Max Tow Package

[ShadowsPapa]

There’s a lot of good info in these comments. Now I’m over here wondering if I want to go with bigger tires, if maybe that’s not a great idea. Reading through the article about the jeep engineer who talks about the challenges of reaching best in class towing on the gladiator. Part of the way they reached max towing was by being very deliberate on the tire size they chose. Anyone have insight on this topic?

People too often make choices on appearance and not logic or engineering information. Peers tell them it's fine and looks GREAT! People want to impress and love to get likes.

It's true, and has been laid out by pros, people who really know, that such changes change the towing ability no matter what people wish to think.

Tire size matters. More weight and/or more rolling resistance means more HP needed to get it rolling and keep it rolling. More HP means more heat.......

There's proof in the tire bit by simply swapping tires and watching MPG drop.
Swapping to A/T tires that are the exact same diameter as the stock H/T tires my Overland came with but about an inch wider dropped me a couple mpg. That plainly says it's taking more effort to make my truck go and keep it going. That means I'm burning more fuel for the same distance traveled and burning fuel means producing more BTUs - some of the heat is used in propulsion, some is sent out the cooling system.

(the radiator in my 73 had to be larger and I have to use a shroud due to the increase in HP in the engine to make it get up to speed faster - it generates more heat now)

Adding the weight to my truck made a difference in mpg as well. I've dropped an easy 3 mpg with my mods, (tires, bumper, winch, etc.) meaning I've got less power to pull and will need to remove more heat from the engine.

There's no simple internet formula that will tell you how much impact there is for every change in tire size or weight, it's basic engineering, physics, etc. You can't take more effort to roll the vehicle down the road and not take away the ability to pull something else down the road.
If you have the ability to pull 7500 pounds and only pull 5500-6500, then it's not going to be a big deal at all.
I'm not implying end of the world stuff or that it matters to all people but if you will be towing near capacity, it may well matter.
My Overland factory tow rating is 6,000 pounds. I only tow a bit over 5,000 so I've got roughly a 1,000 pound leeway. Not a biggy to me. (and I don't see 8th gear very much when towing)

Axle, Tie Rod Arm and Drag Link Arm are all wider on a Max Tow

For sure.
they have to be to tie the left and right knuckles together, and to tie the right knuckle to the pitman arm.
The knuckles sit farther out.

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[joybulb]

People too often make choices on appearance and not logic or engineering information. Peers tell them it's fine and looks GREAT! People want to impress and love to get likes.

It's true, and has been laid out by pros, people who really know, that such changes change the towing ability no matter what people wish to think.

Tire size matters. More weight and/or more rolling resistance means more HP needed to get it rolling and keep it rolling. More HP means more heat.......

There's proof in the tire bit by simply swapping tires and watching MPG drop.
Swapping to A/T tires that are the exact same diameter as the stock H/T tires my Overland came with but about an inch wider dropped me a couple mpg. That plainly says it's taking more effort to make my truck go and keep it going. That means I'm burning more fuel for the same distance traveled and burning fuel means producing more BTUs - some of the heat is used in propulsion, some is sent out the cooling system.

Thank you for the detail. I am sad now. I wanted to get bigger tires and red wheels to go with. Although I’m only pulling a 3,900# trailer, I refuse to give up capacity for aesthetics. I’ll likely still get the red wheels, but stick with current tire size.

 

[BearFootSam]

There’s a lot of good info in these comments. Now I’m over here wondering if I want to go with bigger tires, if maybe that’s not a great idea. Reading through the article about the jeep engineer who talks about the challenges of reaching best in class towing on the gladiator. Part of the way they reached max towing was by being very deliberate on the tire size they chose. Anyone have insight on this topic?

Larger tires will negatively affect towing. You lower your effective gear ratio and decrease braking efficiency. A higher COG will make the weight more difficult to manage. How much of an impact is hard to say. I would probably feel comfortable going from 33 to 37" but not 40s if I was planning to tow more than 5k for long distances. That said, I've been seeing quite a few lifted gladiators towing little expedition trailers in town lately as tourist season kicks up.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thank you for the detail. I am sad now. I wanted to get bigger tires and red wheels to go with. Although I’m only pulling a 3,900# trailer, I refuse to give up capacity for aesthetics. I’ll likely still get the red wheels, but stick with current tire size.

This Jeep is new to you - get your red wheels, use the truck, tow with it a while and see how things go.
You aren't pulling any massive weight. I'd expect you would be fine going up to 33s or 34s. Some may go bigger (not me, but there's multiple reasons in my case)
But it's always best to make a change, try things out, then make another, etc. as then you know if anything does go backwards, which change it was.

 

[joybulb]

This Jeep is new to you - get your red wheels, use the truck, tow with it a while and see how things go.
You aren't pulling any massive weight. I'd expect you would be fine going up to 33s or 34s. Some may go bigger (not me, but there's multiple reasons in my case)
But it's always best to make a change, try things out, then make another, etc. as then you know if anything does go backwards, which change it was.

Words of wisdom, much appreciated.

 

[blackopsgladiator]

You cannot get the Max Tow package with the diesel engine.

sorry, I have a diesel gladiator with max tow package. 2022 overland high altitude edition, with heavy-duty cooling and the wide hd axles. so yes its available with max tow does it get hot I haven't tried it yet but will. being pro active i am changing out coolant for water wetter which worked on my old 5.9l grand Cherokee for a hot run issue As well. i have installed a Rubicon hood and am adding the s&b hood scoops to help bring in cooler air with custom plumbing to the turbo to help with the heat soak issue.

 

[sharpsicle]

sorry, I have a diesel gladiator with max tow package. 2022 overland high altitude edition, with heavy-duty cooling and the wide hd axles. so yes its available with max tow does it get hot I haven't tried it yet but will. being pro active i am changing out coolant for water wetter which worked on my old 5.9l grand Cherokee for a hot run issue As well. i have installed a Rubicon hood and am adding the s&b hood scoops to help bring in cooler air with custom plumbing to the turbo to help with the heat soak issue.

Max Tow is only available on the 3.6 sport. You probably just have the standard tow package.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

sorry, I have a diesel gladiator with max tow package. 2022 overland high altitude edition, with heavy-duty cooling and the wide hd axles. so yes its available with max tow does it get hot I haven't tried it yet but will. being pro active i am changing out coolant for water wetter which worked on my old 5.9l grand Cherokee for a hot run issue As well. i have installed a Rubicon hood and am adding the s&b hood scoops to help bring in cooler air with custom plumbing to the turbo to help with the heat soak issue.

Nope, you DO NOT have a max tow with diesel. Not possible, they never came that way.

Show us max tow on your build sheet - you can't. Show us max tow on the window sticker. You can't.

The axles and cooling do NOT make max tow. You've not been paying attention to the dozens of max tow threads and the hundreds of posts. You can't possibly have max tow.
You have some of the parts - that's it. It's NOT max tow and you can't build max tow.
Do some research, read some of the threads here - if you think that wide axles and HD cooling make max tow, you've really got a lot to read about.

We all have HD axles, and many of us have HD cooling (like my Overland has) but that doesn't make it max tow.

Diesel in that truck should be tow rated at 6,500 pounds.
payload will be on the door jamb sticker

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Max Tow is only available on the 3.6 sport. You probably just have the standard tow package.

Yes, ONLY GAS and ONLY the Sport level. Nothing else.
Axles and fan don't make a max tow.

 

[blackopsgladiator]

Well sorry again, the dealer built the truck with all add ons including hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires. so same build specs as this below statement from Chrysler on there max tow write up. didn't check my door sticker and i wasn't given a window sticker as it was a demo unit. the dealer also told me and it was written on the final sales sheet with max tow. i also seen an online copy of the original build sheet with all the listed upgrades. so maybe it has regular tow packaged with all the same upgrades as the max tow and that's why it was on the sales sheet and they told me it had it.

What Is the Gladiator Max Trailer Tow Package?
When upgrading a Gladiator’s towing potential, the first choice should be the Trailer-Tow Package, which adds a Class IV receiver, a 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer-hitch zoom for the rearview camera. Without this package or an equivalent, the vehicle isn’t prepared to tow anything. From there, to raise the towing potential, the Max Trailer Tow Package builds from everything in Trailer Tow by adding all-terrain tires, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, wider fender flares, and a 4.1:1 axle ratio.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Still not a Max Tow, it's a diesel with: hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires

 

[sharpsicle]

Well sorry again, the dealer built the truck with all add ons including hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires. so same build specs as this below statement from Chrysler on there max tow write up. didn't check my door sticker and i wasn't given a window sticker as it was a demo unit. the dealer also told me and it was written on the final sales sheet with max tow. i also seen an online copy of the original build sheet with all the listed upgrades. so maybe it has regular tow packaged with all the same upgrades as the max tow and that's why it was on the sales sheet and they told me it had it.

What Is the Gladiator Max Trailer Tow Package?
When upgrading a Gladiator’s towing potential, the first choice should be the Trailer-Tow Package, which adds a Class IV receiver, a 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer-hitch zoom for the rearview camera. Without this package or an equivalent, the vehicle isn’t prepared to tow anything. From there, to raise the towing potential, the Max Trailer Tow Package builds from everything in Trailer Tow by adding all-terrain tires, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, wider fender flares, and a 4.1:1 axle ratio.

So sorry, but that doesn’t mean what you think it means.

Max Tow is a version of the Gladiator that produces the largest available towing capacity. Only possible on a gas Sport model. It’s never going to be a diesel purely because of the added engine weight. You could add the cooling issues to that reason if you wanted as well.

Everybody here is trying to help you understand. I would take a minute and listen to what they have to say. There is no shame in admitting you were wrong and saying thank you.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Well sorry again, the dealer built the truck with all add ons including hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires. so same build specs as this below statement from Chrysler on there max tow write up. didn't check my door sticker and i wasn't given a window sticker as it was a demo unit. the dealer also told me and it was written on the final sales sheet with max tow. i also seen an online copy of the original build sheet with all the listed upgrades. so maybe it has regular tow packaged with all the same upgrades as the max tow and that's why it was on the sales sheet and they told me it had it.

What Is the Gladiator Max Trailer Tow Package?
When upgrading a Gladiator’s towing potential, the first choice should be the Trailer-Tow Package, which adds a Class IV receiver, a 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer-hitch zoom for the rearview camera. Without this package or an equivalent, the vehicle isn’t prepared to tow anything. From there, to raise the towing potential, the Max Trailer Tow Package builds from everything in Trailer Tow by adding all-terrain tires, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, wider fender flares, and a 4.1:1 axle ratio.

Your dealer is FULL OF SHIT! PERIOD, end of story.
You CAN NOT BUILD A MAX TOW.
You could sue the dealer over that load of CRAP.

Max tow is SPORT.
Your vehicle is too heavy, and the payload won't match, you will be towing and hauling way over legal limits and could be sued yourself if in an accident.
That dealer took you for a ride.

Still not a Max Tow, it's a diesel with: hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires

Gee, if I put Rubicon axles under my truck I'll have a MAX TOW! Yippee! I have the other stuff- big alternator, heavy-duty cooling and such.

Seriously, he should sue that dealership and complain to FCA big time. He could soak them so badly over being told it's max tow.
For one thing, the MaxTow has much smaller tires than what he's got - that right there negates the towing thing. Max tow has 32" tires (actually a bit under if I am correct??)
So if he's got Overland or larger tires on that truck, that takes away right there.
Small, skinnier tires on the max tow.

That other stuff he quoted -

What Is the Gladiator Max Trailer Tow Package?
When upgrading a Gladiator’s towing potential, the first choice should be the Trailer-Tow Package, which adds a Class IV receiver, a 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer-hitch zoom for the rearview camera. Without this package or an equivalent, the vehicle isn’t prepared to tow anything. From there, to raise the towing potential, the Max Trailer Tow Package builds from everything in Trailer Tow by adding all-terrain tires, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, wider fender flares, and a 4.1:1 axle ratio.

That's marketing BS. That's it. Marketing crap.
Taken for a ride by a dealer.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Well sorry again, the dealer built the truck with all add ons including hd wide axles, 411 gears with trac lock diff, heavy-duty cooling, the bigger alternator, wider color matched fender flares, and a class iv hitch and the allterrain tires. so same build specs as this below statement from Chrysler on there max tow write up. didn't check my door sticker and i wasn't given a window sticker as it was a demo unit. the dealer also told me and it was written on the final sales sheet with max tow. i also seen an online copy of the original build sheet with all the listed upgrades. so maybe it has regular tow packaged with all the same upgrades as the max tow and that's why it was on the sales sheet and they told me it had it.

What Is the Gladiator Max Trailer Tow Package?
When upgrading a Gladiator’s towing potential, the first choice should be the Trailer-Tow Package, which adds a Class IV receiver, a 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty engine cooling, and trailer-hitch zoom for the rearview camera. Without this package or an equivalent, the vehicle isn’t prepared to tow anything. From there, to raise the towing potential, the Max Trailer Tow Package builds from everything in Trailer Tow by adding all-terrain tires, a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, wider fender flares, and a 4.1:1 axle ratio.

For your window sticker, input your VIN # at the end of this link (after the vin=) and it should pull one up:

https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

That is what your truck has. No diesel Max Tow has ever been (or ever will be) produced by the factory.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For your window sticker, input your VIN # at the end of this link (after the vin=) and it should pull one up:

https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

That is what your truck has. No diesel Max Tow has ever been (or ever will be) produced by the factory.

Nor could a dealer build one. Can't be done.

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