I-80 pulling a 25RBT with a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

[Vantair]

Originally Posted by Jeeplover

Thank you for all the sound advice... I have decided to rent a Ram 2500 w/ Cummins for the trip... I'll stick with my Gladiator for the flatlands................ apologies to anyone who was offended by my comments etc... but it's a process and I rely on the advice of those with experience / wisdom. If I wasn't concerned I wouldn't have started the conversation... I know I'm on the limit and definitely don't want to end up at the bottom of a cliff / or cause someone else to do the same. So if you see me in the midwest flatlands please give me a thumbs-up for listening... appreciate the input!

VERY relieved to hear your decision. With the discussed ratings and with a 25ft, honestly had a bit of a knot in stomach if we were to "try" a similar original combination. Especially on challenging mountain passes.
We (and 2 two other AS friends with 25's and 23") all started out with late model 1/2 tons with far better HP, better payload, towing specs and WELL within all parameters on paper. Still there were stressed moments.....at any time that rocked our confidence. After thousands of towing miles, each of us independently made the personal decision to bump up to late model 3/4 diesels. Flats and even some minimal grades were fine on the 1/2's but ultimately the high rpms, weight, payload, confidence, and tail wagging the dog + surprise hair raising maneuvers mostly from other drivers on more and more occasions was the convincer. Much less stress towing now than before and very few limits on capacities. We all collectively agree FAR better and safer choice....for us...with even better towing mpg !

Best of luck (you'll have more of it now) and safe travels on your trip.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by Jeeplover

Thank you for all the sound advice... I have decided to rent a Ram 2500 w/ Cummins for the trip... I'll stick with my Gladiator for the flatlands................ apologies to anyone who was offended by my comments etc... but it's a process and I rely on the advice of those with experience / wisdom. If I wasn't concerned I wouldn't have started the conversation... I know I'm on the limit and definitely don't want to end up at the bottom of a cliff / or cause someone else to do the same. So if you see me in the midwest flatlands please give me a thumbs-up for listening... appreciate the input!

Should’ve gone with the 3500…

[Fox-trot]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Should’ve gone with the 3500…

[emoji23] any ya’ll towing with less than a freight liner are tempting fate ;-)

[dandiego]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

Style over substance......not a great position when family (and the family's of others) are at risk.

Make no mistake, they are at risk with this setup.

“It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

[Bluetick]

We have a Caravel 22FB and tow it behind a Jeep Gladiator Sport with the max tow package. It will pull up to 7650 lbs; the payload is about 1,500 lbs. The 22FB is 5,000 fully loaded with a payload of about 800 lbs. Apart from appallingly poor gas mileage, we have not had a problem. However, the 22FB is as big as I would go with a Jeep Gladiator. Not that people don't get away with pulling 25s, but I think they're depending on pluck and luck, rather than prudent adherence to numbers.

[Woolecox]

Originally Posted by Jeeplover

Thank you for all the sound advice... I have decided to rent a Ram 2500 w/ Cummins for the trip... I'll stick with my Gladiator for the flatlands................ apologies to anyone who was offended by my comments etc... but it's a process and I rely on the advice of those with experience / wisdom. If I wasn't concerned I wouldn't have started the conversation... I know I'm on the limit and definitely don't want to end up at the bottom of a cliff / or cause someone else to do the same. So if you see me in the midwest flatlands please give me a thumbs-up for listening... appreciate the input!

Good for you! I still want a report on the trip and pics!

I will do those destinations, but from Texas. I will be pulling a GT27FBT with an F-250 6.7 diesel.

Enjoy,
Wooly

[SYC2Vette]

Sounds like you made a good decision with rental of a more than adequate TV. My TV has very similar ratings (770 TW, 7,000 tow, 12,000 GCWR, 1550 payload) and while I am happy with our combination towing our 20' FC I would definitely not want to tow anything heavier long distances, and would have a tough time staying within payload if I tried.

Another point is in regards to consideration of a supercharger. Normally I would say that is a great upgrade and works really well for us with our GM HFV6, but I have seen several reports (at least 3) of engine failures with your engine following and apparently related directly to supercharger installation, so do more research before you go that route.

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

WOW. I too don't like to give others opinion on tow vehicle choice but can't not chime in on this one. I agree with Woolecox and would rather ruffle feathers than see someone get hurt. As others have said it is pretty clear you are going to be at least half to double your acceptable payload and tongue weight. You can add all the turbochargers you want but that won't fix the fact the Gladiator chassis is not designed to handle a 25' airstream, PERIOD. Maybe this will help BEND your decision.

Yep all kinds of serious loads offroading even without a trailer can bend frames. Even the Raptor is not immune. https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...ending-issues/

[2012FB]

After rereading this very informative thread I went ahead and placed an order for a F450 Limited to pull my 25’RBT. One can never be too careful. It was that or have it delivered flatbed to each of my locations, but that might be a bit too extreme.

[tjdonahoe]

No worries with a 6.7 cumalong…

[lkilmer]

I would not see the posts warning you as negative, but as worried for your safety. I agree that TV discussion can be controversial as people have strong opinions on types of vehicles but when it comes down to it they are passionate about safety.

I would always go with more than you need because safety is the most important thing for you, your family, and those around you. Camping is for fun and the last thing it should lead to is a disaster.

I now see you have plans to rent a stronger tow vehicle. That sounds like a post that turned successful!

Jeep lover myself but pull with a Ford 250 diesel and own a 16RB Bambi. Many will argue it is overkill, but I know we are safe.

Best to you!

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by dandiego

“It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

It’s really not. It’s a safety thing that the OP understands and has the good judgement to heed.

It’s a thing some don’t understand.

[ITSNO60]

nevermind......

[gypsydad]

Rental of larger TV is a good plan! Plus, this will give you the opportunity to see the value of the larger TV, more payload capacity for your trip, etc...Traveling from CA to MT to TX each year for past 18 years, towing 25' AS's with both Tahoe's and an F150 EB 1/2T, the Tahoes were marginal at best from my experience, going up/down in the Rockies. Loved the F150 EB power, but my payload on the Platinum was way too low; still, it did a good job towing and handling the 25'. When we moved up to the F250 with our 28' FCT, what a difference! More confidence while towing, no more white knuckles at highway speeds going up/down/around in the Rockies. Hope your trip goes well!

[Woolecox]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Rental of larger TV is a good plan! Plus, this will give you the opportunity to see the value of the larger TV, more payload capacity for your trip, etc...Traveling from CA to MT to TX each year for past 18 years, towing 25' AS's with both Tahoe's and an F150 EB 1/2T, the Tahoes were marginal at best from my experience, going up/down in the Rockies. Loved the F150 EB power, but my payload on the Platinum was way too low; still, it did a good job towing and handling the 25'. When we moved up to the F250 with our 28' FCT, what a difference! More confidence while towing, no more white knuckles at highway speeds going up/down/around in the Rockies. Hope your trip goes well!

My experience exactly. I got it done with half tons but the three quarters are the way to go with 25' and up trailers IMHO.

I have had a Dodge 2500 and two Ford F-250's. I will never be without one as long as I am pulling a trailer of that size.

[03enduro]

I was very surprised with the posts mentioning 65mph. Really? You’d tow a trailer at that speed? I guess you’ll be passing me as I’ll be pulling my mid 70s 27’ trailer in the right hand lane at 55 with my Jeep Grand Cherokee (3.0l diesel)

[TXtugboat]

I’d love to hear more about your experience towing with it. Does that V6 just scream most of the time? What has your mpg been like?

Originally Posted by Bluetick

We have a Caravel 22FB and tow it behind a Jeep Gladiator Sport with the max tow package. It will pull up to 7650 lbs; the payload is about 1,500 lbs. The 22FB is 5,000 fully loaded with a payload of about 800 lbs. Apart from appallingly poor gas mileage, we have not had a problem. However, the 22FB is as big as I would go with a Jeep Gladiator. Not that people don't get away with pulling 25s, but I think they're depending on pluck and luck, rather than prudent adherence to numbers.

[SnowWanderer]

Originally Posted by field & stream

I have a policy to no longer comment on tow vehicle questions, but for this I will make an exception.

FACTS: According to the Jeep website your truck is rated to pull 4,500 pounds and the 25’ Airstream weighs 5,500 pounds unloaded. According to the Jeep website your truck has a payload of 1,200 pounds, which is what forum members are reporting is the tongue weight of their 25’ trailers, leaving zero pounds for passengers and stuff. Summary: you are way over the truck’s rated towing and payload limits. Adding to the problems is that you will lose about 3% of your horsepower for every thousand feet of elevation. This means you will have less than 200 hp for much of your western driving.

OPINION: Don’t even think about it.

I absolutely agree with you. I won't mention here what we within the Law Enforcement/CSI and Heavy Rescue community call those crashes!

[WestieHouse]

I haven’t read every post on this thread yet - my apologies if this was covered.

(1) Definitely use this resource for the best factual information related to your original question.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/mountain-directory-west-for-truckers-rv-and-motorhome-drivers_richard-w-miller/424174/item/1660068/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p2MBhCiARIsADDUFVH_nIaW3NA-4RBAApUA1YpHvMFnvvbG9CmWOsvhYZJeTw4ccxQ3oP8aAnBlEA Lw_wcB#idiq=1660068&edition=3723106

(2) With our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel we towed our 2025 23FC all over the continent (Seattle-Denali-St. - John’s NL - Everglades - Big Bend NP - Roosevelt NP - Grand Escalante, etc. (45 states) - incl. Cassier Highway, Alaska Canada Highway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Top of the World highway (Yukon-AK-BC). without difficulty. We saw several fellow campers with that same TV comfortably (their report) pulling a 25’FC. I don’t know how comparable this rig set up us with yours. Just some info from solid experience.

But I ALWAYS planned our route using the guid book above.

Have fun!

[WestieHouse]

I just read the post concerning the specs for your Jeep and the 25FC. If these are accurate (I suspect they are) - our rigs were very different. My JGC EcoDiesel was rated for 7,200 lbs. and 750 lbs tongue weight. We did pack the Jeep light due to our tongue weight limit.

Our current 25’ FC tongue weight (with lighter Li batteries) is 1240 lbs. measured on a Shureline scale and CAT Scales. We use a F-150 3.5 EcoBoost for the TV now. Have repeated many of the previous trips with this configuration. Both are/were comfortable and within engineering specs.

Give thought to the breadth and depth of experience here - and definitely look at the facts and numbers.

And have fun.