Hey LAM. Diesel tow rig #2/ Roadtrip

[Riley1]

We sold the X5 when we moved to Nevada (Our last “diesel tow rig” https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/threads/hey-lam-our-new-diesel-tow-rig.168412/) and we’ve been using our old 06 Expedition to tow our boat ever since. With close to 200k miles it’s about ready to die so we decided it was time for a new truck. I knew I wanted a Jeep truck but I kept going back and forth on which engine and trim level. We finally decided to go with the 3.0L diesel and the Rubicon model. This truck will also be our toad for the motor home.

We shopped around and got several recommendations about a dealer near Boise, Idaho. We built the Jeep online and sent it to the fleet manager who came back with a price that no one could touch.

We went ahead and ordered the Jeep on September 25th. We got the call on Monday saying it has been delivered and we could pick it up anytime.

Airfare for 3 was pretty pricy so we decided to make the 10 hour drive up there. Also, my wife has a family friend that lives there so we had a place to stay for a couple nights.

We drove up Wednesday and then hit the dealer first thing Thursday morning. Everything was done ahead of time so we were only at the dealer about 45 minutes. It was overall the best buying experience we’ve ever had.

After we left the dealer, we spent the rest of Thursday exploring Boise and the surrounding areas. We headed back home this morning and looking forward to hitting a trail tomorrow morning!

 

[boatpi]

You will
Love it I have a 2020 ram 1500 3.0 diesel.

 

[Riley1]

You will
Love it I have a 2020 ram 1500 3.0 diesel.

700 miles in and loving it.

 

[Rondog4405]

I have the chevy small diesel.. fn awesome highway gas mileage.

 

[BUDMAN]

Congrats on the new tow rig.

 

[shock22]

Congratulations on the new ride

 

[RodnJen]

Congrats, looking forward to your long-term road test with this. We’re keeping our X5 35d for awhile, it’s been fantastic. Working a Gladiator diesel into the mix would make sense in a couple of years.

 

[Runs2rch]

We sold the X5 when we moved to Nevada (Our last “diesel tow rig” https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/threads/hey-lam-our-new-diesel-tow-rig.168412/) and we’ve been using our old 06 Expedition to tow our boat ever since. With close to 200k miles it’s about ready to die so we decided it was time for a new truck. I knew I wanted a Jeep truck but I kept going back and forth on which engine and trim level. We finally decided to go with the 3.0L diesel and the Rubicon model. This truck will also be our toad for the motor home.

We shopped around and got several recommendations about a dealer near Boise, Idaho. We built the Jeep online and sent it to the fleet manager who came back with a price that no one could touch.

We went ahead and ordered the Jeep on September 25th. We got the call on Monday saying it has been delivered and we could pick it up anytime.

Airfare for 3 was pretty pricy so we decided to make the 10 hour drive up there. Also, my wife has a family friend that lives there so we had a place to stay for a couple nights.

We drove up Wednesday and then hit the dealer first thing Thursday morning. Everything was done ahead of time so we were only at the dealer about 45 minutes. It was overall the best buying experience we’ve ever had.

After we left the dealer, we spent the rest of Thursday exploring Boise and the surrounding areas. We headed back home this morning and looking forward to hitting a trail tomorrow morning!

View attachment 942574 View attachment 942575 View attachment 942576 View attachment 942577 View attachment 942578

Dave Smith was the dealer right?

 

[Riverhound]

Nice truck... Look forward to hearing how it does with the diesel in it.

 

[Danger Dave]

Dave Smith was the dealer right?

Probably Dennis Dillon in Caldwell. Dave Smith is about 8 hours north of Boise.

 

[Activated]

Soft top?

How easy is it to take off and put on?

I think my next vehicle is a Jeep but had not thought about a Gladiator.

 

[Riley1]

Dave Smith was the dealer right?

Peterson out of Nampa Idaho. Kent Shurtleff has a pretty good program going. Custom order below invoice pricing with Tread Lightly program. He sells to people all over the country (including Alaska and Hawaii).

 

[Riley1]

Nice truck... Look forward to hearing how it does with the diesel in it.

Yesterday we drove ≈650 miles at 75mph into a gnarly headwind the whole time and averaged 22.5 mph. The fusion hybrid only got 32. I hear they do better after they break in. I’ll update everyone after we tow the boat for the first time.

 

[riverroyal]

Great color

 

[Riley1]

Soft top?

How easy is it to take off and put on?

I think my next vehicle is a Jeep but had not thought about a Gladiator.

I’ve only flipped it back so far. I had a hard top on my JK, and took it off often, and since my wife complained about helping me, it ended up being a solo job. With this soft top, we will more often than not probably leave the top on with the rear window and corners removed. Kinda like having a Bimini top.

As seen here

 

[WhatExit?]

Congrats on your Gladiator Diesel!

This is my "SxS" on 37's, regeared, Metalcloak Game Changer lift...

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Great deal!

 

[jeepdog]

I like it buddy

 

[Riley1]

Congrats on your Gladiator Diesel!

This is my "SxS" on 37's, regeared, Metalcloak Game Changer lift...

View attachment 942643

In time. I plan on a MC Game changer with 6 pack in the future. First will probably be a 1.5 spacer. Probably run the 33’s for a while. Then 37’s with American adventure labs fender kit.
first thing will be an ARB twin compressor. I’ll be ordering that today. Then probably a shrokworks front bumper so u can tow it behind the RV from shackle mounts. Going to take our time building it up.
Making plans for 2021 Easter Jeep Safari in March too.

 

[Riley1]

So why buy a Jeep? Definitely not for trips to the mall.

Took it out today (3 days old) for our first trail run. Pretty easy trail called Borro Wash that took us down to the river about a mile or 2 south of Willow Beach.
@Mrs. Riley1 had the same annoyed/angry expression today that she did5 years ago when our JK was new and we contacted the rock sliders for the first time. But hey, that’s why we bought the Rubicon

trail was super rocky and rough. Even aired down to 16 psi. But only had 1 real obstacle that the gladiator had no trouble with.

 

[JB in so cal]

How much weight will you be towing? Long distance of to the ramp? Nice jeep!

 

[Runs2rch]

So why buy a Jeep? Definitely not for trips to the mall.

Took it out today (3 days old) for our first trail run. Pretty easy trail called Borro Wash that took us down to the river about a mile or 2 south of Willow Beach.
@Mrs. Riley1 had the same annoyed/angry expression today that she did5 years ago when our JK was new and we contacted the rock sliders for the first time. But hey, that’s why we bought the Rubicon View attachment 942732 View attachment 942733

trail was super rocky and rough. Even aired down to 16 psi. But only had 1 real obstacle that the gladiator had no trouble with. View attachment 942734 View attachment 942737 View attachment 942735 View attachment 942736 View attachment 942738

Can a setup half ton make Burro wash?

 

[Runs2rch]

In time. I plan on a MC Game changer with 6 pack in the future. First will probably be a 1.5 spacer. Probably run the 33’s for a while. Then 37’s with American adventure labs fender kit.
first thing will be an ARB twin compressor. I’ll be ordering that today. Then probably a shrokworks front bumper so u can tow it behind the RV from shackle mounts. Going to take our time building it up.
Making plans for 2021 Easter Jeep Safari in March too.

You will want to run Kings in place of the 6 packs. Way better combo with the GC setup.

 

[Riley1]

Can a setup half ton make Burro wash?

Would depend on how set up. A stock one would probably make it with a bit of scraping. We’ll go with you as far as you’re comfortable with next time you’re out.

 

[Riley1]

How much weight will you be towing? Long distance of to the ramp? Nice jeep!

The Lavey weighs in at about 5800 on the trailer with a little over half a tank. Would be close to 6 with a full tank. We pulled it with our X5 which had a 3.0 diesel with 8 speed and that, to date, has pulled it the best. Better than our 5.4 equipped expedition s and better than a 97 7.3 diesel dually.
From our driveway to the ramp here at mead is maybe 6 miles. But we often tow to Laughlin and Havasu also.