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Cybertruck Gets Stuck on a Small Snowy Hill: What the Video Shows

A Cybertruck struggled for traction on a snowy hill in a 2023 video and was towed up by a Ford. The footage does not establish a mechanical cause or the vehicle’s overall off-road capability.
Entry335 Date Time2 min MechanicCarCody Team
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A Cybertruck carrying a Christmas tree struggled to climb a snowy hill in a video reported by Futurism on Dec. 12, 2023. A white Ford then towed it up. The clip documents one recovery, not a controlled test of the truck or proof of its overall off-road capability.

What happened in the video

Futurism reporter Victor Tangermann described a video circulating on Reddit that showed the Cybertruck’s tires spinning as its driver tried to climb a snowy hill. The truck had a Christmas tree in its bed, and a white Ford slowly towed it up the hill from a dirt track above. Futurism credited the video to Matt Chambers via Instagram. Read Futurism’s Dec. 12, 2023 report.

The report says Chambers recalled that the truck had been recovered after “sliding off trail.” The footage and account do not establish the precise trail, who was driving, the vehicle’s configuration or tire pressure, the recovery method, or a definitive cause of the loss of traction.

What the clip does—and does not—show

The visible struggle for traction and the tow are the incident’s clearest takeaways. The clip is not a controlled comparison: it does not document enough conditions or setup details to isolate why the truck struggled or to draw a general conclusion about Cybertruck performance.

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Chambers told Futurism: “No lockers due to software issues, not aired down, no pickup points, no recovery points!” Those are his claims, as reported by Futurism—not an independently verified mechanical diagnosis. The report does not establish that software caused the incident or independently confirm the truck’s equipment or recovery-point configuration.

Forest-road access requires a current map

In a follow-up published Dec. 18, 2023, Futurism reported that the Stanislaus National Forest Service responded publicly and highlighted Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) and preparedness. Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken was quoted as saying, “We are always thrilled when new opportunities to explore our public lands become available.” Read the follow-up report.

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An MVUM identifies designated roads and trails where wheeled vehicles may travel, the vehicle types allowed, and the seasons when routes are open. The Forest Service says drivers are expected to follow the regulations shown on the map. Its general MVUM guidance for Gifford Pinchot National Forest explains what these maps convey; it does not determine current access in Stanislaus National Forest.

Before heading out, check the current MVUM for the specific forest and route, along with applicable local orders. Access may be seasonal, and restrictions can change. The Forest Service’s national roads and trails information describes designated-route data, including vehicle types and seasons, and says it should be verified against the relevant published unit map. A general map page or a 2023 news story is not a current access determination.

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Recovery equipment depends on the vehicle and setup

A tow in a video is not enough to identify an appropriate recovery strap or attachment point. Recovery equipment must be compatible with the vehicle, appropriately rated, and used with suitable procedures and approved rated recovery points. Since the report attributes the claim that this truck had no recovery points to Chambers, it does not establish that a strap could have been attached safely in this incident. Do not treat the clip as a product recommendation or a recovery how-to.

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