Hello and welcome back to Prodigal Overland. In this video, we’re going to be talking about what it’s like to tow with a Jeep Gladiator, specifically at the upper end of its towing limit. Recently, we completed a 1700-mile trip from Asheville, North Carolina to Ouray, Colorado, towing a 30-foot trailer with our 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. The trailer’s loaded weight was around 6500-6700 pounds. We’ll be discussing various aspects of towing with the Jeep Gladiator, such as fuel economy, engine temperatures, handling on the road, and more.
Towing Setup
Our Jeep Gladiator is equipped with a Mopar two-inch lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Legend tires. The trailer, a 30-foot Jayco flight SLX 267BHS, is at the upper limit of the Gladiator’s towing capacity, which is rated at 7000 pounds. Our setup includes a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch and a Tekonsha P3 brake controller to ensure safe and manageable towing.
We demonstrate the interior of the trailer, highlighting its living space, beds, kitchen, and bathroom facilities, providing an insight into the comfort and functionality of our travel setup.
On the Road
Throughout the trip, we monitor various vehicle temperatures, transmission, oil, and coolant, to ensure the truck’s reliability and performance while towing the load.
As we journey through different terrains, including the hilly roads of Kansas and the challenging Monarch Pass in Colorado, we keep track of our fuel economy, engine temperatures, and performance while climbing and descending altitudes.
Pros and Cons of Towing with the Jeep Gladiator
We outline the advantages of towing with the Jeep Gladiator, such as its utility, ride quality, and handling, particularly with the added lift. However, we also address the challenges, including power limitations, fuel economy, and comfort during long hauls.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Based on our experience, we provide recommendations on the suitable towing capacity and load for the Jeep Gladiator, suggesting a more comfortable towing experience for lighter loads within the 5000-pound range.
Overall, while the Jeep Gladiator successfully managed the cross-country towing trip, we express some reservations about consistently pushing the vehicle to its upper towing limits, emphasizing the importance of considering the vehicle’s capabilities and longevity.
This insightful video provides a detailed account of towing with a Jeep Gladiator, offering valuable guidance and practical considerations for individuals interested in embarking on similar towing adventures. If you find this content informative, consider subscribing to our channel to explore more off-roading and product-related videos.
What is it like to tow with a Jeep Gladiator?
Towing with a Jeep Gladiator, specifically on the upper end of its towing limit, was part of a trip completed from Asheville, North Carolina to Ouray, Colorado, covering 1700 miles through various terrains. The towing experience involved discussions about fuel economy, gear usage, range, engine, coolant, and oil temperatures, handling on the road, and the overall capabilities and limitations of towing with a Jeep Gladiator.
What are the specifications of the Jeep Gladiator used for towing?
The 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon used for towing was equipped with a Mopar two-inch lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Legend tires. The towing involved a 30-foot Jayco travel trailer, with a dry weight of 5,800 pounds and the capability to carry approximately 1,075 pounds of cargo, pushing the Gladiator to its 7,000-pound towing limit.
What were the temperature readings and other vehicle conditions during towing?
The video shows the transmission temperature at 199°F, oil temperature at 242°F, oil pressure at 25 PSI, and coolant temperature at 217°F after approximately four hours of driving. It also presents discussions about engine temperatures during climbs, indicating downshifts, warm engine conditions, and fuel economy challenges.
What were the observations while towing through different terrains and weather conditions?
The towing experience involved observations about the vehicle’s performance across various terrains and weather conditions. It detailed challenges faced while towing through hills, especially in Kansas, handling a crosswind, and the struggle while climbing Monarch Pass with elevations of around 11,000 feet. It also discussed the impact on fuel economy and engine performance during the towing journey.
What were the pros and cons of towing with a Jeep Gladiator based on the experience?
The towing experience revealed several benefits and drawbacks of using a Jeep Gladiator for towing. Pros included the vehicle’s utility, ride quality, and handling, especially with the mopar suspension. However, drawbacks such as engine power, fuel economy, range, and comfort during long-haul trips were noted. Recommendations were also provided, suggesting the preferable towing conditions for a Jeep Gladiator and potential limitations for long-distance towing.
Concluding thoughts on towing with a Jeep Gladiator
The video concludes with the presenter’s overall sentiment regarding towing with a Jeep Gladiator, highlighting the importance of prior towing experience, caution for long-haul towing, and recommended towing conditions for the vehicle. It also emphasizes the potential stress and limitations of using the Gladiator for extensive towing, while providing insights for potential users and offering an overview of the towing experience with the Jeep Gladiator.