TLCA Official 25th Rubithon Thread (1 Viewer)

[45Kevin]

I'll be wanting to park my tow rig at the Tahoma end of the trail, and driving my 45 around to the beginning (west end of trail).

I see there are staging areas at the east end. Are they safe to park a truck for several days?

Is there a hotel or walmart parking lot that be safely used in Tahoma?

 

[Camino]

There isn't a Walmart or any real industry at the end of the trail. The trail ends in a neighborhood. The area is good and safe, but I am not sure how many days you can legally leave a truck and trailer unattended.
Most people leave tow rigs in the Loon Lake or Wentworth Springs area (lots of free parking) then wheel into Rubicon Springs, then after their stay, either reverse the trail to their tow rigs, or climb Cadillac Hill and go to the "lookout" and then reverse the trail to their tow rigs.
Exiting Rubicon Springs, the "Cadillac hill" obstacle is pretty tough and worth the challenge, and the "Lookout" is a great picture opportunity. But the road from the "Lookout" to trail end at Tahoma, is just long slow and dusty, and we prefer to skip it.
Since we drive in from the local area, our exit plan is to reverse the trail, return to Loon Lake and then drive home.

 

[55guy]

Just a heads up

You guys that drive automatic transmission ,,, Please have good Reliable STARTERS !!
My 2 cents from a Trail Monkey on the Bill Jackson run !

 

[Bad Coco]

This is a rookie question, but can someone post a map of where the meeting place is so I can start planning the details of the trip out? Or even a link to a map

If you go to www.rubithon.com there is a tab that has several maps that would be of use to you. Both a trail specific map and of the general area. If you need more help, call me 530-401-0800. Eric

 

[Bad Coco]

I'll be wanting to park my tow rig at the Tahoma end of the trail, and driving my 45 around to the beginning (west end of trail).

I see there are staging areas at the east end. Are they safe to park a truck for several days?

Is there a hotel or walmart parking lot that be safely used in Tahoma?

Has been offered here.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=8411201&postcount=97

 

[45Kevin]

Thanks Eric. Don't know how I missed that.

Will that route get me back on the highway faster? It looks like an hour or two of highway driving from Tahoe to the Icehouse staging area, and then a full day on the trail to the camping site.

How long is it on the trail from the camping site to the east end of the trail?

 

[Bad Coco]

Thanks Eric. Don't know how I missed that.

Will that route get me back on the highway faster? It looks like an hour or two of highway driving from Tahoe to the Icehouse staging area, and then a full day on the trail to the camping site.

How long is it on the trail from the camping site to the east end of the trail?

I'd say about 2 hours or so to drive around from the Tahoma side (Eastern side) to Loon.

As far as from the Springs where we will be having all the festivities back to Tahoma, will vary on the number of rigs and any problems encountered on Cadillac. Can be done in 2 hours, can take all day. If there is a snarl on Cadillac, there are no bypasses! If all goes smoothly, we should have everyone to Tahoma no later than 3pm. And that is for the stragglers.

 

[concretejungle]

I would like to add that i "think" i will be traveling out with my RTT on. I"ve been told it's probably not a good idea to wheel with it up there, so, if guys are leaving trailers i might want to leave my RTT locked to a trailer if that's OK?

 

[Pighead]

Good idea or no, we're running with our RTT...

 

[peesalot]

What is a RTT ?

 

[nuclearlemon]

What is a RTT ?

roof top tent

 

[Bad Coco]

I'd think whether you should keep your RTT on or not is up to the vehicle and the driver. Mudrak comes in with one, and that man/vehicle can go anywhere. I will warn you there are a few side hills that may make you pucker a bit, but in the end, I know it IS doable, because Mudrak does it.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

I'd think whether you should keep your RTT on or not is up to the vehicle and the driver. Mudrak comes in with one, and that man/vehicle can go anywhere. I will warn you there are a few side hills that may make you pucker a bit, but in the end, I know it IS doable, because Mudrak does it.

I don't think all the 80's are quite built or driven like mudrak's 45.
Here is link to mudrak in the little sluice (before it was paved). It looks like I will finally get a chance to drive the little sluice box this year, there just wont be any bragging rights earned now that its been filled in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjHKk8ddbJk

 

[concretejungle]

gotcha. Thanks for the replies. It will be a "game day decision" then. But, i just want to make sure that i have an option and can drop it and stash it for the run if need be. I know cruiserdrew has offered up his house to leave it, but that would give me a pretty good trip out of the way. It's a good back-up plan if needed.

 

[Bad Coco]

gotcha. Thanks for the replies. It will be a "game day decision" then. But, i just want to make sure that i have an option and can drop it and stash it for the run if need be. I know cruiserdrew has offered up his house to leave it, but that would give me a pretty good trip out of the way. It's a good back-up plan if needed.

There is a post a bit back about one of the guys in Tahoe offering this up. My club lives mostly in Placerville, Pollock Pines area and many have offered up there place as a staging point.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I've done the Rubicon in an 80 with a RTT.
It was VERY tippy in a few spots...as I recall, one was at the top of Walker Hill and a couple more on the slabs right before Buck Island.

Most everything else was okay...not great, but okay.

This was my "low-rider" 80 (2.5" OME and 315/75/16 MTRs)...about 6 years ago...but as we all know...the trail is different every year.
Your Mileage May Vary...

 

[concretejungle]

I've done the Rubicon in an 80 with a RTT.
It was VERY tippy in a few spots...as I recall, one was at the top of Walker Hill and a couple more on the slabs right before Buck Island.

Most everything else was okay...not great, but okay.

This was my "low-rider" 80 (2.5" OME and 315/75/16 MTRs)...about 6 years ago...but as we all know...the trail is different every year.
Your Mileage May Vary...

That's pretty much where i'm at but i want to enjoy the trail too. So i will probably work with someone to drop it off at Tahoe and pick it back up.

Thank you for that info though. At least it makes me feel better that it can be done if i have to.

 

[BENTACOD]

So we are planning on attending the Rubithon for the first time in a 01 trd Tacoma, what are the minimum requirement to take on the trail? Thanks Ben

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

So we are planning on attending the Rubithon for the first time in a 01 trd Tacoma, what are the minimum requirement to take on the trail? Thanks Ben

If you go to:
http://www.rubithon.com/
Click on "prep" and you have the basic vehicle requirements.
From my personal experience. I can say that I have done the trail in a 94 ifs mini truck with 33" tires, 4:88 gears, single locker in rear and tcase skid plates, sliders and front and rear bumper. That is a pretty minimal setup. A tcase crawler gear would have been most helpful as would a more flexible sas front end and a front locker, 35" tires would have been nice too. The trail seems to get rougher every year, but on the other hand certain obstacles like the gate keeper, little sluice and certain other squeeze rocks have been made easier. I have put more energy (and money) into my Land Cruiser (because it has a back seat for the kids) and the auto tranny, double lockers and 35" tires make it easier, but I would not hesitate to drag and bump and scrape and dent my mini truck over the trail again.

 

[BENTACOD]

The trucks on 265 75 16s now, its close to a 33 but not? Is it acceptable or should we be looking at new rubber? Thanks for the insight on the Con...