Rubicon vs Mojave boat towing

[ghost01]

Sup folks! New here with a question. So I currently drive a full size truck but I’m looking at getting a gladiator Rubicon or Mojave. Personally like the Mojave best but I’ve got a 22.5’ offshore boat with a cuddy. I tow it a few times a month 30 miles to the ramp. The boat weighs in at approximately 5,500lb fully loaded with motor, fuel, gear, trailer, etc. Which one would be best? Or neither and just stick with a full size truck? I honestly worry about the towing, as well as, getting it back up the ramp. Towing my boat is the only thing holding me back. If I wasn’t worried about that I’d already have a gladiator…….thanks in advance for your responses

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[4-Low]

I've had midsize, fullsize, and a fullsize HD pickup(s) over the years. LOTS of trucks, and I've towed just about everything imagineable. My experience has been that the midsize 1/2 ton trucks (Gladiator, Ranger, Frontier, etc.) feel exactly the same as the fullsize 1/2 ton trucks when towing down the highway. There's really little to no difference in performance or fuel economy.

I guess the most I've pulled with the Gladiator specifically is around 7,000 lbs. That was a large enclosed car hauler trailer that caught a lot of wind. I did have a weight distribution/sway control hitch but the Gladiator did a phenomenal job towing that load over 500 miles round trip.

 

[ghost01]

Thank you. I think that’s the problem. The only thing I’ve ever towed with a midsize is a utility trailer with a zero turn on it. I’ve never even thought about hauling my boat up and down a ramp with a gladiator. I guess it’s the unknown with water involved that’s got me worried.

 

[mtudb24]

I've hauled a few boats with my 2021 Max tow. 24 foot pontoon's and a 24 foot tri-toon, 18 foot center console, and 2 years ago I bought a 22 foot twin engine jet boat with a wake tower. Its a big boat for a 22 footer, total weight is about 6000lbs. Everything but the new Jet boat was easy peasy.

The dealer was 120 miles away from where I keep the boat. While it pulled the boat fine, I would not want to pull it at highway speeds that far every weekend. Nope.

The truck definitely knew it was back there. In a strong cross wind, it will push the Gladdy around a bit. I try to stay off highways as much as I can when I am towing it.

If your only going 30 miles on flat land and a only a few times a month, should be no problem.

You also don't mention if you plan on keeping the stock tire size of the Mojave / Rubicon or going bigger? I was on 35's with 4:10 gears so I am sure the stock 33's and 4:10's would make it tow better then my set up.

Keep us posted on your decision.

 

[mtudb24]

Thank you. I think that’s the problem. The only thing I’ve ever towed with a midsize is a utility trailer with a zero turn on it. I’ve never even thought about hauling my boat up and down a ramp with a gladiator. I guess it’s the unknown with water involved that’s got me worried.

Using 4wd on a slippery ramp will be your friend. Our water levels are so low on the Great Lakes, half the time my exhaust is in the water while loading and retrieving the heavy boat, and its never had an issue on slippery ramps pulling it out.

 

[ghost01]

I’d keep them the stock. I like the rubicons and Mojave’s just the way they are. In regards to 4wd I learned my lesson long ago about using it on a ramp lol. Didn’t lose it but damn near did lol. I live in south Mississippi on the gulf coast. It’s mostly a flat tow with 1 or 2 steeper bridges….I’ve dropped a pic of the boat for reference. Also how’s the sag on the backend of the Rubi vs Mojave? I’m sure the Mojave is worse.

 

[LOL WUT]

I consistently pull around 5k with my Rubicon and it does fine and I am lifted on 37s (for reference it is the diesel). Regardless, in stock form I’d have zero concerns pulling 5,500lbs long range in a gasser of either model.

 

[azmojave]

My first thought- the Mojave sits one inch higher in front and has softer springs for desert running, so it’s gonna sag more. The Rubicon has more rake and will probably handle that load better. Something to consider.

 

[Labswine]

Back in the day, I had a 1985 21.5' Larson DC215 that I towed with a '93 Grand Cherokee Laredo (I-6), a '96 Dodge Ram 1500, 5.2L V-8 4x4 extra cab, and a '96 Grand Cherokee Laredo (I-6). Of the three, the two GCs towed it the best. The boat on the trailer was around 5K lbs loaded with fuel, and it was on it's second engine, a 350 cu.in. V-8. With the RAM, it was the tail wagging the dog. Plus, when pulling it out on a ramp, I had to put the RAM into 4lo to get it out. BOTH my Jeeps would get my boat out from the same ramps in 2Hi. So, I think you'll not have any issues towing that boat with your JT. HP rating on the JT is like 265 HP as vs. my GCs with the I-6 with 190 HP. Shouldn't be an issue for ya.

Plus with either the Mojave or the Rubicon with 4.1 gearing vs. the 3.55 gearing in my GCs, it's a no brainier. AND, neither of my GCs had a trailer package. I added a U-Haul receiver and flat4 wiring adapter to accommodate the lights on the trailer.

 

[ghost01]

I can remember my old man pulling a 25’ wooden boat with an Oldsmobile lol. I also remember him having to call a friend to pull the Oldsmobile and the boat off the ramp. I guess it’s just nowadays you don’t see a midsize pulling heavier. Especially in the south….its all heavy duty trucks. I’m sure it’s overkill now. The responses have made me feel better about it though so thank you. I’m leaning toward the Rubicon just for the extra capacity. I really appreciate the responses!

 

[Okie Gladiator]

I have no problems towing that kind of weight with my Rubicon. And no concerns with traction on wet ramps. You’ll be solid. . Saw this review on YouTube and others that were also positive.

 

[mtudb24]

I’d keep them the stock. I like the rubicons and Mojave’s just the way they are. In regards to 4wd I learned my lesson long ago about using it on a ramp lol. Didn’t lose it but damn near did lol. I live in south Mississippi on the gulf coast. It’s mostly a flat tow with 1 or 2 steeper bridges….I’ve dropped a pic of the boat for reference. Also how’s the sag on the backend of the Rubi vs Mojave? I’m sure the Mojave is worse.

Good looking Key West WA cuddy.

 

[NC_Overland]

To answer your question, the Rubicon is set up better for towing.

 

[BuyHold]

I have a 2023 Mojave on 37s. Just this weekend I towed a roughly 5,000lb car/trailer combo for about 150 miles. There was some modest squat and RPMs were higher than the norm but towing always felt steady. I am no towing expert but am confident to say that if I was going to buy a dedicated tow rig where your number one requirement is great towing then it would not be a Gladiator. If you value all the other features that a Rubicon/Mojave offers (great off road capability etc) and want a weekend towing rig, then the Gladiator should be given serious consideration.



NOT A BOAT

 

[Lap it Up]

I have a 2021 Mojave with a 2" AEV lift, 35's, and 4.10's. I use it to tow a 22ft bay boat and also a 6x12 open trailer with 6 passenger golf cart. At highway speeds it is difficult to maintain 7th gear if there is any kind of uphill grade or head wind. I mainly drive in manual mode when I tow. I anticipate grades and down shift or upshift accordingly. When pulling around town or to local ramps, automatic works just fine.

It is very stable and planted for a mid-size truck. I feel very comfortable towing a couple hundred

miles with it.

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