Cybertruck Beast Conquers Broken Arrow Trail – Sedona, AZ

[rbecker1014]

Took the Cybertruck Beast out on Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona, AZ, this past weekend. For those unfamiliar, it is rated about a 5/10 not the toughest, but it has steep rock climbs, narrow sections, and a few technical descents.


Performance & Observations

• Aired down to 36 PSI for better traction.
• Removed the Cybertruck Cyber wheel covers before the trail.
• Used diff locks periodically for the climbs.
• Only bottomed out once.
• Sustained minor damage to the rear plastic under the hitch, nothing serious.

Issue Encountered

About halfway through the trail, I started hearing a knocking sound from the front end when the diff lock was engaged. It only happened while climbing but hasn’t come back since. No issues on the approximately 460-mile drive back to San Diego.

Reactions on the Trail

The Cybertruck got a ton of attention with people constantly asking if it was really 4x4 and taking photos. Definitely stood out among the usual Jeeps and side-by-sides.

Curious if anyone else has experienced that knocking sound with diff lock engaged? Otherwise, the truck handled the trail better than expected, and I’d take it out on similar-rated trails again.

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[Shadowmite]

I seem to remember reading that the lockers make a sound like that when they actuate but have not heard it myself yet. Think I saw that in the out of spec off road review video...

 

[rbecker1014]

I seem to remember reading that the lockers make a sound like that when they actuate but have not heard it myself yet. Think I saw that in the out of spec off road review video...

I'll look for that video. Thanks.

 

[ZillaVilla]

I haven't braved any trails with my Cybertruck yet, but when I Jeep around I need to get under 20 PSI before things really smooth out and I can drive on soft sand without sinking. That's with 35x12.5" tires. The Cybertuck being heavier and tires being 35x10" I'm curious, did airing down to 36psi feel much different in terms of softening the little bumps?
I'm holding out for underbody armor before I risk it, you're much braver than I!

 

[Ljhughes8]

It takes a few feet to to the locker to release

 

[rbecker1014]

It didn’t soften the small bumps. But it definitely helped with traction. I watch several videos of this trail before I went and other trucks/Jeeps were spinning tires a lot on these rocks. I only burned a little rubber once. Other than that it fell as sure as a mountain goat.

I seem to remember reading that the lockers make a sound like that when they actuate but have not heard it myself yet. Think I saw that in the out of spec off road review video...

41:51 he references the knocking.

 

[BlueLightning]

Glad there were no issues besides the occasional knock that went away.

Sand and snow can be tricky.

Way to show them in the CT how it’s done!

 

[Outdoors]

It didn’t soften the small bumps. But it definitely helped with traction. I watch several videos of this trail before I went and other trucks/Jeeps were spinning tires a lot on these rocks. I only burned a little rubber once. Other than that it fell as sure as a mountain goat.

41:51 he references the knocking.

How do you know it helped with traction if you didn't try it without lowering air? Other trucks and jeeps aren't really relevant to the statement it helped.

 

[65SoYoLO]

I like the rubber on the 18" wheels. plenty of flex.

 

[Cactusrick]

I haven't braved any trails with my Cybertruck yet, but when I Jeep around I need to get under 20 PSI before things really smooth out and I can drive on soft sand without sinking. That's with 35x12.5" tires. The Cybertuck being heavier and tires being 35x10" I'm curious, did airing down to 36psi feel much different in terms of softening the little bumps?
I'm holding out for underbody armor before I risk it, you're much braver than I!

I live 2 miles from open desert and mountains and take my Beast off road all the time. I get others on quads, Jeeps etc - staring

and taking pictures. It's getting AZ pinstriping on the wrap but WTH that's what it's for.... having fun. The 4x4'ings great ..only drawback is the size.. but ground clearance helps that....

 

[Cybergirl]

I live 2 miles from open desert and mountains and take my Beast off road all the time. I get others on quads, Jeeps etc - staring

and taking pictures. It's getting AZ pinstriping on the wrap but WTH that's what it's for.... having fun. The 4x4'ings great ..only drawback is the size.. but ground clearance helps that....

I've held off wrapping for that reason. Replaced the side mirrors with cameras as well after they were damaged.

 

[Cactusrick]

How do you know it helped with traction if you didn't try it without lowering air? Other trucks and jeeps aren't really relevant to the statement it helped.

Experience?

 

[ZillaVilla]

How do you know it helped with traction if you didn't try it without lowering air? Other trucks and jeeps aren't really relevant to the statement it helped.

Stock tire pressure is like 47psi, and the poster reported lowering it to 36psi. So he did I improve traction some.

 

[cardad]

Took the Cybertruck Beast out on Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona, AZ, this past weekend. For those unfamiliar, it is rated about a 5/10 not the toughest, but it has steep rock climbs, narrow sections, and a few technical descents.


Performance & Observations

• Aired down to 36 PSI for better traction.
• Removed the Cybertruck Cyber wheel covers before the trail.
• Used diff locks periodically for the climbs.
• Only bottomed out once.
• Sustained minor damage to the rear plastic under the hitch, nothing serious.

Issue Encountered

About halfway through the trail, I started hearing a knocking sound from the front end when the diff lock was engaged. It only happened while climbing but hasn’t come back since. No issues on the approximately 460-mile drive back to San Diego.

Reactions on the Trail

The Cybertruck got a ton of attention with people constantly asking if it was really 4x4 and taking photos. Definitely stood out among the usual Jeeps and side-by-sides.

Curious if anyone else has experienced that knocking sound with diff lock engaged? Otherwise, the truck handled the trail better than expected, and I’d take it out on similar-rated trails again.

You’re not actually driving around the whole time with your front diff locked right? That should be even more selectively engaged in slippery conditions than the rear or you will damage steering components. Usually if you need to turn your front locker should be off. FYI your covers will stay on at 60+ mph off road ? just don’t hit too many hard bumps.

 

[cardad]

I haven't braved any trails with my Cybertruck yet, but when I Jeep around I need to get under 20 PSI before things really smooth out and I can drive on soft sand without sinking. That's with 35x12.5" tires. The Cybertuck being heavier and tires being 35x10" I'm curious, did airing down to 36psi feel much different in terms of softening the little bumps?
I'm holding out for underbody armor before I risk it, you're much braver than I!

Low pressure is for traction by increasing contact surface area through tire deformation. You won’t improve compliance that much by lowering pressure and you lose ride height. I can tell you that the Duratrac RT (aka winter package) tire has better compliance maybe because the sidewalls are less stiff. Just based on my casual observation it seems like stiffer sidewalls perform better but there are some YouTubers that have done some testing on this. Most CT drivers make the mistake of going to “very high” vs running at “high” and that’s where you will lose a lot of compliance. No point lowering pressure at a stiffer suspension setting. You will lose a ton of traction when you go from high to very high due to the stiffer springs and less articulation. I just tested this on the rocks that lead into Steelbender. Very high was terrible and on the way back I set it to high and it was a huge change.

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