Gladiator vs Wrangler - Epic Wheeling in Kansas? Which one did better?

We had the opportunity visit the Kansas Rocks Recreation Park for the annual Sunflower Trail Ride. We decided to take both the 2021 Gladiator Rubicon and the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon to compare how they do on the trails. We had a blast!!
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[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Love the video. Kansas looks so beautiful and You and Cara look good out there on the technical trails. Again awesome support by you Matt, not just to Cara but everyone. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[@RyansBeans]

Talk about a captivating thumbnail, god I love these videos

[@jrfunk9718]

Thanks for showing off Kansas Rocks! I’ve taken the off-road course there - Katie and the team are first rate. Keep up the great videos!

[@EigerSummitOffroad]

First off I want to say I absolutely love your channel. Secondly, I hope you take what I say next only as constructive criticism. If you were to put some BFG KM3's or Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on Cara's and your rigs, you'd see their capabilities increase drastically in all types of conditions. Those Milestars just don't cut the mustard for the trails you're running (they're great in the sand when worn down a good ways, but it ends there). Just my 2 cents and, again, love your content and can't get enough!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks!! I am going to disagree with you on the tires. I wheel with people that run KM3s and the Patagonias outperform them in everything but goopy mud. The KM3s wider tread voids give them an advantage there. But everywhere else the Pats beat them every time.

[@EigerSummitOffroad]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thank you for your feedback!

[@charlesboetel1324]

You guys should try AZ this winter, Florence Junction would fill a good week.

[@dnuts4104]

Wow too flat? There is also a free ORV Park north of Manhattan, Ks at turtle creek lake.

[@davidhuesers2554]

Tuttle creek is fun! When I took my xj I found out it os definitely tailored to smaller vehicles like side by sides

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

on some of that slick stuff you might try turning off your front Locker actually and let the BLD shake you back and forth and leave the rear locked. I would be curious if it would help you find traction better because the BLD toggle will wiggle you around a little bit.

[@spartywarriors]

You were SUPER smooth in the Gladiator for that terrain. Very well done. Does Cara drive 1 footed? She was very jerky. Just an observation not a criticism. Really enjoy your content!!!

[@spartywarriors]

1 more question please. What psi were you guys running? Thanks!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

I'm honestly not sure. I've never asked her. lol. We were both at 13psi.

[@kyleseetin2123]

the "cage for kids" is a spot to hold the doors when you take them off.

[@tommysanders4443]

Hope y’all had fun. Wish I could’ve been there to finally meet you. Chris is a heck of a guy.

[@tacoma_jon]

You better watch out Matt, Cara is getting real good behind the wheel. 🤘🏽

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

She always has been. lol

[@WarthogOverland]

Great video as always 👍. Overnight long trips are not always necessary, love watching you guys no matter if it's a day trip or multiple days. Thank you for always keeping the content about the trails. I always know if it's a trail video, that's what it will be. Same goes for your review videos. Keep it up can't wait to see you hit 100k subscribes.

[@zasvig]

What fun!!! I need to go there!!

[@DUNEATV]

I know you know how to wheel but what air pressure you running? Not trying to arm chair 🪑 Quarterback.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

We were at 13psi.

[@DUNEATV]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures I guess the conditions were just really slick like you said. I wonder how a set of BFG’s mud Terrains would have worked.

[@saclett]

Super Cool Video. My Wife actually said she’d like to go to one of these events. Hoping to meet you both out on an adventure soon. We have an 8 month old Frenchie named Mr. Pickles.

[@williamheinsinger7390]

Y'all have to try Hidden Falls in Marble Falls, Tx Awesome place to Wheel,Camp,Shoot ✌️

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It's on my list.

[@lucihatten732]

Love your videos! Sorry if this has already been answered, what phone app do you use to find trails? Thanks!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks!! I use Gaia gps. I’ve got several videos on it.

[@lucihatten732]

Thank you so much, I will check it out.

[@WindowCreep808]

cool rigs! i think you should look into a better performing MT's for your next set of meats if you plan to do more of this type of wheeling... pair them up with a true beadlock wheel aired down should compliment both of your builds nicely.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

First time watching my channel? My Milestars work great!’ I’ve proven that over and over.

[@WindowCreep808]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures dig the channel, but this response sounds all too sponsored... in this older video, the particular types of terrain you are wheeling in, you can clearly see those tires struggled... not saying these tires are bad, but when they first came out they were priced fair for what they were now they are overpriced for how they perform [see the difference?]... if you think they should be in the ballpark price of what a true performer like a Maxxxis, Mickey, and or Toyo/Nitto and you got a good tire then cant help you there... but hey anything free is better than nothing at all ;).

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

@@WindowCreep808 first keep in mind that these are our daily drivers and not dedicated Rock crawlers. There’s no way I’m running Treps for thousands of miles cross country. We do a lot more serious overlanding than we do going to off road parks. Second these are the new MT02 and not the original MT. It’s a much better tire. I’ve run all the Toyos and Nitto Trail Graps. I like the Milestars much better. There’s no perfect tire and everyone has their own opinion but mine is based on first hand experience with lots of tires.

[@WindowCreep808]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures no one said you had to run treppies or stickies for that matter, but say for example the Mickey T Baja Boss MT would be an S tier offroad tire for your needs, I have ran many different brands of meats as well its not an opinion its a fact there are better performing tires in this price point that milestar seems to now be charging for a lesser performing tire due to their orginal budget pricing increasing their popularity... happy overlanding good buddy.

[@gowsa2233]

Im sure it was said in the video but are you both running 37s?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

38s

[@privateuser3725]

If they can just shorte that wheelbase by about 5" on the gladiator and get those turns about 20% tighter on the next versionin about 2024/6

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Well there's only two ways to do that. Move the front tires forward and mess up the approach angle which would also mean making it different than the Wrangler or move the rear tires forward which would make the departure angle worse. I would rather have the longer wheelbase than compromise in the other two areas.

[@bootmender]

I think Cara did a better than you, it may be because she has a good spotter?

[@donniepitts1646]

That's what she said😂

[@gold-digger6579]

Were your tires aired down? Didn’t look like they were far enough down if so. 14-15 minimum

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yep 14psi

[@gold-digger6579]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Well that answers my question lol. Maybe 11 would do it, who knows? Love your videos! New to your channel.

[@whyyoumad413]

We missed you, my wife and I couldn't make it last weekend

[@richardthomas1531]

Weight, Glad has all the gear and sleeper.

[@exodusfivesixfivesix8050]

Same brother. I thought Kansas was too flat for offroading

[@GODsKNIGHTONE]

Does Katie have a YT channel that I can subscribe to?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

She does not. But you can follow Team Wild Mavens on Instagram.

[@GODsKNIGHTONE]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures The only other thing that I am curious about is how well a Jeep Grand Wagoneer of the Old Body Style would do.

[@GODsKNIGHTONE]

I'll have to find out once I get mine built.

[@lundysgarage]

Both rigs did great, sweet video. I think its safe to say the JL 4-door Wrangler is superior on the trails like this.

[@k0pper]

Agreed, but it's hard to argue that the Gladiator still did it and was carrying a bunch of gear including a RTT, big fridge, kitchen, etc. If you're trying to get to cool, hard to access camp spots, the Gladiator can still do it and carry all your stuff. The JLU could probably carry it all too with a full size, reinforced roof rack, but a little less convenient.

[@thescottishhammer7570]

Kansas Rocks is fun. You should come up to Tuttle Creek ORV Park if you get a chance. It's just north of Manhattan near a little town called Randolph. Incredibly fun wheeling. There are trails there for beginners as well as trails for full competitition buggies.

[@bootmender]

If you hadn’t told me this was Kansas I would not have believed it? Well TOTO this is Kansas, you could have fooled me Dorothy?

[@TwoFeatherChannel]

I like how she just laughs at it when you said she was 18" in the air

[@Tony-iw8kb]

Matt, You would like Tuttle Creek near Randolph, KS! Check it out!

[@desertmaverick7567]

Nice Wrangler and Truck.

[@michaelmartindale3914]

I blew a front diff out there, and haven't been back since!!!

[@DarksideOffRoad]

The truggie is cool and all, but I’m here for the Goose content 😄

[@sumdumguy7197]

To many tree's in places for the gladiator, course even the unlimited probably had to backup in places, but krrp has lots of rock crawling challenges for assorted off-road vehicles

[@moretoliving2236]

Is there a “golden rule” at which you need to turn front lockers off while going up? I was under impression that you cant turn so coming up that hill did you turn it on and off all the time? Or did you just leave it on? I cant find a single place in universe where it says how sketchy does trail have to be to turn off the front lockers or how much of a turn there has to be to turn them off?! Thanks

[@michaelmartindale3914]

They call it Kansas ROCKS for a reason!!!!!

[@surman3853]

Love watching to see what the jeeps are capable of! Great vid!!! You guys rule!!!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks 👍

[@johnschoenenberger2207]

Come back for creepy crawl for Halloween it is unbelievable how much work get put into it

[@t.o.f.t.s.]

Dang that 2-door...great climber.👍👍..but only has room for a duffle bag and toothbrush🤣🤣

[@skinnypedalexpress4170]

TSL Boggers! Wrangler over Gladiator unless it’s for overlanding. Great Video!

[@darksideemt]

OMG that look on Matt face when she said he could bypass was the best!

[@krasnaludek298]

Another great video - surprising terrain in Kansas. 👍🏻

[@kevinclevenger8741]

It was a great video. I have to say I was very impressed by your wife and her wrangler. I have a 02 jeep grand cherokee wj overland.that iam painting the same color as your wife's. Hop some day can meat you guys and get a picture of the jeeps together on the trails.

[@tomc5179]

Next time you're near central Kansas, give Tuttle Creek ORV Area a try - it's near Randolph, ks.

[@KTMcaptain]

Too bad you didn't unload the gladiator. All that extra weight made it more difficult. Crazy how slick that was.

[@GOE-MORC]

Hoowee! I thought I was watching 4wd 24/7 for a minute. Way to send it on that 2nd hill Matt. Cara is just crawling around. Nice job.

[@bobdoane4467]

You will have to try Tuttle creek ORV in Kansas as well. Another cool area with trails in Kansas.

[@CrankyOldNerd]

having lived in Kansas the first 30 years of my life yeah, there are some very flat parts of it. but North Eastern KS has a few hills with the Flint Hills area and can be very pretty. Though most of western is just high plains and wind :)

[@lewismccartney2189]

What’s the channel frequency you run ..?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It varies. We were on 18 on this day I think.

[@blakejulian6878]

I think between the two Jeeps up the slab would have been equal. Matt made it a little easier looking but that’s because Cara sometimes still gets a little nervous and hits the brakes when she could have continued on through like Matt did. More time in the seat and I think she’ll give you Matt a run for your money. She’s getting pretty darn good! She seems way more comfortable than her last ride.

[@davidwalter8816]

So any poison ivy from walking thru it? It was at about 11 min. Mark. But I think I’ve hear you say that your not effected by it maybe?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Yeah I’m not allergic to it. Thank goodness. 😂

[@hjstrater]

Only 15 minutes in and that traction looks awful. Was the whole park that slick? I assume since you mentioned the milestars are still new on both rigs they aren’t really scrubbed in yet.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

The Milestars have about 5000 miles on them. We were aired down to 13psi and should have gone lower for that terrain.

[@keniaflores8881]

What are the fender lights on Boo? And did you add a fender liner? Thank you!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

They are Quake fender chop kit. I was able to keep the factory liner.

[@misskimridesagain]

fun times ...

[@markcaruana2697]

Hey how wide do the pats tread measure out to. I have Yokohama geolander mts 37x12.5 on 17x9 wheels and me width is only around 10.5. looking to upgrade to the 38x13.5x17 pats if they are at least 12.5 wide.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

They are pretty true to the 13.5.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Mine are on an 8.5” wheel.

[@markcaruana2697]

What rear bumper is on the pink wrangler?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

It's the rear bumper delete from Fishbone Offroad and rear corner guards from Rusty's Offroad

[@veteranviper564]

Love this video!! After all these miles which do you reallllly prefer? :)

[@veteranviper564]

And how difficult is that turning radius?

[@edwardelliott8355]

I bet if y’all had aired down some those rigs would have done great. But as always you guys work together and everyone that could came up and safe. Love watching you guys.Go Hogs🐗🐗🐗

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

We were at 13psi

[@edwardelliott8355]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures , you know how you say something and then watch a little longer and then the see the tire wrinkles, that would be me. Sorry…

[@newlifeoverland226]

Woot gonna be good

[@333adventures3]

I do love Kansas Rocks. It's what started us in the life. About 7 years ago we took the wife's stock JKU to an Off-roading 101 class they put on. Now were a 2 Jeep family.

[@whyyoumad413]

Love all the videos though a group of us are going to do the ozark trail veterans day weekend

[@Waylon620]

Great video, Chris in the 2 door did it the best. But I would of never guessed the gladiator first timing it would of made it through there. I have a 4 door and only go down that. To get to the slab.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Chris has done it a bunch. That’s not fair. 😂

[@roycenelson6370]

That is what everyone thinks is that Kansas is all flat and tumbleweeds but eastern Kansas has the Flint Hills

[@SoWhyDontYou]

Thx for this/ I currently drive a Lexota (Lexus go 470) but liking to get back to a jeep- trying to decide between wrangler and gladiator. I do wish jeep made a 2 door gladiator with a 6 foot bed.

[@JustinCaseWages]

Variety is good. Well done!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Thanks!

[@smokeGR14]

2dr life rules all

[@larrynofilter846]

4 door JK .

[@treywall7661]

Great video. Not to be that guy but in your videos it doesn't look like you air down. Why is that?

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

We were at 12 psi.

[@guyallphin1295]

I used to be a ranger in North Central Kansas at Waconda Lake. It is just north of the Blue Hills and the area is beautiful! I did a lot of off roading around there while growing up. Thanks for your video, Rev

[@MassASASoftball]

That was a lot of fun to watch (and learn)! What I'm curious about is (when you were in a group) what level trail was that? My curiosity is intermediate, hard, hardest? Thanks as always.

[@gregoryroberts973]

It looks likes Kara’s jeep needs a lift on there to equal the gladiator.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Nah. She has a much shorter wheelbase.

[@toddhoffmaster6057]

That type of rock has never been my favorite type to wheel on. It is slippery with out even being wet and you have to always bump it to get over it even when it does not appear to be anything of concern. Hidden Falls Off Road Park in Texas has the same type of rock.

[@cruduskellies]

If you ever get the chance, there is another offroad trail here in Kansas, close to Wichita in Mulvane called Sandy Bottom. They have a FB group and wonderful trails!!!!

[@sidequestingwithtimberfox1263]

Tuttle Creek is another great off-road park in Kansas.

[@Rptrrob702]

bUt tHe gLaDiaTor iSn'T a JeEp... -- lol, Nice wheeling!!

[@PLT123]

Matt I love your videos and I cant wait to trade my tacoma in for a gladiator and never look back!

[@salhryncewitz9148]

Yal are rubs in Jeeps LoL

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

Huh? No clue what that even means. 🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@MrTim1556]

Gladiator did best

[@MrTim1556]

Just got me a 2022 Gladiator traded the trailhawk in for it

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

I'm always amazed at how well those patagonians will grab compared to other tires!

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

We love them!

[@CoddiwompleOverland]

That stuff looks as slick as Kentucky! A HUGE thanks for the shout out and promoting our swag!! Hope to see you all soon.

[@PostFamilyPilgrimage]

28.57 “that’s what she said!” 😂😂

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

Since you've got enough clearance I think I like the longer wheelbase because personally I would feel more stable in a longer wheelbase. Every video I watch - not just your videos - anybody's videos... it always seems like everybody needs to run just a little bit lower tire pressure for the gnarly stuff.

[@OzarkOverlandAdventures]

We were at 13 PSI. Going down to single digits may have helped.

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

@@OzarkOverlandAdventures woah! Yeah that's pretty dang low though! But those are big tires. I kind of wonder if I should ever go below a total load capacity of about 1x vehicle weight - even on a trail. Theoretically with bead locks you can go stupid low - probably below that # (I don't have bead locks) . I'll have to play with the numbers and see what that would be for my tires and I'm curious where that would land for 37s. I'll have to see. And ... Does that # mean anything for off road - does it mark some sort of tire pressure caution zone or danger zone below it. What is the meaning, lol. I must know...

[@PacoMontes1]

This was one of my favorite videos it made me want to get out there