The Tesla Cybertruck‘s attempt to conquer the Rubicon Trail turned into a grueling ordeal, marked by broken tie rods, rapid battery depletion, and constant roadside repairs.
The Rubicon Trail, renowned for its extreme difficulty, features challenging terrain like massive boulders, steep inclines, and deep, uneven tracks.
The Cybertruck began its journey with an 85% battery charge and a supply of replacement steering components, aiming to complete the formidable trail.
However, the attempt quickly devolved into a struggle to maintain the vehicle’s operability, with a series of mechanical issues surfacing as the miles wore on.
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Tesla Cybertruck meets the Gatekeeper
The entire challenging experience was documented in a video by CYBERTRUCKco on YouTube.
The first significant obstacle, the Gatekeeper, required the immediate use of a winch to pull the Cybertruck through.
Just an hour and a half into the trail, the Cybertruck had only progressed 1.5 miles and consumed nearly 20% of its battery charge.
Each segment of the Rubicon Trail presented challenges, forcing the truck to navigate over rocks and rough terrain, putting immense stress on the vehicle.
Frequent tie rod failures emerged as a significant weakness, necessitating numerous repairs along the trail.
The crew repeatedly replaced broken tie rods with spares, eventually resorting to straps and duct tape when their supply ran out.
Steering damage compromised vehicle control, while skid plates and suspension components also sustained substantial damage.
Battery life quickly became another pressing issue.
Lacking charging infrastructure in the mountains, the crew relied on small generators, which only provided a minimal increase in battery percentage after several hours.
At times, the battery charge dwindled into the low teens, raising the real possibility of the Cybertruck being stranded miles away from civilization.
Lessons from a brutal trail
The Cybertruck’s Rubicon Trail experience showcased its strengths in torque and crawl control but revealed vulnerabilities in its mechanical durability.
Persistent tie rod failures led to repeated repairs, hindering progress and depleting spare parts.
The steering rack and suspension components also suffered from bending and cracking due to the extreme stresses.
Battery performance further complicated the challenge.
Starting with an 85% charge proved insufficient for days of slow progress and recovery efforts.
The crew needed external assistance, including spare tie rods and power support from fellow off-roaders, to keep going.
Without this aid, the Cybertruck may have been marooned in the Sierra Nevada wilderness.
The Tesla Cybertruck ultimately exited the Rubicon Trail under its own power, but only after facing persistent problems, making repairs, and accepting external help.
The endeavor revealed that while the Cybertruck possesses some off-road capabilities, the Rubicon Trail pushed its tie rods, steering system, and battery capacity to their limits.
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