My Gladiator is too HEAVY!

My 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is HEAVY! It's time for Maximus to go on a bit of a diet and shed some weight. How much can we remove?

[@JTPedersen]

Understand the challenge. We use the truck scales near us a couple times a year. Our JKU grew heavy, quickly, and was the primary reason for a lift (springs, brake upgrades, etc.). Steel bumpers, winches, skid plates...larger tires... Goose Gear in the back, wiring to put in power ports. (I'm thinking of using more aluminum in a future Jeep.) What we carry, we use. We know the weight of almost everything we bring along. Next to space, it's the most precious commodity we have. Thanks for sharing.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

Thanks for watching!

[@WillyK51]

To much money to throw arround. Back in the 80's, Bare bones CJ5, Cooler with Sandwiches, water and a 6 pack. Small Tent, basic outdoor gear, Sleep pad, tarp, Tiny gas lamp(Battery today) Small gasoline stove, Stop by the road and get a cord of firewood for 4$. Today i'ts basically the same gear, a bit larger truck. 2 Burner stove. Camp chairs, Folding table. And the heaviest is the 12 Ft Starcraft on the roof rack when fishing. One of the must have is a 12Volt fridge freezer. Awfull when you run out of ice

[@2ndChanceOverland]

Certainly a bit different from back in the 80's. There are may ways to go overlanding/offroading and to each their own. I agree a 12volt fridge makes a huge difference and I carry one in the back seat (or where the back seat was).

[@WheresWiseman]

Great video. Crazy how fast weight can get out of control when you aren't paying attention. Hit the scales with our Jeep and teardrop and we were shocked at how fat we got 😅

[@2ndChanceOverland]

Thanks! It is crazy how fast it adds up. Easy to not really consider the amount of weight your adding when your more focused on figuring out the things you want to have (or think you want). Thanks for watching!

[@redbeastadventures]

It doesn’t take long to add up weight. After finishing the suspension install I will be taking the beast wagon to get a weight checkup. 😀

[@2ndChanceOverland]

Always good to know where you stand with your vehicle weight.

[@redbeastadventures]

@@2ndChanceOverland Definitely. I have taken and weighed the Red Beast already and plan to do so again after I install some different heavy duty WKO frame mounted rock sliders and have my camping gear loaded for a final overall weight.

[@rickogden4512]

And now, if Jeep just got rid of those two extra doors you'd be set.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I've seen a couple videos of 2-door Gladiator conversions and they do look pretty sweet. I don't mind the rear doors though as it gives me extra interior storage for gear. I removed the rear seats and replaced them with a Goose Gear platform so I can toss things in like my 12v fridge or just to use as a nice flat area for the dogs if I bring them along.

[@angeloplanes8497]

I never understood the popularity for most of those items, and some you didn’t remove. They are heavy and semi-permanent. You lose the “modularity/functionality” of having a truck that is half Jeep. What would weight savings be if you went with softopper and Coleman ground tent? Lose that silly rack and roof tent.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

To me having a semi-permanent solution is what I wanted. This vehicle was built specifically for the purpose of overlanding and stays setup at all times for that. Ultimately there is some trial and error when building a rig and sometimes something you think will be a good solution for your needs doesn't work out the way you thought it would. I didn't buy a Gladiator for 'truck' things (I have a full size truck for that) I bought it to make the overland vehicle that I wanted and I'm very happy with my choice. Thanks for watching!

[@angeloplanes8497]

@@2ndChanceOverland right on, purpose built and suits your needs. I guess I’m taking the weight savings to the extreme.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

There is certainly a balance between having what you need/want and watching your weight. If I was building it more for harder rock crawling I would have done things different, but that's a different build all together.

[@danielbuchanan5327]

I really enjoyed using my deck system, but I don’t think the efficiency justifies the extra 240 pounds that it weighs when I removed it I started seeing about two more mpg.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I agree the Decked system has its benefits, but the efficiency is lacking vs. its weight. In the Gladiator it is nearly as tall as the bed so it doesn't leave much room on top to secure things without potential issues of things flying out or blocking rear visibility. I think the new version of the Decked system is designed a little better with the shape of the drawers but I'm sure there is still quite a bit of 'wasted space'. Not sure if they were able to reduce the weight with the new version or not.

[@user-rk2ww2cm4v]

Time to upgrade to a Power Wagon

[@2ndChanceOverland]

Not for me. Power Wagon is too big for what I want to do. I like the Gladiator platform, just working on fine tuning a few things and most of the items I removed I rarely or never used.

[@redbeastadventures]

Love my Power Wagon. It is a big Red Beast, but climbs like a mountain goat.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I like the Power Wagon's and think they are a great truck. Ive seen a few out on the trails and there are a lot of positives for them.

[@redbeastadventures]

@@2ndChanceOverland It’s all about finding the right vehicle platform that works best for your needs. I like a Jeep Gladiator as well. I just don’t fit well inside of one as I have very wide shoulders.

[@chucklesthefireguy5356]

with that open bed, how much dust gets into your decked drawers? Is it bad?

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I got a little bit in the ammo cans but the drawers were pretty clean. Mostly dirty from tossing dirty objects into them. They actually seal up pretty well.

[@TrailYeti]

How do you like those Falcon 3.3s? I have mine coming here soon!

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I'm happy with them! Eventually I will install them on my Wranglers as well.

[@creativecomm665]

Now put everything back in again ….

[@2ndChanceOverland]

The items I removed will not be reinstalled.

[@carlholland3819]

thats what happens when you turn your rig into a glamper. shouldve thought about weight before you spend 20k accessorizing your barbie jeep. just sleep in the bed on a matt like a real man. 5700? youre still 2000 too heavy.

[@2ndChanceOverland]

This rig was built with an overlanding purpose in mind with specific things I wanted and has gone through a couple iterations while I try different setups. It works well for me and I am happy with my build. I completely understand that it may not be to everyones needs or tastes and you are welcome to your own opinion, but I don't understand why you would feel to be so negative about something that has no effect on you. I love my RTT and its significantly quicker to setup and more comfortable than a ground tent, not to mention more appealing for my wife to join me on some adventures. 2000lbs to heavy at 5700? So you're suggesting that I should somehow make it nearly 1500lbs lighter than it was when it came off the factory floor?

[@user-rk2ww2cm4v]

skip the mat... sleep on the dirt with a rock as a pillow... that's more MANlier

[@TheHerennow1]

Chrysler garbage anyway. No one would buy one

[@2ndChanceOverland]

I'm perfectly fine being "no one", but I see Gladiators on the road and on the trail all the time so 'someone' is buying them.