While normal driving may not require their use, ANY emergency stop will be far shorter when using trailer brakes than without them, even with a "fairly light" trailer, which is not light at all compared to the payload of your gladiator. That said, I recommend against using any of the cheaper "time delay" style controllers. They slowly ramp up the brakes as you stop, which can work fine for normal driving once you get used to it, but time ramped brakes are useless for an emergency situation, where you need max brakes immediately. Waht you want is a proportional brake controller.
I've been using Prodigy P2's for years now and I LOVE them. I had one Primus EQ which also worked good but was a little less "visual". I have not had one single issue with Tekonsha controllers, while others have given up on me over the years. I think the Redarc is also a good controller if judged by reviews, and the hidden aspect is nice, particularly in vehicles that don't have a place to hang a Prodigy. There is a Wrangler specific kit that includes a snap in bezel for mounting which might work in the Gladiator too... The Redarc Liberty is even priced well against the other proportional controllers.
I suspect that the factory brake controller is actually just a re-branded redarc style controller, but I'm not certain... It does talk about TWO harnesses under the dash, so it may be better integrated to consider ABS and stability control needs than any aftermarket controller... That can be nice, but for limited towing use, probably not necessary for the cost increase.
