Community Forums

bjohnsonmn · 07-27-2020, 04:09 PM

For those towing a Gladiator, the manual says to disconnect the battery. Any idea why? And, for those not using the brute, how do you power your electric brake pusher?

stang37 · 07-27-2020, 10:50 PM

My Gladiator manual DOES NOT say to disconnect the battery. No where in the four down recerational towing section does it say to disconnect the battery. (Pages 373 - 375) The batteries in my Gladiator were too weak to allow my Patriot brake system to work. I had to run a 12 volt line from the motorhome to a separate plug for the brake unit to work. I've since change to the M&G brake system which is less of a hassle to hookup.

bjohnsonmn · 07-28-2020, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang37

My Gladiator manual DOES NOT say to disconnect the battery. No where in the four down recerational towing section does it say to disconnect the battery. (Pages 373 - 375) The batteries in my Gladiator were too weak to allow my Patriot brake system to work. I had to run a 12 volt line from the motorhome to a separate plug for the brake unit to work. I've since change to the M&G brake system which is less of a hassle to hookup.

It's funny, because it isn't in the step-by-step procedure, but it IS in the table that describes the three different forms of towing. I messaged over to the Jeep Wave people and they too were perplexed. They sent the note on to engineering to find out why there is a contradiction in the manual and to explain what could happen if they say you should disconnect it and don't. I'll share the information if I hear back.

I did take a look at the M&G. It looks like a sharp system, but with how I am planning to use the JT, I want to be able to fully remove any braking parts used for flat towing before I go off road. There are some areas I wheel in that any interference in the brake system could lead to a very, VERY bad day.

If I were purely light wheeling/touring/overlanding, I'd put that M&G in place in a heartbeat!

Cheers!

stang37 · 07-28-2020, 10:14 PM

The Gladiator has to have the 2.0 M&G brake system which doesn't attach to the brake cylinder. It use the an air cylinder and a cable that attaches to the brake pedal. I don't do rock climbing but do off road a good bit. I haven't had any issue with it interfering with the use of the brakes so far.