Interview with Rubicon Mechanic Ken Trumpower.
My interview with Ken was very informative. Ken brought forth some simple, basic and important personality traits that are essential to having a good time on the Jeepers Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail.
Number 1: Treat people as you want to be treated. Remember your manners.
Number 2: Be Polite,  so, so true. Ken stated time has no relevance on the Rubicon Trail. This is not a race you will get to the main camp when you get to the main camp. Along the way you will be helped regardless of the situation you find yourself in.

I personally have witnessed what Ken is referring to. There is no bad place to camp for the night if you break down and have to wait hours or overnight for the mechanics to get the part they need to keep you rolling. Make yourself comfortable, set up your tent and just relax and enjoy the environment. Remember the mechanics are volunteers; they don’t get paid. They help because that is what jeepers do. They want you to enjoy your adventure and have a good time.

There is no rush. Look around you, you are in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Please don’t wander off the trail.
The mechanics don’t stop working on the trail because it is 5:00 or even 10:00 p.m. I have had mechanical problems, suspension break downs and had them make sure I and others got to Buck Islands mechanic yard at 1:00 a.m. Where you spend the night, you have a hot breakfast in the morning and the mechanics there finish the repairs for you to be able to continue the rest of the trip. Over 22 years on a couple of trips I arrived in main camp by noon the following day. Having traveled approximately 10 miles in only 30 hours. Gotta love the Rubicon trail, anything can happen and does.

I ask Ken, who is a professional Electrician, what is thee most important tool to have on the trail? His answer was a voltage indicator test light. Electrical problems can be the trickiest to locate. You start by seeing if your battery is providing enough power. Then you track down where the power is not arriving. You can check your fuses without removing them. Is your coil and fuel pump getting juice? This is very good advice, thank you Ken.

When asked what gear you should have on board your vehicle. Ken answered, “emergency food and warm clothes' '. The weather can change every ten minutes in the high sierras, sunny and blue skies,  ten minutes later clouds, rain and hail and then steam coming off the ground in ten more minutes as the sky turns blue again and the sun comes back out.

Be prepared, you never know when you could have to spend the night on the trail. I found this statement of interest as I have had other mechanics make similar comments on avoiding making mistakes due to being wet, hungry and miserable.

A lot of the mechanics have certain specialties they are called on to use to assist the Jamboree participants. Although Ken owns his own very successful Electrical Contracting company, when asked what his specialty was. His answer was doing whatever I am asked to do. He referred to himself as Labor Ready! “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” Ken pointed out the mechanics work together to form solutions for impossible mechanical situations. Give these guys a hairpin, bailing wire, velcro and sheet metal tape and they will build you a spaceship and fly you back to civilization! I have never met a group of men whose goals are accomplished without ego. No one fights or argues for recognition of who figured out the solution or who did the work to fix an impossible problem. What does Ken do, what his told to do, period. And he does it with a smile.

Ken's first adventure on the Rubicon trail was 30 years ago as a teenager. For the 59 anniversary of the Rubicon Jamboree he joined his stepdad Al Woolery who owned All 4WD in South Lake Tahoe before retiring. Al had been a Rubicon mechanic forever. For many this event is generational. Nepotism can be a good thing. President of Jeepers Jamboree Bob Sweeney grandfather was one of the founders. Bob is the third generation his son has participated and soon Bobs grandson will participate, that will be the fifth generation Rubiconer. Yip the dirt and rocks, trees and lakes gets into your blood. Well Ken took up the mantle from his dad Al and became a Red Jacket Rubicon Mechanic eleven years ago.

Being part of the Jeep Famboree is important to Ken. The camaraderie and brotherhood are strong. Being able to call a fellow mechanic with a question, you always get a how can I help attitude. The Famboree member will always make the time to help you out, walk you through the repair and install process with accurate detail.

The Jeep Famboree is not part of the Jeepers or Jeep Jamboree. We are an independent family of jeep enthusiasts who love this trail and the people who participate in this event. Our membership is made up of the folks who have participated in the Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail. Jeep Famboree was formed by Eric Lichtbach after a fun evening in Puerto Vallarta with many of the mechanics from Mechanicsville in Rubicon Springs. Jeff Arabia in a toast, stated we are family.  One of the women said Famboree and lighting struck. That’s when I decided to create Jeep Famboree. Please click on Follow to stay up to date with this brotherhood of people who love the great outdoors and four wheeling.