The 2026 Jeep Gladiator can tow up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. With a factory tow package, ratings run from 6,000 to 7,700 pounds depending on the trim, the axle ratio and the package on the truck. If you plan to pull a trailer, boat or camper, the right configuration matters. This page breaks down 2026 Jeep Gladiator towing and payload by trim so you can match the truck to what you haul.
2026 Jeep Gladiator Towing Capacity Overview
Every 2026 Gladiator shares the same powertrain. That gives you a fixed starting point before you compare trims.
- Maximum towing: 7,700 pounds (Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group)
- Maximum payload: 1,720 pounds (Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group)
- Maximum GCWR: 12,850 pounds
- Engine: 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic, standard on every trim
- Four-wheel drive: standard on every trim
- Trailer Sway Control: standard on every trim
- Trailer wiring: four-pin and seven-pin connectors, standard on every trim
Because the engine and transmission do not change, the towing number comes down to three things: the trim, the axle ratio and the tow package.
Towing Capacity by Trim
The 2026 lineup includes five trims: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave and Rubicon. Jeep also offers the Willys ’41 special edition. Jeep’s 2026 specifications do not list separate towing figures for it, so check the door-jamb label on any Willys ’41 you are considering.
Two tow packages shape the ratings. The Trailer Tow and AUX Switch Group adds a Class IV hitch receiver, a heavy-duty 240-amp alternator, heavy-duty cooling and auxiliary switches. It is optional on Sport and Sport S and standard on Willys, Mojave and Rubicon. The Max Trailer Tow Group includes the Class IV hitch receiver, the 240-amp alternator and heavy-duty cooling, plus wide-track axles with a 4.10 axle ratio. It is offered on Sport and Sport S only.
Here is how the 2026 lineup compares, using Jeep’s published 2026 specifications.
| Trim | Axle Ratio | Max Towing (lbs) | Max Payload (lbs) | GCWR (lbs) | Tow Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | 3.73 | 6,000 | 1,025 | 9,650 | Class II hitch standard. 6,000-lb rating requires the optional Trailer Tow Group. |
| Sport S | 3.73 | 6,000 | 1,025 | 9,650 | Class II hitch standard. Trailer Tow Group optional. |
| Sport S with Max Trailer Tow Group | 4.10 | 7,700 | 1,720 | 12,850 | Class IV hitch, heavy-duty cooling, 240-amp alternator, wide-track axles |
| Willys | 3.73 | 6,000 | 1,025 | 11,150 | Trailer Tow Group standard |
| Mojave | 4.10 | 6,000 | 1,050 | 11,450 | Trailer Tow Group standard |
| Rubicon | 4.10 | 7,000 | 1,100 | 12,450 | Trailer Tow Group standard |
A few points to keep in mind as you read the table:
- The Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group is the only configuration rated at 7,700 pounds.
- The Rubicon has a standard 4.10 axle ratio and is rated at 7,000 pounds.
- The Mojave also has a standard 4.10 axle ratio, but its rating is 6,000 pounds. A 4.10 axle alone does not set the tow rating.
- Jeep’s 2026 specifications do not publish a tow rating for the Sport or Sport S with only the standard Class II bumper hitch. If you plan to tow with a truck that does not have a tow package, check its door-jamb label.
Payload Ratings Explained
Towing and payload are two different numbers, and both matter when you load up.
Towing is the weight you pull behind the truck on a trailer. Payload is the weight you carry in the truck itself. Payload includes passengers, cargo, accessories and the tongue weight of a trailer resting on the hitch.
The highest 2026 Gladiator payload is 1,720 pounds on the Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group. Most other configurations fall between 1,025 and 1,100 pounds.
When you plan a trip, add up everything the truck carries, not only the trailer. Four adults, gear in the 5-foot bed and a 700-pound trailer tongue can add up to more than a 1,025-pound payload before you leave the driveway.
How to Choose the Right Configuration
Start with the heaviest trailer you expect to pull, then work back to the trim.
- Trailers up to 6,000 pounds: Sport or Sport S with the Trailer Tow Group, or a Willys or Mojave, which include it as standard.
- Trailers between 6,000 and 7,000 pounds: Rubicon, or Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group.
- Trailers above 7,000 pounds, or heavy cargo in the bed: Sport S with the Max Trailer Tow Group. It has both the highest towing rating and the highest payload.
- Towing plus off-road use: Rubicon. It pairs a 7,000-pound rating with Tru-Lok locking differentials and an electronic sway-bar disconnect.
Many towing guides recommend keeping your loaded trailer at or below about 80 percent of the rated maximum. That margin helps with braking, hills and crosswinds.
Verify Your Vehicle’s Ratings
Before you hook up a trailer, check the label on the driver’s side door jamb. It lists the ratings for your specific truck, and it is the number to trust over any general figure, including the ones on this page.
Keep these factors in mind:
- GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is the most the truck, trailer, passengers and cargo can weigh together. On the 2026 Gladiator it ranges from 9,650 to 12,850 pounds depending on configuration.
- Wheels and tires can change your truck’s ratings, so check before you swap them.
- Accessories such as bumpers, winches and racks add weight and reduce payload.
One recent customer described the help they got finding a Jeep for a specific towing need: “Greeted quickly and searched their inventory to find a very specific Jeep to fill a flat tow situation” (Rich, Google review, October 2026).
If you have questions about a specific truck, our team at Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Gilbert, AZ can walk through the ratings and the door-jamb label with you.
Find the Right 2026 Jeep Gladiator for Your Towing Needs
Ready to compare trims in person? Browse new Jeep Gladiator inventory at Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, see all new Jeep models, or contact our sales team to talk through tow packages and configurations.
Specifications are from Jeep’s published 2026 Gladiator specifications and are subject to change. Ratings vary with equipment. Always confirm the ratings on your vehicle’s door-jamb label.