Saw one on the street yesterday and glanced at the specs online. Interesting numbers and features for towing with a 3.6L engine with a 6 speed manual or 8 speed auto., 7600 tow cap. And 1600 lb. cc. I will not buy one, but anyone who likes back country camping might want to look at one...

I saw them at the Jeep Beach event this year (Daytona Beach). They offered a ride-along on a small hilly course they built.It looks neat, but if they want to be a contender, they need to offer a V8 version. I'd consider a hemi version, but V6, no thanks!

While I think the Ecodiesel is a bit too small and under powered for a 1500, I think it is perfect for a mid-size truck like the Gladiator. I know a lot people waiting to buy one when the Ecodiesel version comes out.

It still rides and drives like a Wrangler. So having a V8 is not a big deal for extra towing. The engine performance seems in line for the intended use. If you like the capabilities of the Wrangler but looking for more cargo space this is a good option.

I told myself I was going to buy one when they became available, but they’re just too proud of it. It seems to be about $10k more than a somewhat similarly equipped Colorado or Ranger.

I like them, but after watching TFL pull a 7k trailer up the hill at pretty much 6000 rpm the whole way, I would wait for the ecodiesel as well. Even though it will have a slightly lower tow rating, I think it will be a more pleasant truck for towing near the rated limit.I have the same V6 in our minivan. It's a great engine, lots of power, but needs a lot of RPM to get anything done.For smaller trailers it will be great, way better than a regular Wrangler for midsize truck duties.

Has anyone looked at the Jeep Gladiator? | Good Sam Community

JAC1982
Explorer
Aug 23, 2019
I saw one in a showroom and thought it was hideous looking. Sticker price was in the 50s. But I am not a Jeep person in general.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Aug 23, 2019
I've yet to see one on the road yet.
Flashman
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2019
They are starting to show up in Tucson. Dealer couldn't keep them on the lot long enough for me to check them out. Bad timing for the Ranger to come out at the same time as the Jeep.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Aug 23, 2019
Dodge dealership in Wenatchee Wa has one oftheir lot.

chevman
ShinerBock
Explorer
Aug 23, 2019
FishOnOne wrote:
I've yet to see one on the road yet.

I have seen several roaming around the Texas hill country and even a lifted one with what looked like 37's. This is mostly due to all of the rock climbing off road parks around here like Cline Ranch and Hidden Falls.
parker_rowe
Explorer
Aug 23, 2019
ShinerBock wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
I've yet to see one on the road yet.

I have seen several roaming around the Texas hill country and even a lifted one with what looked like 37's. This is mostly due to all of the rock climbing off road parks around here like Cline Ranch and Hidden Falls.

I've seen a lot on the road here as well.

A couple already with new wheels, bigger tires, led light bars...you know, the standard mall duty Jeep package.

Of course, a lot of dealers kit brand new trucks out like that and sell them that way, since it is so popular in this area.
RoyJ
Explorer
Aug 23, 2019
mich800 wrote:
It still rides and drives like a Wrangler. So having a V8 is not a big deal for extra towing. The engine performance seems in line for the intended use. If you like the capabilities of the Wrangler but looking for more cargo space this is a good option.

Most medium size trucks are limited by cooling capacity. Jalopnik has an excellent article, where a Jeep engineer explained just how far they went to achieve the tow rating:

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

Many people wonder why the diesel Colorado can't tow much, and it's not because of power / torque. With a diesel's heat rejection: intercooler, the engine itself, and EGR load, it can't tow 7000+ lbs which uphill in 100-degree ambient with AC on. OEM have very rigorous cooling requirements.

This is why DOT and Transport Canada here do not enforce "tow rating", as it's not primarily safety driven, but power-train/marketing.
kellem
Explorer
Aug 24, 2019
They are quite popular in my area but as a Jeep person, I see other equally equipped vehicles more affordable but speaking from experience......nothing compares to a Rubicon offroad.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Aug 24, 2019
ShinerBock wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
I've yet to see one on the road yet.

I have seen several roaming around the Texas hill country and even a lifted one with what looked like 37's. This is mostly due to all of the rock climbing off road parks around here like Cline Ranch and Hidden Falls.

That's strange... Here in the Houston area you typically see new released (including very expensive) vehicles on the roads as soon as they hit dealer lots. I've been making trips to our deer camp and fishing trips to the coast and haven't seen any in these parts either. Having said that I see 4 door Wranglers every day.

Hopefully they ride better than the Wranglers and with a longer wheelbase they should, but I wouldn't want one with a diesel.
wowens79
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2019
If it wasn't for having to pull my TT id get one as soon as the prices settle. I think the diesel would be perfect in it.

I've also seen a few videos where people have dropped a Hellcat engine 700+hp in there. The jeep engineer confirmed they had tested hemis in them, and said it fits like a glove, but it took up all the crumple zone space so the would not pass safety tests.