Has anyone run the Rubicon Trail in an LR3 or LR4?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

greiswig

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2021
Posts
550
Reaction score
215
Location
Oregon
"What's more fun? Driving a slow car fast, or a fast car slow?"
(This came up in a discussion on what is adequate horsepower for a daily driver.) I think the same may apply here. It's the challenge of taking a vehicle that isn't quite up to the task and seeing if you can find a way to work it out. For some, that might be more fun than taking a highly specialized and modified vehicle through the same trail with ease.
I’m worried that I’m getting pedantic here, and I don’t want to be.

Any trail can likely be run with a stock LR4 if you’re willing to build enough rock ramps, remove enough obstacles, bypass enough sections, winch enough, etc. My point is that at some point not only does it become absurd (“That paving machine and dynamite I had go before me really helped out a lot!”), but it starts to impact others in ways you might not know. Environmental groups have has success shutting down trails because too much oil or fuel was spilled when people opened themselves up on an obstacle because they didn’t have enough skid plating.

I never took my Unimog on the Rubicon, not because I didn’t think it would make it over obstacles (definitely would, easily) but because it is too tall to do it without damaging trees or the trail. Horses for courses. And it’s great to challenge yourself as long as you’re willing to back away before you make it somebody else’s problem, too.
 

avslash

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Posts
1,255
Reaction score
1,101
Location
The Lone Star State
I get where you are coming from. The reality is all vehicles are a sum of compromises. The built Wrangler that will run the Rubicon without assistance, is by comparison, not something I'm going to want to log 1,500 highway miles in to get there.

I absolutely agree with you on the bypasses. Either have a plan, or don't go. Taking the risk/danger element out just creates more congestion on the trails. Last summer I did a bit of the Alpine Loop area with some other Rover guys. I was absolutely appalled to hear that every other vehicle besides mine took the bypass around the only signficant obstacle in that area. Why bother? The fun is in the challenge of "Can I?".

I will grant you that a stock, non-hd LR4 probably has little business attempting the Rubicon, and is likely only going to create headaches for themselves and others. I would argue that mine, on 34 inchish tires, with front/rear lockers, armored bottom and scars to prove I'm not averse to bending it is a different story. I've seen Jeep guys do dumb sh@t too.

Cheers and best.

And I would LOVE a Unimog
 

BigBriDogGuy

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2023
Posts
356
Reaction score
210
Location
Bellingham, WA (USA)
@greiswig I hear you as well and, in full discloser, I'm talking out of my nether regions because I got my stock non-HD 2011 LR4 stuck up to it's axles in mud on a powerline access road/field and had to be towed out with about 100 yards of cable and a couple of tow trucks a month after I purchased it. I'll never forget the tow truck driver looking at me with a sad face and saying, "I'm not sure we are going to be able to get you out." I felt like the biggest idiot and a** in the world, and I was. Turned out okay and I paid $500 for that lesson in humility and prudence.
 
Last edited:

greiswig

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2021
Posts
550
Reaction score
215
Location
Oregon
Lots of good thoughts here, and a lot more common ground than not. I wish anyone who wants to run the Rubicon the best of luck. It's a great trail. My last piece of advice - take your time! It's so beautiful that it's worth spending some time on it camping, too. I ran it in a day and regretted not taking more time.
 

San Moritz LR4

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2023
Posts
81
Reaction score
23
Location
Crestline, California
Lots of good thoughts here, and a lot more common ground than not. I wish anyone who wants to run the Rubicon the best of luck. It's a great trail. My last piece of advice - take your time! It's so beautiful that it's worth spending some time on it camping, too. I ran it in a day and regretted not taking more time.
@greiswig - You are absolutely right, some vehicles, and people for that matter, get in over their heads and didn't have the forethought to have an exit plan. Of course, every (good) exit plan starts with being prepared from the get go. I'm not very keen on tearing up equipment. But I am very keen on being prepared for such an adventure and my LR4 is not "Rubicon Ready". I need additional under armor protection and I am considering the addition of front lockers as well.

Oh, and I wouldn't say that your were "getting pedantic". You were on point.

I can see that this topic has generated some great conversation and more importantly, sage advise. It seems that there is a good posibility of some of us running the Rubicon Trail together. That would be cool. But, I am not certain that I will have my LR4 ready in time for summer. Fall maybe, but the weather will certainly start having a weighted impact on that decision. Spring 2024, would likely be the optimal time for the adventure and I like the idea of camping along the way. Besides, that would certainly allow for a few dry runs in advance to the big day.

@M32H32IS "Make sure you take pics & video" - - Absolutely!!
 

San Moritz LR4

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2023
Posts
81
Reaction score
23
Location
Crestline, California

avslash

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Posts
1,255
Reaction score
1,101
Location
The Lone Star State
Can't really comment on the aluminum, as I have never used them.

I am completely happy with the HD version of the fiberglass I got. They go everywhere the Rover goes.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
36,222
Posts
217,581
Members
30,473
Latest member
OnoA
Top