Pushing the rated limits - Flatbed towing a Gladiator with a Gladiator

[DC3]

Today I towed the heaviest load yet with the EcoDiesel. I had some issues with a Jeep service center being sh#theads and had to pick up my gladiator. I originally had it towed to the dealer using a towing service but decided to take matters into my own hands.

I pulled the trailer for a distance of ~50 miles and was really impressed with how well the Gladiator handled the load. I drove mostly highway at ~65mph and got 13 - 15mpg on the flats and 8 - 10mpg on inclines. The temperature was about -5F so overheating wasn't an issue. I'm really impressed with the 8hp75 transmission and the torquey diesel.

I realize there are several areas for improvement (i.e. strapping, load distribution, etc) but I was underprepared and freezing by the time I got the truck cleared of snow and on the trailer (using the winch). This isn't the proper setup for a long haul but worked great for 50 miles. I recently got rid of my 1 ton, I would have used that had it been around.

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[Killroy Was Here]

Today I towed the heaviest load yet with the EcoDiesel. I had some issues with a Jeep service center being sh#theads and had to pick up my gladiator. I originally had it towed to the dealer using a towing service but decided to take matters into my own hands.

I pulled the trailer for a distance of ~50 miles and was really impressed with how well the Gladiator handled the load. I drove mostly highway at ~65mph and got 13 - 15mpg on the flats and 8 - 10mpg on inclines. The temperature was about -5F so overheating wasn't an issue. I'm really impressed with the 8hp75 transmission and the torquey diesel.

I realize there are several areas for improvement (i.e. strapping, load distribution, etc) but I was underprepared and freezing by the time I got the truck cleared of snow and on the trailer (using the winch). This isn't the proper setup for a long haul but worked great for 50 miles. I recently got rid of my 1 ton, I would have used that had it been around.

Damn, that looks cold!?

 

[DC3]

It's so cold. I moved here from NW Ohio (Findlay) fourteen years ago and I had no idea what I was getting into. It's so much colder but sunnier than NW OH. The good and the bad?

 

[Killroy Was Here]

It's so cold. I moved here from NW Ohio (Findlay) fourteen years ago and I had no idea what I was getting into. It's so much colder but sunnier than NW OH. The good and the bad?

I'm here in Lima, not far from your old stomping grounds.
Have been to northern MN in the winter visiting the Winterfest in Ely, MN many years ago.
Love the Boundary Waters area of the state, and done many extended solo canoe camping trips in the summer & fall.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Today I towed the heaviest load yet with the EcoDiesel. I had some issues with a Jeep service center being sh#theads and had to pick up my gladiator. I originally had it towed to the dealer using a towing service but decided to take matters into my own hands.

I pulled the trailer for a distance of ~50 miles and was really impressed with how well the Gladiator handled the load. I drove mostly highway at ~65mph and got 13 - 15mpg on the flats and 8 - 10mpg on inclines. The temperature was about -5F so overheating wasn't an issue. I'm really impressed with the 8hp75 transmission and the torquey diesel.

I realize there are several areas for improvement (i.e. strapping, load distribution, etc) but I was underprepared and freezing by the time I got the truck cleared of snow and on the trailer (using the winch). This isn't the proper setup for a long haul but worked great for 50 miles. I recently got rid of my 1 ton, I would have used that had it been around.

cool. what was the total weight between the trailer and the glad?

 

[DC3]

cool. what was the total weight between the trailer and the glad?

Probably 6,800 - 7,400 lbs for the trailer & Gray glad, I didn't scale it out. I was over the sticker for my gladiator but probably under the maximum for the Gladiator line (max tow). I would guess the gross weight of the setup was ~13,000lb. ?

 

[FitfulGoat]

Probably 6,800 - 7,400 lbs for the trailer & Gray glad, I didn't scale it out. I was over the sticker for my gladiator but probably under the maximum for the Gladiator line (max tow). I would guess the gross weight of the setup was ~13,000lb. ?

Don’t forget the bed full of snow ?

All jokes aside and the obvious safety/legality of it I’m seriously impressed but more so at the sum of the whole. Those conditions, sub par tools, and the total weight… glad you made it out alive!

 

[BlueScapegoat]

It's so cold. I moved here from NW Ohio (Findlay) fourteen years ago and I had no idea what I was getting into. It's so much colder but sunnier than NW OH. The good and the bad?

I moved from Lodi Ohio to Lakeville Minnesota about 7 years ago. You're certainly right about the sunny part. I can't seem to convince Ohioans just how much better summer is here.

I like the cold too, though. I'd take below zero and two feet of snow over mid 30s and muddy salty slush any day.

Really Ohio doesn't win in any category. Except amusement parks.

Sorry for the off topic.

I towed my TJ with my Gladiator and the trailer/load scaled at 6320# and towed beautifully. I don't know the weight of your trailer but I'd guess that's closer to 8k lbs

 

[DC3]

I moved from Lodi Ohio to Lakeville Minnesota about 7 years ago. You're certainly right about the sunny part. I can't seem to convince Ohioans just how much better summer is here.

I like the cold too, though. I'd take below zero and two feet of snow over mid-30s and muddy salty slush any day.

Really Ohio doesn't win in any category. Except amusement parks.

Sorry for the off topic.

I towed my TJ with my Gladiator and the trailer/load scaled at 6320# and towed beautifully. I don't know the weight of your trailer but I'd guess that's closer to 8k lbs

Your right, I was mathing it to make myself feel better. I didn't do the math in advance but knew I'd be alright if I took it easy. Having experienced towing with a Cayenne and a Touareg (both rated at 7,700) I know the Gladiator is a better towing platform regardless of the stickered cap. At these loads, the conversation quickly transitions to what is reasonable, safe, and commonsensical. In this case, I took the conditions into account with my driving style. I am lucky there were no outside influences (road debris, flat tire, unexpected slick spots, reckless drivers, etc).

Regarding Lodi, that's in the cloud belt . More cloudy days there than in Western Ohio. I grew up in Copley before moving to NW Ohio for college and then a career. I would have a really hard time moving back to OH.

 

[MrJeep]

This is interesting and good to hear. I tow right up to the max in my Overland and it feels like you could add many more pounds and still feel safe. That's with a brake controller and good trailer brakes.

 

[ReidJustin]

Dealing with lame service centers can be such a pain, but props to you for taking matters into your own hands. Your Gladiator handling the load like a champ in the cold? Sure, there's room for improvement, but sometimes you gotta work with what you have. Oh, and if you ever need an affordable towing service, just let me know, I know a really good one. We're all here to lend a hand.

 

[DC3]

Dealing with lame service centers can be such a pain, but props to you for taking matters into your own hands. Your Gladiator handling the load like a champ in the cold?

Yeah, the power and the stability were solid. Trailering across ice-covered roads in subzero temps is never enjoyable, but it was as good as it gets.

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