Reviews and General Information: Jeep Gladiator TV

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Jeep Gladiator TV

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Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15467
Printed Date: 02 May 2025 at 2:52am
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Topic: Jeep Gladiator TV

Posted By: john in idaho
Subject: Jeep Gladiator TV
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2022 at 4:43pm

Any one used a jeep Gladiator PU as a TV? I see it comes with a tow package and also a Mega Tow package with a different red end ratio.

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2022 at 3:49am

Depends on which model you're looking at. Most of them appear to be rated at 4000lbs towing with a 9100 lb GCWR. That would be quite marginal for all but perhaps the lightest rpod.

Considering that the truck weighs 4650 or so, if you were say towing a fully loaded midsized rpod (GTW around 3800) you would only have 9100-4650-3850= 650 lbs of capacity in the truck for people, supplies, and gear. And that's assuming that you want to drive around right at Jeep's max ratings.

OTOH there is at least one model with a 6000lb tow rating/11100lb GCWR which would be more than adequate.

Since according to Jeep the engines are good for 6500lbs (diesel) and 7650lbs (gas) the limitation is likely the chassis' ability to manage the weight, not the drivetrain. So when you're at the dealership pull out the manual and read the towing section to see what it says about hitch weight and the use of weight distribution. The devil is in the details on that stuff sometimes.

Do be aware that Jeep's overall track record for reliability has not been stellar, the brand generally ranks near the bottom in this area. Just something to consider.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2022 at 2:26pm

I think you are right. Cool looking rig, tho.

Posted By: offgrid
Date 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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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: gpokluda
Date 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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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650

Posted By: Larry-D
Date 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.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date 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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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: lostagain
Date 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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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: offgrid
Date 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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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: gpokluda
Date 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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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650

Posted By: furpod
Date 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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Posted By: Grumpy-Chief
Date 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.