Quick Gladiator Question

[Jeepsmashin]

Whats not to get? It's a capable mid size truck? Same features as a wrangler and has a bed, doesn't it have the highest tow capacity?

No its not a full size truck.

I can see someone needing a bed, towing capacity and off road capability in one.

The wrangler is only rated to tow 3500 lbs.

Sponsored

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

I find that my Gladiator was a much better ride than my wife's old 207 JKU, and our friend's 2020 JLU - mostly because of the longer wheelbase. People who say it's not a real truck are trying to compare it to the full-size trucks available and it was never meant to compete in that market. It's a mid-size truck, competing with the Tacoma and the like and in that segment it does quite well.

It's biggest "fault" in my mind is the wheelbase, impacting breakover angle, and the rear overhang, impacting departure angle. But other than that it is like having the best of both worlds - mid-size truck and Jeep - in a single package.

 

[BuyHold]

I’ll keep it brief, I know it’s not the right forum. Is there a consensus yet on the Gladiator Four Door Wrangler? I still kinda scratch my head when I see them, it’s just a unlimited wrangler Jeep with an bed extra set of doors stuck on, right? Or am I totally missing the appeal and usefulness? My FIL has a Gladiator Unlimited (was always a truck SUV guy) but so far all he really tells me is what it can’t fit how it doesn't handle or drive straight. Is it trying to be two things, and therefore not great at either?

 

[Hennessey17]

I think much like the new Ford Maverick, the Gladiator isn't meant for the traditional pickup driver. (the only comparison I'm making is for non traditional buyers)

I'm a traditional car driver. I've got dogs and have an occasional need for projects, but I enjoy smaller vehicles.

I've borrowed my brother's Silverado at times, and I liked it, but I was always happy to get back into my car when I was done.

I live in an apartment building with a parking garage, so a Wrangler fit better, but the Gladiator was heavily considered.

 

[Mccorm67]

I’ll keep it brief, I know it’s not the right forum. Is there a consensus yet on the Gladiator Four Door Wrangler? I still kinda scratch my head when I see them, it’s just a unlimited wrangler Jeep with an bed extra set of doors stuck on, right? Or am I totally missing the appeal and usefulness? My FIL has a Gladiator Unlimited (was always a truck SUV guy) but so far all he really tells me is what it can’t fit how it doesn't handle or drive straight. Is it trying to be two things, and therefore not great at either?

Fair point

 

[Mx5red]

I saved up and waited for a new wrangler for over a year, then decided at the last minute to get a Gladiator?‍
I still think the rear looks a little goofy, way better with the Oracle flush taillights (still waiting for them to fix the reliability problems before getting them).
But I can do everything that I was realistically gonna do with a wrangler (I’m not putting new axles in and doing King of the Hammers, for example) and have more room to throw all my family’s junk whenever we go camping, on a trip, to the beach, etc.

edit: I never would’ve bought another truck. Full size is too big and I don’t want a taco or something. I wanted a wrangler with more cargo. Gladiator is a good compromise for me.

 

[BuyHold]

Fair point

Glad you saw the humor in my response and hope it didn't come across as anything but that.

Joking aside, there are times when I asked the same thing of the Gladiator. It's long wheelbase, and all the baggage that carries (notably poorer breakover, wider turning radius) sort of seems like a major drawback off-road. On the other hand, the towing, payload capacity and bed size make it a less capable "truck."

I like how @aldo98229 said it in that it the Gladiator doesn't fit traditional pick up market ("head scratching") but that there is clearly some demand for it.

When I first saw the Gladiator I will admit I asked myself why anyone would want that. Now. after seeing them around town and watching The Story Till Now on Youtube, I am tempted to buy one for myself.

 

[Mccorm67]

Glad you saw the humor in my response and hope it didn't come across as anything but that.

Joking aside, there are times when I asked the same thing of the Gladiator. It's long wheelbase, and all the baggage that carries (notably poorer breakover, wider turning radius) sort of seems like a major drawback off-road. On the other hand, the towing, payload capacity and bed size make it a less capable "truck."

I like how @aldo98229 said it in that it the Gladiator doesn't fit traditional pick up market ("head scratching") but that there is clearly some demand for it.

When I first saw the Gladiator I will admit I asked myself why anyone would want that. Now. after seeing them around town and watching The Story Till Now on Youtube, I am tempted to buy one for myself.

Ha, no offense taken at all. Everything new looks “strange” the first time you see it, and the Gladiator quickly grew on me the more I saw them. Someone on this forum pointed out that the Unlimited Wrangler is so ubiquitous now, the 2-door version probably turns more heads now.

 

[aldo98229]

People who say it's not a real truck are trying to compare it to the full-size trucks available and it was never meant to compete in that market. It's a mid-size truck, competing with the Tacoma and the like and in that segment it does quite well.

True, indeed. But you need to spend $10,000 more on a Gladiator to get the same level of equipment as a Tacoma.

Size-wise, Gladiator competes with Tacoma; price-wise it competes with full-size pickups.

 

[BroncoHound]

I think much like the new Ford Maverick, the Gladiator isn't meant for the traditional pickup driver. (the only comparison I'm making is for non traditional buyers)

I'm a traditional car driver. I've got dogs and have an occasional need for projects, but I enjoy smaller vehicles.

I've borrowed my brother's Silverado at times, and I liked it, but I was always happy to get back into my car when I was done.

I live in an apartment building with a parking garage, so a Wrangler fit better, but the Gladiator was heavily considered.

I think this perspective is responsible for the lion's share of market decisions and sales of the Gladiator. It's no secret, our nation is getting more urban by the day. Cities are getting larger, plots of land are getting smaller, communities are (as an average) getting more congregated. Folks that have bought F150's all their lives will continue to buy F150's. Jeep decided, instead of looking to take over a certain percentage of an existing market, perhaps branch into a new market a bit. Find folks that live in heavily urban areas that wouldn't otherwise consider a pickup truck and appeal with retro styling, outdoorsy capability, relatively tight turning radius and smaller footprint, and broad capability.

I'm personally not someone that will ever willingly go back to living in a city. I love my wide open spaces, my 3/4-ton diesel pickup that hauls 20,000lbs trailers, and peeing off my back porch with no concern of whether my neighbors will see me. I'm not the target for the Gladiator. If I lived in an apartment in an urban area, enjoyed getting out of town and exploring the country on the weekends, and still took pride in being the "truck guy" in my community circle that could help someone move furniture or rent a small trailer or carry a load to the landfill, the Gladiator would be the perfect vehicle for me and one I'd absolutely look to own.

 

[R3TRO]

Idk, I kinda dig them. You do have to go to 35s though if you want to do any moderate+ trails without scrapping the sh!it out of it. I really like their look with steel wheels...

 

[OMTBiker]

For us, you're not getting here with another truck and have the ability to tow a trailer. Just under 400lbs in the bed while crawling:

 

[XJfanatic]

True, indeed. But you need to spend $10,000 more on a Gladiator to get the same level of equipment as a Tacoma.

Size-wise, Gladiator competes with Tacoma; price-wise it competes with full-size pickups.

But you get 20 year old design and technology in the Tacoma. Don’t worry it will catch up in price too.

 

[bacon392]

I just traded my 2020 gladiator in for a 2021 392XR. I needed something to tow our 6400# travel trailer and I was coming from an F350 and a 2010 Rubicon JK. I figured I’d combine them and got the gladiator. It’s good for what it is, but it’s seriously limited off-road in the North East given all of the trees. I had to make many 12 point turns at AOAA and the break over angle means you need a high lift to not high center. I only had a 2.5” Icon.
Still, it’s a Jeep through and through.

 

[Maverick909]

gladiators are good MID size trucks. if you need something full size a Power wagon is the best option at that point

Sponsored