Which Tow Mirrors?

[bleda2002]

Most of the way I kept it at 60 MPH on some flats it could do 65. With the frontal wind on mild hills it had to downshift to 4th to maintain 50 but it would not gain any speed. I have been towing for over 30 years and have had several trucks and always tow well below the limits and at safe speeds. All of the trucks, I've owned before the Gladiator had spare power for days like the one I encountered on the way back, mentioned on my reply above. Not the Gladiator. It felt gutless and that is with AFE Scorcher GT on. Without it would have been worse. I was towing about 3,000 lbs. less than the rated capacity (7,000), although I know I diminished it with bigger tires, lift and cargo rack and some gear on the bed plus the camper with aerodynamics of a barn door. Nevertheless, the experience was bad. Even my wife was asking why it was revving so high to climb a hill at 45. She insists I need a "real truck", her words. Ouch!

There is no way this truck can tow 7,000lbs., unless you are at sea level and perfectly flat roads. Where we went camping it varied from 7,300 to 5,000ft. So add that to the variable that hurt towing. Other than towing this truck does good, with style and can't be beat offroad.

I'll note that the gladiator passed the sae test, which is up and down the davis dam with a full load, in control and a bunch of other reqs. Not sure what size tires you have, but realize that by not regearing you've really diminished the already somewhat anemic torque that the 3.6 has. Regearing to 5.13s gave me much more grunt off the line and really improves the towing experience.

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[MudderNuker]

I'll note that the gladiator passed the sae test, which is up and down the davis dam with a full load, in control and a bunch of other reqs. Not sure what size tires you have, but realize that by not regearing you've really diminished the already somewhat anemic torque that the 3.6 has. Regearing to 5.13s gave me much more grunt off the line and really improves the towing experience.

I'm on 35s. I spoke with my neighbor who owns a shop and he said to take it in anytime for gearing. I just need to figure out what I want to do. My wife keeps telling me to keep the Gladiator and trade in her Tiguan for a full size truck. We might do that. How was it going up hills? Did it downshift to 2nd to keep 45MPH. There is a hill near our house at around 6,500ft in elevation that it is steep and a speed limit of 45. Just curious how it behaves with 5.13 vs 4.1.

 

[tysongladiator]

Agreed, and I would take things a bit further.

What I perceive is that many people have unrealistic expectations as to how a vehicle should be able to perform and handle when towing near, but still within, its rated capacity. It seems to me that the common attitude is one should still be able to bip on down the highway with trailer attached, cruise set at 75mph, unaffected by road grade nor headwinds, and only a mild feeling of extra weight or added load impairing how the vehicle rides and handles -- in short, it should drive not too much different than how it does without a towed load, but get worse fuel mileage. The reality is one needs to drive slower, accept that the drivetrain needs to operate differently due to the higher stress, and realize the overall weight they're controlling has more than doubled. The vehicle is within its capacity, but either the mindset or risk comfort level of the driver doesn't jibe with the requirements of operating the setup.

Absolutely! I agree. I have to remind myself of those things when I'm towing with my RAM as well. I've made changes to my RAM and my 20ft trailer to help with the changing conditions.

Awareness to changing conditions and to the vehicle that you're operating is very helpful.

 

[DylanM]

Most of the way I kept it at 60 MPH on some flats it could do 65. With the frontal wind on mild hills it had to downshift to 4th to maintain 50 but it would not gain any speed. I have been towing for over 30 years and have had several trucks and always tow well below the limits and at safe speeds. All of the trucks, I've owned before the Gladiator had spare power for days like the one I encountered on the way back, mentioned on my reply above. Not the Gladiator. It felt gutless and that is with AFE Scorcher GT on. Without it would have been worse. I was towing about 3,000 lbs. less than the rated capacity (7,000), although I know I diminished it with bigger tires, lift and cargo rack and some gear on the bed plus the camper with aerodynamics of a barn door. Nevertheless, the experience was bad. Even my wife was asking why it was revving so high to climb a hill at 45. She insists I need a "real truck", her words. Ouch!

There is no way this truck can tow 7,000lbs., unless you are at sea level and perfectly flat roads. Where we went camping it varied from 7,300 to 5,000ft. So add that to the variable that hurt towing. Other than towing this truck does good, with style and can't be beat offroad.

It's to be expected that your truck isn't up to the task of towing its factory rated capacity, it's not a factory stock vehicle.

 

[MudderNuker]

Solved my towing problems. Traded the JTR for a ‘24 Ram 2500 Hemi. Believe it or not, I’m getting better MPGs towing the same camper. The Ram tows like a dream. Farewell everyone. It was a great 2 years of sharing information and humor on this forum. I’m still with the Jeep family as we still own a Wrangler YJ. Goodbye.

 

[Advntrbound]

Solved my towing problems. Traded the JTR for a ‘24 Ram 2500 Hemi. Believe it or not, I’m getting better MPGs towing the same camper. The Ram tows like a dream. Farewell everyone. It was a great 2 years of sharing information and humor on this forum. I’m still with the Jeep family as we still own a Wrangler YJ. Goodbye.

Not gonna lie, kind of jealous. I would love a little easier towing, more space and power, but I don't want that Ram 2500 payment!

 

[MudderNuker]

Not gonna lie, kind of jealous. I would love a little easier towing, more space and power, but I don't want that Ram 2500 payment!

I hear you. Or payment is just $235. Our JTR was paid off and I got $30k for trade with Carvana. The Ram was priced much lower than other dealers and CarMax. They delivered the truck to our house in the mountains and took the Gladiator with them. Their process is so simple with no sales pressure at all and no finance manager trying to upsell you and adding warranties, etc. The JTR was also purchased through them.

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