Trail Recon got a new Gladiator

[chorky]

a lot of Brad's content, and I don't mind his coffee talk series either. TSTN is ok, hit & miss. Ozark is ok. I've watched a few of Revere. Lite Brite is meh. I wouldn't be surprised if most of us look at XOverland as the benchmark, but the later stuff is lacking

XOverland was great when they first started. But for the last several years they are terrible IMO. The last few videos they had on YT were more about general travel and all on road stuff than off highway exploration - something almost anyone can do. I have also lost a ton of respect for them. A friend of mine who started a veterans and first responder 'overland' program to help people work on the first stages of PTSD was at the last expo and met Clay and had nothing nice to say, other than he was a nose stuck up high in the air kind of personality. I can see it - it seems they let the fame go right tot heir head, although I dont know them in person, but I'm disappointed that they essentially became sellouts - actually admitted it on one of their last few good episodes.

They kinda remind me of, oh what's that name, Expedition 7 group. The ones who are supposed to be all sorts of bad a$$ery but then you can't find anything on them and they seem to be a 'exclusive only' content and none of us pheasants are good enough to see their travels. Or maybe I just dont know where to look - anyway, I see XO going that route - which is unfortunate because their MaKenzie series and the New Horizons was super inspirational.

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[Escape.idiocracy]

I liked JKU Brad… as soon as the wave of free promotional products started inundating the actual Jeep adventures, I was done.

This new build- I watched the video because of this post. Just want to know how he is going to keep it under the vehicle weight rating.

I would also like clarity- is this a safety promotional “medical vehicle” or is he ligit a registered nurse doctor etc. I mean I was a CLS…. Not trying to take on the liability of seek me for medical attention if needed… ya know what I mean?? (For clarity I am very familiar with what an FMF Corpsman is, and what it isn’t on the private sector side….)

 

[Hootbro]

I liked JKU Brad… as soon as the wave of free promotional products started inundating the actual Jeep adventures, I was done.

This new build- I watched the video because of this post. Just want to know how he is going to keep it under the vehicle weight rating.

I would also like clarity- is this a safety promotional “medical vehicle” or is he ligit a registered nurse doctor etc. I mean I was a CLS…. Not trying to take on the liability of seek me for medical attention if needed… ya know what I mean?? (For clarity I am very familiar with what an FMF Corpsman is, and what it isn’t on the private sector side….)

Brad is now a retired Navy vet. Was a Navy Corpsman primarily and was attached to Marine units for a good part of his career IIRC.

A lot of the "JKU Brad" content was when he was still in the Navy. Was more down to earth stuff being done out of his garage and a local Jeep club. Once he retired from the Navy, that is when his channel pivoted went more commercial and sponsored.

 

[fourfa]

Seems like a weirdly elaborate cosplay. If he wanted to be a SAR volunteer they'd likely be glad to have him. Building a truck with a specific list of made-up mission requirements and talking about the "front lines" a bunch... Good luck to him, but yeah seems like a pivot away from the real-world content that I find interesting

 

[smlobx]

I like to watch u tube as an escape from network TV. They all have their faults but that's ok. The one that I really like is Lifestyle Overland. No Gladiator there. But the highest of values and great content. I have also met him and the family at Overland Expo and they are genuine great people. I wish them nothing but great times and financial success in the future.
Really, I wouldn't be surprised if Brad was given the Gladiator free. I hope he was. Maybe he will keep the Gladiator alive a while longer and boost sales.

I really like LO as well. It has been interesting to see their evolution as a family. A channel I absolutely can’t stand is XO out of Montana. Their holier than though attitude is a real turn off. I’ve been to most of the places they’ve been and I never felt the need to take combat training. Plus the fact that they never get to their campsite before midnight (so they can show off their sponsors lights) just shows how out of touch they really are with the overlanding community.

Off my soapbox now ?

 

[Jglad15]

Love his videos but really lol…….

 

[MPMB]

XOverland was great when they first started. But for the last several years they are terrible IMO. The last few videos they had on YT were more about general travel and all on road stuff than off highway exploration - something almost anyone can do.

I think the Panamerican Highway series was their best. The Alaska trip was the last one I watched. The rotation of road crew also made it difficult to stick with it.

I don't think it's bad they're "sellouts" considering the years they struggled to get where they are today. It's the "getting away" from what made people watch that's the problem.

I liked JKU Brad… as soon as the wave of free promotional products started inundating the actual Jeep adventures, I was done.

This new build- I watched the video because of this post. Just want to know how he is going to keep it under the vehicle weight rating.

I would also like clarity- is this a safety promotional “medical vehicle” or is he ligit a registered nurse doctor etc. I mean I was a CLS…. Not trying to take on the liability of seek me for medical attention if needed… ya know what I mean?? (For clarity I am very familiar with what an FMF Corpsman is, and what it isn’t on the private sector side….)

I'm thinking the new build will be designed as a blueprint for SAR groups and big organized groups. Something that can be used at the Texas off-road park he's partnered with, at EJS, or at off-road rallies.

His goal of high-water crossing leads me to think it's also a FEMA-like rig for hurricanes and flooding events. We should all be focusing on that with the oceans rising, right? <sarcasm>

 

[Steven_B]

For all of you reading this thread and thinking of starting your own YouTube channel, don't use clickbait titles like:

"What I hate about the Gladiator"

"I think I am going to sell the Jeep"

"I almost died on this trail"

"My skottle burnt my ice cream!"

I don't know about you all, but I usually don't click on videos or ads that use click bait titles like above.

I have had the "pleasure" of dealing with many YouTubers and other influencers over the years while they beg for free parts. A lot of them are awesome but don't have the marketing reach. Others have the reach, but their egos are bigger than said reach.

Personally, I watch probably too much YouTube.

Lately, I have been enjoying the Africa-based channels like Edward Bath. I just couldn't fathom camping and having an Elephant walk through my camp or a Jaguar (recent episode) poke around camp.

Some of my other favorite channels off the top of my head:

Trail Recon
Epic Family Adventure (met them, super nice and genuine family)
Destination Adventure (not Jeep, but explores abandoned areas in remote parts of Canada)
Fire to Fork
The Road Chose Me
Truck House Life

 

[ecidiego]

Just want to know how he is going to keep it under the vehicle weight rating.

This. Did he even think? He's talking about having lots of water and extra fuel. Uh... there went 500lbs. 650 left for EVERYTHING else? He was talking about having a topper - both bed and roof. Woops - out of payload! None left for bandaids!

 

[rubicon4wheeler]

Ughhh I forgot bout lite brite. I clicked don’t recommend channel for them. lol I can’t stand her. Gives me a damn headache.

I wonder if her OnlyFans channel is any better?

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Dude must be loaded $$$, they just picked up a 66k plus overland trailer also.

I dont know how people do it.
This guy saw me in the driveway and stopped by. He had a 392 and was just starting to put a RTT on etc. Looked great. He said he wanted 37's but the dealer told him it would void his warranty. So he bought a 2nd new 392 that had 37's on it already. So now he has two 392's and what does he do he buys an Xpedition trailer also! O_o
I need to ask if he is adopting....

 

[MPMB]

This. Did he even think? He's talking about having lots of water and extra fuel. Uh... there went 500lbs. 650 left for EVERYTHING else? He was talking about having a topper - both bed and roof. Woops - out of payload! None left for bandaids!

A 400mi range from 320mi is only an increase of 80mi, or 5+ gallons. So an additional <40#, and probably another 15# difference in a bigger tank (I don't know what's available in the aftermarket). I don't remember if he had the gas or diesel.

20gal of water is 160#, plus weight of container(s) and pumps. That's only 250# at the most.

He's probably got aftermarket companies working on lighter-weight toppers/racks. Something that comes in around 300#. The Alu-Cab Explorer cap is only 115#.

He wants a bigger footprint tent than the Gazelle, so I'm thinking the only that really works would be a 10x10 or 10x20 ez-up, which is under 100#.

So right now, that's 465#. Plenty of capacity left.

A slide-out bed floor w/ extension for hauling people on a stretcher (not sure if that's going to work) will be a heavy solution. I think this "requirement" will probably be quietly scratched.

 

[glovesf15]

So right now, that's 465#. Plenty of capacity left.

If 600#s is "plenty of capacity." You didn't include the weight of the passengers.................conservatively 300#s...................so maybe 300#s left?????? Is he pulling that overpriced trailer? There's gotta be at least 300#s of tongue weight on that thing. THIS would be the reason I went back to a real truck. The Gladiator, while a fine vehicle and fun to drive, is nothing more that a grocery getter.

 

[ecidiego]

A 400mi range from 320mi is only an increase of 80mi, or 5+ gallons. So an additional <40#, and probably another 15# difference in a bigger tank (I don't know what's available in the aftermarket). I don't remember if he had the gas or diesel.

20gal of water is 160#, plus weight of container(s) and pumps. That's only 250# at the most.

He's probably got aftermarket companies working on lighter-weight toppers/racks. Something that comes in around 300#. The Alu-Cab Explorer cap is only 115#.

He wants a bigger footprint tent than the Gazelle, so I'm thinking the only that really works would be a 10x10 or 10x20 ez-up, which is under 100#.

So right now, that's 465#. Plenty of capacity left.

A slide-out bed floor w/ extension for hauling people on a stretcher (not sure if that's going to work) will be a heavy solution. I think this "requirement" will probably be quietly scratched.

he wants 200m one way trail in then 200 out. I don't know about you but I get about 8 miles per gallon on the trail.

not to mention there is no way he is getting 320 per tank on the gasser after he finishes this thing

 

[Rusty PW]

I dont know how people do it.
This guy saw me in the driveway and stopped by. He had a 392 and was just starting to put a RTT on etc. Looked great. He said he wanted 37's but the dealer told him it would void his warranty. So he bought a 2nd new 392 that had 37's on it already. So now he has two 392's and what does he do he buys an Xpedition trailer also! O_o
I need to ask if he is adopting....

I want to be one of his dependants, and his will in my name.

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