Gladiator as tow vehicle

[Bill]

Unfortunately, air bags are a terrible and dangerous solution for towing. The following article in the Trail Manor Technical Library touches on why this is true, and why a weight distributing hitch (WDH) is a much better solution.

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ead.php?t=2616

When you first log on to the Forum, the Tech Library is the fourth sub-forum under TrailManor Community.

Elsewhere, there is a long thread on the topic of air bags, largely authored by our original towing expert RockyMtnRay, who spent most weekends tooling around the high country in the Rockies with his TM. It is worth reading the entire thread.

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...ead.php?t=2659

For whatever reason, neither of these articles clearly points out the biggest problem with air bags. The teeter-totter effect mentioned in the first link actually takes weight off the tow vehicle's front wheels. Since the front wheels do more than 60% of the tow vehicle's braking, and all of the steering, it seems unwise to decrease their grip on the road by unweighting them! A WDH cures this shortcoming - air bags do not.

Bill

[Bill]

For most Forum members, it would be worthwhile to go to the Library and simply scroll down through the titles, and get acquainted with what is there. There are a number of good articles on towing equipment, methods, and issues, including articles on choosing, adjusting, and using a WDH.

Bill

[jgilliam1955]

Why not stick with Toyota or Honda? Jeep has a poor record overall. It is always rated at the bottom.
I have a Chevrolet Colorado tow package that is 7500 pounds. It has a larger bed.

[TammyandTony]

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

Why not stick with Toyota or Honda? Jeep has a poor record overall. It is always rated at the bottom.
I have a Chevrolet Colorado tow package that is 7500 pounds. It has a larger bed.

Yeah, that is the reason I bought the Tundra, and it worked flawlessly for 16 yrs.
But, it is boring and my truck needs have diminished.

So I am looking for something that will be more fun.

I am thinking the open air Jeep will be my best compromise.

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by TammyandTony

Yeah, that is the reason I bought the Tundra, and it worked flawlessly for 16 yrs.
But, it is boring and my truck needs have diminished.

So I am looking for something that will be more fun.

I am thinking the open air Jeep will be my best compromise.

A properly equipped Jeep Gladiator is a fine (and fun) choice.