Exp. RVers: Suggestions for House rules for renting an RV

[Canoe]

I forgot.

IMPORTANT: Potable Water in an RENTAL RV.

Only fill the RV water tank with potable water. But, DO NOT CONSUME (drink or cook with) THE WATER OUT OF THE RV TANK!!!
You don't know where prior fillers got their water...

Use the tank water for showering, flushing and dishes.

Bring drinking/cooking water in safe containers for drinking and cooking, as though you're in a tent.

[illy dilly]

I forgot.

IMPORTANT: Potable Water in an RENTAL RV.

Only fill the RV water tank with potable water. But, DO NOT CONSUME (drink or cook with) THE WATER OUT OF THE RV TANK!!!
You don't know where prior fillers got their water...

Use the tank water for showering, flushing and dishes.

Bring drinking/cooking water in safe containers for drinking and cooking, as though you're in a tent.

Or even easier, is just make sure there is a charcoal filter on the line to the galley sink. If there is a drinking faucet and a regular faucet at the sink even better. If the folks at the RV rental place can't tell you when the charcoal filter was changed, stop by a big box hardware store and buy one. They are $15 bucks, and easy as shit to change. You shouldn't even need tools.

Or,
Once you rent the RV, throw about 10-20 gallons in the fresh water tank, with a couple caps of bleach.
Drive around for a while. Then run the fresh/bleach water through the galley sink, into the gray water. Stop at a truck stop pay the $4.95 to dump the couple gallons. Then when you get to Gerlach fill the tank full.
Any bleach that will be left over will be diluted into 80-100 gallons.
If you're very afraid of putting bleach in your drinking water, use a couple cups of vinegar.

[shroom]

very good thread! I hope to try burningman in an rv next year, did the tent thing last year.

[Savannah]

*bump*

[AbundantChoice]

I also can't stress enough the need to have a good organization system once you hit the playa, i.e. "your clothes are in this mini-closet, my clothes are in this mini-closet, snacks are in this shelf, this drawer is for communal glowy crap" etc etc. It's reallllly easy to let stuff get disorganized, which will quickly fill the common areas, then the sleeping areas, and eventually all hell breaks loose. This tends to be a much bigger issue in the 2nd half of the week.

Also, if you are giving lifts to BM to other people in your camp that are tenting it because you have the big RV and all that, be aware that some of them will feel like the RV is their second home by the time you get to the playa, and will be in your RV constantly during the event, trying to use your fridge/food storage for their stuff, napping, etc. This can lead to bent noses as Person X goes "wait.. why am I paying for 1/4 of this RV when I actually spent *less* time in it and used it less than Person Y who wasn't even part of our RV to begin with, and isn't paying anything?"

But yeah, RVs have their pros and cons. I'm going back to a Kodiak canvas tent this year.

[illy dilly]

It's reallllly easy to let stuff get disorganized, which will quickly fill the common areas, then the sleeping areas, and eventually all hell breaks loose. This tends to be a much bigger issue in the 2nd half of the week.

Amen!

Our 'house rule' was daily RV cleaning/pick up is:
9:30ish to 10:30ishAM- its starting to get too hot to sleep, but its not too hot to pick up and organize a lil bit.
4:30ish to 5:30pm- for everyone that is not cooking dinner. The RV has cooled down by then, dinner is being cooked/RV being picked up, so right after dinner everyone can start getting ready for the evening.

[Savannah]

*bump*

[HappySarah]

Last year was my first burn and I rented an RV with 3 other people.
Here is what we did right, and what we couldn't dine differently.

What we did Right:
- Strict rules for toilet usage. The rules were: Never do No. 2 there, Do No. 1 only at night time when sleeping and too tired/drunk/fucked up to make it to the porta potties, and we allowed 1 or 2 showers for each one of us for the whole week, and we had someone standing outside the shower and timing out the shower to 2 minutes only. We also constantly monitored the fresh water tank and the grey water tank and adjust the rules accordingly as we go.
- I watched out for the RV Servicing Trucks while touring the playa, and on a lucky day, I found one! I gave them our address and asked them for a time, and they showed up, and emptied our grey water tank! It costs $60 and it was totally worth it! I was lucky to find them exactly in the middle of the week, because it would have sucked if I only saw them in the first day or the last day!
- We were with a camp that provides a generator at a low cost, so we got to enjoy the AC at the day time without exceeding the RV generator usage and having to pay extra for it.
- Sleeping and belongings storage arrangement: it’s easier to divide the space from day 1 so everyone knows where their stuff are and where they are expected to sleep.
- We made full use of the fridge, freezer since they run on propane, so they were on ALL the time. We brought vacuum sealed frozen gourmet meals and that was awesome! All what we needed to do was to leave them out to defrost in few minutes and microwave them!


What we couldn't done differently:

- We allowed people in, which is fun and we got to make many friends, but also caused lots of stress and at some times, someone would get back to the RV very tired and looking for some peace just to find 8 people partying in this little space
- We kept our shoes on inside the RV which totally destroyed it! The space was very dusty and dirty all week round!!
- We didn't do our homework in finding an RV cleaning company ahead of time and book it. This resulted in going to some scamming company, paying a lot for bad service, and waiting as long as 12 hours to be serviced
- We didn't keep the place organized (I am pretty messy myself), and we were constantly looking for things that we lost in the messy space
- We didn't register all of us as eligible drivers, so people who picked up the RV were the only ones allowed to drive it which was unfair for them

[trilobyte]

You probably also could have considered setting up an account with United Services ahead of time, and scheduling your RV servicing in advance.

[ranger magnum]

We had a similar issue allowing random people in our RV in 2012.

Needless to say, its just the wife and I now. While we camp with other great folks, the RV is our private space.

But due to the high cost of renting a coach, most people don't have the luxury of going solo.

[Mojojita]

Something I found that works really well with keeping clutter down: I have a big tote that lives outside under the shade next to the RV that is named The Black Box of Despair, everything left out of place goes in it. If anyone is missing something - it's the first place to look.

[Savannah]

A tip I learned on ePlaya, and passed along to a friend this year: Hang an over-the-door organizer with lots of clear plastic pockets on the back of every door that will support one. (You might also put one on a wall).

I suggested it to him because I'd noticed that in previous years, all of his interior flat surfaces were overrun by random stuff. This year, he had a highly organized girlfriend camping with him, and I knew she would hate what happens to his countertops if he didn't take measures against it.

(They told me it worked out really well.)

[some seeing eye]

Thanks Savannah. Now I discover I need clear plastic shoe organizers at home as well as organizing non shoe every item on playa! Who would have known...

[Eddaytona]

You can book an appointment with the pump out truck company before you get to the Playa? How?

Our first year it was no problem getting a pump out on Wednesday. This year we had to use one of our large coolers lined with a garbage bag for excess grey water until the pump out. It was a real crisis and we are very rigorous in grey and black water usage. We couldn't get a pump truck until Saturday.

The pump truck guys told us there were only 16-18 trucks in the entire city and they were dedicated to the porta potties for the most part so couldn't stop, sorry. The 20% increase in population and resultant extra RVs and potties were not planned for and slammed them.

Hopefully the Borg and United send another four or five truck out this coming year (please). But, if you can book in advance that would be awesome. Any hints for doing that?

[Jackass]

herd.jpg

[Eric]

It was a real crisis and we are very rigorous in grey and black water usage. We couldn't get a pump truck until Saturday.

I've been in an RV since 2003 and we've never had a grey-water problem, and only came close to a black-water one once (when a friend broke his foot but didn't want us to have to leave the playa early, so he used the toilet since he couldn't get to the porta-potties). Use disposable plates & bowls (burnables), use water sparingly for washing other dishes, if you must shower limit everyone to 1 or 2 for the week, depending on how many people are in there, and they are only allowed to run the water to get wet & rinse off. If someone wants more showers, they need to set up an outdoor unit or your group needs to figure out a way to deal with the gray water that doesn't rely on an extremely limit resource (United Services)

The pump truck guys told us there were only 16-18 trucks in the entire city and they were dedicated to the porta potties for the most part so couldn't stop, sorry.

Hopefully the Borg and United send another four or five truck out this coming year (please). But, if you can book in advance that would be awesome. Any hints for doing that?

United Services is there to deal with the porta-potties, any pump-outs are just an extra burden to them, and not to be expected. If BMorg adds extra trucks, it will be to deal with the blue rooms, not to make RVer's lives easier (and I'm an RVer, this is not coming from someone one of those "anti-RV" people).

Contracting service is easy - contact United Services, just like Trilo said in his post. However, don't expect it to be cheap. Limited resource and all that.

[Dr. Pyro]

I need to do a rant about United Services. They are a monopoly and do not care about you. Barbie Death Village had contracted with them over the phone a month prior to the event to pump out our gray water from our shower twice during the week, once on Wednesday and again late Saturday, for a flat rate of $150. Both parties agreed that was reasonable and we went forward from there. Frank the Vintner had all his ducks in order and even met up with the United Services people early in the week on playa just to double check. Yes, we and the agreement we contracted were in the system. And they did show up on Wednesday as contracted. But upon arrival the useless long-haired stoned pile of human debris informed us that United Services was changing the terms on the contract right then and there: $1/gallon, or $275 per visit, or $550 for the two stops. This is $400 more, or an increase of better than 350% from what we had agreed initially. We had no recourse. Our Villagemates paid for, and rightfully expected, to be able to use the showers daily. One of the privileges of being a Barbiebarian. So we paid it. Keep in mind we did not have the $400 extra dollars budgeted into our plans and guess who paid it? Well, the camp as it turns out, but initially I did. Cash, no credit. So the moral of the story is that United Services is a dishonest outfit who will screw you five ways to Sunday given the chance. You might say, "Well Doc, you're an idiot, a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." No, we need competition on the playa just like in real life for services rendered. The 10 Principles do not apply to United Services and we need an alternative.

Stepping down now from soapbox.

[FIGJAM]

Doc, could it be a scam by the driver?

Did you tell united services about it, and what did they say?

[Dr. Pyro]

Oh we told them all right. They said something like "$150 was just an estimate" and that the $1/gallon reflected their true cost of doing business. The driver was "...just following (orders) instructructions..." and that everybody on the playa was paying $1/gallon and $60 per RV to pump (I do not disagree with the latter) out their mess. Frank has been complaining, but the BMOrg or whoever oversees this pretty much said since our contract was verbal it was legally nonbinding. Complete horseshit I tell you. And who in the end suffers? Our Villagemates, that's who. This year we're going to have to cut back the hours people are going to be able to shower from 14 hours a day (8 a.m. until 10 p.m.) to two three hour shifts: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. unless people 1) provide their own water in one of those solar bags; and 2) pay $3 per shower (each bag holds around 3 gallons) durning non-operating hours. Seems senseless, doesn't it? Figjam, we've known each other for what, five or six years? I think you understand me well enough and know how anal I am that I would not overlook somthing as vital, and economically sensitive, as this. United Services are assholes.

[FIGJAM]

Didn't doubt you for a minute!

Just seemed like a drivers perfect opportunity take advantage of burners on the spot.

[mulch]

I keep hearing this premise that you shouldn't shit in the RV toilet. Maybe my RV is special, but with a full dose of the blue formaldehyde chemical In the tank, there is never any smell in the RV. None. And being able to take a clean private shit in the morning after coffee and then clean up for the day in the same place is perhaps the best part of having an RV imo. I would reserve the toilet for shitting mostly, and as suggested above pissing only when you are desperate in the night or drunk or something, pissing is what uses up more of the tank volume and for guys, pissing in the porta-potty is no big deal. Now as the OP suggested, that may not work with 6 people sharing one RV, but that's a different issue than just the blanket rule about RVs and taking a shit. Maybe my shit doesn't stink, I don't know.

[FIGJAM]

Pee jugs for the win!!!

[theCryptofishist]

It's true, some people don't know their shit stinks.


(God, I love that idiom. Had to use it. Perfect opportunity and all.)

[name redacted]

I keep hearing this premise that you shouldn't shit in the RV toilet. Maybe my RV is special, but with a full dose of the blue formaldehyde chemical In the tank, there is never any smell in the RV. None. And being able to take a clean private shit in the morning after coffee and then clean up for the day in the same place is perhaps the best part of having an RV imo. I would reserve the toilet for shitting mostly, and as suggested above pissing only when you are desperate in the night or drunk or something, pissing is what uses up more of the tank volume and for guys, pissing in the porta-potty is no big deal. Now as the OP suggested, that may not work with 6 people sharing one RV, but that's a different issue than just the blanket rule about RVs and taking a shit. Maybe my shit doesn't stink, I don't know.

Yup, that about sums it up..

We always get a pump out on Wednesday, as we arrive on Friday before the event. To be able to use the toilet during the burn is worth the $60 for a pump out...

[BBadger]

Oh we told them all right. They said something like "$150 was just an estimate" and that the $1/gallon reflected their true cost of doing business. The driver was "...just following (orders) instructructions..." and that everybody on the playa was paying $1/gallon and $60 per RV to pump (I do not disagree with the latter) out their mess. Frank has been complaining, but the BMOrg or whoever oversees this pretty much said since our contract was verbal it was legally nonbinding. Complete horseshit I tell you. And who in the end suffers? Our Villagemates, that's who. This year we're going to have to cut back the hours people are going to be able to shower from 14 hours a day (8 a.m. until 10 p.m.) to two three hour shifts: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. unless people 1) provide their own water in one of those solar bags; and 2) pay $3 per shower (each bag holds around 3 gallons) durning non-operating hours. Seems senseless, doesn't it? Figjam, we've known each other for what, five or six years? I think you understand me well enough and know how anal I am that I would not overlook somthing as vital, and economically sensitive, as this. United Services are assholes.

And there it is folks. Lesson of the story: get it in writing. I wouldn't even use the term "contract" in the context of "verbal agreement." Especially get the "contract" in writing in a case like this, where the contractor knows he/she is holding all the cards.

[Eddaytona]

For us it's all about gray and black water limiting. We have plenty of fresh in the tank and a bunch in 2.5 gallon jugs. But since we are on Playa for 10 days our tanks can almost overflow by the end. A moop disaster if that happens. One can not count on a well timed pumper truck to save your leaking ass. (also why we carry a large empty cooler lined with 50 gal. heavy duty trash-bags if we fail in our conservation efforts.

Cool thing we learned at our 4th burn in an RV that really prevented that is: Make sure all the faucets are off along with the toilet flusher. Turn on the water pump until it stops making water pump noise. You will hear this. Then you have just enough of a dose of pressurized water to use for shaving, brushing, a few dishes, rinsing down toilet piss etc. This is primarily to keep the gray water tank from filling during the week and not run out of fresh water so we could take a couple of showers during that time. Also, No fear of water overuse in the event your blitzed camp mate leave a faucet on too long or too open and doesn't remember to switch off the water pump.

Last year we screwed up and got a pump out of on Thursday of the black water but didn't understand the gray water was a separate pump powered system. No matter. We were fine because of this technique.

Another tip even if you are in a tent is to bring a load of bar rags usually in a 48 count pack. We have a cooler just for canned drinks that is iced down. Dip the rag in the ice cold water and wipe your dusty parts off with the rags. Heavenly on a hot day and 3/4 as good as a full shower. Saves plenty of grey water and the rags will dry in a few hours for either reuse or to wipe down dusty areas in the RV esp. around cooking areas, or to take another what used to be called a chorus girl bath.

Other rules: No crapping. I used to tour in rock and role buses and that rule was in place back then for a good sanitary purpose. No shoes past the steps.Step into slippers from there. A sheet over your beding each morning so keep the dust down on your blankets and pillows. A dedicated closet area for dirty clothing.

Finally we learned we could heat the water just a bit for a shower and still have a large amount of propane left over for the trip if you do not over do it.

[Captain Goddammit]

6 people in one RV absolutely sucks and results in all these rules about not using the shower, toilet, kitchen, A/C etc.
Well fuck, what's the matter with you? Why have one then?
Solution? BUY your own small RV, preferably a truck camper or a trailer. You can buy an old but useable (therefore perfect for the playa!) camper for a whole lot less money than renting a new coach for one week.
Then you, or you and your partner, make it your own.
Some paint, fabric and effort (on the part of the First Mate, but I'm always busy working on the MV pre-BM) and it's super plush and pretty inside.
This solves so many problems... enforcing house rules, collecting deposits, worrying about post event mad-rush clean up, tripping over other people's stuff, strained friendships.
I paid $1500 for my camper. It's got a big fridge, A/C, shower, big comfy bed, it's dust-free and a wonderful retreat when the playa is beating me or the first mate ragged.
Got nowhere to keep one? You can probably rent a storage space somewhere and still pay less than renting a coach for BM.
Or sell it, cheap at a loss for quick action and still be money ahead.

[lshiva]

I've never used an RV on the Playa, but I have searched dozens as part of Gate, and I can offer some advice based on that.

1. Use you cargo compartments. I've seen plenty of RV's that have the people friendly spaces crammed to the gills, but didn't put anything in the cargo spaces.

2. Expect to have Gate tromp through your pristine, dust-free RV. They've been standing outside in the sun for hours, getting positively plastered with dust. If you ask really nicely, and have them ready they may put plastic booties on over their boots. Maybe. They are not going to take their boots off for you.

3. Keep everything accessible. They need to look in your shower, in the closets, anywhere and everywhere. If you've got a bunch of heavy crap piled on the bed you may need to move it so they can check the cargo space under it. The easier you make it the faster you and everyone behind you in line gets to Burning Man.

4. Tickets. By the time you get to the Gate either the driver or someone else near the front needs to have all the tickets collected and ready. If even one person needs to go to Will Call, the whole vehicle needs to stop and wait for that person. There is no easy way to separate and then join up again after Gate. It is miles from Gate to the city, and very hard to find one specific vehicle after it has left Gate. Spending 15 minutes here could save you hours trying to track people down later.

5. Sobriety. It's Burning Man, you're in a rolling hotel room. It's easy to get caught up in the party mood. But your driver needs to stay sober until you're in camp. That includes weed. You're probably driving something much bigger than usual that can't maneuver or stop as fast as you're used to. Don't make it harder, and especially don't give the cops a reason to arrest you before you even get to camp. Last year I remember seeing at least one person pulled over constantly at the beginning of the week. Don't let a BS moving violation or warning turn into a DUI.

[mulch]

I keep seeing this "don't shit in the RV" mantra. Maybe my RV is special but with a good dose of the aldehyde based sanitizer we never had any smell and it was one of the great luxuries of the RV - not having to deal with nasty portalets is great. For guys, we peed in the portalets but enjoyed our after coffee wake and bake get the morning going shits very much.

[mulch]

Shit.... Just noticed that I drunk posted the same thing to this thread a year or so ago.... so it must be true