Renting a car in 2017

[paul_bennett]

If you rented a common car last year, how was your rental?

Did you cleaned it in Reno? How much it was? Did you returned your car in another city? Did the company complained about anything?

I know this rental subject was fairly debated before, but I want to know current changes in policy and tech. I heard some companies removed their tracking devices due to complaints about privacy. Is there a company I should avoid?

[Ragnar63]

Hello,
In 2015 we rented a car at Alamo in Reno. There was a $350 fee if you didn t give up the car clean. So we spent lot of time in a car wash the day before leaving Reno! We tried the automatic washer but it was a bad idea, so we washed the car with high pressure system (low pressure for the engine)
You have to wash everything of course but they particularly look at the engine, aeration parts, dust in the seal of doors.
We went 2 times to Burning Man with Alamo and we didn t pay the fees for cleaning the car (but it was a stressfull time!!!).
Good luck

[Molotov]

Don't forget to clean the interior extra well to avoid a surcharge.

[media]

[andyr]

I rented an SUV from Enterprise in Reno last year. They have the same $350 charge to clean it. I stopped at a car wash to get it washed, they talked me into a package that was $150 or so. To be fair, they did an amazing job on the interior and the top parts of the engine compartment, and I was astounded at how nice the entire inside of the car was after the burn, and I got to spend an hour or two sorting through all my stuff, gave a bunch away to the folks working at the car wash, and hanging with the other burners sorting themselves out (shout out to the two Irish dudes sharing a wee dram of Laphroag at 10am). I was almost afraid to get back into the car since I was still channeling my inner Pig-Pen with little clouds of dust as I walked around.

But ... they didn't really do a great job on some of the areas down inside the engine compartment, which to be fair were pointed out to me by the Enterprise folks so not exactly a scam since there was still some dusty parts.

What sucks is that even if you get it 90% clean, it is still a fixed $350, so you might as well not bother unless you're really sure you've got it 100% solved. That part is a ripoff because obviously Enterprise spent a lot less time cleaning my car than they would have if I hadn't done anything at all.

Other downside was that *everyone* in line checking in their cars was arguing about the fee.

[Bloodfeud]

It helps if you rent a car far from the event. I have rented from Alamo at LAX more than once. No problems and they didn't even check engine etc. Get your hands on some plastic sheeting to cover the inside of the car and keep it closed as much as possible. Also make sure you turn the air con to recirculate the internal air only once you get to Gerlach onward to stop dust getting in.

[Sham]

When traveling to and from Burning Man, I always dress in casual business attire, which includes a sport coat. This helps in renting cars and usually gets an upgrade. I also get to zoo on burners along the way--asking why everyone is dressed for the 60's.

Before returning rentals, I bring the car to a self-service car wash and power wash the shit (literally) out of the car. This includes the engine compartment and inside wheel wells. I also buy a can of foaming spray cleaner and wipe the inside of the door jams and other crevice spots. The car actually looks like it was never on the playa when I'm done.

If there are a few spots that have dust remnants, I have never been threatened with a charge. The rental car companies just don't want the cars returned completely trashed. The charge to burners may be a bit unfair, since cars are rented in snowy cities and they come back covered in road mud and salt both inside and out, and there is never a cleaning fee in those cases.

Another hint is to drop your dusty luggage before returning your car (if possible), as that is also an indicator that you were on the playa. Leave your bags with a travel mate on the drop-off curb, then drive around and dump the car. Dress as boring as possible.

I also take photos of the car while it's being dropped off if there is any question of cleanliness. Some close-up shots of the car will help you if there needs to be a dispute on the credit card. This can only be done if the rental car employee makes an issue--otherwise why would anyone be taking a picture of a rental car in the return line.

With some real attention, you can always avoid the cleaning charges on rentals, you just need to take special care.

[andyr]

It helps if you rent a car far from the event. I have rented from Alamo at LAX more than once. No problems and they didn't even check engine etc. Get your hands on some plastic sheeting to cover the inside of the car and keep it closed as much as possible. Also make sure you turn the air con to recirculate the internal air only once you get to Gerlach onward to stop dust getting in.

I was thinking about this for this year, because (a) the only flight I could get [award from Edinburgh] was to SFO not RNO; and (b) I'm hoping that the SFO rental car facility won't be quite as tuned in to BM as the Reno one. Anyone have any experience with Enterprise in SFO when renting an SUV? i.e. are they hip enough to BM and the dates that they give everyone the extra scrutiny, or not? I plan to do the same power wash that I did in 2016 in Reno, which was truly outstanding to my untrained eye, but there was some dust deep in the engine compartment so I got charged the $350 anyway.

Picking up on Saturday 8/26 and dropping off on 9/5, so the dates are a bit of a giveaway. But I can easily do the vanilla wardrobe disguise ...

[Token]

I'm hoping that the SFO rental car facility won't be quite as tuned in to BM as the Reno one.

Oh, they know. Maybe 15 years ago you could get away with it, not anymore.

Make sure you have plan B, plan C in place.

Perhaps look at Hengehold. They are reliable and up-front. Reservations started June 1st and they do not oversell.

Also check out outfits like Rent-a-wreck (Oakland). Talk to them about BM, don't try subterfuge.

Remember that Uber is your friend + you can get from SFO to plenty places like SF, Oakland etc via BART.

[Malcolm]

It helps if you rent a car far from the event. I have rented from Alamo at LAX more than once. No problems and they didn't even check engine etc. Get your hands on some plastic sheeting to cover the inside of the car and keep it closed as much as possible. Also make sure you turn the air con to recirculate the internal air only once you get to Gerlach onward to stop dust getting in.

Excellent advice on both counts; distance rental; and A/C settings!

I'd totally be "that guy" sitting with the windows up in a cloud of dust...

[SpikyKitten]

It helps if you rent a car far from the event. I have rented from Alamo at LAX more than once. No problems and they didn't even check engine etc. Get your hands on some plastic sheeting to cover the inside of the car and keep it closed as much as possible. Also make sure you turn the air con to recirculate the internal air only once you get to Gerlach onward to stop dust getting in.

This. A thousand times.

I usually rent my vehicle in the Sacramento area and usually have it a bit before the Burn and return it a bit after. When they "casually" inquire where I'm going - I just say that I'm planning to see the sights in the Tahoe area and/or helping a friend move (a response which can cover for any little wee remnants of dust not removed by the full-service car wash I use to clean the car, which has always done a great job).

I keep the A.C. on recirculate, put old sheets over the seats, and try to open the car as little as possible during the Burn - which helps lessen a dusty interior.

[Various]

Before returning rentals, I bring the car to a self-service car wash and power wash the shit (literally) out of the car.

You know there are portapotty banks everywhere, right?