VIDEO: Tesla Cybertruck stuck on Oregon sand dunes
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Tesla driver needed a tow after their all-electric Cybertruck got stuck in the dunes at the Sand Lake Recreation Area in Sandlake on the Oregon Coast earlier this month.
Washington resident Randy Ridenour told KOIN 6 News that he was riding his all-terrain vehicle in the area around 4 p.m. on May 18 when he happened across a RAM pickup towing the Cybertruck out of the dunes.
“[We] came over a dune and noticed a bunch of people standing around,” Ridenour said. “That’s when I realized why there was so much interest. [A Tesla Cybertruck is] not something you usually see out there.”
According to the Tesla website, the battery-powered truck can take drivers “into the backcountry and beyond” with its dual-motor, all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. The truck also offers modes for various off-road terrains like gravel, deep snow, rock, sand and water.
“Off-road driving is driving your vehicle on an unpaved surface such as sand, silt, dirt, or mud, or on rocky or snow-covered surfaces,” the Cybertruck owner’s manual states. “When Cybertruck is in Off-Road Mode, you have access to settings and drive modes that allow you to manage steep ascents, descents, uneven terrain, shallow creeks, and other obstacles you may encounter.”
Although the Cybertruck is designed for off-road driving, Tesla states in the “limitations and warnings” section of its Cybertruck owner’s manual that drivers should “exercise extra caution when the terrain surface is wet, sandy, or slippery,” and that “loose gravel, sand, and other environmental conditions may affect the performance of off-road modes.” Any damage caused by off-road driving is not covered in the vehicle’s warranty.
While a fellow off-roader helped the Tesla driver escape the Oregon sand dunes, the Tesla Off-Road Guide also offers tips for drivers trying to navigate sandy and snowy terrain.
“Momentum is key to avoid sinking and being stuck, so avoid stopping in deep sand and snow if possible,” the guide states. “If you do become stuck in deep sand or snow, try using ‘trail assist’ set to a very low speed to crawl out.”