2021 Jeep Gladiator Towing Capacity

The Jeep Gladiator can tow between 4000 lbs and 7650 lbs depending on the engine and package selected. If there is no appropriate trailer hitch receiver, however, the 2021 Gladiator can only tow 3,500 lbs.

All Jeep Gladiators require that you purchase the tow package if you plan to use this vehicle for towing as the base does not come with a trailer hitch receiver.

It is important that you always check your manual and specific specifications to ensure you are towing safe amounts. It all starts with the GCWR. This article lists the GCWR and max trailer weight for all engine, trim, and package options taken from the 2021 Jeep Gladiator owners manual and a 2021 Gladiator Brochure.

This is meant to be used as a reference, and you are responsible for making sure you are towing safely.

I wrote a full article on calculating towing capacity that walks you through the necessary steps to ensure you are not exceeding the towing or payload capacity.

Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.

2021 jeep gladiator towing capacity featured image

How much can a Jeep Gladiator Tow?

All Jeep Gladiators can tow a minimum of 4000 lbs. Some options with tow packages can accommodate up to 7650 lbs.

The engine type, axle ratio, tow package, and transmission all affect the weight rating of the Jeep Gladiator.

What Jeep Gladiator should you buy for max towing?

The Sport or Sport S with an automatic transmission with the Max Tow Package will provide the highest towing capacity of 7650 lbs.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Engine Specs

3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine

The 3.6 L Pentastar V6 engine, also known as the 3.6 L V6 24V VVT engine has a maximum horsepower of 285 and torque of 260 lb.-ft.

It has a manual and automatic version and is the base engine in all Jeep Gladiator trim levels.

It estimates to get 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

3.0L V6 EcoDiesel Engine

The 3.0 L V6 EcoDiesel engine also known as the 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel engine is an automatic-only engine offered as an option on every trim.

This supplies more torque for higher towing with a maximum torque of 442 lb.-ft but supplies less hp at 260. It does have better fuel efficiency than the Pentastar with an estimated 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Transmissions

The Jeep Gladiator 3.6 L Pentastar engine comes in both manual and automatic transmission types. In every trim level, the automatic provides additional towing strength than the manual alternative.

The manual engine is a 6-speed transmission with code D478. The automatic transmission which is also equipped on the diesel Jeep Gladiator engines is an 8-speed transmission with the code 850RE.

Jeep Gladitor Features

Towing Features

The 2021 Gladiator has a feature called Trailer Sway Damping. This system monitors vehicle movement and changes brake pressure to improve handling when driving.

Bed Features

There is only a singular bed size for all Jeep Gladiators of 5 ft. It implements a three-position tailgate and 4 tie-down loops to ensure safe transport of your cargo (Brochure).

A full 115 bolt/400-watt power outlet is also installed in the truck bed to power small appliances on the go and when tailgating.

An additional special feature in the bed of the Gladiator is the Trail Rail System. This is a customizable and adjustable tie-down system that comes with various accessories from Jeep for maximum storage capacity and functionality.

Other Features

Just like other Jeeps, the Gladiator has 4 removable doors and options for both soft and hardtops.

It does however have a nice feature that adds a lockable storage bin under the rear passenger seats.

Packages

Trailer-Tow Package

The trailer tow package on the Jeep Gladiator simply allows the Gladiator to be used as a towing truck.

It adds a Class IV hitch receiver, trailer hitch zoom, 240-amp alternator, and a heavy-duty engine cooling system.

It does not increase the towing capacity of any of the trims it is added to. It is available as an add-on to all trim levels.

Max Tow Package with 4.10 Axle Ratio

The Max Tow Package offered by Jeep comes with the same features as the trailer tow package but adds:

  • 4.10:1 axle ratio
  • A/T tires
  • wide fender flares
  • GVWR of 6250 lb

It is only available on the Sport and Sport S trims and requires the 3.6 L Pentastar automatic engine.

Do you need a towing package?

If you plan to use the Jeep Gladiator for towing then you do need a towing package. Otherwise, you will not have the appropriate equipment to install a trailer.

Towing Capacity by Trim

As mentioned earlier the regular tow package does not affect the towing capacity of the vehicle, so all values listed below are for the Jeep Gladiator with or without a tow package.

Sport & Sport S Towing Capacity

Max Towing CapacityGCWRMax Payload CapacityAxle Ratio
Manual4,000 lb (1,814 kg)9100 lb
(4128 kg)
1225 lbs
1,700 lbs (Sport S)
3.73
Automatic4,500 lb (2,041 kg)9650 lb
(4377 kg)
1200 lbs3.73
Diesel-Automatic6,500 lb (2,948 kg)12,100 lb
(5,488 kg) 
1325 lbs3.73
Automatic
(Max Tow Package)
7,650 lb (3,470 kg)12,800 lb
(5,806 kg
1600 lbs4.10
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport Towing Capacity chart

Rubicon

Max Towing CapacityGCWRMax Payload CapacityAxle Ratio
Manual4,500 lb (2,041 kg)10,000 lb (4,536 kg)1300 lbs4.1
Automatic7,000 lb (3,175 kg)12,450 lb (5,647 kg)1250 lbs4.1
Diesel-Automatic6,000 lb (2,722 kg)11,800 lb (5,352 kg) 1075 lbs3.73
2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Towing Capacity chart

Overland

Max Towing CapacityGCWRMax Payload CapacityAxle Ratio
Manual4,000 lb (1,814 kg)9,100 lb (4,128 kg)1175 lbs3.73
Automatic4,500 lb (2,041 kg)9,650 lb (4,377 kg)1150 lbs3.73
Diesel-Automatic6,500 lb (2,948 kg)12,100 lb (5,488 kg1275 lbs3.73
2021 Jeep Gladiator Overland Towing Capacity chart

Mojave

Max Towing CapacityGCWRMax Payload CapacityAxle Ratio
Manual4,500 lb (2,041 kg)9,900 lb (4,491 kg)1200 lbs4.1
Automatic6,000 lb (2,722 kg)11,450 lb (5,194 kg)1200 lbs4.1
2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave Towing Capacity chart

High Altitude

Max Towing CapacityGCWRMax Payload CapacityAxle Ratio
Automatic6,000 lb (2,722 kg)11,100 lb (5,035 kg) 1075 lbs3.73
Diesel – Automatic6,500 lb (2,948 kg)12,100 lb (5,488 kg)1175 lbs3.73
2021 Jeep Gladiator High Altitude Towing Capacity chart

Jeep Gladiator Payload Capacity

The payload capacity of the Gladiator ranges from 1050 to 1600 lbs.

This means that the Gladiator can hold an extra 1050 to 1700 lbs in the bed and cab in cargo weight safely.

Check the chart below if you need the specific payload capacity of your Gladiator.

Max Payload
Sport/Sport S
3.6 L Manual
1,225/1,700 lbs
Sport/Sport S
3.6 L Automatic
1,200 lbs
Sport/Sport S
3.6 L Manual
Trailer Tow Package
1,225 lbs
Sport/Sport S
3.6 L Automatic
Trailer Tow Package
1,200 lbs
Sport/Sport S
3.6 L Automatic
Max Tow Package
1,600 lbs
Overland
Automatic/Manual
1,500/1,175 lbs
High Altitude
Automatic/Manual
1,050/1,075 lbs
Rubicon
Automatic/Manual
1,250/1,300 lbs
Mojave
Automatic/Manual
1,200/1,200 lbs
2021 Jeep Gladiator Curb Weight

Rear Step Bumper Towing vs Hitch Receiver Towing

Towing always requires some type of hitch, but the Jeep Gladiator can allow for bumper towing.

As you will notice, the tow package added to any Gladiators does not affect the towing capacity. This is because this package only adds a hitch receiver. You have the option to add your own hitch receiver if you don’t buy the tow package.

If you do not buy the tow package or install a hitch receiver, the max towing capacity is 3,500 lbs and the tongue weight max load is 350 lbs. This weight is limited to a bumper-mounted ball.

This means that all of the listed towing capacities above for everything over 3,500 lbs require a trailer hitch receiver or tow package.

Need a hitch receiver?

CURT 13434 Class 3 Trailer Hitch 2 inch receiver

Curt 13434 Class 3 Trailer Hitch 2 in. receiver

Amazon Affiliate Link

  • Class 3 Hitch Receiver
  • Compatible with Jeep Gladiator JT
  • Tows up to 5,000 lbs

JOEY TECCHI

I, Joey, am the owner and primary writer for Tailored Trucks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy taking my RAM pickup to the White Mountains for skiing, camping, or ATVing. Thanks for reading!

Leave a Comment