Rubithon 2008 June 18th- 22nd, 2008

[Romer]

Originally Posted by 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine

So Todd...what's the word? We'd like to interview you during this trip, take some pics of you wheeling, you and the other TLCA brass that are attending; but I can't if I don't hear from ya! Email me or PM me so we can coordinate.

Thanks,

Dave

Gee Dave, If Todd doesn't call you you can drop by the Rising Sun Camp and interview daughterofromer. She has already been in your magazine once. Look for the 11 trucks from Colorado.

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Done! We will find your group and anyway, don't I owe you a drink or three?! can't wait Ken!

Dave

[Kaderabek]

Did I miss an email from you? If so, I apologize.

Flying in Wednesday, hitting the trail with the Metal-tech crew on Thursday morning, up Cadillac and down the mountain to flights out on Sunday. I'll be around.

TJK

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by Romer

Gee Dave, If Todd doesn't call you you can drop by the Rising Sun Camp and interview daughterofromer. She has already been in your magazine once. Look for the 11 trucks from Colorado.

Undoubtedly a better choice.

TJK

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

Undoubtedly a better choice.

TJK

She is a little more photogenic.

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by hatfieldcb

She is a little more photogenic.

Speaking of yourself, of course.

TJK

[hatfieldcb]

Better watch out.

[Kaderabek]

I have only the utmost respect for Mr. Romer's daughter. You, on the other hand....



TJK

[TLCA_Paul]

So I got a call from someone today. I Am gona try to make it. From what I got figured out. I can make it there by maybe 10pm friday night. Come in from tahoe side, drive the van in a few miles, then hit the Mt Bike for the trek down. I hope I can remeber the way. its been a few years. SO if ya see me late night on the trail, give my backpack a ride. And maybe even feed me LOL.

[Romer]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

I have only the utmost respect for Mr. Romer's daughter.
TJK

Why thank you Todd

[Kaderabek]

I have one too. She's my pride and joy. I can relate.

TJK

[Kaderabek]

Originally Posted by TLCA_Paul

So I got a call from someone today. I Am gona try to make it. From what I got figured out. I can make it there by maybe 10pm friday night. Come in from tahoe side, drive the van in a few miles, then hit the Mt Bike for the trek down. I hope I can remeber the way. its been a few years. SO if ya see me late night on the trail, give my backpack a ride. And maybe even feed me LOL.

Wear the hat.

TJK

[TLCA_Paul]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

Wear the hat.

TJK

This hat?



Or the helmet. Me, one a bicycle at night. I think the helmet may be a better choice. But sometimes I dont make the right choice.

[balls 2 claws]

A huge roung of applause for Mudrak and his (2007) Cadillac Hill committee Bill Stayner, Pat Kennedy, Mike and Dale Knorr! Volunteers are always accepted.

and big JIM (tail gunner )

[hatfieldcb]

Originally Posted by TLCA_Paul

This hat?


.

At least if you get lost with the hat you can run the lights and we can find you easier.

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Well if daughterofromer shoots that then I will have to interview her. here's mine. Colt M4 Match Target with HK mags. Good shooter, but that one is a tack driver, clearly.

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Originally Posted by Kaderabek

Did I miss an email from you? If so, I apologize.

Flying in Wednesday, hitting the trail with the Metal-tech crew on Thursday morning, up Cadillac and down the mountain to flights out on Sunday. I'll be around.

TJK

Roger that Todd. We'll end up meeting your crew on Thursday, we will already be at Buck as of Wednesday. Looking forward to meeting you!

Dave

[woooody]

Originally Posted by 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine

Roger that Todd. We'll end up meeting your crew on Thursday, we will already be at Buck as of Wednesday. Looking forward to meeting you!

Dave

Won't you already be moving by the time Todd's run gets there? Certainly you aren't planning on just staying at Buck for all of the runs?

[pjohnson]

What run is the Metal Tech crew on? 7am or 9am or ?

Just curious as MTA is going with Big Jim at 7am and it'll be a good sized group.

Phil

[TRT2]

Metal Tech is on the Buck overnight.

All groups are good sized, even the small ones.

[knoll0351]

This may be another stupid question, but will there be spotters along the trail? Will we be spotting for each other...or will we be running "semi blind"? This weekend Toy350 and I were chatting and discussing the wide array of vehicles we've hear of running this trail stock high mod...and how some stock rigs come out unscathed and other highly mod rigs come out bashed. Our conclusion was line, driver, and spotter?

[petescoffee]

Originally Posted by knoll0351

This may be another stupid question, but will there be spotters along the trail? Will we be spotting for each other...or will we be running "semi blind"? This weekend Toy350 and I were chatting and discussing the wide array of vehicles we've hear of running this trail stock high mod...and how some stock rigs come out unscathed and other highly mod rigs come out bashed. Our conclusion was line, driver, and spotter?

Tony can respond to this in more detail. But simply put there are not spotters camped along the trail. (Except on Sunday at Cadillac Hill) However, in the organized runs there are trail leaders and tail gunners and sometimes a 3rd in the middle. Let your trail leader know when you need a spot, don't be shy. In most of the hard areas they will go through it and then spot everyone else. This does not apply to Mudraks run.
You will be able to watch others go through the trail ahead of you within your group and that helps a lot.
In some areas Carnage Just Happens. It can happen in a easy area or a hard one. This trail always seems to have a rock that likes to reach out and touch you. I have seen others that have gone through the trail with out a scratch, just not me. Bring a great attitude and consider the scratches and dents a remembrance of the trip. If you get to hung up on the dents and scratches then you won't have a good time. Besides a trip to the paint shop when the event is over covers them all up. More Bondo Please!

Dave

[woooody]

Originally Posted by knoll0351

This may be another stupid question, but will there be spotters along the trail? Will we be spotting for each other...or will we be running "semi blind"? This weekend Toy350 and I were chatting and discussing the wide array of vehicles we've hear of running this trail stock high mod...and how some stock rigs come out unscathed and other highly mod rigs come out bashed. Our conclusion was line, driver, and spotter?

For the majority of the trail, you self spot by following the line of the guy in front of you. In other spots, your passenger would spot you. As Dave said, in the really hairy spots a Trail Committee person from your run would spot the group.

Since you're driving an FJC, and since you are NOT on the FJC run, life is going to be a little tougher for you. BIg Jim's run is going to try to be a "fast moving" run, meaning that they expect most to be able to follow the lines, and stay together.

If you have armor, and aren't worried about plastic trim, you should be OK. Hopefully you've developed a good feel for your rig, and how to finesse it. I know at McGrew you had a few issues, but the key as always is that when you get into situations, slow down, listen to spotters, and ease through things before "romping" on it.

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Originally Posted by TRT2

Metal Tech is on the Buck overnight.

All groups are good sized, even the small ones.

Ah, I thought he'd be part of the "Straight Through" run that left Thursday morning.

[TRT2]

I believe we chatted on the phone and I noted my concerns to you. As stated then and here, you will be in a relatively fast moving group, and passing the FJCruiser group somewhere before Buck Island. Also, I believe you are in this group with another buddy (Garrett)? Fall in behind them and they can provide aid as needed. (although Garrett is also going to have his hands full... )

Rubithon is an advanced run. There are some good photos recently of some trips across the trail in the land cruiser section on Pirate4x4. You can gauge the size and abundance of the rocks. They are big, and they are numerous. I can guarantee you will take body damage. We all do.

Rubicon will make the McGrew sluice look like a paved road. Ross and I believe now we remember you from that run... hopefully you have mastered the A Trac and can control the wheel spin. Very important.

If you decide it is too much, there is no shame in declining and I will refund (most) of your money.

Don't read me wrong, we want you to attend and have a good time... but I also want you to know what you are getting into. I have seen grown men cry (wait, that was me). There is no shame in opting out.

I specifically noted body damage to the FJ cruisers in the confirmation... don't say we didn't warn you.

Originally Posted by knoll0351

This may be another stupid question, but will there be spotters along the trail? Will we be spotting for each other...or will we be running "semi blind"? This weekend Toy350 and I were chatting and discussing the wide array of vehicles we've hear of running this trail stock high mod...and how some stock rigs come out unscathed and other highly mod rigs come out bashed. Our conclusion was line, driver, and spotter?

[knoll0351]

I've been expecting superficial damage to body panels and such, just wasn't sure how much to expect with the mixed reviews. In a worsed case we will be catching up with the wagon run and the cruiser run along the way?

[Cruiserdrew]

Everyone running the trail should be prepared for significant damage, body and mechanical. It's just the way it is. You can be on a perfect line, roll one boulder and bash your entire side on a tree or rock. It's no ones fault and in fact just the nature of the activity. It's also a tradition in 4wheeling that the driver is always in charge and at fault. The spotter is trying to help to the best of their ability, but YOU are responsible for your truck. If you don't like the spotter's line, get out and survey it yourself.

Look at the guys with the most experience like Mudrak, Pismo Jim or Tony. Their trucks are heavily damaged, crunched, mangled, modified etc. it's not because they are bad drivers.

As the leader of the Wagon run, I let everyone know up front, that if they are not willing to have significant damage to their truck, they should not be on the trail. We try to avoid it, and mostly do, but this is not a trail for the feint of heart in a new truck.

The FJC has some special concerns about the strength of the front end, the rear diff and the like. I've seen them do well at Rubithon, but don't expect to come out clean, since you probably won't. Like all other wagons, there is lots of sheet metal in harm's way, and half a second of inattention can take out a whole quarter panel.

I learned early on from Pismo Jim, that you can expect 1 dent in the body each time you run the Rubicon trail. That held true for me until last year when I had my first and only run without any new damage at all. It's all statistics, and I'm due this year.

[woooody]

Originally Posted by knoll0351

I've been expecting superficial damage to body panels and such, just wasn't sure how much to expect with the mixed reviews. In a worsed case we will be catching up with the wagon run and the cruiser run along the way?

As Tony notes above -- the run you are on is scheduled to PASS them on Thursday, as jim's run will be "efficient" and the FJC run will be "cautious".

[CA Annie]

Just so you know, we had SIGNIFIGANT pin-stripping on our FJ before we made the first payment. And, it's got a few real trail bruises on it, already. While we are of course aiming for a blemish-free drive, we hardly expect it!

Cannot wait!

[jsuthey]

Just bring some "got body damage" stickers that have been floating around the last few years.You get body damage,slap the sticker on there like a band-aid and call it good!