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Jeep Gladiator TV

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Grumpy-Chief View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Grumpy-Chief Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Jeep Gladiator TV
    Posted: 22 Apr 2023 at 8:00pm
I use my 2021 Willy’s gladiator with the eco diesel to tow my 2022 RPOD 153.
I get 14-15 mpg. I’ve towed it about 4000 since I bought it two months ago.
I use an Andersen hitch, Tekonsha prodigy P3 brake controller. I’ve added air bag suspension to the rear axle coils. 
Last year I towed a 2022 Casita on a 12000 mile drive to Alaska with no problems, other than a windshield replacement in Montana on my trip north bound. The Casita had no problems driving on the ALCAN “highway”. A miserable road with drop-offs, pot holes, mud, gravel, etc.
I seriously doubt the construction and Forest River “craftsmanship” of my RPOD 153 would survive the same trip.


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Post Options Post Options   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 2022 at 8:18am
Heck we used a WDH on our Expedition/177 combo, made a noticeable difference even there. We had done several trips without, and one trip I said, "lets try the WDH from the 'stream, just to see how it feels..." Never towed without it again.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2022 at 9:42am
+1 to what everyone else has stated. We chose to not use a WDH  and go with a Husky antisway bar alone for our first several months of towing even though the dealership strongly recommended a WDH. While our rig was level, we did still experience wandering and vague steering especially in windy and rough road conditions. After reading feedback on this and other forums, we decided to use a WDH and went with a Fastway E2 the difference was noticeable right away. I highly recommend a WDH.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2022 at 4:37am
[QUOTE=Larry-D]
Pulling a 172 with a Willys edition Gladiator gas engine so far works great mileage reduces though.  I don't need a weight distribution hitch, the Jeep drops to a level position and have had no problems w/o a sway bar.  The Jeep has an anti-sway system built in.  The Jeep has the regular tow package. [/QUOTE

Perhaps some misinformation here.

As others have said, the purpose of a wdh is not to level the tow vehicle, it's to put back weight on the front (steering) axle to improve handing, and to reduce load on the rear axle.

The Jeeps sway control feature performs a function unrelated to managing trailer sway. It's there to stiffen the front suspension against rocking. Trailer sway control reduces the tendency of the trailer to sway side to side, a totally different motion and potentially very dangerous.

The 4000 lb rated Gladiator is probably ok for a small rpod like the 172 as long as you travel light. But I do agree with the other posts, add a wdh (with sway control). This is optional with a heavier tow vehicle like a full size pickup, but with a more borderline TV like a compact truck or midsized SUV I would highly recommend it.

Of course everyone is free to do what they want as long as they stay within their manufacturers' load limitations.
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote lostagain Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2022 at 11:35am
+1 to GlueGuy.

Also, for longer trips, it helps with steering fatigue since your front wheels are much more weighted on the pavement and tend not to drift around as much.  
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2022 at 11:01am
Just because it's "level" does not mean it's safe. Without a WDH, the weight on your front (steering) tires is reduced and you may not have the control you think you have. We use a WDH with our F150, andf even though we have towed it easily without the WDH, we found that the change in fore/aft attitude really messed up the aim of the headlights.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Larry-D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2022 at 12:38pm
Pulling a 172 with a Willys edition Gladiator gas engine so far works great mileage reduces though.  I don't need a weight distribution hitch, the Jeep drops to a level position and have had no problems w/o a sway bar.  The Jeep has an anti-sway system built in.  The Jeep has the regular tow package.  You'll have to add the brake controller if a factory one is not installed.  The harness for the controller from Jeep or aftermarket is already under the dash on the driver's side.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Sep 2022 at 7:41pm
Over the years, you tend to notice what the most popular TVs are and really notice those that are absent from campgrounds and highways. From my completely non-scientific observations, the top TV for bumper pulls the size of an Rpod is the Ford F150 hands down. Next up would be the Toyota Tundra. Silverados and Titans would follow. We almost never see Rams pulling anything. 

In the mid-size category Nissan Frontiers seem to be the most popular. This weekend the only mid-size trucks in the campground were Nissan Frontiers, four of them. Tacomas are probably second but far and few between although they seem to be the choice for overland setups with roof top tents or pulling smaller offroad tear drops. Once in a while I'll see the GMC/Chevy Canyon/Colorado towing. I can honestly say I have never seen, or can remember seeing, a Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator towing anything.

Just my observations. Not meant to offend anybody. I'm sure there is super scientific satellite data out there that proves my observations wrong.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2022 at 4:19pm
Agreed. I had a 53 Willys truck back in the 70's. Cool ride, even then. Wish I still had it...
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john in idaho View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote john in idaho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2022 at 2:26pm
I think you are right.  Cool looking rig, tho.
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