Does Jeep Gladiator Have A Tow Mode? (Must Read)

Who doesn’t love Jeep’s heavy-duty trucks? Their beastly engines, ruggedness, and towing capacity make them fan favorites.

However, if you’re a fan of the all-new Jeep Gladiator and want to use it for towing, you may wonder whether it has a tow mode. 

The Jeep Gladiator does not have a manually selectable tow haul mode. However, the truck’s system automatically detects when an additional load is attached and adjusts its transmission to cope. 

Is There A Tow Mode On Jeep Gladiator?

No, there is no tow mode on a Jeep Gladiator. Most people think there is a manually adjustable button in the Gladiator vehicle line that activates a towing mode, but there’s none.

The Gladiator does not come with a switch or button that you can turn on when you want to.

However, these vehicles can detect when extra weight goes on them. Therefore, each Gladiator can adjust its transmission to handle the extra load added.

It does this by increasing the speed and torque by producing more combustions. That helps it to handle the weight of the extra vehicle being towed.

If you like to press buttons and flip switches, the Gladiator’s automation may not appeal to you.

But it’s a plus, given that the system automatically measures how much more engine power it needs to carry the extra load added to it.

What Is Tow Mode?

Tow mode is a feature of some vehicles that enable them to carry extra weight without damaging their transmissions.

Tow mode is crucial for trucks like the Jeep Gladiator Sport and some SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee because they usually tow vehicles. 

When a vehicle is towing another, the pressure goes on the transmission system, and if it’s not regulated to control the increased combustion, there may be issues with the vehicle in the long run. 

Furthermore, controlling your truck when towing another can be a critical process. Not just because of the extra weight, but because of the rotating effect it might have on the towing vehicle.

This reason is why the torque of the towing vehicle has to be increased — so it can handle the rotation caused by the other vehicle. 

Another area tow mode becomes essential is when you’re towing a vehicle down a slope. The towing vehicle can safely navigate dragging extra weight down a hill or a steep incline in tow mode. 

How Does Tow Mode Work?

Tow mode works by regulating your Jeep’s automatic transmission speed when it’s carrying an extra load that’s not beyond its max tow package.

As aforementioned, when your vehicle hauls extra weight, more combustion is often needed to pull through the strenuous exercise.

Unfortunately, this extra combustion can mount pressure on your vehicle’s transmission system, which could damage it. 

When tow mode turns on, your vehicle becomes aware of the extra load and adjusts its system to the change to avoid damage. 

For example, if you’re traveling down a steep incline while towing a vehicle, your vehicle has to be slowed down not to damage your brakes.

So, in tow mode, your vehicle automatically manages how the transmission system will react — and in this case, it will produce less power. Can A Jeep Wrangler Tow An RZR?

However, the case is different when you’re going up an incline while hauling a vehicle.

When you turn on tow mode, your automatic transmission speed will adjust to provide a boost for your vehicle. 

In the Jeep Gladiator, these processes are pretty automatic, so it doesn’t have a button for it. Instead, it can detect when there’s extra load and adjust its transmission to follow suit. 

Can You Switch To Tow Mode While Driving?

Yes, you can switch to tow-haul mode while driving. However, for vehicles that enable tow mode automatically, like the Jeep Gladiator, you cannot turn it on as it may already have done so. 

Tow mode is really important when driving because it can be difficult to use your brakes in this period.

In addition, because there’s an extra drag on your vehicle, the brakes can be damaged when you use them.

Thus, in tow mode, your vehicle switches to the lowest gear and makes driving easier for you.

Nonetheless, if you exceed the Jeep’s max tow package, even using tow mode won’t compensate for the harm you’re causing it. 

Problems Associated With Using Tow Mode In the Jeep Gladiator

You’ll face a few problems while using the automatic tow mode in the Jeep Gladiator Sport.

Firstly, your fuel efficiency will reduce, meaning that you’ll spend more gas than when you’re not hauling anything.

Also, you’ll barely be able to see vehicles behind you alongside a couple more issues.

And you may damage the vehicle if you overload the Jeep Gladiator and exceed the Gladiator’s towing capacity.

Join me as I explain these problems below.

#1. Reduced fuel efficiency:

When your Gladiator is towing a vehicle, its fuel efficiency will drop reasonably, increasing gas consumption.

To keep up with the increased load, there’ll be more combustion to provide enough power to move the vehicle. And because gas is what this process depends on, it will use up a lot of it.

Though this isn’t a major issue, you should check for gas leaks from tubes and the gas tank, as the vehicle will pump the fuel at high pressure.

#2. Reduced visibility.

This problem is pretty obvious because if you’re towing with the Jeep Gladiator and the vehicle you’re hauling is just as big.

It will block your view and limit your field of vision to your side mirrors and front. As a result, you’ll barely be able to see other vehicles behind you. 

While most drivers usually honk before overtaking, those who do not could be putting you both in danger.

#3. Turning problems.

Steering a vehicle while towing another can be challenging. Although, while in tow mode, your vehicle’s torque increases, it doesn’t mean you’ll steer with much ease.

So, when you encounter sharp curves and steep bends when towing another vehicle, it’s best to be extra careful to avoid any accidents. 

#4. Tires wear out easily.

To overcome the drag from the vehicle you’re towing, your Gladiator’s tires need great traction. And the tires that come with the company typically do.

However, if you exploit the Gladiator towing capacity a lot of times, your tires will wear off more easily than when you don’t. 

If you want to use your Gladiator to tow a lot, you will have to change its tires to cope with the extra burden of other vehicles attached to it while hauling. 

#5. Overloading:

While the maximum towing capacity for Jeep Gladiator is 7650 pounds, it doesn’t mean that you should haul that much load all the time.

You’ll only be overloading the Jeep Gladiator and making its engine wear out faster. Furthermore, you could get into legal trouble as there often are state limits on what you can tow with your vehicle. 

So, to be on the safer side, it’s best to tow vehicles at least 500 pounds less. 

How we set up our Gladiator to tow our RV – Gear, Gadgets, and Go!

Summary

The Jeep Gladiator doesn’t have a manually selectable tow mode. However, its system detects when extra weight is being hauled by the vehicle and automatically adjusts accordingly.

More torque is applied to the vehicle in this state, giving it more control.

But fuel efficiency drops, and you may have issues seeing behind you. However, when towing small cars on straight, level roads, these problems are satiated to a reasonable degree.