I finally made it out to Glamis for the Cyber Odyssey event. I brought my son along as co-pilot to see how this stainless steel beast handles the deep sand and what it takes to prep a 7,000-pound EV for the dunes.
Off-roading in the Cybertruck isn’t just about putting it in drive. Between navigating the permit process and mastering the complex Off-Road Dynamics menus, there is a steep learning curve. Let’s break down the journey, the gear, and the technical tips I picked up from the pros.
Pre-Trip Logistics: Permits and Power
Before you hit Glamis, you need a physical permit. Unlike Joshua Tree, you can’t just buy this online if you’re going within 5 days. I headed to Chaparral to grab a $35 cash-only pass.
Charging Strategy:
- We stopped in Indio at 31% SoC. I pushed the charge to 97% to ensure a safe round trip, as the Glamis area is sparse on fast chargers.
- Efficiency Note: Driving to Indio, we were seeing a thirsty 530 Wh/mi. The Cybertruck is a heavy-hitter when it comes to energy consumption, especially on highway inclines.
- Tech Kit: I brought my Anker SOLIX C1000 portable battery and Starlink setup. Since cell signal is hit-or-miss in the dunes, having a dedicated power source and satellite internet is a must for content creation and safety.
Meeting the Legends: Off-Road Specs & Mods
The Cyber Odyssey event was a goldmine for technical info. I caught up with some familiar faces and saw some incredible builds:
1. The Living Model X: Everyday Sandro
Sandro is living in his 2022 Model X and taking it everywhere—from the Arctic to South America.
- Solar Power: He has 240W of solar panels integrated onto his hood, providing a consistent trickle charge.
- Tires: He runs Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain (255/55/19) on the smallest wheels that will clear the calipers. It’s proof that the X is more capable than people think.
2. The Lone Rivian: Ross from LA Rivian Club
Ross brought his quad-motor R1T to the sea of Cybertrucks.
- Tire Pressure Tip: For soft sand, Ross recommends airing down to 25 PSI on Continental Terrain Contacts. He’s even gone as low as 12 PSI for self-recovery in deep sand!
3. The Mastermind: Brian (OG Cyber)
Brian is the technical force behind Cyber Odyssey. He spent the morning airing down everyone’s tires.
- Technical Advice: For the factory Goodyear All-Terrains at Glamis, 20 PSI is the sweet spot for traction.
- Aggressive Tire Tradeoff: Brian is running massive 35×12.50 tires with Unplugged Performance spacers. The look is incredible, but the efficiency hit is massive—dropping highway range to around 200 miles or less due to increased drag and lack of fairings.
Technical Deep Dive: Cybertruck Off-Road Mode
This was my first time really playing with the Cybertruck’s Off-Road Dynamics. It’s more granular than the Rivian’s menu:
- Baja vs. Overland: For the dunes, the pros suggest Baja Mode.
- Terrain Settings: We used Rugged for the sand.
- Locking Differentials: You can independently lock the front and rear or keep both engaged for maximum “get out of jail” power. Check out the Tesla Cybertruck manual.
- Stability Assist: Reducing this to “Minimum” allows for more wheel spin, which is necessary to keep momentum in soft sand.
Watching a Cybertruck launch in Baja mode is a sight to see. When the settings are right, it glides over the sand. When they’re wrong, you see the truck “hopping” as the traction control fights the surface.
I’m already planning my next trip where I can spend more time on the actual trails. The Cybertruck is a highly capable off-road machine, but it demands respect and a solid understanding of its technical menus.
