TLCA Official 25th Rubithon Thread (8 Viewers)

[Bad Coco]

You still have until June 1st to not have to pay a late fee, but if you are able, I'd really appreciate it if you can try to get your registrations in by May 15th. My shirt lady is hoping to get a large bulk of them done early. If not, we will make it work.

For any fans on the Little Sluice, you will love this years shirt! Shannon from RTF has done the artwork and I'm blown away by it!!!!

 

[chicago]

I just tried the online version from rubithon.com and it seems ok. The submit won't enable until you have all the required fields completed. If you want, email me at chairman@rubithon.com and I can send you the submittable version, may be a little easier. Thanks, Eric

Eric,
Thanks for the response. I just tried about a half hour ago and all that came up was the mail in form. I'll give it a go tomorrow.

K

 

[sethzilla]

Filled out the form online and hit SUBMIT. It seemed to go through on my end, i also sent money via PayPal. See you in June!

 

[sandrat62]

I filled my out online and submitted it. It didn't seem to go "anywhere"..lol. So I just played it safe an mailed mine in

 

[bigsal]

Need a little help

Thinking of finally doing this with my 55. No lockers, and you can see from my signature what else I've done. I lived in Tahoma for 13 years but never went down to the springs so I'm intimidated. Played a lot on the east side of the trail though. Will there be a run on Friday afternoon from the west that will be doable for a newbie iwth no lockers and only 33's? The cruiser is running great and I've got it all tuned tightened and safe.

 

[jonharis]

So Bluecruiser and I are thinking of bringing our 100s down next year to do this along with a few Book Cliff Cruiser members that drive real trucks

A few (very few) 100s have been through the Rubicon. We both are willing to accept body damage and feel that this is the time if any to do it cause we will have the best spotters around available. Looking forward to watching vicariously this year.

 

[TemboTusk]

So Bluecruiser and I are thinking of bringing our 100s down next year to do this along with a few Book Cliff Cruiser members that drive real trucks

A few (very few) 100s have been through the Rubicon. We both are willing to accept body damage and feel that this is the time if any to do it cause we will have the best spotters around available. Looking forward to watching vicariously this year.

Jon,

Saying this trail is intense is putting it mildly. There seems to be an insurmountable obstacle every twenty-five feet and every obstacle is harder than the last one you crossed.

Your hundred needs to be locked, armored, lifted and big tires. Oh and big balls! Matter of fact, even your spotters needs big balls!

No, my 60 did not do this trail! I spotted for a friend in an 80 series and walked the entire trail backwards!

Loved every minute of it! What a beautiful trail.

 

[jonharis]

Jon,

Saying this trail is intense is putting it mildly. There seems to be an insurmountable obstacle every twenty-five feet and every obstacle is harder than the last one you crossed.

Your hundred needs to be locked, armored, lifted and big tires. Oh and big balls! Matter of fact, even your spotters needs big balls!

No, my 60 did not do this trail! I spotted for a friend in an 80 series and walked the entire trail backwards!

Loved every minute of it! What a beautiful trail.

Well it's locked front/rear, 3-4" of lift (body/suspension) armored all around, and rolling on 35s with 4.88s and will have the Marlin T-Case gears by then. I fully feel that the rig is capable. Now on the balls front, I'm not sure. I feel that it would depend hugely on how competent my spotter was. I'm no longer afraid to put a dent in it but also know my limits and if I can't get it past the gatekeeper with some semblance of comfort, I wouldn't hesitate to bow out. I figure this event is the best time to give it a go.

 

[PKP80]

You are good to go with that setup. The trail has gotten easier with time and you will be fine.

 

[PKP80]

Filled out the form online and hit SUBMIT. It seemed to go through on my end, i also sent money via PayPal. See you in June!

Seth, the whole fam. coming? I'm planning on bring the wife.

 

[sethzilla]

Yeah Sam, the boy is 3 now so momma says,"OK"
We'll be camping at Loon Lake wed night, then starting the trail on Thursday morning. See ya there buddy.

 

[Camino]

Jonharis, last summer we saw a couple with a 2010 Jeep commander do it with a 3 inch lift and 315's. It is similar in size to the 100 series. They got some dents, but had fun!. L.B.

 

[woooody]

Just getting on board w/ this and this will be my first rubithon...
Can only run fri- sun.
Is the only way to register via MAIL? seems the online reg is not working??

Stoked for this. Not sure what to expect going in so late in the event.
Any pointers would be appreciated. Gonna go with the wheeler deal for the package? (2 dinners, t tees, raffle ticket)? I am assuming there are other folks who come in for the weekend as we will?

Keith

Keith -- Leave early Friday, and you may want to just drop in from Tahoma. This really isn't a Friday - Sunday type of run, which is why the event runs start on Tuesday. If you come in from Loon Lake side, you will really want to budget two days, but the Friday run is "straight through" and leaves at 7 AM, so be prepared to crash hard Friday night.

I've been on runs where we only get half way, and it's close to Midnight when we do make camp. I've also seen people fly through in 8 hours (or less). Just depends on luck, experience of the drivers, and breakage.

As for pointers - pack a lunch, you may have to eat on the fly. Go through your entire truck, tighten everything, and then tighten your knuckles at the trail head. Bring a good attitude.

Good Luck!

 

[woooody]

Well it's locked front/rear, 3-4" of lift (body/suspension) armored all around, and rolling on 35s with 4.88s and will have the Marlin T-Case gears by then. I fully feel that the rig is capable. Now on the balls front, I'm not sure. I feel that it would depend hugely on how competent my spotter was. I'm no longer afraid to put a dent in it but also know my limits and if I can't get it past the gatekeeper with some semblance of comfort, I wouldn't hesitate to bow out. I figure this event is the best time to give it a go.

Jon -- a couple of things regarding "balls" - It really comes down to trusting your spotter. There are certainly some "tippy" spots, so keep as much weight as low as possible. Limit your roof packing (if you do that) to sleeping bags, tents etc.

Pointers:
1) Stay off the skinny pedal. If you start hopping -- 3 times or more = broken pinion.
2) Air down as low as you can, even with your weight you'll probably want to be down in the 14 lb range in the rear, maybe 11 or 12 in the front.
3) pay attention at all times. Rocks seem to "Jump out" if you get distracted.
4) Don't get on it backing up. Seems like that's always when people break.

Enjoy

 

[Chartdog]

We usually get many "Can my rig make it" questions at this point in the planning. Some time ago I wrote the below narrative for a group that I was leading on the Rubicon. Thought I would share in case it helps anyone.

Can my rig make it through the Rubicon? That question is both easy and hard to answer at the same time. Almost any mild to moderate trail rig can “make it” to the end of the trail. The real questions are how hard will you have to work, what damage will you sustain, how many times will you get super stuck and delay others, and in the end will it be a good experience or a bad one.
If you have not done the trail, or similar hard trails before, it is difficult to know how you will react. Are you patient and cooperative? You need to be. Do you actually listen to a spotter and are you willing to accept help from others? I sure hope so.
Is your ego wrapped up in your rig and your success? Do you think that you know enough that you don’t need a pointer now and then? If so I will recommend a different run, one that I am not on.


There are many variations on how rigs are “set up” these days. Generally the bigger the tires, the lower the gears and the presence of lockers will make it easier. However, it is not correct to say that simply because a rig has these things, that it will be fine. A bad driver can have trouble with the best rig and a good driver can get most stock rigs down most trails.
The other sometimes serious issue with “built” rigs is the attention to the little things. Is the rest of the rig in good condition and properly maintained. Were the weak points that one modification created taken care of? Are the basics in good shape? I can’t count the number of times I have found myself with someone on the trail with what appears to be a “built” rig. Then we find out that the starter is acting up or the engine tends to overheat while crawling slowly. You can become “that guy” real fast in situations like this.


So you see the real answer is “it depends”. Is your rig set up with the traditional basic mods for this type of trail? Is it in good, no, is it in great shape otherwise. Are you prepared for vehicle damage? Some damage is probable and you have to accept the possibility that it could be worse. It happens to the best of us. Are you open minded and do you play well with others?
The best way to do a trail like Rubicon for the first time is with a group of people that have much more experience with the trail. With the right attitude it can be the best run you have ever been on.



Not trying to preach, just food for thought.

 

[Pighead]

. I'm no longer afraid to put a dent in it but also know my limits and if I can't get it past the gatekeeper with some semblance of comfort, I wouldn't hesitate to bow out. I figure this event is the best time to give it a go.

This is the best run for your first time. You WILL get back out. Dents are one thing, on the Rubicon you can lose tail light lenses and crunch rain gutters. I remove my rear-view mirrors at Loon. I've seen others remove their tail light lenses there.
The Gatekeeper got blown up years ago...

Edit: found pics of the gatekeeper...(on 35s). Note that door mirrors have been removed.

 

[Bad Coco]

Thinking of finally doing this with my 55. No lockers, and you can see from my signature what else I've done. I lived in Tahoma for 13 years but never went down to the springs so I'm intimidated. Played a lot on the east side of the trail though. Will there be a run on Friday afternoon from the west that will be doable for a newbie iwth no lockers and only 33's? The cruiser is running great and I've got it all tuned tightened and safe.

The run that would most suit you from Loon would be the FJC run on Tuesday or the Andy Pollock wagon run on Wednesday.

I would NOT due Friday as we are only having the sweeper run and they need to try to be in by 3pm. You could hook up the the 10am TOTR run from Tahoma and not have any problems at all. Feel free to give me a call after 5pm if I can help more 530-401-0800

 

[Bad Coco]

Filled out the form online and hit SUBMIT. It seemed to go through on my end, i also sent money via PayPal. See you in June!

I got it, and see ya in a few weeks!!!!

 

[Bad Coco]

Well it's locked front/rear, 3-4" of lift (body/suspension) armored all around, and rolling on 35s with 4.88s and will have the Marlin T-Case gears by then. I fully feel that the rig is capable. Now on the balls front, I'm not sure. I feel that it would depend hugely on how competent my spotter was. I'm no longer afraid to put a dent in it but also know my limits and if I can't get it past the gatekeeper with some semblance of comfort, I wouldn't hesitate to bow out. I figure this event is the best time to give it a go.

You'll be good with that set up. Just take your time and don't be afraid to roll some rocks if you need it. Hope to see ya in a few weeks!

 

[concretejungle]

Jon I'm pretty close to you in setup except I'm locked rear only. Come on the wagon run with us and you will be fine. A personality mark here and there is a good thing. I only ask for no broken glass or drivetrain, the rest is part of the experience