Thinking About Buying A Jeep Gladiator

[Rahkmalla]

I'm pretty sure for the '24 and up the mojave is now rated at the same 7k pounds tow rating as the rubicon.

The brochure for the 2025 disagrees with you
2025-CDN-Jeep-Gladiator-ENG-Catalog.pdf
Still 6k for the Mojave (page 11)

Sponsored

 

[BCC]

What rides bettererist the Mojave, or an Overland, for the application the OP is looking for?

I sold an Overland and bought a ‘25 Mojave. The Mojave rides much betererist.

 

[Bigcatfish]

What is the reason for owning a Gladiator? Test drive multiple ones and compare the ride with your Tundra. If you are looking to tow, you might be better with the Tundra.

I am not wanting to spend the money they are asking for a new full size truck.

I can get a Gladiator Rubicon cheaper than a full size 4WD truck.

I have really like the way the Gladiators have looked since they came out.

 

[Zachanadandy]

The brochure for the 2025 disagrees with you
2025-CDN-Jeep-Gladiator-ENG-Catalog.pdf
Still 6k for the Mojave (page 11)

Jeep does such a terrible job with towing information. They don't even put it in the manual anymore. The manual says go to jeep.com and enter the vehicle info... but that doesn't work. I always thought it was weird that we dont have a GCWR on the door sticker, but for that info to be missing from the manual is wild. At least we know for certain that nobody is getting ticketed for towing up to 7,700lbs as the max rating (of the max tow) is the only number that's quick and easy to find. Unless of course you have an officer that carries Jeep brochures with him.

 

[Florida Mojave]

Being a Mojave owner I am a bit partial but I rented a sport and drove 1500 miles before I purchased mine in 21. That being said - go on Turo for your area and look into renting one and drive it for a bit.
One thing you haven't mentioned what your towing and the frequencies....all of which are legitimate factors for your decision.

 

[Sigz]

10 miles round trip is pretty short for a ride in something like a PT Cruiser, let alone a Gladiator.


Pet Chatgpt:

Jeep Gladiator
Pros:

• True off-road beast — solid axles, lockers, disconnecting sway bar (Rubicon trim).
• It’s a truck that’s also a Wrangler, so roof & doors come off.
• Smaller, more nimble in tight trails or urban spots.
• Manual transmission available (rare today).
• Jeep aftermarket is endless.

Cons:

• Meh payload & towing (max around 7,700 lbs).
• Ride is bouncy, steering can feel loose on highways.
• Interior quality & tech is improving but still rugged-basic compared to Toyota.
• Pricy for what you get sometimes.

Toyota Tundra
Pros:

• Powerful i-FORCE or i-FORCE MAX hybrid engines (big torque, up to ~12,000 lbs towing).
• Super reliable — Toyota trucks have legendary durability.
• Much better daily driver: quieter, smoother, more tech.
• Bigger bed & more interior room (especially CrewMax).

Cons:

• Much larger footprint — harder to park, not as agile on narrow trails.
• No removable doors/roof, obviously.
• Less hardcore off-road hardware stock (though TRD Pro is solid).
• Pricey, and new ones can still have early bugs.

 

[Zachanadandy]

10 miles round trip is pretty short for a ride in something like a PT Cruiser, let alone a Gladiator.


Pet Chatgpt:

Jeep Gladiator
Pros:

• True off-road beast — solid axles, lockers, disconnecting sway bar (Rubicon trim).
• It’s a truck that’s also a Wrangler, so roof & doors come off.
• Smaller, more nimble in tight trails or urban spots.
• Manual transmission available (rare today).
• Jeep aftermarket is endless.

Cons:

• Meh payload & towing (max around 7,700 lbs).
• Ride is bouncy, steering can feel loose on highways.
• Interior quality & tech is improving but still rugged-basic compared to Toyota.
• Pricy for what you get sometimes.

Toyota Tundra
Pros:

• Powerful i-FORCE or i-FORCE MAX hybrid engines (big torque, up to ~12,000 lbs towing).
• Super reliable — Toyota trucks have legendary durability.
• Much better daily driver: quieter, smoother, more tech.
• Bigger bed & more interior room (especially CrewMax).

Cons:

• Much larger footprint — harder to park, not as agile on narrow trails.
• No removable doors/roof, obviously.
• Less hardcore off-road hardware stock (though TRD Pro is solid).
• Pricey, and new ones can still have early bugs.

These AI posts just remind me how far the tech still needs to come (although some of that is the way the question is asked). Bouncy ride? Not at all in the rubicons or mojave I've driven. The shocks are so good in the mojave it is not bouncy on washboard roads at freeway speed. Better tech in the Toyota? The modern Jeep is like a super computer inside a space shuttle compared to the OPs 2008 tundra and on par or better than the modern Toyotas I've been in. Reliability from the modern toyotas is suspect. How many tundra engines were replaced in the last recall? Generalized info that's generally useless.

 

[Gvsukids]

I am not wanting to spend the money they are asking for a new full size truck.

I can get a Gladiator Rubicon cheaper than a full size 4WD truck.

I have really like the way the Gladiators have looked since they came out.

We want you to have as much fun as we are with our Gladiators, but we want to be realistic and not crazed fanboys.

 

[Verne]

I owned a Tundra before going to the Mojave. I went Mojave because of the Fox Suspension and leveled appearance. Having added 35s, it is ideal for my time at my condo at Sunset Beach. I absolutely love my gladiator. However, having a 17 and 16 year old, the back seat is neither large enough nor comfortable enough for a 9 hour drive. It doesn't compare to the Tundra Max Crew that I had. The Tundra was a better, more comfortable ride overall. Two completely different worlds. If you want comfort for your older "children," and you want the ability to tow heavy, stay with the Tundra. If you want to have a truck that is useful and want to have fun by taking off doors and tops, then go with the Gladiator. I'm glad I did.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I saw a nicely built Tundra yesterday and thought to my self I should have test drove one when trading in my Tacoma, but then I remembered how boring it was to drive my Tacoma, how outdated and buggy the tech was, about all the engine and frame issues the last gen Tundras have had, and how much happier I am with the Gladi.

If you tow over 3k lbs frequently, or often need to use your truck for heavy cargo, or often need full grown adults in the back seats then the Tundra will be better. Can the Gladi tow heavier than 3k or have some weight in the bed, yes. Can you fit people in the back seats, yes. It's capable of doing so but it's not purpose built for it. The Gladi is built for fun with the occasional need a truck stuff.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Title says it all.
I’m married, 52 years old with 2 kids ages 21 and 23.
I drive 10 miles round trip to work and my hunting lease is about 15 miles round trip.
I currently have a 2008 Tundra.
Your thoughts?
Is the Gladiator Rubicon the smoothest rides out of the Gladiators? I’m leaning towards that one for the little bit of towing I do.

Went from a 08’ tundra to a Mojave my self. Best rig decision I ever made

 

[WILDHOBO]

These AI posts just remind me how far the tech still needs to come (although some of that is the way the question is asked). Bouncy ride? Not at all in the rubicons or mojave I've driven. The shocks are so good in the mojave it is not bouncy on washboard roads at freeway speed. Better tech in the Toyota? The modern Jeep is like a super computer inside a space shuttle compared to the OPs 2008 tundra and on par or better than the modern Toyotas I've been in. Reliability from the modern toyotas is suspect. How many tundra engines were replaced in the last recall? Generalized info that's generally useless.

I’m glad you said it. Wow.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Title says it all.
I’m married, 52 years old with 2 kids ages 21 and 23.
I drive 10 miles round trip to work and my hunting lease is about 15 miles round trip.
I currently have a 2008 Tundra.
Your thoughts?
Is the Gladiator Rubicon the smoothest rides out of the Gladiators? I’m leaning towards that one for the little bit of towing I do.

Ok with a small family you will want to bring along I highly suggest a Sport with Max Tow, or Sport S Max Tow if you want a few more creature comforts. For the main reason they are the only ones that have a 1,700 lbs payload! With 7,700 lbs tow cap. Of the Mojave will tow 6,000, but only around 1,200 lbs payload, that means if you tow a trailer with a 500lbs tongue weight, you will have the bare minimum left for your families weight. have

Title says it all.
I’m married, 52 years old with 2 kids ages 21 and 23.
I drive 10 miles round trip to work and my hunting lease is about 15 miles round trip.
I currently have a 2008 Tundra.
Your thoughts?
Is the Gladiator Rubicon the smoothest rides out of the Gladiators? I’m leaning towards that one for the little bit of towing I do.

 

[Bigcatfish]

Ok with a small family you will want to bring along I highly suggest a Sport with Max Tow, or Sport S Max Tow if you want a few more creature comforts. For the main reason they are the only ones that have a 1,700 lbs payload! With 7,700 lbs tow cap. Of the Mojave will tow 6,000, but only around 1,200 lbs payload, that means if you tow a trailer with a 500lbs tongue weight, you will have the bare minimum left for your families weight. have

Will a car seat / baby seat fit in the back seat ?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Will a car seat / baby seat fit in the back seat ?

Yes. Not three, but two. We bought ours when our kids were 3 and 4.

Sponsored