Cybertruck Off-Roading by a First Time NOOB

[Broski]

I went overlanding with the Cybertruck at 36psi--It was not very comfortable on rockier forest service roads. My TRD Pro 4Runner is way more comfortable surprisingly. I usually drop by air pressure on the 4Runner from 36 to 20-25psi. Has anyone tried overlanding below 30psi to see if that would improve the ride at all? Overland-mode did not absorb much impact so on rocky roads it was quite jarring on a 2-3 hour ride.

Did you try Baja mode? That should be way more supple and comfortable than the TRD 4Runner. I’ve used this on rutted potholed Forrest svc roads and it’s great. Very similar to Baja on my TRX.

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[cybertooth]

Did you try Baja mode? That should be way more supple and comfortable than the TRD 4Runner. I’ve used this on rutted potholed Forrest svc roads and it’s great. Very similar to Baja on my TRX.

Oh that makes a lot more sense. I’ll have to try that next time. Do you think overland mode is more suited for technical/rock crawling and then switching to Baja mode for cruising on Forest roads?

 

[HaulingAss]

I went overlanding with the Cybertruck at 36psi--It was not very comfortable on rockier forest service roads. My TRD Pro 4Runner is way more comfortable surprisingly. I usually drop by air pressure on the 4Runner from 36 to 20-25psi. Has anyone tried overlanding below 30psi to see if that would improve the ride at all? Overland-mode did not absorb much impact so on rocky roads it was quite jarring on a 2-3 hour ride.

The compliance of a tire will vary with the job it was designed to do.

What's the payload capacity of your TRD Pro 4Runner? The Cybertruck can pack 2500 lbs. of payload and needs tires that are up to the task. Some vehicles setup more for off-road duty have pitifully small payload capacity for people and gear. 4 big guys might put them over their gross weight limit. And that's before packing a single cooler or any camp gear.

I'm guessing your 4Runner is an off-road model, not meant for work (towing and hauling big loads). It probably has a smaller wheel and a tire with taller sidewall for more compliance off-road, at the expense of on-pavement performance and handling and not able to tow or haul heavy loads?

A smooth ride over chunky rocks is mostly about the tires you chose to use. Comfort on even more rugged roads is all about the suspension. The Cybertruck has street biased AT tires with shorter sidewalls that return better performance on the street than on chunky rocks. On the other hand, the Cybertrucks firm controlled suspension really eliminates most of that awful side-to-side pitching motion you will get in most trucks with a flexy frame.

How much payload capacity does your 4Runner have? Also, were you using Baja Mode or Overland Mode?

 

[HaulingAss]

Oh that makes a lot more sense. I’ll have to try that next time. Do you think overland mode is more suited for technical/rock crawling and then switching to Baja mode for cruising on Forest roads?

Overland mode will give you a smoother ride at slower speeds on chunky rocks, but if you drive too fast, and start using too much of the suspension, Overland Mode will protect itself by increasing the compression damping, which will make the ride get harsh. It has active damping and will change setting to protect itself from bottoming.

If you want a smooth, supple ride, just drive it like you have grandma in the car and steer around the bigger hazards and slow down for dips and bumps so you don't alarm the Cybertrucks self-protection mechanism of cranking up the compression damping to handle the abuse. If you drive all slow and smooth, and then steer into a hazard, you can surprise the suspension because it will be in the supple mode when you slam the hazard. I can tell you it adapts to the driver and the conditions at hand, I can't tell you how long it takes to adapt. It does it gradually, based upon the feedback it gets from the terrain.

Baja Mode will never get as smooth and supple as Overland, it starts out by assuming you might drive like Mad Max and want a firmer ride. I've spent very little time in Baja Mode, relative to Overland Mode, because I like a smooth and supple ride and to steer around the hazards.

The Cybertruck can sense whether you are Mad Max or Gentle Ben and adapt to suit.

 

[cybertooth]

Overland mode will give you a smoother ride at slower speeds on chunky rocks, but if you drive too fast, and start using too much of the suspension, Overland Mode will protect itself by increasing the compression damping, which will make the ride get harsh. It has active damping and will change setting to protect itself from bottoming.

If you want a smooth, supple ride, just drive it like you have grandma in the car and steer around the bigger hazards and slow down for dips and bumps so you don't alarm the Cybertrucks self-protection mechanism of cranking up the compression damping to handle the abuse. If you drive all slow and smooth, and then steer into a hazard, you can surprise the suspension because it will be in the supple mode when you slam the hazard. I can tell you it adapts to the driver and the conditions at hand, I can't tell you how long it takes to adapt. It does it gradually, based upon the feedback it gets from the terrain.

Baja Mode will never get as smooth and supple as Overland, it starts out by assuming you might drive like Mad Max and want a firmer ride. I've spent very little time in Baja Mode, relative to Overland Mode, because I like a smooth and supple ride and to steer around the hazards.

The Cybertruck can sense whether you are Mad Max or Gentle Ben and adapt to suit.

I don't think it was a payload issue: 4x 150-180lbs guys with a cooler and a little camping gear shouldn't be an issue for the CT (~800lbs). My 4Runner can manage my whole family plus 2x 110lbs dogs and a large Thule just fine (also about ~800lbs).

I was probably starting to drive too fast and that's why the ride was getting worse. It was pretty smooth on slow/technical areas but I just kept it in overland mode. I figured it would be fine doing 15-20mph but next time I'll channel my inner Mad Max and put it into Baja mode when I start to pick up speed on some of those forest roads.

 

[HaulingAss]

I don't think it was a payload issue: 4x 150-180lbs guys with a cooler and a little camping gear shouldn't be an issue for the CT (~800lbs). My 4Runner can manage my whole family plus 2x 110lbs dogs and a large Thule just fine (also about ~800lbs).

I was probably starting to drive too fast and that's why the ride was getting worse. It was pretty smooth on slow/technical areas but I just kept it in overland mode. I figured it would be fine doing 15-20mph but next time I'll channel my inner Mad Max and put it into Baja mode when I start to pick up speed on some of those forest roads.

Payload issue? That's not what I said. The point is that you will get the smoothest ride over chunky rocks with off-road tires that have a low payload capacity. Truck tires meant to handle high loads require more reinforcement in the sidewalls, naturally that makes them less compliant or supple over chunky rock surfaces. The suspension has to try to make up the difference. I'm suggesting your TDR Pro 4Runner has more compliant tires, lower air pressures, and a much lower payload capacity.

But is the maximum payload of your TDR Pro 4Runner really only 800 lbs? What year is it? That's even lower than I would have guessed. I weighed 180 lbs. when I was 17 years old (and I was a skinny rail). I'm talking about big guys, like 200-250 lbs. Four of us can easily weigh 800-900 lbs. before you start adding water, beer, coolers, camp amenities, etc. in the back. Not to mention gear for tire repair and self extractions, etc.

In any case, yes, use Baja Mode for higher speeds on rugged terrain. Even when in Overland Mode, the ride will get more firm as speeds increase and the suspension starts taking bigger hits. That on-the-fly adjustability is how Tesla can make the suspension so supple when on milder terrain at slower speeds. If it were not adjustable, it would have to be firm all the time to prevent damage from taking hits at speed.

The OEM AT tires are not particularly supple, that's why they handle so well on pavement, even fully loaded, the sidewalls don't start to give out.

 

[cybertooth]

Sorry I misunderstood your payload question. I’ve got a 2023 trd pro 4Runner. Idk the specific payload capacity but I load it up and it does great. Never have any issues.
I’ll try the Baja mode…not looking to upgrade new tires on the CT yet and will always take the 4Runner out on trails before I take the CT.

 

[arnav_8]

Awesome job Chris. Love the overall story in the video!

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