Thoughts coming from a full size pickup to a Gladiator?

[fliplincorvette]

One of my current vehicles is a 2017 F-150 regular cab. I am thinking about trading it in for a crew cab pickup with lower mileage, but I am in the early stages of a new business and don’t want to spend the extra money right now to get another F—150. There is a dealer near me with a 2023 Rubicon that has 9k miles on it. If I traded in my F-150, I would owe about 8 grand. Financially it makes sense. I want to hear opinions on what it’s like to go from a full size pickup to a Gladiator. I take the ATVs and SXS to different trails, I pull a Ranger Bass Boat, and I occasionally use my truck to trailer other things. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

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[Lost1wing]

I think I would score the Gladiator between a F150 and a Ranger ( Maverick). I have driven several F150's F250's Rangers Chevy 1500 and Chevy 2500. I think the Gladiator is quite capable of doing everything the F150 and Chevy 1500 can do except for towing. Depending on the Gladiator you pick, the towing capacity could be slightly more than a F150. That being said you can also have a F150 tow twice as much as a Gladiator with max tow.

You need to sit down and figure out your towing needs and then be sure the Gladiator model you pick can do it. You just can't start adding on parts to gain towing capabilities.

Once you have your Gladiator, you may find out that towing at max capacity isn't as fun as it should be. Especially if you are used to towing with a F150.

I think the Gladiator is fine pulling 4k lbs. I have pulled 6k with my Rubicon and have decided to use my 2500 for something like that. Sure the Gladiator could do it, but it was working pretty hard on those hills.No worries with a F150 or 1500.

 

[Badunit]

What's wrong with the 2017 F-150? Is it becoming a money pit, or feels like it is about to become one, or are you just itching for something different?

My personal opinion is if you want to tow, stick with the F-150. The Gladiator is a lot of fun empty but it is short on low-end torque and not what I would consider a good tow vehicle. Maybe at slow speeds it is okay, but not at highway speeds with all the wind resistance.

 

[OVERLORD]

From:

 

[OVERLORD]

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[OVERLORD]

Much Likier

 

[Oilburner]

JT will have a lot more cabin noise.

 

[OVERLORD]

Hee Hee!

 

[fliplincorvette]

It’s getting up there in miles is the main thing. I want to get rid of it while it still has trade value.

 

[Hootbro]

Gladiator is a lifestyle vehicle first that does some truck things. If you place more emphasis on doing truck things, I think you will be disappointed.

 

[SaiintNick]

The Gladiator is smaller. Thats all I got.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I have full size pickups, I have a Gladiator.

My Gladiator is not that, period.

It doesn't tow the same, doesn't haul the same. We tow a small camper, and a 4 door side by side, and it does those tasks fine.

It will not tow another car, a dump trailer, a piece of equipment like a Bobcat.

It's a fine truck for 99% of people 99% of the time, but for me, if I could only have one truck, it would not be a Gladiator. Or a Tacoma, or Ranger, or Colorado, or anything less than a 3/4 ton. But I use that much capacity, regularly. If you honestly don't, it'll be fine.

 

[ChrisNLA]

You may not be happy if you are used to using a truck like a truck, and want to start a business (depending on what that business is).

I am often tired of my 5 foot bed, and there is a strong chance I move back to a fullsize if I ever get rid of this truck. No plans currently, but that's where I stand so far.

 

[DesertDog]

I love the extra garage room the Gladiator allows. The diesel (sadly discontinued) pulls great.

 

[Mad Mat]

I’ve made that switch. I went from a 2010 Ford F150 lariat crew cab to a gladiator Mojave. The biggest thing you’re gonna notice is the lack of storage. The inside cab is much smaller and the seats are not as comfortable as an F150. Other than that, I love my gladiator. And I’m happy to have it! In the aftermarket for the Jeep is insane. If you can think it, you could probably do it.

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