RV Costs

[_PlayaReeves_]

Hey guys, I have an RV rented with Cruise America and it's looking like it will cost about $4,400 for the 11 nights. Throw in gas, cleaning, and a few other misc costs and we're easily around 5,000 smackaroos. Everyone I mention the cost to seems to think this is way too much to be paying for an RV. Now, I realize it's a huge cost, but are other reliable RVing alternatives significantly less?? I didn't see anything that seemed to be much less when I was looking around online. Can anyone who's done some thorough research on pricing weigh-in here? Thx

[CaffeineGirl]

Simple rule of supply and demand, the closer the pickup point to BRC, and the closer to the time to the event the rental is arranged, the more it is going to cost. My husband and I live near Porkland, OR, and rent from there for way less than you listed. We also book by Feb. to lock in early season discounts. Since we can drive it home after the event, we have the opportunity to clean it ourselves. We have rented from the same company for 10 years and have always gotten the cleaning deposit back.

[_PlayaReeves_]

Thx CaffeineGirl. It is rented from a good location, close to The Burn. But I rented it long in advance, they just didn't have any price breaks for early booking.

[Eric]

CaffeineGirl is correct - the costs can vary greatly depending on how early you book, which company you book with, and how close the city you're getting the RV from is to BRC. All the close cities know it's a high demand period, not just for BMan but for Labor Day, and rates go up accordingly. We usually book as soon as we get back from BRC, or as soon as they have those dates open.

Size of the RV will also be a factor, as will be the newness and "niceness" of it. You can get old, janky RV's without generators cheap, but then you basically have a tin box with no fridge or a/c, so what's the point?

[Canoe]

Out of Salt Lake City in 2010
13 days, 1200 miles, $3433.49. Plus gas.

... SLC and drove over in a 30 footer. It was the only size left on August 10th, 2010. There were three available in the morning, and only one in the afternoon, but five still available down in Vegas. They said the small sizes sell out first. I had it a day short of two weeks, 1200 miles ($384) with $0.32 per extra mile: $3433.49 with tax. Plus gas...

[trilobyte]

We need to avoid this turning into a rate-shopping thread, please.

It sounds like you paid a premium for proximity and convenience. Price is relative, I know people who've paid more for less, and people who've paid less for more. Trying to book something at this stage in the game would likely be a lot more costly (regardless of any non-refundable deposits), so rather than stressing over that you may as well make peace with it and move on.

[nilasnake]

but it is nice to have concrete figures for those that had NO clue what possible costs were, particularly useful for travelers from afar or birgins.

[DrYes]

but it is nice to have concrete figures for those that had NO clue what possible costs were, particularly useful for travelers from afar or birgins.

That price is at the low end of the range to rent an equipped RV for Burning Man. Prices for nice RVs delivered to the playa can go much higher ($10,000, for instance).

[_PlayaReeves_]

Ok cool.
@Trilobyte- I wasn't trying to rate-shop or conduct a scientific survey, just wanted a general sense. My friends were arguing that this RV cost too much so I wanted some well-informed input. Thx!
@Canoe- We definitely paid less for the same RV last year, and I think even less in '11, so this company (I'd assume others as well) are letting their rates creep upwards. They were sold-out long in advance so I guess they can get away with it.
@Dr.Yes- Ya, that's what I thought.

[trilobyte]

@_PR_ that's how I read your initial post, but with that and a couple replies it looked like there was a potential for it to turn into something like that.

[DrYes]

@Canoe- We definitely paid less for the same RV last year, and I think even less in '11, so this company (I'd assume others as well) are letting their rates creep upwards. They were sold-out long in advance so I guess they can get away with it.

Yeah, the place we rent from jacked the prices up by almost $1000 for the week this year. Seriously looking into a hexayurt for next year.

[Savannah]

@Canoe- We definitely paid less for the same RV last year, and I think even less in '11, so this company (I'd assume others as well) are letting their rates creep upwards. They were sold-out long in advance so I guess they can get away with it.

Yeah, the place we rent from jacked the prices up by almost $1000 for the week this year. Seriously looking into a hexayurt for next year.

I want to try a box truck. Solid walls, lots of space, and even a little natural (moving) shade. Hang a solar shower off of the outside over a simple evap pond. Great for one or two. If I were comfortable driving a big vehicle I'd have done so years ago.

. . . The downside of RV travel for virgins (besides expense) is feeling totally exposed and unready if it becomes unaffordable when your RV-mates back out with 6 weeks left to go.

[Canoe]

@_PR_ that's how I read your initial post, but with that and a couple replies it looked like there was a potential for it to turn into something like that.

A number of times in various threads we've posted what we paid to give people an idea of what prices are, and illustrate how they can tend to drop as you get further from Reno (sometimes dramatically if you go to Las Vegas or even Phoenix, but then you've got the time & gas, & possibly mileage). With the date, people can see how it rises over time.

[Drawingablank]

Thx CaffeineGirl. It is rented from a good location, close to The Burn. But I rented it long in advance, they just didn't have any price breaks for early booking.

Could probably get better rates booking it further away - but once you add in the additional gas and mileage charges it will probably even out.

[Canoe]

Could probably get better rates booking it further away - but once you add in the additional gas and mileage charges it will probably even out.

Depends. There can be a huge premium to rent out of Reno.
Best I ever heard of was an RV out of Phoenix. $1,500 for two weeks with unlimited mileage. One of their campers was willing to fly there and bring it to Reno to pickup the others. Claimed to have a 'back-road' route that was quick.
You'd have to have the time and do the math.

[Savannah]

I've never heard of a deal so good in my life.

Was it a private renter?

[Canoe]

Apparently a very small mom&pop.
The guy thought it was four to six units for rent.

[Captain Goddammit]

I want to try a box truck. Solid walls, lots of space, and even a little natural (moving) shade. Hang a solar shower off of the outside over a simple evap pond. Great for one or two. If I were comfortable driving a big vehicle I'd have done so years ago

Not a bad idea, lots do it and of course it makes it easy to carry whatever you want, but you'd be surprised at how expensive that route is too!

If I did that, I'd bring a real bed, headboard, box spring, mattress & all.

[engineer2012]

How much for RV rent? I think people have a right to know, be informed. It is not secret info. People need to plan, save money for the best experience in their lifes. The NSA probably scan all our emails anyhow. So, from Las Vegas, last year. $1700,- includes unlimited miles. In addition: Gas about $525,- and cleaning cost $300,-. Vegas-Fallon-BRC-Fallon-Vegas, total $2525,- (€1942,31). Cruise America, 12 nights. Good deal in my eyes. Made reservations via travel agency in January 2012.

[Hottlotus]

Theres an RV Available for rent its an older one for half the price but has everything A/C, Generator, stove, sleeping area and couches. Email [email protected]

[dragonpilot]

A 30' fully equipped RV from El Monte here in the Seattle area for 11 days goes for about $3,800 plus about $650 for gas. In the past I filled it with committed ticketed travelers and they held their seat with a $500 deposit with balance due 2 weeks from departure day. Announcements on Craigslist or scouring the BM Rideshare link daily resulted in enough people to make the cost share a bit more affordable.

Interior overcrowding was reduced by asking everyone to pitch a tent for sleeping/personal space/gear storage...and other tricks to make life bearable.

[Captain Goddammit]

WTF are you people doing??
My RV is a 1987 Vacationeer 11 1/2 foot truck camper. It has everything, A/C, big fridge, hot shower, king size bed.
I paid $1500 for it. And I get to tow a trailer. I could buy the truck too on a couple year's RV rent. I drive the truck throughout the year (not everyday) and I know what shape it's in.
The camper is perfect for BM, provides every comfort for cooking, sleeping, washing, and escaping dust storms. The small interior volume is much easier to aircondition, and the playa dust cleanup is lots easier, if any.
How much time are you gonna spend inside your rig other than sleeping, cooking, or washing?

[Canoe]

Nice, but flying in from out of country, that's not an easy to arrange option (finding, registration, insurance, etc.).
If you're driving from back East, gas for such can be $3,000 round trip, or more if it's not a modern engine.

[atomicray]

I did a couple quick checks and there are units out of Sacramento for the whole time period for much much less than the $4-5,000.

Might be worth a fly in there to get a decent unit.

[theCryptofishist]

Sacramento is a small airport. My former boss lives in Davis, not far away. Once or twice, trying to make travel arrangements for him, I put Sacramento in as an option for flights, and they were very expensive. Now, I was using the software we have at work and so I don't know how typical the results were, but you may find that you're eating up a bit much of your savings if you fly there, and that the train, while something of a hassle from SFO, is worth the trouble.

of course, ymmv.