First time burner... Tent vs. RV???

[nonplatonic]

I'm going with my absolute best friend and we're having a hard time deciding between the two. She's leani more towards an RV, and I'm wanting a more campy feel with a tent. I love "roughing it", and I know it's not going to be easy, but I'd enjoy the work. Suggestions? Experienced opinions?

A pro and con list of each would be dope and greatly appreciated!

[LowePro]

RV: Most rentals in the tri-state region are already booked for that week. You might not have the option to debate.

[Zubeneschamali]

Do your own pro and con list. How long are you going to attend? What is your tolerance to dry, dusty, extreme temperature conditions? What sort of budget do you have? What are you bringing? Do you have to have a private shitter? Do you have special needs?

Lots of variables there and now is a really good time to figure it out quickly. As mentioned, RV rentals started getting booked up back in the winter. You'll still find some out there and they will be over $3K for the week.

I've done them all, and I'll let you in on a little secret. Just between me and you: Look at a cargo van or enclosed trailer. They are cheaper and easier than an RV and provide adequate shelter.

[danibel]

I agree with the cargo van comment above. It's nice to get into something when then wind really hits, but it's not nice to spend 3 days trying to clean an RV. If you rent something (whatever it is) plan on spending HOURS cleaning it. A cargo van fits everything for two people including bikes INSIDE. nothing to blow off or away, this is provided of course that you pack smart and don't bring super duper large items. Find an old futon mattress or foam pad for the back and sleep in it. Reserve soon, rates are going up daily. I booked one a few years ago through enterprise, I did NOT tell them where I was going, and I cleaned it to a degree better than when I picked it up (including engine compartment). Some uhauls will rent for the playa. You will have to research this and plan accordingly.

A tent will never ever be the same after a trip to the playa. A tent vs. RV are like comparing apples and watermelons. It's very likely too late to rent an RV unless you want to pay super duper dollahs. Not worth it, in my opinion, but I am not you.

If you take a cargo van or mini van even, bring a tent too. You will want a place to store all your stuff out of view. I like stand up tents, but you have to think about wind too. Secure all structures with appropriate anchors.

[Eric]

Your "Burning since" date says 2016 - is this something for next year, or this year?
If it's next year you have tons of time to get research in & draw up a "pro/con" list based on the needs of you & your friend. Take the time to do serious legwork, and don't forget to add in the rental fees & gas for an RV, or the shade structure to go over the tent & gas for the cargo/van or car

If it's for this year, you're going to have a hard time finding an RV that's still available in Nevada or California, your best best will involve a long drive that needs to be taken into account: Salt Lake, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, maybe Boise. RVs for Burn week are usually all rented out by the end of October the year before in SF, LA, Reno; then early in the year in places like Sacramento. You also need to give yourself time to clean the RV thoroughly when you get back, returning dirty RVs just makes it harder & way more expensive for everyone the following year.

To make your search easier so you can form your list, use this google-magic format: site:http://eplaya.burningman.org(space)(term)
ie, for RVs it would be this: site:http://eplaya.burningman.org RVs
cooking: site:http://eplaya.burningman.org cooking
tents and dust: site:http://eplaya.burningman.org tents AND dust
etc
The "site:http//" format means all the answer will come only from eplaya

[spacetime]

Camp. You don't need an RV.

[Eric]

Camp. You don't need an RV.

You don't "need" costumes or playa names either, and honestly you don't even need a tent - I know people who've slept for two weeks just in their shade structure - but that doesn't mean some people won't want costumes, or playa names, or tents, or even (*gasp*) RVs.

You have been once grasshopper, and your preferences in how you Burn are just that - your preferences, based on one years experience. Everybody Burns differently, and we all do it right, and we all do it completely wrong, at the same time. Only those people who it directly effects can decide what is right for them.

[spacetime]

your preferences

I'm wanting a more campy feel with a tent. I love "roughing it", and I know it's not going to be easy, but I'd enjoy the work. Suggestions? Experienced opinions?

If your pal is at all pliable to camping, and you enjoy the work you should definitely camp. And bring costumes.

[Captain Goddammit]

I've been going for over a dozen years... this is only my opinion, not a right-or-wrong...
I wouldn't go without my camper. I love being able to escape the goddamm playa for a while, when it's dusty and hot. I can shut the door and be clean, cool, and dark. I can sleep during the hot part of the day, with the A/C on. I can have a nice hot shower and have a good meal. Basically I can be all refreshed and ready to go back out and hit the playa.
Expensive? That depends... in my case, NO! I paid less for my camper than everyone who rents an RV pays for a week's rental. But, I have a big enough pickup to carry it, a place to keep it, and live within reasonable driving distance. If that weren't the case, I just wouldn't go.
If you must rent, it'll be very expensive, and a huge pain in the ass because you need to thoroughly clean the whole rig and get all your shit out of it immediately after the event, when all you want to do is go home.
If roughing it is your choice then go for it. There are tons of eplaya threads about how to set yourself up with playa-tested shade, home made 5-gallon bucket swamp coolers, food storage and prep, etc.
You can make yourself surprisingly comfortable on a modest budget, just do lots of reading. You're in the right place.

[Eric]

your preferences

I'm wanting a more campy feel with a tent. I love "roughing it", and I know it's not going to be easy, but I'd enjoy the work. Suggestions? Experienced opinions?

If your pal is at all pliable to camping, and you enjoy the work you should definitely camp. And bring costumes.

Yes, but her friends preference is the RV, hence the question being asked in the first place. That's why I suggest they do a Pro/Con list of the two, with their needs, their budget, their wants, and come up with the best solution for them, as well as giving them pointers on how to do the research. I'm not telling them which one is better, because one being better for me has absolutely nothing to do with what's going to make them comfortable & happy for the week. You, on the other hand, are suggesting that she pressure her friend into a tent, which might make her friend absolutely miserable, and ruin both their Burns. Trust me, there is nothing worse than someone being brought to the playa and forced to be there in circumstances they don't enjoy. A breakdown is all but guaranteed with the heat, the stress, the altitude, the dehydration, the endless noise and people around you constantly, and the friend might just insist they leave (it's happened in the past, it will happen in the future). Let them figure out which is the solution that they are both happy with.

[EspressoDude]

take both. that way if the 'best friend'-ship gets a little stressed, one can hang out in the tent... oh, and keep what ever you stay in picked up and not stuff piled everywhere...much friendlier

[PlayaPatrol]

RV is hugely more expensive and complicated. If you have the time and money take it. You'll need to spend hours cleaning it to get your deposit back if its a rental. If you borrow it it might break down and you'll have to fix it. Also you are going to spend many more hours insulated in a cocoon RV then if you have a dusty tent. And your neighbors will hate your running your generator all night. And you can't flush the toilet and use the shower or your gonna need hundreds of gallons of water and will have to pay to have the holding tanks pumped out.

[Captain Goddammit]

Pretty much everything you just said is wrong, my setup proves that and has done so for 15 years.

[FIGJAM]

But you are neither a first time burner or average.

[Captain Goddammit]

But my camper setup is the same as the first time I went!

[tatonka]

I went the camper route , looked at RV's and would only use it once a year. The camper comes off and I got a truck I can use. I bought the truck for 900.00 a old ford 3/4 ton. It has made it to the playa 2 years now. Also the camper was free, went to look at it and it didnt smell , so I took it. Works great and no leaks.
I put a shade tarp over the camper and it stays cool in there with Figjams swamp cooler going.

[Bless]

But my camper setup is the same as the first time I went!

Where's the instructional video?

Pictures or it didn't happen.

[Captain Goddammit]

Pretty similar setup as Tatonka's. Bigger truck (4x4 crewcab duallie) because I have a really big heavy camper and I have to tow the Land Yacht, but it's a 1980s truck that doesn't break the bank and I paid $1500 for the camper... Charlie (first mate) scrubbed it out, painted everything in blues and teals and did curtains and bedding and upholstery, turned it into a "glamper". It's really nice.
Extra water jugs on the trailer bring me up to about 100 gallons, all waste goes into big jugs that I just pour out at an RV dump station on the way home.

An air-conditioned RV on the playa can be had on an ordinary workin'-man budget. Sleeping during the hottest part of the day under your blanket because you're too chilly, being impervious to dust storms and having a real, hot-running-water shower every day makes Burning Man a LOT nicer! The only real "IF" is whether you live where you have nowhere to park stuff, or you live so far away you need to fly in.

There are lots more cheap options if you don't have to pull a large heavy trailer with a several-ton M/V!
The whole trick is using old stuff. RVs are the worst investment ever. They are crazy expensive then they depreciate like used toilet paper.

[some seeing eye]

I'm a tenter. Over the years I've created a more and more individualized interior for my camping tent used several times a year. My even more artistic friends had a dreamy center pole canvas tent for 3 with an altar, decorations and space for all their costumes. Other friends have used a carport for playa home with room for a full length mirror, a rack for hangered clothes, decorated inside like a souk.

Look at what you have, what you are bringing, and if driving, how much you can carry. Then look at your inspirations and aspirations. If you have never rented an RV, maybe this is your opportunity to dedicate some vacation money to that just to try it. There is also a big ePlaya RV tips thread worth a read. You could buy and resell an RV. But for the cost of renting an RV over driving your own vehicle, two could experience a fine international trip.

An RV has a vibe and conveniences, and an individualistic tent with shade has a vibe.

Do an image search for "Bedouin tent interior" and "Central Asia yurt interior". Nomads have been into comfortable land living since before RVs!

(A camp is not mandatory, an RV is not mandatory, costumes are not mandatory, showers are not mandatory. Bringing water, interacting/engaging, challenging yourself, bringing enough to survive, not being stupid, and leaving no trace is mandatory. BM is not a festival, it is an opportunity, with responsibility, and thousands to catch you if you fall)

[pink]

I have a camper van I bought for $2000 the year I did my first burn (2005). It's been with me ever since and has been a hell of a lot more comfortable since I discovered reflective bubble wrap.

Friends of mine built a yurt for their first year and it was cooler when hot out and warmer on cold nights than any other structure. With a rug & queen size air mattress it was nice & comfy.

Last year I had virgin friends rent a box truck and they not only had everything they needed for 20 hour in Camp Yellow Line during the rain/mud event, but even had brought a dresser, artwork for the walls, plus night stands and lighting. One of them hates being dirty and couldn't believe how comfy she was with this setup.

So there are a lot of options besides tent/RV even if your friend is adverse to a tent.

[Bless]

If you're considering staying in a tent, all I have to say to you is this: Fournier's gangrene.

Look it up. There's a high probability you will catch it.

[Ratty]

Bless. You may catch it no matter where you sleep. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/criem/2012/154025/

[Bless]

I know. It's a scourge that's plagued the event for many years.