The latest addition to the Jeep Gladiator Family exudes the grunt of the Wrangler and the functionality of a pickup, but does it have what it takes to be the king of towing?
In this article, we discuss with you the 2022 Jeep Gladiator’s towing prowess and how it fares against its close competitors.
HOW MANY POUNDS CAN A 2022 JEEP GLADIATOR TOW?
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator has a normal towing capacity of 4,000lbs and maximum towing capacity of 7,650lbs. The max towing capacity is accurate as long as you don’t overload the jeep and use the correct max tow package. Although, the towing capacity varies by trim level:
| Specification | Sport | Overland | Rubicon | Mojave |
| Normal/Average Towing Capacity | 4, 000lbs | 4, 000lbs | 4, 500lbs | 4, 500lbs |
Take note, towing capacity refers to the weight the vehicle can sustain while traveling with a trailer. Because the 2022 and 2021 Jeep Gladiators are almost the same in features, the table below is useful when measuring the over all towing capability of the Jeep when attached to a trailer:
Sport
| Model | Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) |
Frontal Area | Max Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) | Max Trailer Tongue Weight (TW) |
| Sport Manual Transmission | 9, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 000lbs | 400lbs |
| Sport Automatic Transmission | 9, 650lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 500lbs | 450lbs |
| Diesel Sport Automatic Transmission | 12, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 6, 500lbs | 650lbs |
| Sport Automatic Transmission Tow Package | 11, 100lbs | 55ft sq | 6, 000lbs | 600lbs |
| Diesel Sport Automatic Transmission Tow Package | 12, 100lbs | 55ft sq | 6, 500lbs | 650lbs |
| Sport Automatic Transmission Max Tow Package | 12, 800lbs | 55ft sq | 7, 650lbs | 765lbs |
Overland
| Model | GCWR | Frontal Area | Max GTW | Max Trailer TW |
| Overland Manual Transmission | 9, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 000lbs | 400lbs |
| Overland Automatic Transmission | 9, 650lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 500lbs | 450lbs |
| Diesel Overland Automatic Transmission | 12, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 6, 500lbs | 650lbs |
| Overland Automatic Transmission Tow Package | 11, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 6, 000lbs | 600lbs |
| Diesel Overland Automatic Transmission Tow Package | 12, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 6, 500lbs | 650lbs |
Rubicon
| Model | GCWR | Frontal Area | Max GTW | Max Trailer TW |
| Rubicon Manual Transmission | 10, 000lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 500lbs | 450lbs |
| Diesel Rubicon Automatic Transmission | 11, 800lbs | 55ft sq | 6, 000lbs | 600lbs |
| Rubicon Automatic Transmission | 12, 100lbs | 55ft sq | 7, 000lbs | 700lbs |
Mojave
| Model | GCWR | Frontal Area | Max GTW | Max Trailer TW |
| Mojave Manual Transmission | 9, 900lbs | 40ft sq | 4, 500lbs | 450lbs |
| Mojave Automatic Transmission | 11, 450lbs | 55ft sq | 6, 000lbs | 600lbs |
WHY THE GLADIATOR CAN TOW MORE THAN THE WRANGLER?
Aside from the obvious reason the Jeep Wrangler’s towing capacity ranges from 2,000-3,500lbs., the wheelbase is the huge factor why it’s behind the Jeep Gladiator. Because it’s determined by the space between your front and rear wheels, the shorter it is, the more unstable a 4×4 gets since there’ll be uneven load distribution.
2022 Jeep Gladiator Wheelbase Measurements
| Specification | Sport | Overland | Rubicon | Mojave |
| Wheelbase | 137.3 inches | 137.3 inches | 137.3 inches | 137.3 inches |
2021 Jeep Wrangler Wheelbase Measurements
| Specification | Sport | Sport S | Sahara | Rubicon |
| Wheelbase | 118.4 inches | 96.8 inches | 118.4 inches | 118.4 inches |
In the case of JK Wrangler, its wheelbase length is close to 116 inches; whereas, Gladiator has a wheelbase of 137.3 inches. If you put too much load on the former, a trailer’s chance of swaying from side to side is increased because the original towing capacity is overpowered, and accidents can happen anytime.
WHAT IS THE GLADIATOR MAX TOW PACKAGE?
A max tow package contains the features that will make the latest Jeep Gladiator capable of hauling a load under normal circumstances, except that it’s slightly upgraded to endure heavier stuff. While nothing is officially out yet about the max tow package specifics, Jeep mentioned not much has been changed on the newest Gladiator model, including the 4:10 gear axle ratio which was present already on the 2021 model.
This type of gear ratio is optimal in terms of towing or pulling heavy objects. It can be translated as; 4.10:1 where the left digits indicate the number of speed reduction on the engine’s part and the right digit is the resulting number of wheel turn from the given reduction. Simply put, a decreased in the speed level means more stability in dragging objects, especially on uneven terrains.
WHAT COMPETES WITH THE JEEP GLADIATOR?
Just like a warrior in every arena, the Jeep Gladiator doesn’t stand alone and there are others of its kind which are ready to test their mettle against it. Have a look at some of them and check what distinct features they offer:
| Model | GCWR | Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) |
Max GTW | Max TW |
| 2022 Jeep Gladiator | 9, 100lbs | Front: 3, 100lbs
Rear: 3, 750lbs |
4, 000-7, 000lbs | 400-700lbs |
| 2021 Toyota Tacoma | 11, 360lbs | Front: N/A
Rear: N/A |
4, 500-4, 600lbs | 450-460lbs |
| 2021 Nissan Frontier | 11, 230lbs | Front: 3, 296lbs
Rear: 3, 501lbs |
6, 700lbs | 670lbs |
| 2021 Chevrolet Colorado | 11, 100lbs | 40ft sq | 6, 000lbs | 600lbs |
| 2021 Ford Ranger | 12, 500lbs | Front: 2, 885lbs
Rear: 3, 500lbs |
7, 500lbs | 750lbs |
CONCLUSION
The 2022 Jeep Gladiator may be one of a kind because it’s still a hybrid of jeep and pickup, and others may not take too kindly of it. But if you look at it closely underneath, it still has what it takes to roast its competitors if not totally annihilate them in the best in towing contest. Are you excited or not to give the newest Gladiator a go? Comment below!
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