Mutant Vehicles - the Pros and Cons

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Fri May 21, 2010 11:30 am

[Note to self: google anything I don't understand -- I'm centuries behind on slang terms.]

Post by **Sham** » Sat May 22, 2010 2:14 am

When operating a MV, rock solid sober it a must. I have done a few hundred parades with my MV over the years, and kids and stupid adults are constantly running up to it while it's moving. Below the legal limit means nothing if you even tap a person running towards you. No alcohol or drugs is the rule.

Driving my MV on the playa leaves me a bit disconnected from the event. If I want to stop at a theme camp, it's much more effort to pull over and park with a MV than riding a bike. There is also a bit of an oligation with passengers to keep moving.

You need to keep the vehicle stocked with lots of parts to make repairs for your own vehicle as well as other that may be broken down. Jumper cables, spare water, tow rope, lots of tools.

Expect lots of police and ranger stops. You need to have your driver's lisence on you. Found that out the hard way. Already said, but no alcohol within reach of the driver. They will ticket and then let you go.

My MV hides the driver, so participants for some reason were speading the word that my vehicle was undercover police. The fact that I looked NARCish with my baseball hat didn't help either, but I had to work hard to get rid of the stigma. (naked people on the roof helped a lot)

Expect all your hard work building a MV to get completely trashed by dust, passengers, mechanical problems and just accidental dings.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat May 22, 2010 11:25 am

Shambala mentions a great side-benefit to MVs; default world parades. Christmas, 4th of July, Harvest Festival.... You have probably all watched them go by, but it is much better to participate! I've been riding my large pedal-vehicles (Kinetic Racing Sculptures) in parades for close to ten years. One time I wound up all over the Sacramento television news when I scored First Place in the West Sacramento Community Parade. Parades generally welcome all entries -- you do not have to be the Lions Club or anything.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun May 23, 2010 8:28 pm

bm_cricket wrote:
Major Mallet wrote:Mutant Vehicle operators: what are the best and worst aspects of operating a Mutant Vehicle?

Everybody: what do you think are the best and worst aspects of Mutant Vehicles?
That you must be STONE-FUCKING-SOBER when you drive it? It's almost like people are trying to get run over!

Haven't done an MV, but yes, wtf do people want to die there?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun May 23, 2010 8:29 pm

AntiM wrote:I never know how to ask for a ride, and I hesitate because I know I can't walk back from Bum-Fuck Deep Playa on my two bad feet. I know they aren't taxis, which is what I'd actually need!

Maybe we should go out and paint the town beige...

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun May 23, 2010 10:43 pm

I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask whether the MV will bring you back from the deep playa if it's gonna take you out there. Demanding taxi service is one thing, but most operators aren't unreasonable.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon May 24, 2010 4:54 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
AntiM wrote:I never know how to ask for a ride, and I hesitate because I know I can't walk back from Bum-Fuck Deep Playa on my two bad feet. I know they aren't taxis, which is what I'd actually need!
Maybe we should go out and paint the town beige...

My HUshville curfew is ten o'clock. Good thing I don't wear a watch.

Besides, I'm usually with MyLarry on the Rhoadescar, that whole joined at the hip thing we have going on....

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon May 24, 2010 9:55 am

AntiM wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:
AntiM wrote:I never know how to ask for a ride, and I hesitate because I know I can't walk back from Bum-Fuck Deep Playa on my two bad feet. I know they aren't taxis, which is what I'd actually need!
Maybe we should go out and paint the town beige...
My HUshville curfew is ten o'clock. Good thing I don't wear a watch.

Besides, I'm usually with MyLarry on the Rhoadescar, that whole joined at the hip thing we have going on....

Ah so that explains the double jots stalls.

(That was really meant as a joke, and I don't see that you'd misunderstand, but well. CYA.)

Post by **AntiM** » Mon May 24, 2010 11:09 am

theCryptofishist wrote:
AntiM wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote: Maybe we should go out and paint the town beige...
My HUshville curfew is ten o'clock. Good thing I don't wear a watch.

Besides, I'm usually with MyLarry on the Rhoadescar, that whole joined at the hip thing we have going on....
Ah so that explains the double jots stalls.

(That was really meant as a joke, and I don't see that you'd misunderstand, but well. CYA.)

Now you know why tickets have gone up so much lately.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon May 24, 2010 6:58 pm

AntiM wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:
AntiM wrote: My HUshville curfew is ten o'clock. Good thing I don't wear a watch.

Besides, I'm usually with MyLarry on the Rhoadescar, that whole joined at the hip thing we have going on....
Ah so that explains the double jots stalls.

(That was really meant as a joke, and I don't see that you'd misunderstand, but well. CYA.)
Game, set and match to AntiM.

Now you know why tickets have gone up so much lately.

Major Mallet · Post by **Major Mallet** » Tue May 25, 2010 6:37 am

Great ideas everyone - many thanks. Everything from kill switches to cigarette burns. Your comments are really helping me frame out the practical aspects of MV construction.

Does anyone else have words of wisdom on MV construction?

If not, then I would like to hear what specific things make an MV fun from a participation standpoint. I think I need to have some bike racks on the back so people can store their bikes as they ride. A small public bar is always welcome. Stripper pole â€“ perhaps (may not quite work with theme but I am certainly not ruling it out). What else can anyone think of?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:14 am

Torpedoes?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:15 am

*watching the couch try "north korean stand up humor"*.......

Dr Helix · Post by **Dr Helix** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:21 am

Interaction, Interaction, Interaction. Big key to me. Just driving around is not enough. I've done an old time salesman snakeoil routine and a safari style adventure wagon looking for the missing link. This year its the Interaction Catering truck. Look for Bob and Betty out there this year!

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:25 am

ygmir wrote:
Elliot wrote:
"the man in the boat"?............
You lost me. Man of the hour -- man of the oar? Man slips on banana peel and goes ass-over-applecart? The banana man in the piano boat?

maybe google "the man in the boat"......or ask Simon or SailMan........
Don't, however, as IBDave.......he'll just start crying.

LOL, you scurvy dawg you

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:52 am

I thought he was talking about warning torpedoes, like for railroads.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:17 am

A pair of torpedoes?

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:48 am

The primary interactive gig for my first MV (this year) is the on-board piano and piano-harp.
Of course, I may install a stripper pole also! (Hmmm... piano music and stripper pole -- might not be a good combination. I may need to ban alcolhol.

)

Some naval weaponry would go well with my camp, Kamp Apokiliptika, but I'm having trouble tying this to the Metropolis theme. Thoughts? Metropolitan Coast Guard?

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:54 am

mmm...how bout fuck the theme?

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:57 am

The Lahotan Navy band?

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Tue May 25, 2010 12:06 pm

Metropolitan Lahontan Beach Patrol And Navy Band. Yes, something like that!

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Tue May 25, 2010 12:34 pm

Comodore elliot and the lahontan navy band. Cammander of the LNS ivories?

duffdog · Post by **duffdog** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:22 pm

[quote="Major Mallet"]Great ideas everyone - many thanks. Everything from kill switches to cigarette burns. Your comments are really helping me frame out the practical aspects of MV construction.

Does anyone else have words of wisdom on MV construction?

If not, then I would like to hear what specific things make an MV fun from a participation standpoint. I think I need to have some bike racks on the back so people can store their bikes as they ride. A small public bar is always welcome. Stripper pole â€“ perhaps (may not quite work with theme but I am certainly not ruling it out). What else can anyone think of?[/quote]

Keep in mind that the playa is not level, even, flat or uniform. When driving over large piles of dirt or through crusty playa, the frame of your MV will be subject to huge stresses and twisting forces. Now, imagine your MV with 100 people crammed on it all bouncing up and down to the beat.

big tip: You will need to block the suspension, preferably with steel.

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 4:38 pm

I am not speaking from experience on this.. just a guess..

I would find the newest, heaviest, strongest truck you can find at a salvage yard or salvage auction. Something with massive body damage but no structural damage. I'm sure they exist. Just strip it to the bare bones and give it a new life. I think that most of the problems which will go wrong with a car on the playa will be the result of questionable slightly worn out parts that work under normal conditions being suddenly forced way, way beyond anything normal. If you start out with something that's already in great shape I bet you are good to go...,.. Some Toyota Tundra that's structurally and functionally fine but beat to heeeellllll. I bet you can find really good prices on them if you look ($9,000 sounds high, I bet you can find $2 if you know where to look, since I don't...)

Anyway, under powered cars with way too much weight on them.. Probably not a good idea.. Sad, 1/2mph art cars that are always breaking down...

And as for participant driven stuff, I like art cars where you can interact with other passengers. Something potentially more exciting than just a dance platform.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:00 pm

Financially not feasible, or everyone who used a truck chassis would do that.
(And by the way, a Tundra is NOT an example of a heavy duty pickup truck!)
If you need to replace your springs with steel bars, you're gonna have MORE chassis twist.
Who says you have to slap something on top of a car or truck chassis in the first place?

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:43 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:Financially not feasible, or everyone who used a truck chassis would do that.
(And by the way, a Tundra is NOT an example of a heavy duty pickup truck!)
If you need to replace your springs with steel bars, you're gonna have MORE chassis twist.
Who says you have to slap something on top of a car or truck chassis in the first place?

I wasn't going to say that a Tundra is a monster but I assume that taking a truck that is in overall great shape and exposing it to the playa will have much more predictable results than one that's 20 years old and already marginal.

My camp (I had no part in the choice but I've spent lots of hours on it's re-construction) found an aircraft loader. The sort of thing they used for lifting tanks into the air.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:30 pm

Woohoo! Just got my MV invite letter. See you other MV nuts there!

-Badger
aka Captain of the Dachs Gabe

Post by **Eric** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:56 am

capjbadger wrote:Woohoo! Just got my MV invite letter. See you other MV nuts there! :D

you owe me a ride.
just because.

thats all I'm sayin'.

*g*

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:39 am

dragonfly Jafe wrote:some of the good parts;

You instantly become a rare commodity, with only ~800 vehicles registered each year.

There is already over 800 vehicles registered, with 2 or 3 hundred still to come, as a lot of people wait till the last couple of weeks to submit thier applications.

Got my invite yesterday, #806.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:49 pm

Eric wrote:
capjbadger wrote:Woohoo! Just got my MV invite letter. See you other MV nuts there!
you owe me a ride.
just because.

thats all I'm sayin'.

*g*

Haha Yes.

-Badger

Mutant Vehicles - the Pros and Cons

Re: Mutant Vehicles - the Pros and Cons