Tesla Cybertruck attempts California's brutal Rubicon trail and it goes awkwardly

The Tesla Cybertruck hit the Rubicon Trail and quickly turned into a test of broken tie rods, dropping battery levels, and constant repairs.

The Rubicon Trail is one of the most punishing off-road routes in the United States, known for boulders, steep climbs, and deep ruts.

The truck started with 85 percent charge and a stock of spare steering parts in hopes of making it through.

Instead, the attempt became a fight to keep the vehicle moving at all, with problems piling up as the miles dragged on.

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Tesla Cybertruck meets the Gatekeeper

The whole ordeal was filmed by CYBERTRUCKco via YouTube.

The first major obstacle, known as the Gatekeeper, forced the Tesla Cybertruck to rely on a winch almost immediately.

Hours later, it had only cleared a mile and a half, and nearly a fifth of its battery was gone.

Every stretch of the Rubicon Trail demanded crawling over rocks and grinding over slabs that put the truck under constant strain.

Tie rods broke repeatedly, becoming the most visible weak point.

Each time, the crew carried out trail repairs, swapping in spares until they ran out and had to use straps and duct tape.

Steering damage made the vehicle harder to control, while skid plates and suspension parts also took heavy hits.

The battery soon became another concern.

With no charging stations in the mountains, the crew relied on small generators that only restored a few percentage points after hours of waiting.

At times the battery dropped into the low teens, raising the possibility that the Tesla Cybertruck could be stranded miles from the nearest road.

Lessons from a brutal trail

The Tesla Cybertruck on the Rubicon Trail showed clear strengths in torque and crawl control but faced repeated mechanical breakdowns.

Tie rods failed often, forcing field repairs that slowed progress and consumed limited spare parts.

Steering racks and suspension pieces also bent or cracked under the load.

Battery performance added another layer of difficulty.

Starting with 85 percent charge proved insufficient for days of slow travel and lengthy recoveries.

External help, including spare tie rods and power support from other off-roaders, was needed to continue.

Without that assistance, the Cybertruck may have been left immobile in the Sierra Nevada.

The Tesla Cybertruck did eventually leave the Rubicon Trail under its own power, but only after repeated setbacks, repairs, and outside support.

The attempt showed the Tesla Cybertruck could handle some off-road conditions, but the Rubicon Trail pushed its tie rods, steering system, and battery to the limit.

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