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

[Dennis C]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Always loved that pic, but now days I just look at it and wonder where he got E rated bike tires.

I'd like to see that pic except modify it with him trying to stop the trailer on a 7% downhill grade.

[coltnkat]

Originally Posted by Jeeplover

BTW... I'm an ex-automotive OEM guy and know that published numbers have a serious amount of safety built in... so MY numbers take that into account.

You don't need a sledge hammer to hang a picture.......................!

It's not really about how safe you feel. It's about what happens when something unaccountable happens and you can't stop, etc. It's negligent and therefore a liability issue, my dude.

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I'd like to see that pic except modify it with him trying to stop the trailer on a 7% downhill grade.

It looks like a single speed, so he should be able to use engine breaking. I am picturing all limbs flailing on that -7% grade. Hopefully there is a runaway bike ramp close by

[Woolecox]

Originally Posted by DonRich7878

Attachment 407740

When men were men and F250's were scared..

And, what about his weight distribution anti-sway hitch?

- Equalizer
- Blue Ox
- Other?

[ColoradoBCer]

I just pulled my 2017 16’ Basecamp from Utah to Tennessse with my 2021 Gladiator Mojave.

I recently sold my Tundra because the dealer offered me a stupendous sum for it. Let’s just say that I am on the waiting list for a 2022 Tundra and will be selling the Jeep the day the Tundra arrives.

Has the OP tested this rig on the Highway yet? It should be pretty easy to figure out.

[DavidNJ]

As others have said, the Gladiator can tow 7000-7600 lb when it is equipped with the right package. The trailer towing package includes increased cooling.

I challenge anyone to find a technical paper supporting 10% hitch weight. In Europe 6% or less is common. However, the trailers are being built for 10%, so getting the weight distribution changed without adding weight in the tail (creating a high polar moment of inertia) is difficult if not impossible in any meaningful way.

The ProPride and Henssely hitches are virtual fifth wheel hitches...the pivot point is just a few inches behind the rear axle and they are VERY stable. I drove for 2 hours with a flat on a two-axle trailer and didn't know the tire was gone. Wind issues effectively go away unless they blow your whole rig around.

I would use LT tires. They generally have a stiffer sidewall which should improve stability. The max tow packages on 1500 pickups typically come with LT tires.

[2MileHi]

OP is committed to his TV. As I read his post he’s asking for route information. You can lead a horse…

[Boondocker]

Originally Posted by 2MileHi

You can lead a horse…

This one is just getting beaten

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by 2MileHi

OP is committed to his TV. As I read his post he’s asking for route information. You can lead a horse…

You can also lead an Airstreamer to a thread but you can't make him read it all. The OP came on here a week ago (post 57) and said he was taking the advice and is NOT going to tow with the Jeep, he has rented a Ram 2500 for the trip

[Janet H]

Originally Posted by Jeeplover

I'm planning a trip for June 2022... I pull my 25 with a Gladiator Rubicon without issue in MN, MI, WI, IL, IA etc... but want to get some input for this journey. We're leaving Minneapolis and heading to Napa... stopping at Yellowstone, Salt Lake City etc on the way... and then the Black Hills on the return. Looking at adding a supercharger for uphill climbs... downhill I'm comfortable with low-gear manual shifting, braking properly etc... but haven't been on I-80 since I was 15 in a rented Class-C / family road trip from MI to CA. We survived then so I'm not overly concerned... that thing had a 3-spd and most likely a 360 CU Mopar. Looking for thoughts / areas of extreme grade to avoid etc... and no, I'm not willing to upgrade my tow vehicle... been there / done that... the Gladiator does the job with style.

If you want specific route information that includes elevation/grade along the route try signing up for RV Trip Wizard. You can set up multiple stops and closely examine the gradient on each leg, changing the route as needed. There's a slider at the bottom of the screen that comes in to display this info either in the large view as in this screen shot or on a very granular level.

You can drag your route around on the map trying various options to get the best result for your towing comfort. There's the added bonus of 30,000 park listings, gas stations and other info

[Ndcctrucks]

Originally Posted by 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)

I get semi trucks pulling triples passing me at 80 all the time.

Yeah, with good tires I’ll pull an AS 70 mph for hours.

[Ndcctrucks]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

His initial post said “Looking for thoughts”, so I’d say ALL the posts answered the question. He got plenty of thoughts!

Thoughts about grades, not which TV he should change to or whether his Gladiator was capable.

[Ndcctrucks]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

NDCCTRUCKS and you didn't answer his question either just tooted your own horn [emoji9]

No.

I gave a real-world example of what vehicles, carefully driven and carefully loaded, are capable of despite published specifications…. INSTEAD of Googling numbers and spouting opinions not addressing the original question.

[Gibson3798]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

No.

I gave a real-world example of what vehicles, carefully driven and carefully loaded, are capable of despite published specifications…. INSTEAD of Googling numbers and spouting opinions not addressing the original question.

You gave one personal example of one time that you didn't have a problem while being overloaded and taking risk.

If that's your point, it was well understood, thanks.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

No.

I gave a real-world example of what vehicles, carefully driven and carefully loaded, are capable of despite published specifications…. INSTEAD of Googling numbers and spouting opinions not addressing the original question.

Respectfully, you kind of miss the point of the published standards established by the automotive engineers.

Your comments seem to imply that they represent the limit beyond which catastrophic failure is immediate and certain — and that your single trip proves the engineers wrong. However, the numbers represent the limits beyond which the risk of failure becomes too high to be borne by the public.

Your reported lack of problems (which you generously attribute to your skill) doesn’t prove anything. The problem with your armchair quarterbacking of the pro’s is that you are putting others at risk too.

[2012FB]

Wow, I am remembering why I stoped frequenting this forum.

[SnowWanderer]

Originally Posted by Ndcctrucks

I get semi trucks pulling triples passing me at 80 all the time.

Yeah, with good tires I’ll pull an AS 70 mph for hours.

It's not how fast you can go, but rather how fast, remain under control and safely you can stop.

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by Gibson3798

You gave one personal example of one time that you didn't have a problem while being overloaded and taking risk.

If that's your point, it was well understood, thanks.

Don't feed the troll LOL

[drmox]

Welp, this is entertaining. Even though the OP capitulated to the onslaught, and revealed that he is renting an HD truck in post #57, here we are 60+ posts later fighting the good fight.
For my money, the route to take from MN to WY would be I-90 to Rapid City, SD and take some combination of 2-lane roads through WY to the Teton-Yellowstone area. Going this way poses a more level constant climb in altitude, and never a huge stretch of steep uphill.

[Woolecox]

Originally Posted by drmox

Welp, this is entertaining. Even though the OP capitulated to the onslaught, and revealed that he is renting an HD truck in post #57, here we are 60+ posts later fighting the good fight.
For my money, the route to take from MN to WY would be I-90 to Rapid City, SD and take some combination of 2-lane roads through WY to the Teton-Yellowstone area. Going this way poses a more level constant climb in altitude, and never a huge stretch of steep uphill.

Now there, is some useful information. Thanks!

I just bought the RV Life Pro bundle. The whole thing was on sale for $49/year. I planned some routes using it and different map apps I have always used.

The RVL routes avoided cities, traffic, and construction better than the rest while keeping it RV friendly.

I know this to be true (at least in part) because I have traveled some of these routes before and know where the trouble spots are. I will give it a try.

Cheers,
Wooly