Stealthing the RV

[mooserider]

Many people have mentioned how cool it is to have a suitably decorated RV. Many people have also mentioned how obvious burners get profiled by the highway patrol.

So, is it reasonable to keep the RV in its "civvies" until you get to camp, and then decorate it (and undo decorations during camp strike)? Or is that more trouble than it's worth for a few days of glory? Or will the highway patrol assume you're going to Burning Man regardless, just because you're on the road to Gerlach? For the drive, I plan on dressing like a Republican on vacation, just in case.

[Bless]

Do whatever you want! Just don't get pulled over for some stupid shit. And if you do get pulled over, don't have any stupid shit in your recreational vehicle.

[MikeGyver]

My theory is anyone heading in that general direction around the time of the burn is assumed to be going to BurningMan I wouldn't add more work to your set up by waiting to decorate it there unless the decorations have a chance of coming off while going down the road.

[mooserider]

Do whatever you want! Just don't get pulled over for some stupid shit. And if you do get pulled over, don't have any stupid shit in your recreational vehicle.

No stupid shit in my vehicle. I worked hard to get my CDL and have to get drug-tested regularly to keep it (and I never used that stuff anyway). Which means I'm going to be _very_ picky who can ride-share with me.

[hug+kiss]

I've had the same thoughts... I know bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over. I am lucky to have my bikes ride up in the camp truck. I have stickers on my ride from the gate and stickers from donations to the temples but I'm trying to decide I want to go with big Man stickers from a laser cutter....I think I just might want to fly under the radar. Better safe than sorry.

[Captain Goddammit]

You don't have to "decorate" your RV.
Sure, they know you're going to Burning Man if you're on 410 at the end of August... but not looking like druggie hippies is a really good idea.

[AntiM]

I am not sure if I have a picture of it, but my favorite decorated RV had a pink "bunny suit" which fit over the entire RV! There were holes for ventilation and the door, but otherwise it was a giant pink bunny!
Like a dust cover?

[motskyroonmatick]

I always wash my rig prior to departure and don't tie anything to the outside of it. Looking like you know what you are doing and doing it in a safe and professional manner goes a long way to not getting looked at twice by smokey. No stupid shit. No time delaying stupid problems.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Even if it's only a blank white sheet added after after you've arrived on playa, if you decorate your RV/cover up those stupid logos, I will thank you in my heart as I go by.

[Elliot]

I once read this idea: Spray cooking oil on the areas of the vehicle you want to hide, and the dust will soon stick to the oil and obscure whatever was there. Supposedly, cooking oil will wash off fairly easily. No clue how this will actually work, but no charge for the idea.

[mooserider]

I once read this idea: Spray cooking oil on the areas of the vehicle you want to hide, and the dust will soon stick to the oil and obscure whatever was there. Supposedly, cooking oil will wash off fairly easily. No clue how this will actually work, but no charge for the idea.

This actually sounds clever, considering how well logging road dust sticks to areas near the fuel caps and the exhaust pipe (i.e., where diesel fuel or fumes get on the body). And the folks at the big truck washes do a good job of getting the dirt off, even there. And the oil should keep the corrosive alkali away from the body as well (don't they ship metallic sodium and lithium drowned in oil to prevent spontaneous combustion from oxygen or water exposure?).

[AntiM]

I am not sure if I have a picture of it, but my favorite decorated RV had a pink "bunny suit" which fit over the entire RV! There were holes for ventilation and the door, but otherwise it was a giant pink bunny!
Like a dust cover?

Just to be precise, the bunny suit was donned once the rig was parked. No driving down the road in it.

[FIGJAM]

I bet VC could crochet an RV cozy!!!

[Krokodyle]

I've had the same thoughts... I know bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over. I am lucky to have my bikes ride up in the camp truck. I have stickers on my ride from the gate and stickers from donations to the temples but I'm trying to decide I want to go with big Man stickers from a laser cutter....I think I just might want to fly under the radar. Better safe than sorry.

I wouldn't say bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over, but bikes on a rack that block visibility of your license plate AT ALL is. ANYTHING that blocks visibility of your license plate is an sure-fire way to spend some entry time on the side of the road with LEO.

But in general, yeah, I'm a fan of being low key to and from the playa. I'll be plenty weird before, during, and after BM, just not on the road.

[Wrath]

pink "bunny suit" which fit over the entire RV!

THIS

[theCryptofishist]

I bet VC could crochet an RV cozy!!!

She'd need one hell of a hook.

[FIGJAM]

I could make her one out of 1" EMT.

[dragonpilot]

I've had the same thoughts... I know bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over. I am lucky to have my bikes ride up in the camp truck. I have stickers on my ride from the gate and stickers from donations to the temples but I'm trying to decide I want to go with big Man stickers from a laser cutter....I think I just might want to fly under the radar. Better safe than sorry.

I wouldn't say bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over, but bikes on a rack that block visibility of your license plate AT ALL is. ANYTHING that blocks visibility of your license plate is an sure-fire way to spend some entry time on the side of the road with LEO.

The trailer I tow blocks the entire back of my vehicle...but, then the trailer has it's own license plate.

[mooserider]

I've had the same thoughts... I know bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over. I am lucky to have my bikes ride up in the camp truck. I have stickers on my ride from the gate and stickers from donations to the temples but I'm trying to decide I want to go with big Man stickers from a laser cutter....I think I just might want to fly under the radar. Better safe than sorry.

I wouldn't say bikes on a rack are a sure way to get pulled over, but bikes on a rack that block visibility of your license plate AT ALL is. ANYTHING that blocks visibility of your license plate is an sure-fire way to spend some entry time on the side of the road with LEO.

Well, when I put the anti-stowaway bike-rack on the rear ladder, I'll just have to put it high enough that the bike tires won't obstruct the license plate. Gonna be a pain in the *** putting the bike up and taking it down, though. You know, that's kind of dumb; why did they put the ladder on the same side of the vehicle's back end as the license plate bracket? Or wasn't the manufacturer thinking that an RV'er might want to bring a bicycle? Or were they assuming only a hitch-receiver-mounted bike rack? There were some really dumb design decisions in this RV.

[Captain Goddammit]

A trailer with a license plate and tail lights is allowed to block the view of the rear of your truck.
If your bike rack & bikes are blocking your plate, it's pretty easy to just move the plate. You can zip tie it to your bike frame.
However, if you're crossing your eyes and dotting your tees, you do still need to provide a license plate light.

[Ratty]

Listen to the Captain. Zip tie your plate to your bike. I would imagine there is a cheap and easy way to run a light from the electronics in the rear of your trailer to the license. As greeters we see tickets handed out regularly for blocked licenses. We zip tie license plates during the day and remove bikes at night. People lock them up at the greeter station or ride along side their vehicle on their way to camp. Which reminds me. Everyone in the car should have a fully supplied backpack ready to use. Including a headlamp or flashlight and tape. Or better yet, have your bike all lit up and ready to ride. On arrival you may need water, dust mask and goggles. You should agree on an emergency meeting place such as playa info in case you get separated or lost. Yes. People wander back to Greeters in tears. Lost on a trip to the portos.

[Elliot]

I'm impressed and delighted to hear that Greeters watch for obscured license plates and taillights. Good job! The roads just past Greeters is indeed a prime hunting ground -- I see that all the time when I work Perimeter.

[Ratty]

Yes it's standard. We also remove all open containers and strap everyone into seatbelts sending them off at 5 MPH. For the veteran burners it's a quick hug, give em their book and help them not get a ticket.