travel

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:07 am

Heyyy everyone. I'm attending BM for my first time this year and my only question is concerning my vehicle. I have an 88' toyota camry 4cyl. sedan. I'm not too familiar with the climate in BRC. I'm from New Orleans so my car is used to the humidity and heat. The camry runs pretty well. I haven't had many problems at all. The temp. needle on the dash is broken so I couldn't tell if it were ever going to overheat, but it hasn't been a problem. It's going to be over 2000 milles there and 2000 back. I plan on taking it over 48 hours (it's about 37), maybe a little more. I question the integrity of my car. I've been told it should be fine as long as I check all the fluids and change the oil before leaving. Any input? Guys? Girls? Thanks.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:13 am

We drove out from Michigan in an Xterra, which the owner is STILL CLEANING.....Depending on your degree of affection for your ride you may want to bring tarps, and mylar for the windows, and even newspaper and low-tack tape to cover air vents....If you'll be sleeping in it, or in and out of it a lot, forget it. Let the dust flow. It's more like powdered drywall than sand, and tenacious to beat all get out!
Routewise, I'm not sure how much mountain driving you'll encounter coming from The Big Easy, but personally I was surprised at the amount of long, low grade mountain climbing that we did. Make sure your ride's up to the task. Will you be going over and then up, like through Death Valley? That's a good starter for BRC aclimitizing......you could even stop at Rachel and pick up Area 51 gifts for your new Playa Pals......

Happy Mardi Gras!

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:53 am

I would not recommend driving any car to the playa without a functioning temperature gauge. I assume there will be some mountain passes along the way, and some stretches in Nevada can hover well over 100 degrees and the sun turns your car hood into a solar oven. Your car will be weighed down like it probably never has before. The cooling system on your car is probably not optimal due to deposits left here and there over the years. That's not to say it won't make it, just that not having any indication that you have a problem until it's too late could be a very risky. An overheating problem noticed early might mean you have to stop for a while and/or turn the heater on. One caught too late could mean it finds its final resting place in Nevada.

My partial minimum required maintenance checklist:
Check brake pads and fluids
Purchase new radiator hoses and fan belt. Put them on if you're able, or just leave them in the back in case of emergency
Make sure you have a full size spare tire and actually put it on the car and drive around for a couple of days. Better than finding out on the road that you don't have the right lugnuts, that it's flat, or that part of the jack is missing.
Check all lights on the car and replace as necessary. Don't want to get pulled over!
Make sure the battery is securely bolted down. I had one fall off the tray and start a fire once. Could have been bad.
During the trip, check the coolant level each morning and oil level every 1000 miles or so.

I'm sure there's more but my brain hasn't fully woken up yet.

Older and more thrased cars than yours have certainly made it further than 2000 miles, but I'd get that gauge fixed. It could just be a loose wire somewhere.

You might also consider giving the car a break in the afternoon when it's really hot. Go chill out in a casino, movie theater, etc for a few hours.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 7:56 pm

My 69vw van has added oil temp and head temp gauges right in front of me. When it heats up so far I sit and read a book. It runs fine just have let it do it's own thing.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 8:32 pm

I've posted this advice before, and I guess I'll post it again.

I highly reccomend flying into Reno if you are more than a 24 hr. drive to the playa. The cost of your plane ticket is going to be comparable or perhaps even lower than your fuel costs. (not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle, and if said vehicle breaks down, well, umm.. your pretty much screwed right?). While a road trip might sound like just what you need to get your head together, I'm pretty sure that after a week at Burning Man, the last thing you are going to want to do is drive for 2 or 3 days to get back home. So again, fly into Reno and rent a car and drive to the playa (yes, some people have had problems renting cars in Reno, good idea to have a back-up reservation). Or contact someone who is driving to the playa and see if they have room for you (and would they mind stopping to pick up some supplies in Reno on your way in?). As for getting your gear out there, check the regional boards, if there is a large group of burners near you see if they have extra room for your stuff in their shipping container/truck.

If however, you are hell bent on driving from your locale, you may consider renting a car or truck, that way if it breaks down it's not on you. (warning: some car rental places have a "no-off road clause", and the playa is considered "off road" some rental cars now come equiped with GPS, and will be tracking you, FYI).

Lorgasm · Post by **Lorgasm** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 2:15 pm

Flying is cool. However, security can be a real bitch!!

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 10:59 pm

Thanks everyone for the input. I'll definitely try to get the temp. gauge fixed. Better yet, perhaps I'll talk my mother into letting me take her newer, more reliable mustang.

I doubt it though. I think my car is up for the experience... it's a little rebel so if it ends up not making it, it's just ment to be. My anticipation for the event is growing with every thought. Can't wait to be with you all out there. Happy Mardi Gras to you all too.