Towing, Mudding & Hauling with the Jeep Gladiator Mojave - The Best Desert-Focused Pickup?

We put the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave through our gauntlet of tests to see how it fares.
Visit our website here - truckking.ca
Become a Truck King member - / @truckking
Buy our merch here - / @truckking
Check out Steve's music channel - / @selmervidz1
#Jeep #Gladiator #Trucks

[@timewithtofu]

Probably one of the better Mojave reviews I’ve seen. They pushed it

[@MrTopgear67]

Bought one, love my Mojave !

[@larryb7047]

Good clip! I bought the Mojave thinkin' if I ever need to get away from LEOs, I could hit the trail & say "good bye!" & you brilliantly illustrated that fact.

[@troywhite2101]

I appreciate you guys really testing the Mojave and not just driving around town, great video!

[@Drock2468]

I love this! I have a Mojave and this was one of the first things I did! The ride quality is SO impressive! We had a JKU before and would have died doing the same things! I was laughing and having a blast and my wife was screaming, DONT YOU BREAK MY NEW JEEP!!! Haha!

[@shawnblaylock5956]

I love mine as well! ✌️

[@shawnblaylock5956]

I don’t care about rock crawling… But high speed muddin’? Now we’re talking!

[@jakepuccio7508]

Awesome review. Exciting to see you push that Gladiator to do what’s intended! 💪

[@glennsveum1429]

I LOVE my Gladiator Mojave! Had some real fun up in Utah recently with it. Awesome vehicle. It's the BEST vehicle I've ever driven in snow by far. Of course it's not a "Work truck". It's a do all Jeep truck.

[@costarsoftwarecanada]

Awesome job guys - I love my Mojave so far, after about 4 months I have zero complaints and have had zero problems. Great review!

[@TruckKing]

Our pleasure!

[@libertystuffnthingsreviews829]

THANK YOU for reviewing a manual transmission, and towing with it! My channel has a lot of videos with my JK in them, and some towing. I have the 6spd manual and love it. It did sound like that new 6spd had to dig a little deep for the torque, which is surprising, because I thought FCA made 1st gear taller in the JL than it is in the JK.

[@R.Nelson]

Awesome video!!!😎 Thank you Truck King and King Dad!!...I really enjoyed this!!!

[@TristanTris321GoT]

I get a chuckle watching you driving the dirt with a smile from ear to ear. 👍🏼

[@TruckKing]

😁

[@jimmydork9206]

Best Mojave video so far. I love how much fun u had

[@kshep2911]

You had so much fun on those high speed runs! Fun video to watch and informative. Great job!

[@TruckKing]

Thanks for watching

[@krisramson861]

great video. You and Pops give me a different perspective on the Gladiator. Thanks

[@TruckKing]

Glad to hear it!

[@kyledexter485]

You guys make the best videos hand down! Love this channel!!

[@TruckKing]

Thank you so much 😀

[@troywhitegarden9321]

Thanks for the video, I have been driving a 2000 Jeep Wrangler since 2001 and have been leaning towards the Gladiator Mojave over the Rubicon due to the suspension and the fact that the majority of my driving will be on road. I also do enjoy off road driving but I cant spend that kind of money and a vehicle and then grind it over rocks.

[@azkafen9306]

This was the best review ive seen on the Mojave thanks a bunch.

[@TruckKing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abqcrutch]

Love the video, Stephen. The Mojave package is the best all-around performer. You proved it in your video. Too bad you can't get the package in the JLU.

[@WbrookS-jm2bj]

If you wanted to put down the cash getting equivalent suspension on a jlu can be done. Only negative is that if you want to lift a Mojave options are a bit limited without having to replace the shocks you payed thousands extra to get. A bit disappointing not getting the front locker but not a huge deal.

[@northerntoyota7584]

I appreciate what you guys test regarding the payload ratings, but I guarantee that 99% of the general public will be overloading these trucks with a cab full of people and a trailer in tow or atv in the bed. Keep up the great content

[@TruckKing]

We know it - you know it. But, we borrow these trucks from the manufacturers so we make it a rule to respect the stated limits. It's the right thing to do.

[@bp8171]

@@TruckKing Appreciate the hard work and videos! This last comment has me raising an eyebrow...payload on your specific gladiator is under 1200 lbs. With 1k lbs in the bed, doesn’t that leave less than 200 pounds for driver and passenger? Not much left for passengers!

[@dantimber]

@@bp8171 You are correct. Payload capacity includes what's in the truck bed and cab including people and gear. What you are describing would very likely be over payload capacity unless the driver and passenger weighed 200 points combined and had no gear. It's not a truck to be used to carry a lot of weight regardless of where it's located.

[@g.eflint93]

That changed my opinion on the truck..I like it.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Cool that you got the manual!

[@andrewmccloskey6253]

Great review, excited to pick up my wife's new Mojave today!

[@TruckKing]

Have fun!

[@dennisdollins4003]

Great video Stephen. Keep up the good job.

[@mikefoehr235]

BAK FLIP Tonneau covers fold out of the way completely and are well.made.

[@noelebbert9322]

i haven't heard you giggle like that in a truck before. noted. giggle like a little girl test approved LOL.

[@TruckKing]

He does get excited - you should have seen him as a little kid with a popsicle!

[@coryernewein]

Pure joy like a kid on Christmas. I always get a smile when he goes full giggle.

[@gregwatson8246]

Nice review. The best way to measure suspension sag is to measure from the bottom edge of the rim to the fender lip. Otherwise tire compression/ground compression is skewing your measurement.

[@coryernewein]

Happy to see you guys making that Mojave do more than offroading!

[@TruckKing]

Thanks - we drive it the way the engineers intended.

[@multiBuhdda]

Listen here! You need to do more gladiator video!!!🤞🏾🙏🏾

[@PunkN_JTM]

I just traded my Rubicon JT in for a Mojave and i love it... I dont crawl , i like a little speed on trails.. This dawgone Mojave knocked it outa the park as far as performance on the trails go at speeds!!

[@BigMikeRobinsonFJB]

Great video as always!

[@joshnasche5495]

Can't wait to get mine. Just saving up for it right now.

[@ebx2323]

That looked like so much fun. I was smiling from ear to ear hahaha I think I'm going to trade my tacoma in now. Thanks! Lmao

[@johnmalkovich4042]

Please do a Gladiator Rubicon vs. Mojave!!! Re-discovered you on TK. Subbed. Good work!!!

[@youarerightboss]

Another 👍 for Stephen and his Dad. 🇨🇦💪🇺🇸

[@selfmade1521]

Great review guys! Thanks for that!

[@TruckKing]

Thanks for watching!

[@markchoate9021]

Great review. I like your technique. Oh, and I take delivery of my new Mojave last week.

[@TruckKing]

Have fun!

[@kevinblock2307]

Great review guys

[@RyanRKJ]

I really enjoyed the high speed footage. It looks like the suspension is indeed tuned nicely. If I tried that in my base Sierra, it would not go well at all. LoL.

[@panagiotisf7228]

I would have bottomed out my tacoma like 500000 times lol

[@orrinbelcher6593]

Super cool and great video fun and informative, superbly done

[@militarygradegear4004]

Love your reviews Stephen. You talked me into a 4Runner a few years back when you took a TRD Pro through the ice. I ended up getting an Off Road Premium. Great Overland vehicle but quite underpowered. Traded that and got a 2015 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins. I am quite happy with that. Keep up the good work!!

[@clwade10]

Great coverage guys as always! I thought the JT was interesting in the beginning but I'm over it like many others out there. I have my JKU for offroad adventures and if I want a truck Im going to get a real truck with a Cummins Diesel that can do anything I throw at it...

[@88mtb88]

You tested this vehicle on what it was designed for. Great

[@sherlyr5790]

Can’t wait getting mine this week🥰

[@dougschneider5948]

Finally, a high speed rough road Mojave review.

[@gabrielldesouza8562]

My favourite truck, and Canadian channel!

[@TruckKing]

Wow, thanks!

[@ricardowilliams7802]

I love when you push the limits

[@tigerrider007]

After driving the Rubicon and the Mojave, can the Mojave do slow trails and be fine? Maybe a dumb question, so maybe I should reword it, how capable is the Mojave off road without a front locker? I'm in Georgia and would love to take a Gladiator out to Colorado one day to run some passes but nothing super extreme. It would also be a daily driver around the Atlanta area and head to Florida beaches. Any recommendations would be appreciated, Rubicon or Mojave. Thank you, and love the work you do.

[@MegaAtlacatl]

I got admit i really enjoyed watching this review. 👍🏼

[@TruckKing]

Glad to hear it!

[@tatemethvin2503]

That’s a sharp truck

[@ST-wi9eq]

Good stuff!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great review 👍

[@uh60ce1]

So how would you say it does against the zr2? Both are basically set up for the same thing

[@customsmithmfg4377]

Just picked one up today- thanks for the vid- from Arizona this is gonna be the shit..

[@davekent20]

Great video thanks

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Need those shocks on the Rubicon...

[@ronnierebhan229]

Great video, very thorough, love the Mojave. I own the modest 80th anniversary edition.

[@equiman85]

Awesome review!

[@TruckKing]

Thanks!

[@jeepjab1817]

Great video! What app did you use for the 0 to 60 test?

[@BreckoniousMaximus]

Great review! You should bring your dad along more often!

[@TruckKing]

Thanks! Will do!

[@user-xo7st2cs7y]

Nice review super like it

[@andrewyang1446]

Is there any way to increase the payload? Any aftermarket axle or suspension setup for increased payload?

[@dantimber]

Hasn't the wandering steering problem been fixed with a steel steering box?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

That high speed off-road run looked like so much fun! Just got a new Rubicon, but I gotta find a way to make my Jeep Liberty a higher speed off-roader. Great review!

[@alberthawkes3319]

I thought the 6000 lb tow rating was on the High Altitude model. Not sure why it gets that but that’s what I found on keep website.

[@purpskurp8737]

Am I going to regret not getting the manual? I like manuals but never had one in a truck kinda sounds fun just don’t want it to be too much for everyday.

[@MrJAV1987]

Did you use your rear locker during the high speed course?

[@timothywcoster2212]

I got a rubicon, it goes on the beach just as fast as I want to go

[@yorkchris10]

I can't think of too many places where I could use locally. Nice to see manual test.

[@GS-rr1rz]

6.4 Hemi is a must for this one

[@abouttime7316]

Steve, I’d love to see some towing with a Gladiator Sport Auto Max Tow package. I have one but trying to decide if the extra expense of an aluminum trailer is needed. I’ll be towing roughly 4000lbs plus the trailer weight but only once or twice a year 200 miles one way. The Jeep website they set you up on listed my vin to tow 8000lbs, but I’d prefer to keep it under 7000.

[@TruckKing]

When we get a Max Tow package equipped model we'll definitely do it. In the meantime, we feel that overall it will tow higher weights well.

[@craigchadwick2504]

Great video

[@TruckKing]

Thanks!

[@ridefree9160]

I hope they add some more engine options down the line. My previous 4dr wrang had the 3.6 and power was just lacking. I would like to see the 3.0 ecodiesel and a 5.7 hemi option. I might make the switch then

[@TruckKing]

diesel is now available. Look for the review here on the channel.

[@ridefree9160]

@@TruckKing Oh cool thanks man!

[@youarerightboss]

JEEP Just Enough Energy Propelled

[@devengudinas1649]

Just empty every pocket

[@youarerightboss]

@@devengudinas1649 good one

[@saradtomlinson764]

wonderful video!

[@TruckKing]

Glad you liked it!

[@saradtomlinson764]

@@TruckKing I even went and test drove one haha possibly trading in my raptor for one

[@dantimber]

@@saradtomlinson764 How did it compare? Was it a lot slower than the Raptor?

[@dericknelson4315]

I also want to ask about monthly payments on that Mojave thanks

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

And with the 6.4L Hemi it would be an actual desert runner.

[@freedomisntfree_44]

🤣

[@rivertaubitz8176]

Americas most wanted 4x4 can take care of that for you

[@playnicebegoodtoothers6944]

Even the 5.7 would be a great option and leave the set up as is with minor changes for the weight. The last thing we need is a another V8 option coming in at 70k+.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@playnicebegoodtoothers6944 Yeah true. The Wrangler 392 is pretty crazy and expensive!

[@GreghouseVanBouten]

What about squeezing more power out of that V6 if you were to try to keep the weight to a minimum? Are turbochargers a recipe for disaster on the Pentastar?

[@cortlundtowell5252]

tbh going from my 08' tundra to the mojave. all i really lost was 1200lbs extra towing capacity. The payload is only 100lbs differ which is insane considering one is a midsize baja truck and the other is a fullsize work truck. I easily tow my 3500lbs A/T camper with my Mojave, and it really shines on the trail, something my Tundra really couldn't do despite being lifted and on 35s. TBH if i need more payload in the future im sure someone will offer HD springs or i can go with a modest 2in lift kit from Ironman 4x4 or Dobison with +800lbs dynamic capacity increase. however i have easily gotten 1800lbs in the bed with no issues as far as getting stuff from lowes to my house. However i wouldn't offroad with more than 350-450lbs of stuff in the bed, but thats more than enough for a good rooftop tent and other camping gear.

[@brianmuckey1962]

I got a 2021 Mojave great ride. However the ride changed to a little nose heavy when I put a winch and after market bumper on it. Still figuring out how to fix ride without taking of winch and bumper

[@WbrookS-jm2bj]

Figure out what amount of height you lost in the front. Then get closest front spacer lift to correct the geometry. Not perfect but best bet without spending a lot of money. There is some info on it on the gladiator forums. I have a JTR that I'm about to put King or Fox remote reservoirs on. Good luck with your Gladiator.

[@dantimber]

By adding winch and after market bumper (steel I presume?) you effectively permanently lowered the load capacity by that additional weight. Adding a front lift may correct the geometry but would not take away the fact that you changed front too back weight distribution and subtracted from the load capacity. Further I understand the reason why Jeep used a plastic front bumper and removed the rear underside bars was to lower the overall weight and thus not lower overall load capacity even more as well as affect performance with a higher overall weight. The Mojave has a finely tuned suspension probably best left stock, including the wheels and tires

[@backcountryportal4774]

Interesting!

[@Nikephorus]

Still waiting for that Gladiator J6 concept that will never come.

[@johnbressler2147]

I recently hauled a little over 1100 lbs of wood flooring in the bed through the mountains in N Ga. It did great. I wouldn’t do it again now that I learned the pay load capacity.

[@ddddsd20]

From what I understand, the lower tow rating for the manual transmission is due to the clutch, it’s a bit weak. Also, if you spend most of your time on the highway the Mojave has a better ride than the Rubicon if that matters to anyone, this isn’t a Lincoln town car but either one will have a much better ride than the CJ5 I used to drive.

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

People that get vics like these and worry about highway driving. Man. That's major lol factor

[@shawnblaylock5956]

Mine handles the pot holes and bumps really well! 👍 Great ride for a Jeep

[@blantonator]

likable canadian dude.

[@hansbod6174]

They guys thanks for doing what you do, is there any chance of asking FCA to review a Willys gas engine model. At 75k cdn for a rubicon or Mojave and the limitation the both tune suspension for each model when useing it as a truck I am wondering if a lower trim like the willys is a better model

[@dantimber]

The lower trims seem to have higher payload ratings because they weigh less empty. Also the Max Tow package Option available on the Sport and Sport S will have the highest payload rating of any Gladiators.

[@brandonmcfarland5200]

The Jeep Gladiator Is A Must Off-Road Worthy. It Can Tow Between 2,000 LBS & 5,500 LBS Because The Tow Rating Is 7700 LBS Because Of The 4.10 Axle Ratio With A V6 & A Automatic Transmission If You Want To Tow With A Manual Transmission Get The Timberleaf Camper & The Lawnmower Hauler Because You Can Tow Between 990 LBS & 2500 LBS & It's Rated To Tow 4,000 LBS For The Sport Version & Then 4,500 LBS For The Rubicon & Then The Mojave Versions All For The Manual 🇺🇸.

[@IssaqAl-Ahmed]

I feel like this is a great package except for one glaring issue and that is power. If you really do plan to take it out into the sand, you are going to notice how much the engine has to work to get that wheel speed up. It is by no means a deal breaker, but I do feel that for a vehicle of that size and weight, in the sand, this might actually be a bit of an issue. Now if they brought the 392 to this thing then we really would have the full complement. At that point I this truck to be a no brainer if you are looking for something smaller than a Raptor but built to haul buns off-road.

[@richardthomas1531]

I think the 392 might take you too close to the edge, if you get my drift.Ive bumped my head enough times to remember I hit it just a little too fast.But it would sound fantastic with flowmasters.

[@dantimber]

More power is needed but the 392 is too heavy and would mess with vehicle dynamics. Ditto the 3L diesel

[@bsmith8943]

My 21 mojave is raked.

[@stanleyfurash7929]

Awesome review best I've read

[@middlehot]

For everyday driver willys is the package to go

[@RobustArid379]

Yes Dad! Yes Son! I love you DAD! Happy birthday Son!

[@DramA525]

Flying wow.

[@billfuller6950]

No tow haul mode with automatic either

[@brettgomberg3448]

Can you guys do a review of a Gladiator with the Max Tow Package?

[@TruckKing]

when it becomes available to us - yes.

[@randylong4051]

Max tow is basically the same as the Mojave best value

[@rodgood]

Most reviewers seem seem to dislike the low torque 3.6 with the manual, and the rev hang ? you guys thought it was good?

[@TruckKing]

We thought it was enough

[@thoughtloop1737]

When your dad says the truck wonders do you know if it has the silver (old) or black (new) steering box from the tsb?

[@Propelled]

The wandering is cured by inflating the tires properly. For some reason they come with 6,782psi in the tires.

[@juanpinto5743]

How fast were you going on the mud run?

[@TruckKing]

between 80-100Kmh or 50 to 60Mph

[@alexandermckay8594]

Steve, what was the on pavement ride like? The desert runners seem to be more compliant so I would think that the on road performance would be better than the standard Jeep suspension.

[@TruckKing]

softer yes, but wanders a bit more.

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

You don't get a jeep for pavement dude.

[@alexandermckay8594]

@@Apoc_Bone_Daddy People are daily driving these. On road is as important as off road.

[@technom3598]

@@Apoc_Bone_Daddy yet 98% of their use will be on pavement.

[@panagiotisf7228]

@@TruckKing I don't care abput wandering in a brick I have a 6th gen camaro for performance lol

[@robertrodriguez7013]

looks like a test needs to be done with only midsized trks.

[@cruiseplanners5031]

I'm looking at the Mojave and the Rubicon. We are a family of 4 living in Puerto Rico, rough and curvy roads, lots of beach, camping, paddle boarding and want to tow a small boat but we don't do any rock crawling, just muddy trails but the vehicle WILL be a daily driver. Would you suggest the Rubicon or mojave?

[@TruckKing]

Mojave should be plenty for what you're doing.

[@cruiseplanners5031]

@@TruckKing thank you!!

[@notnutzinjtown]

wow LED group is way cheaper in Canada