DHappel Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 So you live in Northern California, you have a properly built Rover, and yet you've never done the Rubicon? Why Not?!? The Rubicon is THE iconic 4wd trail in the US (heck, Jeep even named their flagship after it) and it just happens to be in our back yard. I don't need to go into details about the trail as there's more than enough information on the interwebs about it to fill hours of browsing, but suffice to say it should be on every wheeler's bucket list. But it is a pretty serious trail and maybe you're not sure if you're up for it. Have I got a deal for you! How about if we team you up with some experienced Rubicon veterans for your first time? Still not sure if you're up for it? How about riding shotgun with somebody to see if this whole rock-crawling thing is your cup of Earl Grey? Here's the basic idea - A small group of perhaps 4 trucks entering at Loon Lake and heading out at Tahoe. Likely 3 days on the trail, camping at Buck Island Lake the first night and Rubicon Springs the 2nd. Depending on how much interest we have, we may do two groups or even split it up over two different runs. We'll have one or two experienced drivers and one or two new drivers. Possibly with an open shotgunner's seat or 2 as well. With the snows we've had this year, June is the earliest we can expect the trail to open. It's still too early to make any concrete plans regarding the snow melt, but the weekends of 16-18 and 23-25 look promising. This is not a trail for off-road novices, but if you've got some experience in the rocks under your belt and a decently built Rover we can get you through. What I'd consider minimum equipment:33" tires, either aggressive ATs or MTs - in good conditionfull size spare - in good conditionrock slidersskids (diff guards, gas tank, etc)front and rear bumperswinchrecovery points front and rearat least one lockergood spares and the knowledge to use them if needed Though it is fully possible to get through with no damage, you should be prepared to accept that it can and does happen. Things break. Body damage is possible. The trail is different each year after the spring runoff so you may luck out and get an easy run, but with the winter we've had I would expect the trail to be in rough shape. What rigs are suitable? Most Rovers can do it with the right equipment, but we're primarily looking at solid axle rigs. Yes, I did it last spring in my LR3 but if you want to try it in a late model rig like that you should really think hard about it as it's not easy. So - who's interested? If all goes well, we'll also do a late summer run, so if you can't make it this spring you'll have another chance. We could also look at moving that to the Dusy - another iconic NoCal trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 Wish I could make it but work going to be busy at that time .I'm still planing setting up a run for Dusy in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renelozano Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 Is it doable without any lockers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 My opinion- It can be done without lockers, but you will end up doing a lot of winching at key spots. And the group you are with will need to be cool with a rig that doesn't have lockers coming along - it will slow down progress a bit. And your "likelihood of damage" quotient will go up a bit since you will have more wheel spin. When I do the trail, I only use the ARB air lockers when I need em. But there were at least 15 - 20 times when I needed em. I probably wouldn't do it if I didn't have at one working locker. And if I did try it, I'd want to make sure I was a good experienced off-road driver - and had rigs with winches both in front of me and behind me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRovr Posted March 22, 2017 Report Share Posted March 22, 2017 As I mentioned in the chat, I'm very interested in taking my P38. Put me down, but I can't go Father's Day. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I definitely couldn't take my Rig... Although I would love to ride shotgun with someone if there is spare space available. I've only heard how hard Don rides his LR3 out in the sierras yet to go as a passenger to witness it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Wish I could make it but work going to be busy at that time .I'm still planing setting up a run for Dusy in September.I'm interested in ticking that particular box. My 'new' rig will be ready for the rocks soon, so I won't have to bash the LR3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I definitely couldn't take my Rig... Although I would love to ride shotgun with someone if there is spare space available. I've only heard how hard Don rides his LR3 out in the sierras yet to go as a passenger to witness it Don will not be driving the LR3 this time. If you come to the wrenching day on Saturday, you'll get a preview of why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Is it doable without any lockers?Doable? Yeah, anything is doable if you're willing to stack enough rock. I mean hey, some fool drove an LR3 through. But Chuck pretty much summed it up - I might be willing to fudge on the requirements a little; if Colin wanted to bring a non-locked rig I'd say sure...go for it. But he's highly experienced, has a high threshold for damage, and a high ability to repair said damage. For the average guy we don't want to get him in over his head so I think the above requirements are pretty solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRovr Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 But, @renelozano, this is a great opportunity for you to come ride along with some one else to get a feel for the trail and what kind of work you'd need to do to your truck to get it Rubi-ready. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Doable? Yeah, anything is doable if you're willing to stack enough rock. I mean hey, some fool drove an LR3 through. But Chuck pretty much summed it up - I might be willing to fudge on the requirements a little; if Colin wanted to bring a non-locked rig I'd say sure...go for it. But he's highly experienced, has a high threshold for damage, and a high ability to repair said damage. For the average guy we don't want to get him in over his head so I think the above requirements are pretty solid. Don, Some fool even took an unlocked D1 on Fordyce and got 7.5 miles ... well, to be totally correct, it had a locker in the front, but no air to it. Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Don, Some fool even took an unlocked D1 on Fordyce and got 7.5 miles ... well, to be totally correct, it had a locker in the front, but no air to it. GraemeWe Shall Return! (just not right away) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 But, @renelozano, this is a great opportunity for you to come ride along with some one else to get a feel for the trail and what kind of work you'd need to do to your truck to get it Rubi-ready. Sent from my Pixel using TapatalkHeck, there might even be time to BUILD that rig by June! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertcrawler Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Don, Some fool even took an unlocked D1 on Fordyce and got 7.5 miles ... well, to be totally correct, it had a locker in the front, but no air to it. GraemeCould have been 8.5 if the spare tyre got mounted the right way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauroness Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 Sign me up for shotgun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeWare Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 Could have been 8.5 if the spare tyre got mounted the right way... Chuck, Those wheels can mount two different ways .... Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 Chuck, Those wheels can mount two different ways .... GraemeApparently so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teds Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Definitely interested and hoping to get a day off work. Are we looking at starting Friday or continuing thru Monday? I will be in P38, 33 inch tires, no lockers but 4 wheel traction control, winch and armor and huge roof top tent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Definitely interested and hoping to get a day off work. Are we looking at starting Friday or continuing thru Monday? I will be in P38, 33 inch tires, no lockers but 4 wheel traction control, winch and armor and huge roof top tent. Ted, I know your P38 and I know your experience level with that thing so I'm fine with waiving the locker requirement for you. I would consider leaving the RTT at home though as there are some tight spots that may damage it. Right now it looks like we're going with Father's Day weekend. We'll talk a bit more off-line but I'm thinking start EARLY Friday (I'd suggest camping at Loon Lake Thursday night so you don't have to make the drive in at dawn). We'll also plan another run later in the summer so those of you who can't make it this time should get another chance. So far it looks like the following trucks: Don - D1 'convertible'Jason - D1Ted - P38 We have room for one more rig if anybody wants to join us. As for passenger seats, we've had a lot of interest. I know I'll have an open seat (if you ride with me you'd better pack light) and I believe Jason will as well. Ted, how about you? We'll sort out passengers as we get closer but it looks like we'll have no problem filling any open seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvRovr Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 Oh hell.... Keep me on the list and maybe I can still finagle a way to come...hate to miss having not one but TWO P38s on the 'Con.Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Oh hell.... Keep me on the list and maybe I can still finagle a way to come...hate to miss having not one but TWO P38s on the 'Con. Sent from my Pixel using TapatalkOh Yeah! Let's make that: Don - D1 'special'Jason - D1Ted - P38Chad - P38 I may have another guy interested as well, though he usually backs out at the last minute. That's pretty much a full convoy, but if anybody else is interested pipe up. We'll work on filling the shotgun seats later when we are more firm on our commitments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Count me as interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gotrovr Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 lemme see if Shrek is available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Now we're getting some interest. So right now we stand at: Don -D1Jason - D1Ted - P38Chad - P38Colin - RRCWill - D1 Possible my buddy in a Barbie car If we actually get this many rigs we'll break into 2 groups. 3 is a good number but 6 is a traffic jam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHappel Posted March 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 lemme see if Shrek is availableHave you run the trail before? I'm assuming yes but I'm not sure. Right now the only first timers we have are Chad and Ted and both of them have solid trail experience, they just haven't been through the Rubicon yet. I'm thinking of how we would organize the groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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