In this article, we will highlight all Jeep Gladiator towing capacity and the essential Jeep Gladiator towing accessories/ Jeep aftermarket towing package you will need when towing with your Jeep Gladiator.
The Jeep Gladiator borrows most of its features from the iconic Jeep Wrangler, however, it’s able to tow much heavier towed vehicles such as campers, trailers, boat trailers, motor homes, and other towed vehicles due to its powerful 3.6L V-6 engine, and powerful six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.
How Much Can a Jeep Gladiator Tow?
The Jeep Gladiator is a reliable family truck with a 3.6L V6 engine that can produce 285 hp and 260 lbs. of torque which gives it the ability to tow up to 7,650 pounds when properly equipped.
However not all Jeep Gladiators have the capabilities of 6,000 to 7,650 pounds, depending on your Jeep Gladiator trim and configurations.
Jeep Gladiator Towing Capacity Chart
| Jeep Gladiator Trim | Jeep Gladiator Towing Capacity | Jeep Gladiator Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Gladiator Sport | 7,650 pounds | 1,700 pounds |
| Jeep Gladiator Sport S | 7,650 pounds | 1,700 pounds |
| Jeep Gladiator Overland | 6,500 pounds | 1,140 pounds |
| Jeep Gladiator Rubicon | 7,000 pounds | 1,200 pounds |
| Jeep Gladiator Mojave | 6,000 pounds | 1,200 pounds |
Equipment needed for Towing with a Jeep Gladiator.
Now that you know the towing capacity of the Jeep Gladiator, it’s time to learn about the basic options and towing components/ Jeep aftermarket tow package that is involved in towing with a Jeep Gladiator, like Jeep hitches, Jeep hitches anti-sway bars/ weight distribution hitches, towing safety cables, towing mirrors, and more, the exact towing gear you will need will depend on your Jeep Gladiator capabilities and features and also the trailer of cargo you are towing.
Image: Jeep Gladiator Towing System (Jeep Gladiator towing a Trailer)
Jeep Gladiator Gooseneck Hitch
If you are a fifth-wheel owner and you would like to use your Jeep Gladiator to tow, you will need a Jeep Gladiator fifth-wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch to connect to the bed of your Jeep Gladiator.
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Gooseneck Hitch
Like any other Jeep hitches and mounting equipment, you will need to buy a specific Jeep Gladiator fifth wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch specific to your Jeep Gladiator towing capacity and the weight of your trailer, or cargo you want to tow (It’s important to understand your trailer weight and the weight of the cargo you normally tow with it).
When purchasing a Jeep Gladiator fifth wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch you should consider the towing capacity of your Jeep, the weight of your trailer and cargo, your Jeep Gladiator truck bed length, plucks on your Jeep Gladiator bed, the design of the Jeep Gladiator fifth wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch which might be fixed or removable wheel or gooseneck hitch.
>> Can a Jeep Gladiator Tow a Fifth Wheel? <<
Depending on your Jeep truck bed and the Jeep Gladiator bed racks system you have installed, you may need a Jeep Gladiator slider hitch to allow for proper clearance between the racks when turning your Jeep Gladiator.
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Jeep Gladiator fifth wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch mounted on your Jeep Gladiator allows you to move the weight of your cargo and trailer up, reducing the stress on the rear of your Jeep, unlike using Jeep Hitch Rack systems.
Jeep Gladiator bed-mounted hitch allows the weight of the Jeep Trailer or cargo to be distributed more towards the center of your Jeep, allowing your Jeep Gladiator to tow stably, and provide easier handling when driving your Jeep Gladiator.
We recommend Jeep Gladiator bed-mounted hitches because they are easy to engage and disengage when towing, so when not in use you can remove your trailer or cargo and set the Jeep Gladiator free for other uses.
Jeep Gladiator Tow Hitch
If you are not a fan of the Jeep Gladiator fifth wheel hitch or a Jeep Gladiator gooseneck hitch, you will need a Jeep Gladiator tow hitch installed on your Jeep Gladiator rear. Below we have listed some of the best Jeep Gladiator tow hitches available in the market today:
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Tow Hitch
A Jeep Gladiator tow hitch is mounted on the frame of your Jeep Gladiator, we don’t recommend buying a trailer hitch that you will install on your Jeep Gladiator bumper because your towing capabilities will be limited to how much weight your bumper can handle. Your Jeep Gladiator frame is stronger and can handle more weight compared to your bumper.
Our featured best Jeep Gladiator tow hitch is the most popular in the market and features a tubular structure mounted to the frame of your Jeep Gladiator.
Unfortunately, most aftermarket Jeep Gladiator tow hitches are not complete, they only include a trailer hitch receiver or coupler, and a pin and clip system to secure your tow, you will need other parts to complete the rear hitch setup.
Jeep Gladiator Tow Hitch Set-Up.
To complete a Jeep Gladiator tow hitch set-up your will need to make an additional purchase that includes a Trailer Hitch ball and a Trailer Hitch Ball mount.
Jeep Gladiator Trailer Hitch Ball mount
When towing a trailer/ boat or camper, you will need a trailer hitch ball mount that will go into the Jeep Gladiator tow hitch opening and will also hold the hitch ball in place, depending on the type and weight of your trailer/boat or cargo you will be towing there are different ball mount sizes available for your towing needs.
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Trailer Hitch Ball mount
There are two types of Jeep Gladiator Trailer Hitch Ball mount available for you to choose from, the first one is an adjustable trailer hitch ball mount and the second one is the fixed trailer hitch ball mount system.
The adjustable trailer hitch ball mount system includes a locking mechanism to lock your trailer based on your desired length and ground clearance you need to raise the height of your trailer, boat, camper, or any other equipment you might be towing.
The best Jeep Gladiator Trailer Hitch Ball mount should have mounting options for a pin and clip locking system, that will hold the Trailer Hitch Ball mount to the Jeep Gladiator tow hitch because the Jeep Gladiator tow hitch is one of the most sought-after hitching components and might be stolen if left unlocked.
It’s important to consider the coupler of your trailer, this will determine the size of the hitch ball on your Trailer Hitch Ball mount should be and based on your trailer, camper, boat, or equipment you will be towing the coupler.
Jeep Gladiator Weight Distribution Hitches
We recommend getting a Jeep Gladiator weight distribution hitch that is coupled with sway control bars, this is separate Jeep towing components that will help you tow your trailer, camper, boat, or any other rack you will be towing with your Jeep Gladiator.
A Jeep Gladiator weight distribution hitch will help distribute the weight of the piece of equipment you will be towing between the two, they also improve the ground clearance of the equipment being towed and properly level the Jeep and equipment being towed.
If you normally have your Jeep Gladiator sag on the rear when towing when using the Jeep Gladiator tow hitch, a Jeep Gladiator weight distribution hitch might be a good option for you.
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Weight Distribution Hitches
The reason we recommend the Jeep Gladiator Weight Distribution Hitches above is because they use friction and tension to distribute weight and keep the towed vehicle in alignment with your Jeep Gladiator when towing.
Jeep Gladiators Trailer Sway Control system uses an electronic stabilizer with antisway technologies that will detect when your towed vehicle is swaying and apply brakes to the wheels on the Jeep Gladiator to help bring back the towed vehicle in line.
Integrating the Jeep Gladiator Weight Distribution Hitches with sway controls and sway control bars will keep the sway of your towed at bay, while at the same time stabilizing and distributing weight during towing.
Jeep Gladiator Trailer Wiring Harness
You might also need to purchase a plug-and-play trailer wiring harness for your Jeep Gladiator to light up the taillights, and wiring system of your towed vehicles.
A good Jeep Gladiator trailer wiring harness will allow you to power your towed vehicle’s tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and electronic components of your towed vehicles (this is especially important if you have a camper or a motor home that you need to tow with your Jeep Gladiator).
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Trailer Wiring Harness
We have featured the best Jeep Gladiator wiring harness not based on price, but based on ease of installation, you don’t need mechanical expertise or electrical expertise to install them because they are just a plug-and-play wiring harness, we have also considered their compatibility with your Jeep Gladiator.
When towing any vehicle be it a camper, trailer, boat or motor home, or any other piece of equipment being towed is required by law to have tail lights, turn signals, reflectors, and stop lights. It’s also important to note that the law also states that the length of the equipment being towed also matters if the vehicle being towed is wider than 80 inches or longer than 30 feet you will need additional reflectors and lights.
You should be aware of the laws stipulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) regarding lighting your Jeep Gladiator towed vehicle to adhere to trailer lighting regulations and standards.
Jeep Gladiator Trailer Brake Controller
Jeep Gladiator Trailer brake controllers are independent of the truck’s brakes, and are useful when you need greater stopping power, especially on slippery roads and driving on slopes. If you are worried about upgrading your Jeep with aftermarket parts you can use the Mopar brake controller suggested in our best Jeep Gladiator trailer brake controller to keep your Jeep Gladiator Warranty in check.
Featured Best Jeep Gladiator Trailer Brake Controller
We recommend installing Mopar Jeep Gladiator Trailer Brake Controller if you are on an extended Jeep Warranty or the Jeep Wave program, however, other auxiliary braking systems will allow you to control your towed vehicle brakes inside your Jeep Gladiator.
We have selected the best Jeep Gladiator trailer brake controller based on their ease of use, compatibility with your Jeep Gladiator Trailer brake controller, and smooth integration into most towed vehicles.
Using a Jeep Gladiator Trailer brake controller offers smoother braking on your vehicle, they also feature a breakaway feature that will slow down your Jeep if it becomes detached from your Jeep Gladiator.
Jeep Gladiator Tow Bar Safety Cable
The last Jeep Gladiator towing equipment you will need include trailer safety cables also called wrap safety cables, they run from the frame of your Jeep or the hitch, are attached to the vehicle being towed or the trailer mount system, and keep your towed vehicle attached in case the safety pin of the trailer hatch becomes undone or accidentally unplugs.
Best Jeep Gladiator Trailer Hitch Safety Chain
We recommend making sure you buy a safety chain that is rated to the weight you are towing with your Jeep Gladiator, safety chains’ capacity range anywhere from 2,000 to 24,000 lbs. These are towing equipment that is essential and provides a backup connection between your Jeep Gladiator and your towed vehicle coupling point.
Final Thoughts.
Learning about the Jeep aftermarket towing package you will need when towing with your Jeep Gladiator is second to understanding the towing capabilities of your Jeep and the vehicle being towed. We have listed all the equipment you will need when towing with your Jeep Gladiator, to improve the safety and handling of your towed vehicle, and your Jeep, and provide a stable and swing-less towing experience.
One piece of towing equipment that we have not included on this list is the side mirrors of your Jeep Gladiator, they are often overlooked but play an important role in towing success. You can consider having extended Jeep Gladiator mirrors.
The Jeep Gladiator ParkView® Rear Back-Up camera also plays an important part in making sure you have a clear view of the vehicle you are towing with Jeep Gladiator, using your mirrors and the Parkview® Rear Back-Up camera on the Jeep Gladiator will ensure a smooth and reliable towing experience.
After purchasing your selected Jeep Gladiator towing gears and equipment, you can read through their manuals on the installation process, it’s important to make sure the gears and pieces of equipment are properly installed because each component plays an important role when towing.
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- Is the Jeep Gladiator a good family truck?
- 7 Best Jeep Gladiator Rooftop Tent.
- Jeep Gladiator Overland options.
- Jeep Gladiator Camper Setups Options.
- 5 Best Jeep Gladiator Bed Racks.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
