Why a gladiator might not work for me.

[ACAD_Cowboy]

So I'm not really sure how to couch this because on the one hand I love what the Gladiator represents and how it could be employed but on the other I am also coming to terms with how much it doesn't fit with my plan, at least in its current and forseeable designs.

Using a simple single day trip to the beach as a model, I needed to haul 2 adults, 2 children of elementary age and 2 dogs in the 30-35lb class. Joining us and planned for in the load out is 2 other adults and 3 similar children. A very reasonable setup designed to cover brunch to supper.

The load out:
1 200qt: 64 cans, 24 bottles, cold water ro fill
1 65qt: dry/cold foods with ice packs
4 camp chairs
1 sun umbrella
1 10x10 with awning pop up
3 boogie boards
1 scoop shovel
1 thunder bucket
1 pop up thunder bucket tent
4 5.56 plastic cans, sundry fishing a d required recovery gear
1 smokey joe weber grill
1 8lb bag charcoal
1 charcoal chimney
2 fishing poles with sand stand
1 4' lifetime folding leg table
Typical collection of towels, swimsuits, sunblock, beach toys, fins

The boys ride in car seats and the girls ride the 3rd row jump seat with seatbelt clips, no sense is my fur missles becoming a fur bomb.

To adapt to longer stay format I would add the roof bars and load on the tent(s), bags, camp stove(s) & fuel etc.

Howeve as we can all see, seating is fixed and load space is at a premium. Further complicating matters is we wheel and not the polite dirt road kind but the gee shucks now what kind; so all the camp fixins need to be removed, setup and hopefully returned to.

And this is where the Gladiator doesn't seem to fit.

Yes, I can correct the geometry to perform on par with my JKU and all the new tricks that come with new platforms. What I can't do is make enough space as it seems. "The solution" it seems is a cap and a pair of racks and retaining at least one of the hitch baskets but the economics says its getting on 5k and likely more in a decked box to police up all the sundries is blended in.

Ultimatly I feel like an unlimited form factor with a full length roof rack would be my solution to my specific conditions. However I want to hear other voices and other opinions because no man is an island.

And because I'm a diplomatic guy, I can also see a situation in which a Gladiator makes a lot of sense. The load carry and tow capacity means I can in theory build a pretty wicked camp trailer and transfer the lions share of the load off the rig. It wouldn't solve the seating problem but that's a different problem.

As some follow on, we did see some Gladiators at the beach doing the beach rig thing with canopys carrying boards and poles, tops and doors off. One guy on the highway had a bed full of camp and a bike rack and an honerable mention goes to the daring man in the bone stock sport rental who braved the sand on some super skinny all terrains; you sir deserve a beer for the balls yous displayed.

Also seen was an uncountable hoarde of pickups and grand cherokees with the wrong tires, too much air and no clue which sand is safe sand. But in the midst of this was an e350 4x4 diesel on 33" MT and that dude had it together.

So what are your thoughts? How would you solve the problem with or without a gladiator.

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[Gvsukids]

And because I'm a diplomatic guy, I can also see a situation in which a Gladiator makes a lot of sense. The load carry and tow capacity means I can in theory build a pretty wicked camp trailer and transfer the lions share of the load off the rig. It wouldn't solve the seating problem but that's a different problem.

Trailer, or rack to load the supplies.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

Sounds to me like you need a Z71 Suburban.

 

[Jefe1018]

Power Wagon or Ram Rebel may fit your bill better. I didn’t have to read past 2 kids, 2 adults and 2 doggos. The gladiator is a jeep truck, jeep first, truck second. It is designed to be narrow, meaning somewhat cramped interior and 'lack' of storage space. The bed could easily handle all of the equipment you described, but then you got cramped kiddos and doggos.

 

[Iowafarm]

Easy solution is to get rid of kids. But if you can fit it in what you have now, I would be surprised if you can fit it in a Gladiator. But I have a feeling you like what you have now so the real question is do you want to switch. That question is one you will have to make. I do believe the bed is very swallow and with a cover on it holds surprisingly little. I have a cover and have since ordered a cap. Went from a Frontier and a half ton pickup, to just a gladiator and couldn't be happier.

 

[Orange01z28]

Besides dog seating, it seems like the Gladiator would work better for you overall

You could put all that in the bed and have no racks. That's the reason I have a Gladiator and not a 4 door Wrangler

 

[FLUndertaker]

Just buy a large SUV.

 

[Lush]

yeah the scenario you describe is one that the gladiator OR wrangler unlimited can't really work for, in all honesty. You need to be considering something like the tahoe/suburban, expedition standard or max, or maybe a Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee L.

I think some 4runner variants can be had with 3rd row seating as well

 

[WetWilly]

All wheel drive school bus !? You made me tired, just hearing about all the crap you have to load for a day at the beach. 3 water bottles, 3 bottles of ice tea, and a couple of packages of crackers and Martha and I are on our way

 

[dcmdon]

Assuming the other non-family adults and kids will ride in another vehicle, your needs are easily accommodated by a Gladiator with a cap.

The dogs ride in the way back in crates. Its a piece of cake.

But I honestly don't think anyone will take offense if you don't think it meets your needs.

I just got back from a weekend away. We put 4 people in my truck, a dog, a cat, a lawnmower, food and clothing for the entire weekend and we still had a ton of room left over in the way back.

A gladiator with a cap is like your wrangler except with 4x as much cargo space. Decked if for people who want to fixate on hardware. Sterilite totes accomplish the same thing at a much higher space and cost efficiency. A cap will run you. $4k. Yes it hurts. I get it.

Of course if you don't like how a Gladiator with a cap looks, then so be it. When buying an irrational vehicle like this, it has to make you smile when you look at it.

Something like a Suburban with a lift and some larger tires would offer you tons more room and 3 rows if you must have the dogs riding inside.

Good luck with your search.

 

[dcmdon]

Besides dog seating, it seems like the Gladiator would work better for you overall

You could put all that in the bed and have no racks. That's the reason I have a Gladiator and not a 4 door Wrangler

The easy solution for dog "seating" is crates. My dog LOVES his crate. If I go into the garage he tries to sneak by me. If the gate is down on the Gladiator, he jumps up into it and goes into his crate hoping for a ride.

The trick to making dogs love their crate is to in the beginning, only put them into it when they are going somewhere fun. For my dog, that is the beach, hiking or hunting.

yeah the scenario you describe is one that the gladiator OR wrangler unlimited can't really work for, in all honesty. You need to be considering something like the tahoe/suburban, expedition standard or max, or maybe a Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee L.

I think some 4runner variants can be had with 3rd row seating as well

Put 3 rows in anything short of a Suburban and you are left with no cargo space.

 

[Lush]

Put 3 rows in anything short of a Suburban and you are left with no cargo space.

True, though roof racks and hitch trays help alleviate that. But honestly I think OP needs a suburban or expedition max and nothing else really and truly fits their very specific and detailed needs.

 

[Terry]

So I'm not really sure how to couch this because on the one hand I love what the Gladiator represents and how it could be employed but on the other I am also coming to terms with how much it doesn't fit with my plan, at least in its current and forseeable designs.

Using a simple single day trip to the beach as a model, I needed to haul 2 adults, 2 children of elementary age and 2 dogs in the 30-35lb class. Joining us and planned for in the load out is 2 other adults and 3 similar children. A very reasonable setup designed to cover brunch to supper.

The load out:
1 200qt: 64 cans, 24 bottles, cold water ro fill
1 65qt: dry/cold foods with ice packs
4 camp chairs
1 sun umbrella
1 10x10 with awning pop up
3 boogie boards
1 scoop shovel
1 thunder bucket
1 pop up thunder bucket tent
4 5.56 plastic cans, sundry fishing a d required recovery gear
1 smokey joe weber grill
1 8lb bag charcoal
1 charcoal chimney
2 fishing poles with sand stand
1 4' lifetime folding leg table
Typical collection of towels, swimsuits, sunblock, beach toys, fins

The boys ride in car seats and the girls ride the 3rd row jump seat with seatbelt clips, no sense is my fur missles becoming a fur bomb.

To adapt to longer stay format I would add the roof bars and load on the tent(s), bags, camp stove(s) & fuel etc.

Howeve as we can all see, seating is fixed and load space is at a premium. Further complicating matters is we wheel and not the polite dirt road kind but the gee shucks now what kind; so all the camp fixins need to be removed, setup and hopefully returned to.

And this is where the Gladiator doesn't seem to fit.

Yes, I can correct the geometry to perform on par with my JKU and all the new tricks that come with new platforms. What I can't do is make enough space as it seems. "The solution" it seems is a cap and a pair of racks and retaining at least one of the hitch baskets but the economics says its getting on 5k and likely more in a decked box to police up all the sundries is blended in.

Ultimatly I feel like an unlimited form factor with a full length roof rack would be my solution to my specific conditions. However I want to hear other voices and other opinions because no man is an island.

And because I'm a diplomatic guy, I can also see a situation in which a Gladiator makes a lot of sense. The load carry and tow capacity means I can in theory build a pretty wicked camp trailer and transfer the lions share of the load off the rig. It wouldn't solve the seating problem but that's a different problem.

As some follow on, we did see some Gladiators at the beach doing the beach rig thing with canopys carrying boards and poles, tops and doors off. One guy on the highway had a bed full of camp and a bike rack and an honerable mention goes to the daring man in the bone stock sport rental who braved the sand on some super skinny all terrains; you sir deserve a beer for the balls yous displayed.

Also seen was an uncountable hoarde of pickups and grand cherokees with the wrong tires, too much air and no clue which sand is safe sand. But in the midst of this was an e350 4x4 diesel on 33" MT and that dude had it together.

So what are your thoughts? How would you solve the problem with or without a gladiator.

Is there room for the kitchen sink?

 

[Lunentucker]

Easy solution is to get rid of kids. But if you can fit it in what you have now, I would be surprised if you can fit it in a Gladiator. But I have a feeling you like what you have now so the real question is do you want to switch. That question is one you will have to make. I do believe the bed is very swallow and with a cover on it holds surprisingly little. I have a cover and have since ordered a cap. Went from a Frontier and a half ton pickup, to just a gladiator and couldn't be happier.

He took them to the beach and tied all that food around their necks.
Try to be more subtle.

 

[dajudge]

Sounds to me like you need a Z71 Suburban.

Or at least a Tahoe.

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