Towing Gas vs Diesel

[DesertGladiator]

Anyone trade their gasser for a diesel for towing reasons and are truly happy with it? I'm going cross-eyed reading all of these gas vs diesel threads, I feel like diesel and gas owners alike are very tribal.

I've finally gotten my Mojave to the point where it's exactly what I want but the towing aspect is frustrating. I get it, it's a small truck, and barely a truck at that.... I'll suck it up, but would be willing to go diesel if it's THAT much better.

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[Sweetums]

I have a diesel and the most I've towed is a small 3-rail trailer with two motorcycles and a load of track stuff in the bed - no where close to the limit. I've never had a gasoline Gladiator, but I will say it's like the trailer isn't even there compared to my last 4.0L 265 bhp SUV.

 

[Labswine]

I dunno...My Overland gasser (ordered 5/19, built 6/19, delivered 7/19) does pretty well with my trailer. I have a 27', 5,100 lb (with all we want or need) travel trailer and yeah, sometimes it reminds me it's only a V-6 but, it moves it out well with traffic and, I can maintain 65 MPH fairly easily. I shift my 8 sp. manually and pretty much never see 8th. I cruise along in 7th at 65 MPH at around 2,100 RPMs. Going up a grade, when my speed drops below 58 MPH, I'll drop back to 6th between 2,700 and 2,800 RPMs until I either get back to 65 MPH or have pretty much crested the hill. I get between 12 and 13 MPGs towing.

Plus, if someone behind me gets their panties in a bunch because I'm not going as fast as they want, I just say, eff 'em. I'm driving MY drive not theirs.

 

[DesertGladiator]

I've found myself in the same boat. For me, the Mojave's towing limits have been a bit frustrating, and I'm considering a diesel for better towing capability. What's been your experience with towing so far?

It's just a dog on hills, averaging 6-9mpg. No overheating, even in 100+ AZ heat. I don't mind going slow just contemplating if the diesel would make life easier, even given it's nuances.

 

[arosen1997]

Personally I generally prefer a diesel to a gasser for towing. However I towed all my belongings from the Swamps of Camp Lejeune NC all the way to SLC Utah in June of 2021 and cannot honestly complain about the performance of my 2020 gasser gladiator. I don't even have the max tow either.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/cross-country-move.45363/#post-731613

 

[A 2]

Did it, haven’t looked back. 3.6l sport on stock tires to 3.0 diesel on 35s. No comparison.

 

[NOTJeepBeerSleep]

I did. I traded my gasser in for a diesel but not to tow. For wheeling I wanted the diesel. Then I got a trailer. Then while I had my gladiator in for service I was loaned a gas gladiator.

With this loaner I towed my trailer. It's not a big one. Single Axle 174bh. The gas pulls down the road fine, really not bad. The part where the diesel is way better is the slow stuff or the getting up to speed stuff. In a campground in the diesel with the trailer hooked up I use the brakes to drive. Just let my foot off slowly and it's moving the trailer. With the gas I had to give the throttle some juice to go.

Diesel gets way better mileage

 

[Mr._Bill]

What are you planning to tow, and what are the weights going to be?

If you plan to tow near the limits of the truck, I would suggest sticking with the gas engine, especially in a hot climate.

Since the diesel is no longer available, you would have to choose between what is on dealer lots or available used.

The Ecodiesel appears to be a good engine, if properly cared for and the limitations are respected.

I will admit I'm biased against newer diesels due to the complications that can arise from the equipment requirements of the emission restrictions. I really liked my 2006 Duramax, but none of the new stuff appeals to me.

 

[Sweetums]

What are you planning to tow, and what are the weights going to be?

If you plan to tow near the limits of the truck, I would suggest sticking with the gas engine, especially in a hot climate.

Since the diesel is no longer available, you would have to choose between what is on dealer lots or available used.

The Ecodiesel appears to be a good engine, if properly cared for and the limitations are respected.

I will admit I'm biased against newer diesels due to the complications that can arise from the equipment requirements of the emission restrictions. I really liked my 2006 Duramax, but none of the new stuff appeals to me.

I feel the same way, unfortunately, I have to take what I can get. I've never had a diesel before and I wanted one before they are gone.

 

[DesertGladiator]

What are you planning to tow, and what are the weights going to be?

If you plan to tow near the limits of the truck, I would suggest sticking with the gas engine, especially in a hot climate.

Since the diesel is no longer available, you would have to choose between what is on dealer lots or available used.

The Ecodiesel appears to be a good engine, if properly cared for and the limitations are respected.

I will admit I'm biased against newer diesels due to the complications that can arise from the equipment requirements of the emission restrictions. I really liked my 2006 Duramax, but none of the new stuff appeals to me.

Yeah I tow a small camper, dry 4500lbs so I know I'm pushing the limits. Appreciate the insight. It struggles but has never let me down.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Yeah I tow a small camper, dry 4500lbs so I know I'm pushing the limits. Appreciate the insight. It struggles but has never let me down.

I think this is nearly the same setup, comparing weight and drag.
No problems and mpg is 18.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Yeah the Mojave isn't really a good tow rig over 3000 lbs. Granted I've pulled way over the max with no issue, but the most you can comfortably pull and not notice would be one of those little overland trailers. I tow cars a lot, and have 19.3 NOBO. I just consign myself to 55-60mph and get on with it. I grew up towing far sketchier shit and it doesn't really bother me. I do know that the deisel guys legally can't tow as much as a max tow. But I've seen em pulling 10k like its nothing. They also seem to be the go to platform for the absolutely deck out heavy overland rigs that are 1500 over payload. Delete em if you can and your looking at quite a stout motor. Saw one guy getting 23 mpg and 580 ft-lbs of torque. Pretty sweet if ya ask me. If your gonna tow more than you dune bash and you also gonna do it with a midsize. A deisel Canyon/Colorado or Gladiator is a pretty sweet deal. just my 2 cents

 

[PuddleJumper]

Yeah I tow a small camper, dry 4500lbs so I know I'm pushing the limits. Appreciate the insight. It struggles but has never let me down.

I'm towing a 5200lb Nobo 19.3 on 37s with no regear, through the mountains. I wouldn't say its at its limits, but it sure as shit ain't the definition of fast. I'm more along the lines of I'm happy it can not so much annoyed about what it can't. This thing walks my old 08' V8 tundra in every single metric and I couldn't be happier. It tows just as much, more efficient, fits bigger tires, goes over more shit, and is objectively imo way better lookin.

 

[1945gpw]

I’d recommend to test drive one for yourself if you can, there’s really no comparison with fuel mileage and power especially after you tune it, these things move. Not to mention the diesel doesn’t sound like it’s going to blow up with such high rpm when you’re going up hills. Just my opinion but loving my diesel.

 

[pcrawfordpt]

I have a 21 JTR gasser and tow all the time with it. We have a 3500 pound camper, the JTR has a 3.5 Rock Jock Pro lift, 37 inch tires, and re-geared to 5:13. Tows my camper and lots of stuff in the Gladiator with ease. I get about 10-12 mpg towing. I did some research as well before buying the gasser and from what I recall the deisel excels with torque and MPG, but that MPG isn’t really that great when towing. That and having to deal with the downsides of a diesel (weight, emissions, overheating, recalls, expensive oil changes, DEF, etc) I went gasser and have no complaints. Maybe you just need to re-gear?

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