road trip and not worry about your dental fillings falling out.

Agree-Other Option Lease-Cheap and a Good Way to Make up Your Mind! Or the Wife's if she is still around!

 

[snide]

Had a '19 RAM 1500 Crew Cab with the 5.7. Wasn't the high-end trim level, but it had heated seats. Was a great riding truck. Comfortable on the road on long trips, and the 5.7 had plenty of power. Gas mileage was very decent as well.

However, the Gladiator caught my eye at the dealership. They had one with the top and doors off and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

A couple of months later, I ended up trading my RAM and an '18 Camaro vert for my Gladiator Sport S with a soft top. I love everything about this vehicle. Sure, I miss the heated seats, but when my lease is up, I'll probably get another one, with heated seats.

What your brother needs to do is decide which vehicle is right for him.

Sponsored