2026 Ram 1500 and Jeep Gladiator: The Best Fall Trucks for Hunting and Game Day

Fall in Greenwood and the surrounding areas runs on two schedules: deer season and football season. Some weekends you’re up before dawn heading to a stand in the Long Cane district of Sumter National Forest. Other weekends you’re loading coolers for Clemson or Columbia. The right truck handles both without breaking a sweat.

At Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT in Greenwood, two trucks come up in almost every fall conversation: the 2026 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Jeep® Gladiator. Here’s how each one fits your season.

What Makes a Great Fall Truck in South Carolina? 

Before you compare models, think about how you’ll actually use the truck from October through January:

• Lockable, weatherproof storage for gear you don’t want rolling around the bed
• Onboard power for phones, speakers, and slow cookers at the tailgate
• 4×4 capability for red clay, wet field roads, and muddy lease tracts (4×4 vs. AWD explained)
• Payload and towing for feeders, corn, coolers, or a UTV trailer (see our Ram 1500 towing guide)

2026 Ram 1500: Your Tailgate Headquarters

The 2026 Ram 1500 might be the most tailgate-friendly truck on the road, thanks to two class-exclusive features.

RamBox® Cargo Management System 

These lockable storage bins are built into the bed walls. They’re weatherproof, drainable, and lit, so many owners fill one with ice and use it as a built-in cooler. The driver-side bin also has a 115-volt outlet for game day power.

Multifunction Tailgate 

The available tailgate splits 60/40 and swings open like barn doors, so you can reach deep into the bed without climbing in. It opens up to 88 degrees and still folds down traditionally to hold up to 2,000 pounds. That’s plenty for a buffet line or a morning’s worth of gear.

With up to 2,360 pounds of payload, the Ram 1500 also handles feeder season, firewood runs, and a full crew’s worth of coolers. Engine choices range from the 3.6L Pentastar® V6 to the 420-horsepower Hurricane inline-6. The HEMI® V8 is back, too. See our HEMI vs. Hurricane comparison to decide.

2026 Jeep Gladiator: The Trail-Ready Hunting Truck

If your season involves more logging roads than parking lots, the 2026 Jeep Gladiator belongs on your list. Every Gladiator comes with 4×4, a 3.6L V6 rated at 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and an eight-speed automatic.

Why hunters like it:

• Up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance for rutted tracks and creek crossings
• Up to 7,700 pounds of towing when properly equipped, enough for an ATV or UTV trailer
• Up to 1,720 pounds of payload and a five-foot bed that fits narrow gates and tight trails
• Removable doors and top for warm October days. For 2026, Jeep updated the door hinge hardware to make removal quicker and easier.

Browse our Quality Off-Road page for lifted and trail-built options.

Ram 1500 vs. Jeep Gladiator for Fall at a Glance

Gear Up With Mopar® Accessories

Customize your truck for the season with genuine Mopar accessories, from bed liners and tonneau covers to all-weather floor mats that stand up to mud and red clay. Browse the Mopar Accessory Brochures or shop the Online Parts Store.

Get Your Fall Truck Before Opening Day

Explore new Ram and Jeep inventory, check current new vehicle specials, or shop used trucks for a budget-friendly hunting rig. If you’re trading in, start with our Value Your Trade tool.

Visit us at 1525 SC-72 in Greenwood or call 864-396-2394 to schedule a test drive.

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