Who has brought their Tesla?

[DragonHeart]

I would love to hear from someone that has actually traveled to Black Rock City with their Tesla. I can find a lot of opinions about why it's a terrible idea. But I would like to hear from someone who has ACTUALLY done it. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and wisdom.

DragonHeart

[Token]

Ask Elon.

Circa 2007 - the roadster prototype.

[Token]

2021



He had to charge it 24 hours from a generator to get above 50% charge for the tip back.

Then there is the X towing a trailer but not much data ~ 2017

[some seeing eye]

This is one of those internet questions: "I already decided to do (stupid) X, prove me wrong."

The playa dust destroys metal and electrical connections over time. "Oh, I'll just sell my faulty vehicle to someone before that without telling them I destroyed it."

Bring a beater bike, bring a beater car.

[Sham]

First, range anxiety is a real thing. You may find yourself waiting in line for entry, 6 hours with the AC on part of the time. You may be waiting for 4 hours to exit after the party's over. Roll down the windows if you don't want to run down the battery using the AC.
The talcum powder fine dust with permeate every last crevice of the mechanics of the car. That shit will cover the interior including the upholstery and the carpet. It never comes out. This car will always have the telltale badge of being at Burning Man.
The vehicle I'm bringing this year is a 17 year old van in perfect mechanical condition. It will need a full going over once it leaves the playa.

[Token]

The whole “corrosive Playa” narrative is touched by hysteria and urban legend.

Yeah, you can use a pH strip and prove its alkaline ~ 9-10 … just like soapy water.

Yes, it can degrade fine electronics and such but cars … Taken many, none ruined or dissolved, corroded or otherwise.

What Sham said is true, it will get dirty and is near impossible to restore to pre-Playa condition. At least not practically.

So, go ahead. I say bring it. It’s a car, not some priceless one of a kind heirloom. If you don’t mind the bit of Playa permanence in your ride and have a charging/range strategy … do it.

[Molotov]

I have a model Y Performance, but won't take it onto the playa. I'm sticking with my gas hog truck to tow my camper. Now when (if?) my Cybertruck arrives, it will be a monster in Black Rock City!

[Token]

I have a model Y Performance, but won't take it onto the playa. I'm sticking with my gas hog truck to tow my camper. Now when (if?) my Cybertruck arrives, it will be a monster in Black Rock City!

That’s what I’m talking about!

If you buy the thing, drive it like you stole it!

[Drizzt321]

The whole “corrosive Playa” narrative is touched by hysteria and urban legend.

Yeah, you can use a pH strip and prove its alkaline ~ 9-10 … just like soapy water.

Yes, it can degrade fine electronics and such but cars … Taken many, none ruined or dissolved, corroded or otherwise.

What Sham said is true, it will get dirty and is near impossible to restore to pre-Playa condition. At least not practically.

So, go ahead. I say bring it. It’s a car, not some priceless one of a kind heirloom. If you don’t mind the bit of Playa permanence in your ride and have a charging/range strategy … do it.

In my experience with the dust (bicycles) , it's not an immediate thing, it's when you don't clean it off stuff when you get home that it super-charges corrosion. Wash and scrub it off e everywhere you can, otherwise the moisture in the air (even places like Arizona, they do have a rainy(ier) season with moisture) will react with the dust and whatever it's sitting on, especially metals.

Hose and wipe off, and get underneath (or for car interiors, detail it/shampoo it) within a week or so of getting home and I expect it'll be OK.

Also don't forget about truck washes if you have a cargo van/box truck/RV or the like. They'll also use their power washer wands to get the undercarriage. And most of them are 24hrs. Doesn't help the inside of course. It you can at least get the outside cleaned off.

[The Rod]

We had someone approach us as we were packing up last year (renegade) and asked if we could charge his tesla. We laughed. We could not charge his tesla. I wonder if he made reddit...

[Molotov]

If the battery was very low and he plugged his Tesla charger into a generator on the playa, it would have to charge over 8 hours gaining about 4 miles per every hour charged) to get any significant level, probably not enough to make it to Fernley (no Tesla charger there, but there are others)

It might be a better bet for the driver to utilize one of the Pyramid Lake campgrounds operated by the tribe and stay the night plugged into one of the power pedestals. But even then, on 110 volts, it's still about 4 miles per every hour charging.