Rental Tents?

[Lucas the Nomad]

Hi all,

I'm an Australian heading to burning man for the first time this year and I'm trying to figure out what to do about a tent.

I've actually be on the road for nearly 12 months now and wont be home before I get to the playa, so bringing one from home is not an option. I could buy one somewhere once I get to the states, but that seems wasteful and against the spirit of the event to buy a tent that I'll only use for that week.

Does anyone have any pointers for where one might rent a tent that will survive a week on the playa? or other suggestions how I might temporarily acquire one?

Thanks!

Lucas

[FossaFerox]

I don't think anyone would rent you a tent for Burning Man, sadly, even if you managed to find someone who rents tents. Having borrowed a friend's tent last year I can tell you that that tent will never be the same. I cleaned it three times and there's still playa dust in all the seams. Thankfully he's joining me at the burn this year and using the same tent, so no real damage done.

That being said, I imagine it would take you approximately zero minutes to find someone who would love a gift like a tent at the end of the week, provided it isn't total rubbish.

Coleman Sundome's are good, cheap options. The 3 man version (9'x7' or 2.7mx2.1m) run about 50 USD on Amazon. They unfortunately have top vents you'll want to cover somehow (numerous threads here on securing tents to minimize dust issues) but other than that they're very well made and will survive the burn and make a fantastic gift or donation (Good Will, etc).

[trilobyte]

There are companies that rent shelters (mostly sketchy/shady operations that don't have the necessary BLM/OSS permits and paperwork in place - we don't permit them to advertise here), but they tend to focus on heavier duty structures and shelters. Anything less than that is very visibly worn from the playa, even when handled with the loving care of the owner... and would largely be useless for rentals and continual re-use.

Get yourself a tent, then donate it when you're done. If you're unable to find someone who would be happy for the gift on the playa, there is information about recycling and donating supplies post-event that goes out in one of the Jack Rabbit Speaks newsletters between now and the burn (a printed guide is also distributed at the gate).

[theCryptofishist]

The problem is that tents get trashed out there.

REI and UC Berkeley recreation extra-curriculum thingie have rented gear in the past, but is trashing their tent a way to go? Please, read up on tents and shade structures here.

If you hook up with a camp, it's totally possible that they will take it off your hands at the end. Having a spare tent for a camp can turn out to be useful.

[GreyCoyote]

Lucas: Enjoyed your website hugely! Remind me to buy you a drink in the Dust and force you to tell us stories until you're hoarse.

All: If you're a voyeuristic traveler, it's worth a read.

Damn, this guy must have some flyer miles! hehehehe...

[Lucas the Nomad]

Thanks for the advice everyone, in hindsight the gifting route seems really obvious (and even fits in perfectly with the rules) but for some reason it didn't occurred to me

GreyCoyote: Glad you enjoyed it, be sure to say hello if you do happen to see me

[Titty McVittie]

Hi there,

I am currently looking on craigslist.com and kijiji.com, both popular American sites, for a motorhome as Karl & I are looking to travel the West Coast of the USA and into Nevada - I'd recommend looking for a recycled tent / lodgings on there - they you can be in a complete recycle loop!

Best of luck, TMV

[BBadger]

Just make sure the recycled tent isn't some stinky, mildew-infested tent with a gaping hole in it and 3x 6" stakes.

[The Swan]

Hello Everyone,

Registered in STEP so hoping to get a ticket for this year. I'll be in a similar position to Lucas as if I buy a tent, it is not worth it to take it all the way back to Barbados. Gifting is a good idea. Reading the posts however, I'd need to buy a fairly sturdy/good quality tent that won't blow away in the winds. FossaFerox suggested a Coleman Sundome which sounds reasonable for around $50 on Craig's List. Would this type of tent be appropriate or would I need to spend more $$? Also thought about hiring a mini van and using that to sleep in but imagine it would get very hot in the day unless under a shade structure. Could this be an alternative to a tent? At least it is somewhere secure as well to lock any valuables.

[trilobyte]

Do some reading, it's entirely possible that the issue of tents and camping is covered exhaustively here already.