Bringing extra gasoline

[Spidey]

Given the dearth of gasoline stations in the deep desert, I was wondering if it was worth hauling a container of gasoline with me to make sure I had enough in the tank to get out of BM. I'm concerned that the gas would build up dangerous (i.e. explosive) levels of vapor in the heat by the end of the week.

What is your experience bringing extra gas in the car with you? Viable or too dangerous? If the latter, what options would you suggest to make sure you have enough fuel to get back to civilization?

Cheers,
Spidey

[Sham]

There are gas stations along the way. I assume that the one in Empire will be closed, but the Shell station in Gerlach will be available to gouge you on the price of gas. I always fill up as I get off of I80 (not sure of the town) and have about 3/4 tank when I arrive on the playa. If you're concerned, you can top off in Gerlach and then head the last miles to the event with a full tank.
Unless you're running some sort of art car, generator, snow blower, lawn mower or weed whacker, you won't need any more gas. Remember, you can't drive your car during the event. You park in your camp for the week, and bike or walk from there.
There can be lots of traffic when leaving at the end of the event depending on the time you choose to head out, but they now are using what they call the pulse system. Instead of having your car run and move inch by inch, they allow a whole section to go at a time--thus allowing you to leave your car turned off until it's your turn to head for the exit.

[ygmir]

there are some protocols for storing gas. and, it depends on the amount:

store on a pallet, or a little off the ground, away from open flames or sparks.
cover containers with a tarp, or shade them.
leave the cap slightly loose, or vented somehow.
If it's gasoline, it should be in a red container, as well, for easy identification, by emergence personnel, if necessary.

[phil]

Here are the official rules on storing fuel: http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... .html#fuel

If all you're concerned about is having enough fuel to get back, I wouldn't worry about it. We go from Reno, and there are gas stations along the way in tribal areas, as well as a station with long lines in Gerlach. We drive a cargo van, fill it up before we go, and it's not even a minor concern to have enough gas for there and back. We don't burn any gas on the playa, though, so if you're going to be running your vehicle all week, you may have a different concern.

[Dr. Pyro]

I was in Wadsworth just yesterday (probably the town that Shambala was referring to) and gas there is going for $3.69/gallon. By California standards that's pretty good; by any other state's standards, maybe not so much. If you're coming from the west towards Wadsworth, at Exit 32 in Nevada (USA Parkway), take that exit and turn right. Go 1 mile (keep right) and you'll run into a gas station/deli/convenience store where regular is $3.51/gallon, whether or not you pay cash or credit. That's about the best price I've seen lately. YMMV.

[Savannah]

Coming from the North, every driver I've ever headed in with topped off at the famous corner Chevron in Alturas, CA, which is 3+ hours away from the event. And this has been plenty of gas to get there, idle through entrance and Exodus, and back out at the end of the week--either as far as Cedarville or even Alturas again. And I'm glad, because I'm not wild about transporting gasoline if I ever do it on my own, though of course I would do it if I had to.

NB: I've never used gas to power anything during the week.

[albion]

I was worried about that last year (my first year), and brought a couple of 5 gal containers with me. I was also worried about storing them in the heat too.

So I just filled the car gas tank with them when I arrived. No issues with storing gasoline, car tank was full, no problem getting back to Reno afterward

[Lassen Forge]

I always take 10 for the old truck and 5 for the genny. With the new car, the jury is still out, but if I can get the trailer hitch mounted in time I can throw it on the cage in back... but it gets about 2x the mileage the truck did.

Still... I HAVE been stranded on playa low on fuel (don't ask - long and ugly story) and it's prolly the most uncomfortable feeling in the world - finally was gifted 3 gallons to get to Bruno's. But that was scary as shit.