Trying to keep all WHEELS on the ground at the Historic RUBICON Trail -- Part 1

[@sparkyofsocal]

I like the idea it was a family trip and not just a guys trip. It is nice to see smiles on so many faces. Best quote so far, We are not at Sand Hollow any more.

[@oldguysoldbikes]

Totally agree. I was going to say the same thing Sparky

[@bane8305]

Big facts bro - Kids gonna remember this trip for their whole lifes

[@gregormiller4037]

Agree Sparky, great sentiment.

[@TexasOffroadAdventures]

The most honest thing I have ever heard on any trail....@21:20 "If it is; they get it fixed and come on up" Preach on brutha...

[@unoefxz]

Matt may be the most laid back guy in the world, but Paul? the most happy-go-lucky glass half FULL ever

[@lnaesll]

Matt’s the glass half full guy. Paul is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be guy. Lol

[@Buck1954]

Yeah I'm thinking Paul's glass is over flowing.

[@PyrateRumRunner]

Paul is the “my glass keeps getting water added” guy.

[@tizzlethegreat]

must be nice...

[@onecrak]

yep, true that, cool as cucumbers😎

[@Aint1S]

It's about to get a little... 25:04 You two are hilarious together, a perfect couple who compliment each other so well!

[@JayJayFromAZ]

"As long as it's leaking you still got some!" Paul 2021

[@kylancook3477]

Every mechanic ever!

[@trakyboy5128]

Right 👍🏽👍🏽😀

[@Durahan82]

Every Wise Mechanic .

[@lopezlopez7132]

Yes, we heard it on the video.

[@riverrat4631]

Paul as the best outlook on life. He is so laidback nothing bothers him. That’s the guy you was when things go south.. Great video Rats…

[@Mostruggles]

"Rock slider, keepin' cabs safe everywhere!"

[@johnmccaughan4195]

That is a great adventure. The boys will never forget it, nor will Michelle and Jaymie.

[@michaelmccamish4008]

The first date I took my wife on was with friends, and we went camping on the Rubicon. Went from Georgetown California to Lake Tahoe. That was 1971. The trail has changed over the years.

[@mikelangan2707]

Outstanding!!! The smile on Paul’s face and his giggling all the way through shows he is having a blast doing this.

[@4wheeling]

Like every good scoutmaster, JD whips out the Dutch Ovens.

[@davidscott5903]

Oh yeah! Love me some Dutch oven cookin'!

[@jeepindave5464]

Every scout trip was fried potatoes with heavy onions and garlic

[@stout_tossme7541]

@@jeepindave5464 and loads of cheese. Lol

[@cember01]

And the gas burner setup. Seen a few of those on the Rubicon myself

[@drgruber57]

We have loved our trips to Utah, but now I welcome you to my beautiful (and sometimes rocky ) home state. Lots of fun to watch! I'll bet Michelle was more than happy to get out and video! I was just waiting for something to break, but mostly rearranged metal. Finally; gotta say that the Morrvair wins for shear clearance. Thanks for the fun video. I hope you all enjoyed California!

[@davidtriplett3057]

The Rudy Wagon rescues the MORRVair! Go Rudy!

[@strawsparky33]

@Dog Supremacy that engine would've been struggling with 35s on it I imagine.

[@nickthorpe714]

@@strawsparky33 Nah that engine can run any size tire. It's all about gearing. My XJ runs 35s no problem with 4.88 gears. Going up to 37s this summer.

[@99unclebob]

@@nickthorpe714 agreed the only possible thing that might hold Rudy back is the Dana 30's on his jeep, they are pretty stout, to me this would be the ultimate test for a Dana 30 Mine just over 210k miles and still ok,, it'll make it 👍 i am surprised Matt has no rock sliders on the Morrvair

[@hgj2019]

TWICE! Once on the road, and once on the trail!

[@Rx7man]

@@99unclebob I think I saw rock sliders on it during the build, they're just painted to match and tucked up good

[@section3253]

I enjoy watching machines operate as they should. Those 5 machines did just that! After a stressful day at work, that was exactly what I needed.

[@Hi_Mommy953]

Hardest 22 miles you'll ever make right the Rubicon but a cool ride and Tahoe is so beautiful this time of year thank you for such a great video

[@ryguy08781]

Would like to say, I recieved my hat an shirt in an ample time, great quality on both, wife agrees as well, thank you to all of the FAB RATS FAMILY. 💯👍💪

[@urbanrallyracer]

Glad to see y’all got to meet the sheriff’s department out there. About 10+ years ago, the county decided that because the Rubicon is a county road, they’d built a couple Jeeps to patrol it. On the plus side, being that there’s little to no cell service out there, if someone has a bad accident, they can call in a helicopter to fly them out.

[@darrellroeters4951]

At a small fortune, not free.

[@SS4769]

@@darrellroeters4951 still better than dying

[@weshawkins7165]

My son bought one of the Jeep Cherokee’s they built for that trail. Had it seven years, turned into a rock crawler. Just sold it yesterday.

[@akghound]

Do the have radar to catch speeders?

[@larrygulick6080]

At the tender age of 30 I did my first Rubicon back in '79. I miss that time in my life so thanks for the memories. Do well young grasshoppers and keep jeepin" alive.

[@grantdavis5992]

When I was 30 in 1979 I was dealing with Hurricane Frederick in Alabama. By 1980 I was back home in California getting stuck and self-extracting on a trail above Pine Flat Lake. My Hi-Lift saved me 3 times on that trail.

[@zublacus]

Hey Larry...same year I did it...but I was 17. My cousin took me. Now I have a 47 CJ-2A, 17 JK on 40's and now I live 1 hour from trailhead. I'm there almost every weekend.

[@larrygulick6080]

@@zublacus what a coincidence. My first Rubicon was in a '46 2A with a small block Ford. My old Jeep club was out of Pasadena CA. I no longer am a member, a lot of the members have pasted away and I don't even own a 4WD anymore. But I've got my memories. Take care fellow Jeeper.

[@archieletsyouknow5508]

Would like to thank you for over 30 minutes of pure enjoyment your channel brings joy to many people's lives👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@georgedavis6583]

This is the 2nd or 3rd fab rats video that makes me want KZbin to have a love button...

[@harperinnes8517]

Michelle: "What was what?!" Paul: A VERY specific part of the vehicle 😂😂😂.

[@trakyboy5128]

She's funny 😂😅 Just cracks me up 😄

[@kennyking6325]

For sure, Paul has turned ever nut on that truck so when a rock “pings” it, his ears pick it up like a beacon on radar

[@dljones61]

60-year-old steel worker-manufacturing guy here and I can say, holy crappo batman, that's insane but looks like a blast. Looking forward to part 2

[@retiredandrollin]

Ok, not gonna lie here, this video was spot on great content. Thanks for taking us on this journey with you guys. From the scenic road trip to the actual Rubicon, great stuff. Really, great stuff. Title says Part 1, I'm excited that there's more. Cant wait, bring it on.

[@neophyteendeavors5262]

Matts MORRVaire not scraping the rocks was so pleasing.

[@sleim754]

I was doing a "voice to text" when Michelle said at 26:55 "there's rocks everywhere" I started to laugh so hard that I had to quit the text and just laugh a minute :) Michelle is about as fun as watching Paul work. Thanks for a great way to start the day.

[@dhscts]

Looking forward to part 2

[@BobJamison5660]

We enjoy Michelle’s running commentary and “oh my gosh”.

[@368fan4]

Oh My Lanta !

[@hamiam2243]

Feels like you’re there.

[@californiadaze]

That was a great 32min well spent! Really awesome to see everyone having a great time out there.

[@dukeflem]

I love Paul's Narrations and Michele's Sound Effects. I don't see how there can be anything left on the bottoms of those jeeps. Parts got knocked off for sure. It's like a boulder powered cleaner! Michelle's understatement of the day: "There's rocks everwhere!".

[@todsandberg5971]

Watched with headphones on. The sounds of bouncing off the rocks is impressive.

[@tomandalbert]

Michelle's facial muscles must be exhausted! What a hoot watching and listening to her and just waiting to hear her say "lets go back do that again".

[@timgilbert5617]

Michelle’s commentary is great! And thanks for the look at the Rubi, I never was there in 40 years but lots of guys went and only took stills, this was much better.. Your skills on video helped me my first trip off road, in Indiana! (And Matt’s/Jamey/Rudy)

[@richardwhitaker3220]

When I first got back from Iraq I moved to Tahoe for a short stint. I met a few good people that I still enjoy remembering. This guy Zebo borrowed his dad's Willie's jeep and took me up that way...one of my favorite memories...Zebo asked me to lock it in and it didn't happen. We made it back down and couldn't belive we made it.

[@richard3141592638]

Michelle's reactions on the trail might be my favourite part...

[@saltzen961]

Proof positive that every troupe needs a den Mother . Michelle's a hoot . Livens up the whole show , and by now I'm convinced that Paul can fix anything . Great family entertainment guys . Keep up the good work .

[@terrygardner3031]

A trip just isn't a trip without licorice. You guys are fulfilling a dream of mine to go on the Rubicon trail. Great video of it all.

[@recasper55]

Great family trip.... My favorite play by play commentary is Michelle with her contagious laughter .... Ohmygosh ! & Its rough rough rough... Thanks for sharing your adventure 💜

[@deernutOO]

Missed why one boy has an arm in a sling. Good trip. Appreciate all the extra work editing the footage for us to see. tks

[@lauriegifford2979]

That boy broke his collar bone jumping his four wheeler .

[@bradshutler9356]

The Rubicon Trail along with a handful of others established the need for skid plates, body armor, crawler boxes and beefed up drive lines and suspensions back in the 70's and 80's. It still looks tough here in 2021 but from seeing it run in videos many times in recent years I know it was much more difficult back in my hay days of the 70's and 80's even with inferior rigs compared to rigs today. Glad y'all are having fun and experiencing running a iconic, historic trail.

[@bernhard8540]

Ooh what was that.. Paul " my front differential" hahah ooh what was that Paul " rock sliders saving cabs everywhere" lol I spit my coffee out right there 😄🤣

[@williamlloyd3769]

Nevada dirt devils, gigantic crickets, cows, kids crashed in back seat, epic start to trip!

[@michaelcollins6851]

Man that would have been too much for me but I'm not a rock climbing guy I miss seeing how beautiful California is I lived there yrs ago now the camping part sign me up .Paul is in heaven so happy he needs this

[@S_Garrett]

Can't wait for part 2 ! Best quote so far, It so ROCKIE...........

[@tomowens2720]

I'm happy you all are having a rockin' good time on the Rubicon. Mid 80's was the last time I drove it and, while greatly improved in some areas, its still a wild technical ride. When you come back do the Fordyce Creek run. That's great fun as well.

[@nsdq6273]

I grew up in that area and we spent much of our days along the Rubicon back in the day before all the improvements. Lots of cool trails like Rubicon, Eagle Lakes, Forrest Hills all run in 50's era Willy's Wagons. Those were the days..

[@baddawg3380]

Absolutely beautiful up there, when my kids were in Boy Scouts we would go on the other side of Loon Lake and camp in the free area called Paradise Cove. Only way there boat or hike in. After getting camp set up we would hike up into desolation wilderness and enjoy the scenery. Absolutely loved those trips up there and the water was crystal clear.

[@chrisgilbert2152]

I'm sorry, but Michelle makes the channel!! She puts a smile on my face!!

[@ChristopherHelgerson]

tell Matt there are these new inventions called "Jerry Cans"...

[@markreetz1001]

Tell Matt there is a new invention called a gas station! Pull into one!! LOL!

[@deanrandall8542]

Always good to have some extra gas, when you know that you only have so much!✌️

[@jeffwisemiller3590]

Sure, just weld up a roof rack cuz they ain't gonna fit inside!

[@johnpence8529]

A true 4 wheeler! "Now you need to bump the other side so it matches" I love it!!!

[@justkim0357]

Looks like everyone had a blast!! Can't wait for part 2!! Michelle, your laugh is contagious!!! Love y'alls videos!!

[@beagledad211]

Looks like everyone had fun!!! I love how we (as a society) always feel it necessary to announce when we see a cow in the field. And Michelle says it just like I do "Moo cow in the field"

[@thewanderingheep]

Fun seeing you at the 1.5mile marker! I was soo tempted to turn around and follow you guys!

[@davidmorgan745]

Michelle you missed your calling. You are the highlight of every video. Natural born hostess with perfect commentary! Perfect every time. Love the channel. Thank you

[@trishshurtz9360]

Rode the Rubicon about 6 or 7 times on my 400 Husky, from both directions, not sure why? You have Cadillac Hill in front of you, easy going after that. You made it through the sluice box, good job. Great video, brought back memories.

[@lornahardin4563]

Your kids will have the greatest memories of this, and will be telling their kids one day, if not doing it with them. Beautiful up here isn't it? I am so thankful to have spent 50 years, this month, on the Divide. We have the rocks, you have the sand. Great video, looking forward to the rest of the trip, thank you.

[@bdavali4342]

Thanks for taking us along, and welcome to my neck of the woods! I never realized the Rubicon was so gnarly, even for your and Matt's rigs. That trail is on par with all the potholes here in Silicon Valley!

[@nevcowpoke1482]

I drove truck from Reno to Ely and back foe eleven years, brings back many memories. Stay safe on the Rubicon.

[@KiwiNewellLimited]

This is basically my backyard trail! Love the Rubicon and have done it in my family's SAS '89 4runner on 35s and marlin crawler gears.

[@brianellman]

All I’ll say is thanks for taking the family. and us folks on your journey. that was a blast. so was Michelle. Paul what a wife you have. :-)

[@lyndon5478]

It looks like a lot of fun to be a part of the convoy with you guys

[@gertiestravelchannel5957]

WHAT A PLACE!!! I came to Lake Tahoe back in, I think, '02 on a road trip holiday. So the bit in the video in the town brought back some memories. I wanted to do the Rubicon but being in a rental only made it to the sign. ☹️ Being from the UK the logistics of getting my rig out there makes it prohibitively expensive to do. I hope to return and explore more of the area, that I can get to in a rental. And Death valley, I loved going to see the old mines and settlements. Can't wait for the next video guys. It's great to see families wheeling, rather than just a bunch of guys trying to destroy their trucks. I subscribe to both yours and Matt's channels and love them both.

[@gottria]

Safe travels and Welcome to California.

[@dancarvish9261]

I love it when Michelle says "He's gonna break something". It's a TOYOTA.... Love you guys.. Keep up the good work!!

[@tomstepanowicz6191]

Paul in reference to the power steering fluid: "As long as it's still leaking we still have some." 😆👌

[@goaway3717]

Loved it. I have to say younger me (early 20's) would enjoy doing something like that, current (over 50) me has a back that can barely handle pot holes on normal streets now. Glad to see someone else enjoy doing the crazy stuff.

[@RubiconTrailFoundation]

Here's some named location time stamps for those interested. 10:42 - Chipmunk Bluff (Last Cell service) 10:50 - 1st Dam at Loon Lake (Just past Chalet Staging Area) 11:33 - 2nd Dam at Loon Lake (Just before Kiosk Staging Area) 11:38 - Welcome sign painted by Shannon Chard, TrailBoss for Friends Of The Rubicon volunteer group 11:46 - Gerle Creek outlet 11:48 - Kiosk Staging Area 12:01 - Loon Lake dam spillway (rarely used due to power plant 1700feet under the lake that you can't see) 12:06 - Gatekeeper 14:57 - Top of "The Bowl" or Granite Bowl 15:14 - Stair Steps 15:52 - Aaron and Tim, El Dorado County Sheriff deputies on the trail 16:10 - Whale Bones 16:47 - Approach to Whale Bones (20 feet before 16:10 mark) 17:37 - Wentworth Springs Intertie 18:33 - Ellis Creek Bridge 18:50 - No name yet, this is a newish bypass of a mudhole. The cross just past here is legit for a guy that rolled and died due to no seat belt. 20:46 - Walker Hill 21:24 - Cell Phone Tree (the only location with tiny amount cell phone, this is why RTF has taught and licensed over 600 Ham Radio users) 21:31 - Nobie's Rock 22:14 - Rock Garden before Soup Bowl 23:12 - Soup Bowl (Optional route on right) 23:37 - Soup Bowl and Kitchen (Optional route) 24:27 - Winter Camp 24:34 - Start of Little Sluice Box 24:52 - Toyota Exit (LOL...named, you guessed it for the Toyotas that go around Little Sluice) 25:51 - The Office or Merlin's Office (named after Mid-Trail Staffer Merlin Scott) 27:09 - Arnold's Rock 28:26 - Arnold's Rest stop (Toilet) 29:06 - Indian Trail Route 30:51 - Mechanic's Camp at Buck Island Lake

[@GO-xs8pj]

Everyone was so excited to see you guys on the trail.

[@cereal76]

Not even two minutes in and I'm laughing at Paul "it's not gonna be" that is a man with reasonable expectations right there!

[@rogerhills4477]

Rudy and his Jeepo are very understated, but he's always up there!

[@dioad1739]

Awesome guys hey Michelle I’m glad them deer are taking out the stupid people.

[@paulpetraitis2130]

Just here to throw a shout out to 4wd adventure crew. It's a small channel but the guy does a really good job with great photography and does all these trails in northern Ca and NV.

[@corylytle5708]

You rolled through Ely and I missed you. Fan in Ely

[@bradberry8349]

You guys are killing it for your 1st day!!! Eager for more videos!!! Thanks for Bringing us along Paul & Michelle!

[@rustybarbacles355]

Kinda bummed I didn’t see you guys somewhere. I went out to the staging area on Wednesday night around 6 hoping you guys might be comin out

[@HMFIC1]

If you get a chance, you should all go eat at the bridge tender bar and grill in Tahoe, ask for Pattie she is one of the mangers there my aunt. You’ll love the food! And the beer!

[@Bigdaddyslasher]

Come wheel Wolf Caves in Mason TX now that park is extremely rough but it's a blast. But WC doesn't even come close to being as beautiful as the Rubicon.

[@TexasOffroadAdventures]

Im IN.

[@quintili1]

Wolf Caves is awesome. It's hard to compare the beauty of the two, Wolf Caves is such different scenery.

[@Bigdaddyslasher]

@@quintili1 WC isn't as beautiful as the Rubicon. WC is a giant rock garden of axle busting goodness. Wanna find your weak link then hit up a good red trail.

[@mtevilone]

I have only seen photos of the Rubicon. The video is so much better, as you are showing far more of the obstacles.

[@craigdeloach3976]

I figured you guys were going to trailer your 4x4's to Cali.

[@bjamin0075]

Love seeing Matt in his “all natural state” thanks for sharing all your fun 👍🏻

[@tschwag1420]

Thank you for bringing us along on your adventures

[@markenloe1265]

Wow....what vehicles. Wow what driving technique. And the “Yota” keeps on rollin. 😎

[@BG-vq9fd]

Looks like quite a trip. I really like my green Fab Rats shirt that arrived 6/7/21.

[@gmcmahon1982]

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST VIDEO THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PRODUCED!!!! YOU HAD A TON OF VIDEO FOOTAGE INSIDE THE TRUCK AND OUT! COVERED A LOT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

[@ryanlutton8193]

ahhh, my home turf. Told ya you'd do well, yep, could here ya on that clutch! lol Even harder to stay off it in my carbureted 327 fj40 on 33's!

[@weshawkins7165]

Rubicon trail. Your in my backyard now. I went over that trail back in 85 in a 1943 4 cylinder flat fender with 31x 10.50 BFG’s, 3 speed manual and open Dana 30 diffs. Glad to see you all, or most, drove your rigs there. Love the comment, traffic in the mountains, ha ha, that’s all that’s on Hwy 50 and interstate 80 all the time now. Next you’ll all need to come back and do the Fordyce creek trail. Imagine that trail back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s when they took stage coaches over that road.

[@ovrlxnd]

Hands covered in carb cleaner and gasoline, but still down to grab a donut. I would fit right in with Paul and Matt. 😂

[@hackfabrication139]

'Rock slider... Keeping cabs safer....' Lovin' this roadtrip!!!!! Best Rubicon video I've ever watched!!!!!!!

[@SurvivalistMedia]

Shieldback cicadas. We saw them too! They were migrating while we drove from Oregon to Vegas a few weeks ago.

[@mosconi0359]

Watching you folks crawl up the Rubicon Trail was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had with my clothes on! Kudos to you all.

[@UtahOutlander]

Best family outing I've seen so far this year! More good parenting in action! 👍👍❤❤ Hey kids! Here's how ya test rock sliders...and welds! 😂🤣

[@anthonycrumb9810]

I love the conversation about whether the ground hog was Boone and Crocket or Pope and Young. We had a group of guys that used to go rabbit hunting Jan 1st every year with our bows and we would always award Pope and Young and Boone and Crocket to the two biggest rabbits of the day. Matt and Paul are genuine guys.

[@willamjames6826]

My hat is off the you blokes. I rust that the rest of your trip is as exciting. Cheers

[@Scott-tw8go]

Thanks for bring me along, I'm having a great time on this trip from my comfortable smooth riding chair.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

150 mile highway range is pretty terrible lol! Matt needs to install a second fuel tank on the MORRVAIR :)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@@MattsOffRoadRecovery ah that's not so bad then. When we rode our motorcycles through the wild west in 2008, we made the guys with less than 150 mile range carry their own spare gas cans, and they actually came in really handy! Looks like you guys are having a blast 👍

[@edzimdahl1158]

From those have spoken with that actually has one of some form or shape or use,,, comments parallel that run excellent, lots of power and quite build able to get even more,, and pretty damned quick or fast,,,, and you'll be able to pass anyone or anything,,,,,EXCEPT a gas station,,, personal choice and opinion is the old 283 and then the 350 were gm best option for the economy and or power, could be made to do one extreme to the other or whatever point in between someone was seeking for their application

[@Lostparadise1776]

JD didnt lie, he actually did paint it! Awesome.

[@aussiequest9543]

Hey Michelle, what was your favourite part, the smooth rock or the RUFF one?

[@JwcubTHS]

Moo Cows 🐮, Bears 🐻 and Woodchucks - oh my! What a ROUGH great adventure!! Thanks for sharing it with us! 😎

[@robink2563]

Great I have been waiting for the video Matt hasn't posted the Rubicon yet.

[@javierpreciadojr413]

Im just happy to see your boys are looking out the window instead of into a phone. Thats awesome. Our trips are 4 hours tops. I got three youngans and they go stir crazy after 2 hours. The last 2 are me telling them im turning it around if they dont stop.

[@deanpratley125]

You guys are nuts! At least your all nuts together! 😂

[@willscarlet7625]

Thanks for taking me thru a place I have always dreamed of!