Transportation for two

[beatfreax]

Hi all!

I am Googling on end, but thought it might be wise to ask this community for some information as well. Being from outside of the US makes it a bit more difficult to find your way in "USA camper land".

So last year we were with 4, which made a camper the most sensible choice of transportation. This year it will only be the 2 of us, so there might be better / cheaper options. Some bullet points in short;

[*] Pick-up at SF, if possible drop off at Billings.
[*] If that's difficult / far more expensive, we'll probably drive back to SF.
[*] A bed (and room to cargo 2 bikes and some luggage) would suffice

If any locals could pin-point some sites I would be very grateful!

Cheers

[Bless]

Are you looking for a ride or an RV recommendation?

[beatfreax]

Hi Bless,

Sorry that wasn't clear, I am looking for an RV recommendation indeed

[Canoe]

That tends to be in flux. Seemingly due to the large fees they can charge for the week of Burning Man, and due to occasionally large expenses associated with cleaning, fixing or refurbishing an RV that's returned by someone who abused it. And in years past, what was previously was a reliable vendor is suddenly abusive or simply no longer available.

You're going to have to search for RV related posts from prior years, and in particular in seeing changes in the 'market' from 2013 to 2014. Then it's your best guess which way to go in 2015. In some recent years, most of the decent bookings have been gone by the end of January - before people know if they have tickets...
Some bookings turn up later in the year, and sometimes due to additional vendors entering the scene.

You're going to have to do some research. Like most forums on the web, searching eplaya from Google tends to work better.

[Meat Hunter]

Since such a large proportion of BM participants live west of BM, you may find that most all the rental RV's west of BM may already be spoken for or not available for BM rental.

If you are not already locked into arriving on the west coast, you might wish to think about changing your arrival point and staging area to the NORTH-EAST-SOUTH of BM. Possibly to: Idaho, Utah, or Arizona. If you cannot find a RV rental in these states, you may wish to then think about moving your search out a little more EAST to: Wyoming, Colorado or New Mexico.

It may mean a 2 to 2-1/2 day drive to BM, but the availability of RV rentals might be much better and there will probably be fewer rental companies with sensitivity to renting for BM.

[theCryptofishist]

How far out do you have to make a reservation? A year? Nine months? Six?
Just wondering.

[some seeing eye]

The number of "one-way RV Rental" companies is small. Same with cars and vans. You can find by Google search. What was the return condition of your last RV?

[Simon of the Playa]

NO STEEEEEEKIN VEHICLE PASS!!!

[danibel]

A cargo van can be an excellent option to an RV for two people. I find that there is more than enough room for all the "stuff" including two bikes. Pick up a futon mattress for a bed in the back, put down some sleeping bags - done. The cleanup is easier than an RV, by far!

There are mixed reviews of all rental places - including Uhaul. I rented mine for two years from Enterprise. DO NOT tell them where you are taking it! Clean it so that it is in better condition than when you picked it up. I even went so far as to change out the air filter and steamed the engine!

PS. the cleanup took me more than 8 hours, so plan for that on upon your return. Good luck!

[Savannah]

Since such a large proportion of BM participants live west of BM, you may find that most all the rental RV's west of BM may already be spoken for or not available for BM rental.

If you are not already locked into arriving on the west coast, you might wish to think about changing your arrival point and staging area to the NORTH-EAST-SOUTH of BM. Possibly to: Idaho, Utah, or Arizona. If you cannot find a RV rental in these states, you may wish to then think about moving your search out a little more EAST to: Wyoming, Colorado or New Mexico.

Agreed, regarding looking at unexpected starter cities.

I would add Oregon or Northern California to the list of good starting places. Bonus: closer than CO or NM. Portland to the Burn is about a 12 hour drive if driving 60mph for major highways, and slowing to 30-40mph in the mountains (for safety in those winding roads / braking for cows / not overtaxing your engine, which is a concern with the larger vehicles). And that includes stopping for gas and one short meal.