Lightning (and Switchgear) Optima Unplugged at KOH

[Mirus]

Went to an EV only offroad event called optima unplugged at King of the hammers where they had Vaughn Gittin Jr and switchgear. They weren't holding back on some crazy woops and dunes.

I was also pretty impressed with the offroad capability of the stock lightning. I definitely found the skid plates under there, but had no problems with traction even with the street tires. We didn't do anything too difficult, but did stretch the legs a bit. If I was going to be doing this more, if recommend more aggressive tires and a bit of a lift at a minimum.

There were probably 40 rivians, 2 cyber trucks, and 3 lightnings. The stock lightnings were clearly the underdog when looking at ground clearance and tires from the bunch. However, we were able to do everything they could.

For the more serious off roading I do, I'll stick to my bronco, but it's nice to know this is pretty capable on lighter trails.

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[Effonefiddy Lightning]

Went to an EV only offroad event called optima unplugged at King of the hammers where they had Vaughn Gittin Jr and switchgear. They weren't holding back on some crazy woops and dunes.

I was also pretty impressed with the offroad capability of the stock lightning. I definitely found the skid plates under there, but had no problems with traction even with the street tires. We didn't do anything too difficult, but did stretch the legs a bit. If I was going to be doing this more, if recommend more aggressive tires and a bit of a lift at a minimum.

There were probably 40 rivians, 2 cyber trucks, and 3 lightnings. The stock lightnings were clearly the underdog when looking at ground clearance and tires from the bunch. However, we were able to do everything they could.

For the more serious off roading I do, I'll stick to my bronco, but it's nice to know this is pretty capable on lighter trails.

Any other pictures or video?

 

[JRT]

https://www.google.com/search?q=opt...-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ip=1

Lots of post on this event, looks cool. How did the portable chargers work out?

 

[Mirus]

https://www.google.com/search?q=opt...-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ip=1

Lots of post on this event, looks cool. How did the portable chargers work out?

Surprisingly well. They had level 3 for 4 at a time and about 8 level 2 for overnight charging. Everyone was charged enough to do what they needed. That portable level 3 setup was a beast. One semi trailer with just hydrogen and one with the fuel cell and charging equipment.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Went to an EV only offroad event called optima unplugged at King of the hammers where they had Vaughn Gittin Jr and switchgear. They weren't holding back on some crazy woops and dunes.

I was also pretty impressed with the offroad capability of the stock lightning. I definitely found the skid plates under there, but had no problems with traction even with the street tires. We didn't do anything too difficult, but did stretch the legs a bit. If I was going to be doing this more, if recommend more aggressive tires and a bit of a lift at a minimum.

There were probably 40 rivians, 2 cyber trucks, and 3 lightnings. The stock lightnings were clearly the underdog when looking at ground clearance and tires from the bunch. However, we were able to do everything they could.

For the more serious off roading I do, I'll stick to my bronco, but it's nice to know this is pretty capable on lighter trails.

This sounds like so much fun! We're glad to hear the F-150 Lightning impressed!

 

[F150ROD]

Cybertruck dude said the Lightning struggled

 

[Mirus]

Cybertruck dude said the Lightning struggled

Both cybertucks had at the very least aggressive off road tires, and at least one had a little lift. All lightnings were lariat or platinum on the stock road tires. One of the lightnings who aired down to 18 psi popped a couple beads while doing donuts in the sand. That was the only place where the lightning struggled and easy to see why as well as easy to fix.

You can't really compare the two, and cyber trucks guys were very pro Tesla.

 

[F150ROD]

Both cybertucks had at the very least aggressive off road tires, and at least one had a little lift. All lightnings were lariat or platinum on the stock road tires. One of the lightnings who aired down to 18 psi popped a couple beads while doing donuts in the sand. That was the only place where the lightning struggled and easy to see why as well as easy to fix.

You can't really compare the two, and cyber trucks guys were very pro Tesla.

I’ve been waiting for the Switchgear videos from this event

 

[Mirus]

I’ve been waiting for the Switchgear videos from this event

Unfortunately I couldn't get any video as I was driving. I'm sure Ford or optima will release some. Switchgear was doing stuff the cybertruck could only dream of.

 

[F150ROD]

Unfortunately I couldn't get any video as I was driving. I'm sure Ford or optima will release some.

Glad you had fun!!! Love the Broncos also!!

hopefully some videos pop up online soon

 

[Realtruck]

Would love to see the videos from this event as well!

 

[Mirus]

Videos should be coming. It looks like they are getting ready to release some of the official photos from the event. I'm sure editing the videos will take a little longer.

 

[Acottrell]

Any idea what that curved plate is hanging down from the bottom? Broken skid plate or put there for some reason??

 

[Mirus]

Any idea what that curved plate is hanging down from the bottom? Broken skid plate or put there for some reason??

That's a good question and one I had myself but forgot to ask. There was two rows of what I would explain as trucker mudflap material that was attached to the bottom and hanging down. It appears very deliberate, I just don't know why. My only guess was to keep sand/dirt from flying up onto the battery and rear motor.

 

[jcm3]

In the video I watched on Youtube they talk about how one of the important mods was protecting the underside from flying rocks.

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