Virgin question about rv

[Katajojo]

Ill be a first timer and coming in an RV. Its huge...38 feet. Im worried about the roads getting to the site. Are they hilly? Narrow? Tight turns? If they are, then I will leave the RV at home and just sleep in the back of my truck. I was hoping to house a few people in the rv when I got there, but I do have to get there, and a 38 foot travel trailer can't make tight turns, nor does she come down steep hills without effort. I want my first burn to be unencombered, so if the terrain doesnt suit a 38f TT, please say so. Honest answers would be most appreciated. The truck may be the easiest. Thanks.

[Jackass]

You're right the truck will be the easiest, but the RV should be able to make it just fine. You won't be the longest vehicle on the road by a long shot.

[Elliot]

65 feet. No worries.

(Though... 38,340 pounds... worry. )

[Captain Goddammit]

Burning Man requires HUGE infrastructure, which includes countless semi trucks.
An RV truck & trailer of any size is nothing, in comparison.
Black Rock Desert is the exact center point of nowhere. There's nothing there except space. Shitloads of it.
No worries my friend, roll on!

[BBadger]

All of the roads leading to BM are standard highways, and should have a turning radius and lane width large enough to accommodate any road vehicle. Even the very last roads leading into the event are large and wide enough for any type of vehicle. Semis with trailers and buses make it to the event every year. Don't take any "shortcut" roads like Jungo Road; all bets are off with those. If you're extra concerned, you can use Google Maps' street-view to see the roads actually look like (and to plot your route).

If you're coming from the Northwest check out Wally's guide to driving to BM. Be sure to take the roads in the last stretch slow and down-gear to avoid burning your brakes since there is a long downhill winding section. I have personally crashed my car in one of those sections on the way to the event because I was going too fast into a curve.

[Savannah]

All of the roads leading to BM are standard highways, and should have a turning radius and lane width large enough to accommodate any road vehicle. Even the very last roads leading into the event are large and wide enough for any type of vehicle. Semis with trailers and buses make it to the event every year. Don't take any "shortcut" roads like Jungo Road; all bets are off with those. If you're extra concerned, you can use Google Maps' street-view to see the roads actually look like (and to plot your route).

Another term for Jungo Road is Nevada State Route 49! . . . For anyone staring at maps in contemplation.

If you're coming from the Northwest check out Wally's guide to driving to BM. Be sure to take the roads in the last stretch slow and down-gear to avoid burning your brakes since there is a long downhill winding section. I have personally crashed my car in one of those sections on the way to the event because I was going too fast into a curve.

Ugh, in the twice I've driven by my own power, the idea of doing that has always scared the crap out of me as a relative n00b driver, because I come from that direction too, and those turns in the last 1-2 hours are tight! . . . I have to walk this terrifying line between "Don't go so slow that someone rounds a curve and slams into you" and "Don't fly off the road and down a cliff." It's difficult.

One time a European couple I saw being pretentious in a Subway . . . . . . were tailgating me through there, and I have rarely so wanted to shake someone by the collar so hard as they.

[Katajojo]

First off...may i say you guys are THE coolest, and i love reading your posts on ANY page, not just mine.

I will be coming from Nebraska, I-80 all the way. I-80s a straight shoot from Omaha to the playa. Is that same deadly curve you spoke of on my route? Somehow i need to also get over the wyoming summit, but apparently truckers think it's a gradual grade. But...im not a trucker.

Ill read that blog, and see what other rvers say, but that road into the playa out of reno...steep? I dont want to be white knuckling it the whole way and be worn out before i get there. Perhaps leave the RV home 1st year and sleep in the back of the truck.

[Katajojo]

If you're coming from the Northwest check out Wally's guide to driving to BM. Be sure to take the roads in the last stretch slow and down-gear to avoid burning your brakes since there is a long downhill winding section. I have personally crashed my car in one of those sections on the way to the event because I was going too fast into a curve.

That last long stretch everyone takes or just those on 49?

[TT120]

Do not attempt to take 49, also known as Jungo Rd. It is a non maintained dirt road and you wont make it in an RV. Maybe a large 4X4 truck with ground clearance but I wouldn't try it. Several years ago I took that road on my motorcycle and it was a bitch. I would never try it with a vehicle.

[BBadger]

Ugh, in the twice I've driven by my own power, the idea of doing that has always scared the crap out of me as a relative n00b driver, because I come from that direction too, and those turns in the last 1-2 hours are tight! . . . I have to walk this terrifying line between "Don't go so slow that someone rounds a curve and slams into you" and "Don't fly off the road and down a cliff." It's difficult.

One time a European couple I saw being pretentious in a Subway . . . . . . were tailgating me through there, and I have rarely so wanted to shake someone by the collar so hard as they.

Bunch of asshats. I wish there had been someone in front of me driving that slowly! Then I wouldn't have driven too fast nearly killing me 30 miles from the Playa.

[BBadger]

That last long stretch everyone takes or just those on 49?

No, the route with the twists and turns is if you're driving from the Northwest, such as Portland or Seattle. From Nebraska, you'll probably be taking a route from the East, probably driving up through Fernley off of I-80. Former State Route 49 (Jungo Road) looks like a convenient direct route to the playa from Winnemucca, avoiding the long detour through the Fernley/Reno area, but as mentioned before, it is unmaintained and you're liable to wreck your vehicle on the way. Google did not even bother to street-view it or the drivers who attempted it were lost in the process.

[Molotov]

I take I-80 almost every year with my travel trailer starting with a turn west in York, Nebraska and it's a piece of cake. Lots of rest areas to pull over and get your wits together. Although you have TWO Continental Divides to deal with on I-80, (the Great Divide Basin effect) the maximum 8400 ft. elevation is pretty painless compared to I-70 west of Denver and the 11,500 ft. altitude Eisenhower Tunnel. There are I-80 rest areas near Winnemucca and just west of Fernley/Wadsworth where you can dump your holding tanks one last time and fill your fresh water for free before heading out to Black Rock City.

[Rice]

I have driven down from Saskatchewan Canada several times. The interstate is wide and good - as others have said.

Once you get to Fernley, and start heading north on 447, the road will get a bit hilly and certainly there are lots of curves. This is a single lane highway, the physics of driving a RV come into play. On the straight spots - you can drive the speed limits no problem. For the hills and the curves (and the curves on the hills) you might feel comfortable slowing down a touch. Just cause it says the speed limit is 70MPH, doesn't mean you need to go that fast! (ok, crawling down the highway at 30 is not what I mean )

The whole point is to get to BM safely!

As far as maps go, google (tm) maps have a topography option - which might give you an idea. All I know it is a heck of a lot more hilly than what I am accustomed to - but, I come from the prairies - so there ya go.

[arthur02]

65 feet. No worries.

(Though... 38,340 pounds... worry. )

That provides plenty of space!

[playavet since90]

Look U will be fine...I used to live in Gerlach. Could drive it in my sleep. Semi trucks go so fast on that road everyday from the area farms....No worries go slow around Nixon and after due to a curve but u will be fine. Its alot more comfortable and fun if you have an rv and friends. Plus take 80 to Wadsworth to Gerlach.....and drive under the speed limit lots of tickets are given out every year....they are waiting to get that funding trust me. Have fun and take your rv, bike, and lots of pals..Remember clean up before you leave!!! oh and bring lots of water......lots of sunscreen if you are light skinned.