Sleeping in the covered truck bed? And finding shade

TheFastCat · Post by **TheFastCat** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:54 am

Hello virgin driving to the burn for the first time this year - solo camper.
I've been racking my brain to try and find a suitable shade structure and tent setup for me, a solo traveler. I don't have the desire to spend hours following internet plans detailing parts to be secured from home depot etc. Nor do I have the money to buy a geo-dome that in all likelihood might only be used once. The inexpensive shade structures meant to serve as garages that are available on Amazon.com seem likely to blow away in the playa wind... (etc).

I understand that the sun and its heat makes sleeping past the early morning unlikely unless you have an overhead shade structure to mitigate it. I was wondering if sleeping in the covered bed of the truck I will be driving would be an effective way to sleep? In terms of shade structure well I think I've decided I don't have an interest in creating my own to be used only for me and only for burning man (possibly just once) ... are others on the playa open to sharing shade with new friends? ? I plan on bringing lots of gifts I'm just wondering if people have a negative view of those who don't construct their own shade? There is no intention of mooching, squatting or sleeping in others people's space - just avoiding sun when possible.

skippy3k · Post by **skippy3k** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:01 am

Well....yeah, people share. There is always center camp, which has shade. But there is an element of "radical self reliance" that I think you may be missing here. You list a bunch of things you don't want to do, don't have the desire to do, etc. I find that concerning for your overall experience on the playa.

FossaFerox · Post by **FossaFerox** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:19 am

I know you don't want to follow plans or go to home depot, but if you want to live comfortably look into monkey huts. Super simple, cheap, very reliable.

That being said there is shade to be found, but not having a space to crash that feels like home will be rough, and sleeping in a truck bed will suck on windy nights. You'll have to sleep with east plugs and a full face respirator...

TheFastCat · Post by **TheFastCat** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:19 am

Appreciated feedback thank you skippy3k. You Skippy3k are a fixer - maybe a builder or engineer I think I know your perspective! (and it is appreciated) regarding your insights:

How does radical self reliance work in combination with Radical Inclusion? Is it worth, in terms of materials and time, the cost of building my own personal shade structure to sit under by myself? (you say yes which is helpful). Might it be argued "you are forgetting the 1st principle of radical inclusion! only an anti-social shut in would go to all cost and time to construct personal shade to be used by himself -- viva la playa community!! Why would you be sitting under your personal shade shelter alone when you could be sharing someone else's and learning, meeting sharing?"

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:20 am

If your not going to have any shade in your own personal area, then try to buddy up with the neighbors early in the week and poach some of their shade when applicable.

A first timer campmate had a tent in the back of his truck with no shade. When the sun hit, he would evacuate with pillow and bedding and sleep off the rest of the a.m. in the cool comfort of my shade structure, sprawled across the rugs. Even if he was just a neighbor (unless he pissed or vomited everywhere) it would be all good.

If that doesn't work or isn't your scene, then get up and take off, you can go visit different camps all day with epic amounts of shade (center camp) there for the taking. You can always find shade in BRC, even if you didn't bring any. Not everybody does.

FossaFerox · Post by **FossaFerox** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:24 am

Radical inclusion means people are welcome to participate in things happening in the public space. It does not mean privacy does not exist. It does not mean you can gift yourself what others have brought or built.

My camp gives a lot to the event. Shade is NOT part of it.

We have people in our camp with social anxiety issues which is why our shade is as private as it is. You come in uninvited you will be asked to leave immediately and several of us will be quick to help you out the door.

melodiousdirge · Post by **melodiousdirge** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:32 am

TheFastCat wrote:Hello virgin driving to the burn for the first time this year - solo camper.
I've been racking my brain to try and find a suitable shade structure and tent setup for me, a solo traveler. I don't have the desire to spend hours following internet plans detailing parts to be secured from home depot etc. Nor do I have the money to buy a geo-dome that in all likelihood might only be used once. The inexpensive shade structures meant to serve as garages that are available on Amazon.com seem likely to blow away in the playa wind... (etc).

I understand that the sun and its heat makes sleeping past the early morning unlikely unless you have an overhead shade structure to mitigate it. I was wondering if sleeping in the covered bed of the truck I will be driving would be an effective way to sleep? In terms of shade structure well I think I've decided I don't have an interest in creating my own to be used only for me and only for burning man (possibly just once) ... are others on the playa open to sharing shade with new friends? ? I plan on bringing lots of gifts I'm just wondering if people have a negative view of those who don't construct their own shade? There is no intention of mooching, squatting or sleeping in others people's space - just avoiding sun when possible.

I know several people who happily slept in covered truck beds without any additional shade over top; a canopy keeps heat and sun out much more effectively than a greenhouse tent. Something that would increase your protection from the sun and heat would be to lay a couple of 2x4's across the top of the canopy and throw a tarp over the roof, staked down firmly on either side with lag bolts. The small air space between the tarp and the canopy would insulate you from the heat absorbed by the tarp. As I said above though, the people I know who sleep in their truck bed do so without any additional shade, they just open the back and side windows and the ventilation is enough to keep them cool. Adding in a small 12v fan would be even better.

jneilvindy · Post by **jneilvindy** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:39 am

Anyone is welcome to crash under any shade structure I put up but be warned I only serve beer and cold sandwhiches.
Fans only available from 11am to 6pm mon-sun when the generator is running.

You want cocktails and hot food you gotta look somewhere else!

Oh and I totally control the tv remote.

Lonesomebri · Post by **Lonesomebri** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:51 am

Jackass wrote:...then try to buddy up with the neighbors early in the week and poach some of their shade when applicable.

Well, I just figured out this years camp configuration, old Lonsomebri curled up like a kitten on Jackass's outdoor carpet. There is shade to be had, and as long as you don't "expect" it from others, it's all good. You might end up sleeping next to your truck in the sliver of shade it provides after 9am, but you can live with that. Go in with that attitude and whatever you find is going to be a blessing. The back of my pickup truck has a cover which keeps the inside surprisingly cool into the early morning, adding additional cover would help. Of course many people build a shade shelter not just for themselves, but to offer shade to others without...you could consider that when considering why you would bring a shade shelter, and how inclusion and self-reliance can mesh.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:51 pm

This is simple. If it's too much bother for you to provide for yourself, you're welcome to be as miserable as you like.
"Gifts" aren't free ride tokens in BRC. Usually they are useless moop.

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:54 pm

Lonesomebri wrote:Well, I just figured out this years camp configuration, old Lonsomebri curled up like a kitten on Jackass's outdoor carpet.

Just remember, no bodily evacuations or I come out spraying....bleach vinegar ice water melt in my spray bottle.
Bad dog!

MrBeardy · Post by **MrBeardy** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:28 pm

Every year I bring reflectix which is like a bubblewrap with reflective stuff on both sides to cover the windows of my camper shell. I hardly ever have a use for it, but I figure if shit really hits the fan out there, it would be a dustproof(reletively speaking) area to retreat to for rest. In the heat of the day it stays noticibly cooler than outside. Would I sleep in it during the middle of the day? Likely not, but it would be more than fine at night and the beginning and end of the day. All your gear would have to be crammed to one side of the truckbed or secured from the wind outside in tubs of some sort. You could also look into getting one of those porous shade sails to recur down from the side of your trucks roof racks if you have them, so you have a chill spot and it would hardly take any gear other than some ratchet straps, strong metal tubing and some rebar. Good luck!

tatonka · Post by **tatonka** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:31 pm

im bringing my truck with just a canopy this year , brought large heavy camper last year. There was 2 of us last year , but going on my own this time. I just put in a rear door on the canopy and it has a spot for my Figjam cooler to sit. I also have qty 4 16 x 14 x 12 plastic milk cartons. I mount these atop my canopy and
put tarps over them. Front to back and side to side . side to side tarps are 12 x 16 and the one from rear of the canopy to front bumper of truck is 20 x 8 . Then off the rear I put another tarp , but instead of stakeing it to the ground I have poles for it so the end of the truck is your table and chair area.

Here is pic on how I did the camper last year, the air space between upper tarps and camper made alot of difference.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:56 pm

I have never found a shortage of shade when needed, but you may relish having your own personal shade for some down time.

Everyone burns differently so do what you feel is best, but a few dollars and some minimal effort could increase your comfort greatly. Remember once you are there, it is rather difficult to change your mind if you didn't bring the materials with you.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:48 pm

you can always hang out in center camp for shade too. When you arrive and get the who when where book check out the events and most of these have shade areas if they are having an event in their camp.

I agree that you may want a bit of shade for yourself when you want some down time to just chill at home.

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 4:17 pm

OP: If you want it, bring it. Dont expect someone else to supply it for you. You should plan to be TOTALLY self-sufficient if things dont work out. If mooching or borrowing ANYTHING is part of your "plan", then you need to burn your plan and start over again.

Radical Inclusion does not mean entitlement to anything. The only thing you are entitled to is eating Lots of dust. I may choose to let you hang-out in my shade, but if you expect it, or demand it, or insinuate that I HAVE to share because in your opinion the "Larry Harveys Rules" say so, then your ass will have a dusty boot mark upon it.

Best advice I ever heard: over-prepare and under-expect. If you do this, the odds of having a great burn just jumped dramatically.

TheFastCat · Post by **TheFastCat** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:35 am

Let it never be claimed I am a lazy shade mooch - after about three hundred dollars in parts and radical reliance on home depot I have my own shade structure!

http://1drv.ms/1BtMO9c

Set it up to figure out all of the deltas (of which there were many). v.2 on the playa should be better!

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 12:23 pm

TheFastCat wrote:Let it never be claimed I am a lazy shade mooch - after about three hundred dollars in parts and radical reliance on home depot I have my own shade structure!

http://1drv.ms/1BtMO9c

Set it up to figure out all of the deltas (of which there were many). v.2 on the playa should be better!

I just want to point out that those little pipe connectors will almost certainly fail on the playa.

Get some of the next size pipe so it will slip over your poles and cut into 18 inch lengths. Put a screw into it at the mid point to keep from sliding down the poles. Replace those short plumbing fittings with them and you should be golden.

TheFastCat · Post by **TheFastCat** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:54 pm

great idea - I will do this!

/bow

Jackass · Post by **Jackass** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:00 pm

TheFastCat wrote: after about three hundred dollars in parts and radical reliance on home depot I have my own shade structure

Nice job on the hut. Did you use aluminum in there somewhere, gold laced rope? A little more expensive than I remember, but what are budgets for if not for exceeding.

Drawingablank · Post by **Drawingablank** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:03 pm

Jackass wrote:
TheFastCat wrote: after about three hundred dollars in parts and radical reliance on home depot I have my own shade structure
Nice job on the hut. Did you use aluminum in there somewhere, gold laced rope? A little more expensive than I remember, but what are budgets for if not for exceeding.

This appears to be bigger than a standard MH. I'm guessing large enough to go over the vehicle so substantially more expensive than a standard MH.

TheFastCat · Post by **TheFastCat** » Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:58 pm

It's a galaxy hut -http://galaxybeing.com/galaxyhut/

Also I did make the "super couplers" - they fit like a glove - wish I had thought of that!! :

http://1drv.ms/1pD396k

why did it cost so much? I had absolutely none of the parts on hand - including the mallet to pound in the 2 foot rebar. The additional structural ratchets, ropes, rebar, bungees, etc are actually pretty costly when you factor that in. Not to mention the effort constructing, troubleshooting, spent at home depot and driving BACK to home depot.

Definitely a valuable learning experience though and something I will know how to do and teach others. So from that perspective it's been good, if a big effort for just myself. I bet a lot of people choose camps based on the fact that they don't have the money, time or interest in doing this sort of thing themself.

ALso I am covering my truck's covered truck bed with 4 milk crates and a tarp with tie downs. Hopefully this will keep it cool for storage and maybe a tailgate seating. Thanks for the ideas!

Sleeping in the covered truck bed? And finding shade

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