Want to join. old guy, old Jeeps hate buying new ones

[Gvsukids]

A big piece of the equation for me is if the safety margin of the Rubicon tow rating is worth the thousands of dollars difference. I will only tow the 3a a half dozen times a year to shows around the midwest, mostly within a couple of hours. I don't want to skimp on safety - that is why I want all the technology. But realistically, I'm getting to the age where I might not be making as many trips.

To be honest, I just think having a Gladiator towing the farm Jeep would be just the perfect way to travel to shows. In my head I know it isn't the best choice for a tow vehicle.
Barry

But you can do it with the doors off and the top off!

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[Shackleton]

A big piece of the equation for me is if the safety margin of the Rubicon tow rating is worth the thousands of dollars difference. I will only tow the 3a a half dozen times a year to shows around the midwest, mostly within a couple of hours. I don't want to skimp on safety - that is why I want all the technology. But realistically, I'm getting to the age where I might not be making as many trips.

To be honest, I just think having a Gladiator towing the farm Jeep would be just the perfect way to travel to shows. In my head I know it isn't the best choice for a tow vehicle.
Barry

Sport S with max Tow package has a higher towing capacity I believe.

 

[hivol13]

Sport S with max Tow package has a higher towing capacity I believe.

It does, 7650.

 

[danielspivey]

It does, 7650.

and a higher payload... mine is 1583, which makes a big difference as well when towing.

 

[Jcsii]

Watch your tongue weight,
Also, I went from a sport to Rubi for greater tow capacity but was disappointed that their did not seem to be much difference in the way it towed, still really sagged in the rear with only a 2k lb trailer. In retrospect I may have been better off with a max tow. For my off road use (trails) I do not like the fact I have to be in 4Lo to engage the rear locker and sway bar disconnect and 4Lo with the Rubi is really low.
If your going to put on larger tires, lift etc, that may also impact your tow rating.

 

[Alans17]

I’d be looking at a Max Tow for this. Higher towing and hauling capacities and the Rubicon rear springs will squat more than the Max Tow springs under load.

 

[farmjeep]

First, I want to thank you for all the info you have on your Farm Jeep page. Currently in the process of making my '47 a little more "farm capable", and your site has been invaluable to me! I went through (more or less) the same thing you are going through. I started out planning on getting a Sport S with Max Tow, since it was rated at 7500 towing capacity and, fully loaded with everything I wanted, was well within my price range. After seeing a Mojave, I sorta fell in love. However it only has a 6000lb capacity. I re-crunched my numbers and figured my 10ft dual axle trailer is ~1000 pounds and my 2a is about 2500, and passengers and gear will realistically never be more than another 500 -750bls, I figured I'd be plenty good. The Rubicon was not on my radar, but I believe it is rated for 7000. Depending on passengers and gear you should be well within limits. As for dealers, this site has at least 3 that should be able to hook you up for up to 8% below invoice with no hassle. Tennessee was the closest to me, so I flew up to Gupton this past Friday morning and drove it back to Dallas Friday night. I worried about the whole "Chip Shortage" thing while I waited on my build, but I had no problems....got everything I ordered, well within the time frame the dealer estimated.

Great picture! And thanks for the kind words. If you want some inspiration for building your farm Jeep, just watch this movie -

 

[brianinca]

A Tazer will let you run the rear locker in 2Hi and disconnect the swaybar any time you wish. It's a BARGAIN for Rubicon drivers, we get the most out of it. I would still have one just for disabling the ASS system and enabling the rear camera on turn signal activation, but that is less of a bargain.

Unpaved roads with the swaybar off and 2Hi locked is way more enjoyable, the ride is much smoother - my wife calls it "scushy".

Watch your tongue weight,
Also, I went from a sport to Rubi for greater tow capacity but was disappointed that their did not seem to be much difference in the way it towed, still really sagged in the rear with only a 2k lb trailer. In retrospect I may have been better off with a max tow. For my off road use (trails) I do not like the fact I have to be in 4Lo to engage the rear locker and sway bar disconnect and 4Lo with the Rubi is really low.
If your going to put on larger tires, lift etc, that may also impact your tow rating.

 

[brianinca]

At 5000 lbs you will need a WDH regardless of the model of JT you buy. If you want a loaded Rubicon, that will tow that load just fine. A Sport S Max Tow will have more margin in payload and trailer weight, it's a lighter truck without some of the Rubicon's equipment.

The "80% rule" left over from towing's olden days before the SAE J2807 standard for tow ratings is irrelevant to me, you have to decide what standards you want to follow. Regardless, if your towed weight really is only 5000 lbs, you are under that 80% with both a Rubicon and a Max Tow.

Our travel trailer is rated for 2600 lbs of cargo and a max gross of 7,000 lbs - I do NOT know where we would put 5/4 tons of cargo, but towing it at <6000 lbs is no problem. 12% tongue weight is 720 lbs and that is why we put cargo in the trailer, not the bed.

Greetings. First post here, but an old Jeep guy. My son and I run www.farmjeep.com and hence my user name. After years of towing our 1949 CJ3a with a Newgren hydraulic lift (and 400 lb Newgren plow) with a Ford F150, I want a Gladiator. I'm looking for a fully loaded Rubicon both for the towing capacity and because I'm old and want all the technology that makes driving easier. I last purchased a new vehicle in 2015. It was a fully loaded Cherokee and I still love it. I won't go without adaptive cruise and full time 4WD. If I want adventure, I have a 79 CJ7 for that "true" Jeep experience.

I know I'm at the limits of towing with my steel 18' trailer and the 3a and the farm equipment. But I only tow a half dozen times a year and not that far away. What I don't know is how to deal with dealerships. Trying to read the messages here. I'm running up against the "chip shortage" and trying to decide if I should just back away. Had one deal going an was within $836, less if they took off the $125 wheel locks. The dealer held firm saying the "chip shortage" won't let him slice and dice.

Just introducing myself and looking forward to be a member one of these days,.

Barry

 

[DAVECS1]

I have not regretted my max tow once. With the limited slip, electronics, wheels and lift, it can go just about anywhere I wanna go. Already used ot for a quad recovery. Towing has been drama free, even my wife commented it does not seem much different from my Ram, that is until we hit bumps lol. Dang solid axle. Small price to pay.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The chip shortage is not BS. Dealers can't get enough inventory to sell, therefore are holding on tighter to prices. Simple supply vs demand.

Pay the extra if you want a vehicle now. If you can wait indefinitely for a possible $800 savings, then do that.

The fact that there IS a shortage is not BS. How we got there is.

I found out today that- get this - there's a shortage of tomato cages! HUH?? This year? The worst covid is over and yet, tomato cage shortage? So what's a gardener to do?
Plywood up how many dollars, some lumber is hard to find at all. Cost of building a house up 36K.
And a chip shortage?" It's impacting new vehicles, even the backup lights a number of us pre-ordered. Really? No wonder getting a replacement uconnect radio is a fiasco if yours goes bonkers.

My trailer with car on it will be under 5,000 pounds. Tow rating 6,000 pounds. A difference of 1,000 pounds, so I'm looking at towing quite a bit less than my rating.

Does that sound right? Is that were most people try to aim - a certain percentage under tow rating to be safe?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

At 5000 lbs you will need a WDH regardless of the model of JT you buy.

Travel trailer/camper yeah, but not a car hauler. No one I know uses a weight distributing hitch for a car hauler. Just not needed. For aluminum trailers it's a no-no. Never use a WDH on an all-aluminum car hauler.
I can't say I've ever seen an open car hauler with a WDH setup. Enclosed maybe.
No WDH on this - and when I bought this trailer years ago (have since traded it for an Aluma tilt-bed) the guy told me he had never sold a car hauler with a WDH.

 

[Papa Jawa]

Greetings. First post here, but an old Jeep guy. My son and I run www.farmjeep.com and hence my user name. After years of towing our 1949 CJ3a with a Newgren hydraulic lift (and 400 lb Newgren plow) with a Ford F150, I want a Gladiator. I'm looking for a fully loaded Rubicon both for the towing capacity and because I'm old and want all the technology that makes driving easier. I last purchased a new vehicle in 2015. It was a fully loaded Cherokee and I still love it. I won't go without adaptive cruise and full time 4WD. If I want adventure, I have a 79 CJ7 for that "true" Jeep experience.

Just introducing myself and looking forward to be a member one of these days,.

Barry

Hi Barry, welcome. I think Sport S with Max Tow and all the packages.

Love the Gladiator, in all of its trims and forms!

I think your jeep heritage qualifies you more than most everybody else on this forum to be here.

 

[Papa Jawa]

A big piece of the equation for me is if the safety margin of the Rubicon tow rating is worth the thousands of dollars difference. I will only tow the 3a a half dozen times a year to shows around the midwest, mostly within a couple of hours. I don't want to skimp on safety - that is why I want all the technology. But realistically, I'm getting to the age where I might not be making as many trips.

To be honest, I just think having a Gladiator towing the farm Jeep would be just the perfect way to travel to shows. In my head I know it isn't the best choice for a tow vehicle.
Barry

Your honest reason is the best reason!

It will be freaking awesome to see the Gladiator towing your 3A. Complimentary colors, forget about it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hi Barry, welcome. I think Sport S with Max Tow and all the packages.

Love the Gladiator, in all of its trims and forms!

I think your jeep heritage qualifies you more than most everybody else on this forum to be here.

Right-on. It's an awesome vehicle no matter the use or level.

Most will look and see a Jeep truck first.

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