My, how time flies. It seems just like yesterday when FCA introduced the Jeep Gladiator in 2018. Sure, the off-road pickup lacks the requisite payload to haul a large, slide-in truck camper, but that’s okay. The Gladiator was made to play in the dirt and mud, which is why this mid-size truck so popular. Aside from it’s iconic good looks, the Gladiator features a number of things that endear it to off-road enthusiasts, including removable body panels, Dana 44 wide axles, Trac-lok front and rear lockers, skid plates, an electronic disconnecting rear sway-bar, 30 inches of water fording, and a standard 3.6L V6 that produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque coupled with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic. In this article we provide the payload ratings for the 2023 Jeep Gladiator mid-size pickup truck.
Unfortunately, when it comes to payload, this rock-crawling, mud-slinging beast is a 4,900-pound weakling. With the gasoline-powered V6, the best that the Jeep Gladiator can haul is only 1,700 pounds, and that’s going with the basic Gladiator Sport S trim. You’ll get far less buying the Gladiator Overland which offers only 1,125 pounds of payload. Why are the Gladiators numbers so low? Because mid-size trucks are smaller in size and simply offer less. Yes, the Gladiator’s coil spring suspension that was designed to lift and articulate rather than haul a heavy load like a truck camper, doesn’t help, but like we said earlier, that’s okay. If you need more payload, there are plenty of full-size trucks, like the Ford F350, Chevy Silverado 3500, and Ram 3500, that can provide it.
2023 Jeep Gladiator
All Gladiators come with a crew cab configuration with an all-steel 5-foot (60 x 57-inches) truck bed, 4WD, 17-inch wheels (sans the Overland with 18-inch wheels and High Altitude with 20-inch wheels), and a 22 gallon fuel tank. Most come with a 180 amp alternator except for the Rubicon, Mojave, and Overland trims which come with a larger, 240 amp alternator.
For specific Gladiator options, we recommend going with “Trail-Rail Management System,” which features a 400-watt inverter with a bed-mounted 110-volt outlet, an under-seat storage bin, and auxiliary switches and an upgraded charging system for any aftermarket accessories added after the fact. Looking to maximize Jeep Gladiator payload to haul a truck camper? Get either Sport S trim for a 1,700 pound payload or the Sport S trim with the excellent “Max Tow Package,” which offers a payload of 1,600 pounds. The Max Tow Package comes with Trac-Lok rear locker, 4:10 axle ration, front and rear Dana 44 wide axles, a 240-amp alternator, 245/75R17 all-terrain tires, a class IV receiver hitch, and a heavy-duty engine cooling system.
- Base price: $38,305 (Sport)
- Powertrain: 3.6L V6 with a six-speed manual transmission
- Max payload: 1,700 pounds (Sport S)
- Max towing: 7,700 pounds (3.6L V6)
| Truck | Rear Axle Ratio | Cab/Bed Length | GVWR | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiator Sport | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
| Gladiator Sport S | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 6,305 lbs | 1,700 lbs |
| Gladiator Sport S w/Max Tow | 4:10 | Crew/5 ft. | 6,250 lbs | 1,600 lbs |
| Gladiator Willys | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
| Gladiator Willys Sport | 4:10 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,192 lbs |
| Gladiator Texas Trail | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
| Gladiator Rubicon | 4:10 | Crew/5 ft. | 6,250 lbs | 1,200 lbs |
| Gladiator Overland | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,125 lbs |
| Gladiator Mojave | 4:10 | Crew/5 ft. | 6,140 lbs | 1,192 lbs |
| Gladiator Freedom | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
| Gladiator High Altitude | 3:73 | Crew/5 ft. | 5,800 lbs | 1,125 lbs |
A Warning About Options
When it comes to payload, options can either hurt or help a truck’s rating. Off-road capability means less payload, which is why the feature-packed Rubicon trim offers only 1,200 pounds of payload (seven skid plates pack a lot of weight to say nothing of large wheels and tires, winches, and other off-road goodies). Ditto for 4WD. That feature, while great for driving on rough roads, sand, and snow, isn’t so great for your payload rating—the typical 4WD drivetrain weighs 300 pounds more that the 2WD version. Still, a maximum payload of 1,700 pounds is a decent amount of payload for this off-road beast, which makes it an irresistible mule for carrying a truck topper or a camper shell.
Jeep Gladiator with an AT Overland truck topper.
I always thought a truck was 1/2 ton, standard cab and 8 foot bed with a rear window rack for a builders level. Times change. 🙂
Currently drive an F150 with ext cab and 6.5 foot bed. I’ve slept in the back with a snugtop cap but it leaked like a sieve and dusty roads were a major problem. Got rid of the cap. I’d love a popup camper (four wheel) but don’t want to drive to California to get one. The times that I actually find myself using 4 wheel drive I also find my truck is almost too big for the roads. Don’t think I want anything bigger. Just not for what I do. And I don’t know any hardside truck campers that I think are light enough for my 21xx pound payload F150.
I think truck campers are kinda relative to what your doing. GrizleyNbear have gone around the world I think with a popup and land rover. I think I just want to hit remote trout streams to fish and not worry about driving back into town to find a hotel. Not crazy about tents and really don’t want to tow anything. A popup would be glamping for me. I drive multisurfaces: interstate, chip & seal, gravel, dirt, mild two track … mostly anywhere you could drive a minivan. 🙂
The Jeep just seems like it might be the right ticket for some folks. I can definitely see it better suited for those tight spots and I bet there is a popup available at about 700 pounds. Can’t speak for Jeep reliability. Haven’t heard or seen anything that would cause me to pause if I were interested in getting one. I like my F150 but a Jeep would be an easier drive in some places … just my 2 cents.
Trucks with 5 foot beds – Gladiator, Tacoma Sport and others – always beg the question — why? A typical adult can’t easily sleep in that space and given its payload as you describe, it can’t haul anything resembling a truck camper. And while this is purely anecdotal and not scientific, its the offroad vehicle I see most often broken down or on the back of a wrecker.