The Jeep Gladiator combines the style of the Wrangler with the utility of a midsize pickup. It resembles a long, four-door Wrangler with the cargo area replaced with a truck bed. But what are the dimensions of the Gladiator's cargo area? You can put away your measuring tape; we've done the measuring for you.
The Jeep Gladiator's bed is 60.3" long and 56.8" wide except between the wheelhouses, where it is 44.8" wide. With a depth of 33.9", the Gladiator's bed has 33.5 cubic feet of available cargo space.
Knowing the size of your bed is just half the battle. We've got more information on different Gladiator trims, loading your bed, and even towing with your Gladiator. Keep reading to learn all about it.
Does Jeep Gladiator have Different Bed Sizes?
From the Freedom to the Willys, the Jeep Gladiator comes in 10 different trims. While these trims vary in several ways, including trim and wheels, they all have the same size bed.
While the beds might be the same size, that doesn't mean you can fit the same cargo in them. That's because different trims also come with different payload capacities, which is the maximum weight you can load in the bed.
What is the Max Payload for the Jeep Gladiator?
Some midsize trucks have longer beds than the Gladiator, but the payload is just as important. This is where the Gladiator shines.
The Gladiator has a best-in-class maximum payload of 1,700 lbs. on select trims. Those trims are the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Willys Sport, and Freedom.
Other trims have lower payloads, so be sure to check yours before loading heavy cargo in your bed. Here's a breakdown by trim:
- 80th Anniversary Edition - 1,105 lbs
- High Altitude - 1,120 lbs
- Overland - 1,140 lbs
- Mojave - 1,200 lbs
- Rubicon - 1,200 lbs
Is the Jeep Gladiator Bed Big Enough?
With five feet in length and a minimum width of 44.8 inches, the Gladiator's bed has room comparable to other midsize pickups. If this is enough will depend on what kind of cargo you plan on hauling.
When you need more length, you can drop the tailgate and use straps to secure your cargo. Cargo such as plywood will not fit in the bed with the tailgate up but can be safely transported when secured correctly. Check out how in the video below:
When to Flag Overhang
Depending on the length of your overhang, you may need to attach a red flag to alert other drivers. Laws vary from state to state, but the most common is that any rear overhang over 4' requires flagging. Check the laws in your area to know if you have more allowance.
Is Jeep Gladiator Wider than Wrangler?
Jeep's Gladiator and Wrangler are both the same width, at 73.8". With a height of 73.1", the Gladiator is slightly shorter than the 73.6" tall Wrangler, though you aren't likely to notice the difference.
While the Gladiator is no wider than the Wrangler, it is considerably longer. A four-door Wrangler, such as the Sport Altitude, is 188.4" long, while the Gladiator is 218" long. The length and the open bed allow you to carry more in your Gladiator.
Is the Jeep Gladiator a Full-Size Truck?
The Jeep Gladiator is classified as a midsize truck. This means it's in the same class as trucks like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado, rather than the F-150 or Silverado 1500.
Midsize trucks are, as you probably guessed, smaller than full-size trucks. That's not the only difference, though.
They tend to have lower towing and payload capabilities than their full-size counterparts. But don't write off midsize trucks just because they're a little less powerful on average.
The Gladiator's max payload is actually higher than some full-size trucks, such as most trims of the Toyota Tundra. While the Tundra's bed is longer, the Gladiator can haul heavier cargo.
You can learn more about the different classes of trucks in this post: 7 Types of Pickup Trucks You Should Know
What is the Most a Jeep Gladiator Can Tow?
The Gladiator has a maximum towing capacity of 7,650 lbs. when properly equipped. While this might be less than many full-size trucks, it means Gladiator has best-in-class maximum towing for a midsize truck.
It edges out the Ford Ranger's 7,500 lb. maximum and trounces Colorado's 7,000 lb. maximum.
Not all Gladiator trims can reach this maximum towing capacity. To do so, you need Jeep's Max Tow Package, which is only available for the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Willys S, and Freedom trims with automatic transmission.
Is There a Tow Package for the Jeep Gladiator?
There are actually two tow packages available for the Jeep Gladiator: the Trailer-Tow Package and the Max Tow Package.
The Trailer-Tow Package includes:
- Class IV receiver hitch
- 240-Amp Alternator
- Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling
- Trailer-Hitch Zoom
These features will keep your Jeep ready for towing and make the job of towing a trailer more convenient and easier on your engine. However, they don't increase your Gladiator's base towing capacity.
The Max Tow Package includes all the features of the Trailer-Tow package, as well as:
- Heavy-Duty Dana 44 Wide Front and Rear Axles
- 10 Axle Ratio
- Trac-Lok Anti-Spin Rear Differential
- 245/75R17 All-Terrain Tires
- Daytime Running Lamp System
- GVW Rating of 6,250 lbs.
The highest towing capacity for a Gladiator without the Max Tow Package is the Rubicon with automatic transmission. It has a base towing capacity of 7,000 lbs.
Can a Jeep Gladiator Tow a Camper?
With its best-in-class towing power, the Jeep Gladiator can tow a number of lightweight campers when properly outfitted. Here are just a couple of the best.
Winnebago Micro Minnie
Winnebago is one of the most recognizable names in the RV industry. Their Micro Minnie promises to be compact without compromise, and it delivers. The 2108DS floorplan was one of three campers named the 2021 Lightweight Travel Trailer of the Year by RV News.
The Micro Minnie is available in a variety of floor plans, with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) ranging from 4,200 lbs. to 6,000 lbs. This means that some trims of Gladiator can still haul it without the Max Tow Package.
Jayco Jay Feather Micro 166FBS
The Jay Feather Micro 166FBS was another of RV News's picks for the best lightweight travel trailers of 2021. With a GVWR of 4,995 lbs. it can easily be towed with the Max Tow Package.
It features an impressive 55-gallon freshwater tank and indoor and outdoor kitchens.
Jayco manages to get a lot in a small package with the Jay Feather Micro. You can see it all yourself in the video below:
These are just a couple of examples of Gladiator-ready campers, but there are dozens. Your Gladiator can tow even many toy haulers. You can find out about some of them in this post: 6 Small And Lightweight Toy Haulers Under 5,000 Lbs
Does the Jeep Gladiator have Manual or Automatic Transmission?
Each year, fewer and fewer vehicles are available with manual transmission. The Gladiator is an exception.
Each Gladiator trim level is available as either manual or automatic. If you like being in complete control of your shifts, the Jeep Gladiator and the Toyota Tacoma are the only midsize trucks with a manual transmission option in 2021.
Opting for manual transmission does come with some drawbacks, though. The towing capacity is lower for the manual transmission on all trim levels of the Gladiator.
Furthermore, the Max Tow Package is not available for manual transmission, so you won't be able to increase your towing capacity either.
Is the Jeep Gladiator 2WD or 4WD?
While many trucks come as either two- or four-wheel drive, the Jeep Gladiator has both. Instead of one gear shift, the Gladiator has two.
One standard gearshift selects parking, reverse, neutral, and drive (or gear for manual transmissions), and the other lets you toggle between two-wheel drive and different four-wheel-drive settings.
For driving in normal conditions on paved roads, simply keep the transfer case set to 2H for standard rear-wheel drive.
If you are dealing with slippery roads or some basic off-roading, you can shift to 4H at speeds from 0 to 45 mph. This will activate four-wheel drive, locking the front and rear driveshafts together.
For dealing with low-speed situations with minimal traction, you can also use the 4L. It would be best if you did not use 4L at speeds in excess of 25 mph.
For more information on how to use these settings, refer to the Gladiator owner's manual.
Final Thoughts
The Jeep Gladiator has only been on the market since 2019, but it has proven itself as a top-tier midsize truck.
While its cargo area may be run-of-the-mill in its dimensions, its best-in-class maximum payload and towing capacity, along with its distinctly Jeep design, help the Gladiator stand out from the crowd.