Rubicon vs Mojave boat towing

[4-Low]

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.

Boat ramps get slick, as you already know. But that's a problem for ALL trucks. I use 4-high on boat ramps just for the added confidence.

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[Sailorblue]

I have a 2023 Mojave and tow my 21' CC regularly. It weighs in at about 5000 all in. I've never had any issues. I won't say it's effortless, but it's not unruly in any way.

I do put in 4H when going up and down the ramp as they can pretty slimy. Never had any issues.

 

[Mr Miami]

At least in model year '24, there was totally mixed information directly from Jeep on the towing capacities of the Mojave. The Rubicon was 7k throughout. But the Mojave had either 6k or 7k depending on where you looked. I recall the online build thing at 6k, the Jeep advertisements for the Mojave at 7k and depending where else you looked, one or the other.

That was the reason I bought the Rubicon instead of the Mojave, even though there was a Mojave for an even better deal (I got my Rubi during the highly discounted time last year) and would have had a similar Mojave for about $1,200 less were it not for the towing questions.

I have a 23' CC with a 300hp outboard and with fuel (I keep it around half filled at 60 gallons) and with trailer and gear, I am approaching 6k. I bought the Rubi for the "margin of safety" if you want to call it that. Towing wise, the distance to the marina for me is only 4 miles and I only bring the boat home for maintenance and a good cleaning now and then. Maybe a total of 6 times a year.

Personally, I don't really feel that much difference when I tow it. I wouldn't think twice about towing it 30 miles as you mention. But then I am on totally flat terrain (Florida Keys) and there are no hills or anything between me and marina. If I was going up and down hills it may be a different story, but I am very pleased with it for what I do and haven't even needed to put it into 4x4 on the ramp when pulling it out of the hole.

For me at least, it does what I need and expected and am very pleased.

Edit: I see others use their 4x4 on the boat ramps when they are slippery but in my case, the ramp at my local marina has rather deep grooves cut into the concrete and the 4x4 is not really needed.

 

[ghost01]

Yes if I were to get a Mojave it would be 2024-present because everything I’ve read has it at 7k lb capacity. I think the payload stayed the same…..honestly after reading through replies I feel like the rubicon is the way to go. Plus I could pickup a used one for relatively less money lol.

Mr Miami I love the keys. Go down there 2 or 3 times a year spearfishing and to snag some key lime pie from Sparky’s.

I can think of 1 launch that’s kind of a shallow entry where I’m at. I mainly use a private launch that’s steep and slippery at times but there’s nobody else there to battle with…..so I deal with it lol. I do appreciate all the real world responses from everyone.

 

[mac68]

I have a 2025 Sport S Max Tow package with the 4.10 gears, and I tow a few times a year hauling coal to heat my house and I own a 71 Dodge Dart that I haul a couple hundred miles away to a car show. It does the job but not ideal in my opinion.

 

[Loud Lyle]

I tow a smaller than your boat regularly and a tractor with my Mojave. This air bag setup definitely helps with the sag

 

[Pat Witt]

I have pulled a 25' pontoon fully loaded for years I used to pulled it with my 2016 Sahara 4 door with 410 gears and now with a 2021 mojave with 410 gears and the mojave handles it great and I have never needed 4wd to get it off of any ramp.

 

[Swegian]

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!

The reason many a dad (like mine) pulled boats, camping trailers, and everything else with their cars, was most trucks of the time only had two doors. Not much room for the family when you can only afford one vehicle.

 

[S JEEPN]

I regularly tow a watercraft trailer about 3k lbs and utility trailer in the 5K to 6K lbs load range with my Mojave I have not experienced any weird characteristics. I find towing either trailer very stable no feeling it is overloaded. The brakes seem good for the rated capacity It does down shift and rev up on the worst long highway grades with a heavy load but kind of expected it with the V6s power numbers compared to a full size. Any of the Gladiator models would be more than capable of towing up to its rating, more important would be what else you plan on doing with it and how it feels to you behind the wheel. if you need the 4 to 1 low range and a front locker of course the Rubicon otherwise the Mojave suspension, seating and reinforced frame and other components may be an option. I would test drive both to see what kind of deal you can find and get a feel for each being the seats each have a different feel and there is a notable difference in the handling and ride.

 

[Janster]

We regularly tow a 3,500 lb bass boat on weekends with the JT. We used to tow our YJ around on a trailer (6,500 lbs total) with a Grand Cherokee & Dodge Ram.
The Grand Cherokee Limited (V8) had similar tow rating as the JT - and was a white knuckle ride going downhill and struggled to keep cooled going up hills. We ended up selling that and getting a Dodge Ram. Towing with the Ram was a much better experience.

You’re used to towing with a fullsize….. that fullsize towing experience is completely different. Although, the JT is totally capable……. you might not be happy going from a fullsize to a midsize - just from the experience itself. Just sayin’…..

If you go the JT route…. as many folks have already mentioned and you already know…. Those slippery boat ramps are gonna be the challenge pending how flat/steep they are. The ramps here are generally flat. I use 4WD everytime regardless.
Good Luck!

 

[Whitey69]

I’ve been pulling our 24’ cuddy around for a couple years without any issues. You know it’s there on a bumpy road but highway driving it hauls along beautifully. I’m not sure I would want to haul it across the country but the Gladiator would do it without issue.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

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

Either stick with your full sized truck, or save the extra expense for high end trim and go with a nice Sport S, with Max Tow Package. That will give you the highest payload and lightest curb weight, with proper sized 17” alloy wheels and AT tires. That will be at least a 1,600 lbs payload depending upon how many options that add a little to curb weight. With the highest tow rate and CGVWR. That honestly depending upon what your full size truck is, won’t have as much power and capacity. But will be a Jeep!

 

[Mac]

My Gladiator has 4.10s with 35" tires, I tow several 3k lb boats during the summer in fairy hilly areas, Mass and Maine, the Jeep does fine, but not sure I would want to tow anything much heavier.
My previous truck was a Tundra which towed much better than the Gladiator.
The one area the Gladiator is better is moving the boat around, it turns better and has more grip, I have to turn the boats around on an uphill off camber gravel driveway and the gladiator is pretty unstoppable in 4low, far superior to the Tundra.
On a ramp I would think the Gladiator would be better as well, I have never had an issue with either pulling out or putting in, ocean ramps in my area have 10' tide swings and are usually pretty steep and very slippery at low tide, no issue with the freshwater ramps I use either, often broken pavement with drop-offs and sand.

 

[Panthers65]

[Forest Gump voice] That's my boat...[/Forest Gump voice]

That's a 5K axle on the trailer, and from what I've seen with fuel and lake toys it's every bit of it. You definitely know it's back there, really gotta get into the engine on hills, but at the end of the day I've never felt unsafe, just inconvenienced. Admittedly I haven't had an emergency stop situation where I had to get on it quickly, but as long as your total package is 85-90% of the actual GVWR of your truck+Trailer combined, I would think you would be okay, but take the free advise for what you paid for it. if you're spending a weekend in that cuddy remember to add all the weight of you, Passengers, Coolers of lake sodas, food, lake toys, ect.... You realize just how quickly you come up on that GCWR.

I am on 37's and 5.13's, it would obviously pull a lot better stock

 

[4-Low]

The problem with enclosed trailers isn't the weight so much as it is the lack of aerodynamic profile. I'd drag 7,000 lbs. around with no issues at all, except having to stop at the fuel stations frequently!

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