Jeep engineers have worked hard to ensure that the Gladiator is not only fun but also functional.
Jeep’s eagerly awaited new Gladiator fits nicely in the Venn diagram area where “Jeep lovers” and “pickup enthusiasts” intersect. The Gladiator is a car that almost everyone has loved. People have waited patiently for the day when the Gladiator will grace their local Jeep dealerships. Thankfully, that day is quickly approaching.
How useful is the Gladiator’s truck bed? The Jeep parts house Quadratec explains it all in a video that shows no detail is overlooked, no dimension is missed, and no tailgate left unopened. Quadratec’s Rob Jarrell arrives at the Philadelpia Auto Show armed with a tape measuring instrument to inspect the Gladiator’s body.
According to published data, the Gladiator’s payload capability is 1,600 pounds for a bed of five feet. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The bed opening measures approximately 49 inches in width. This is more than four feet wide, enough space to fit a standard sheet 4×8′ plywood. The width of the bed narrows to 44.5 inches where rear wheel wells protrude into it.
To compensate, the Jeep engineers have some tricks up their sleeves. The wheel wells’ tops are flat and narrow, so a 2×6″ board can be fit behind them. This creates a platform and support that allows sheets of plywood to be supported.
What supports the plywood? Jeep engineers also thought of this. The three-position tailgate, which can be folded in any direction, is an innovative idea that uses low-tech cleverness and high-mindedness to accomplish its purpose. Simply place the tailgate cabless under the support bracket and you’re done. The tailgate top is now at the right height to support that sheet of plywood.
Although it feels like the wait for Gladiator has been long and painful, it looks like it will be worth it.