Unresolved Off-Road Capabilities of Tesla Cybertruck, Needs Assistance from Ford Super Duty

A video shared on Instagram captured the moment when the pre-production Cybertruck was stuck off the trail in the snow, struggling to ascend the hill even with the assistance of a Ford Super Duty recovery vehicle. It seems the Tesla had ventured there for off-road testing, as other prototype trucks were spotted traveling together on a trail around the same time.

The Tesla driver in the footage attempts to ascend a snowy incline upon departing from the trail, and it remains uncertain whether the presence of the truck there was intentional or accidental. No tracks from the tires are visible as the vehicle departs the trail, and curiously, a pine tree is found in the truck bed.

Similar to the previously circulated clip, the Cybertruck encounters difficulty in gaining traction, resulting in digging ruts instead of moving forward. This hints at a potential inadequacy in its traction control software, which may not be on par with the standard set by the Rivian R1T upon its launch. Traction boards can be seen in the frame, yet for unspecified reasons, they are not utilized.

However, more than just inadequate software may be at play. The presence of snow on the ground adds an element of unpredictability that can challenge even skilled off-road drivers with appropriate tires. It is unclear whether the tires are deflated, and although the type of rubber used is unspecified, the trucks showcase wheels that either omit the standard model’s covers or are entirely different. In any case, it is evident that the Cybertruck is not operating at its optimal level, and the driver cannot overcome this obstacle magically. Judgment must be reserved.

Moreover, there are further signs of off-road limitations stemming from its unique design. A member of the recovery team mentioned in the comments that the truck lacked proper recovery points, with the recovery rope being attached to the suspension arms. Enthusiasts of Tesla assert that recovery points might be situated behind the front fascia, yet the non-use of these loops suggests either their infeasibility or that they were not functional.

This brings up another question: Where would a winch be mounted? Although not essential, hand winches are available, but they are somewhat contradictory to the Cybertruck’s design. Furthermore, they are more suited for a type of off-roading that the stock Cybertruck may not excel in, especially given its weight of nearly 7,000 pounds.

Between the ongoing off-road testing of the Tesla Cybertruck and its subpar performance in this footage, it appears that the off-road capabilities of the truck were not fully developed at the time of release. This speculation is reinforced by the undisclosed mention of a wading feature, which one would presume Elon Musk would promote if it were exemplary.

On the other hand, Musk claimed that the Cybertruck would float, not wade, thus failing to meet the expectations he had set himself. Depending on one’s perspective, this could potentially be the most significant issue with the Tesla Cybertruck.

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