is it possible to avoid RV cleaning fees?

[Lo]

here's a question for people who have already taken RV's to BM: is it possible to avoid getting charged for cleaning fees by the rental company when you get back? the company we're renting from charges a $500 deposit because they've seen so many RV's come back in terrible shape, and that makes me wonder if it's inevitable that the vehicle will get messed up. we are willing to put in time and effort to keep it clean and clean it when we get back. any info would be helpful!

thanks
Lo

[Dustdevil]

I have rented RV's for the Festival 4 times. I have always gotten my cleaning deposit back. I do however allow one full day for cleanup. This is about six hours of cleaning for a family of four. It is not easy work, but I look at it as a game and the winner keeps the deposit.

[Eric]

There's been a couple of other threads on this topic that might be useful. Lots of good ideas.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... c&start=30

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... c&start=30

[theCryptofishist]

Lo, since the firm knows that you are going to the burn ask them. What are the qualifications, how have previous burners got their deposit back, is there a detailing firm you would recommend (if you want to pay someone else.) If you can get it in writing, great. IN any case, think of this as an opportunity to have a good business relationship so you can continue to rent from these people and to learn what's needed from the horse's mouth.

[Lo]

thanks, guys, this is all really helpful!

[Ron]

I've taken an RV to the playa each time. It belongs to a friend of mine and she lets me borrow it as long as it it comes back to her so clean she can't tell where it's been That's taken an average of 40 person hours of cleaning back home, after these steps to minimize the mess were also taken. However, she's also got an RV that's been to BRC many times but you won't know unless you took it apart to find the playa in the very small, hard to get to places. Here's what I do;

1) Shoes off in the RV. Everyone, all the time. Leave them outside the door. And slap the dust off your ass and clothing a bit before you go in.

2) Cover every horizontal surface with this sticky rolling plastic you can get at RV supply stores. Carpets, floor, furniture, everything but the bed. Huge effort saver.

3) Wipe down the walls and counters every day with a vinegar soaked rag. Combine with a daily sweepting and general cleaning.

4) Ask many friends to help you clean when you get back. If they've been using your shower/stove/emergency shelter during the week they're even more likely to help. A shop vac. is a very valuable tool for cleaning when you get back, as is vinegar, toothbrushes, and loud and fast music.

Best of luck!

Ron

[actiongrl]

Don't open the windows, ever. Dust storms roiling up will be the death of your dust-free home. This only works if you're on a gennie that's big enough to handle the AC. If so, make sure you don't spend too much time in there or you will never acclimate (physically or socially!) If not, make sure you never, ever leave camp with the windows open or air vents popped up. Dust storms take no prisoners and they come up lightning fast.

[Badger]

here's a question for people who have already taken RV's to BM: is it possible to avoid getting charged for cleaning fees by the rental company when you get back? the company we're renting from charges a $500 deposit because they've seen so many RV's come back in terrible shape, and that makes me wonder if it's inevitable that the vehicle will get messed up. we are willing to put in time and effort to keep it clean and clean it when we get back. any info would be helpful!

You could buy the thing. Otherwise don't think you'll be able to take a RV to the playa for a week and not expect to have to invest some time in cleaning it up. If someone else has to it is reasonable to expect that you should pay for it.

Experiences suggest that there's no way around it and probably shouldn't be.

[Dr. Pyro]

We have taken an RV every year, this being #7. We have always gotten our deposit back. But it isn't easy; we spend an average of seven hours cleaning the RV, and that's with four people. We have tried to hire high school kids, say junior or seniors, but to them what is "clean" won't pass inspection at the RV joint. Namely, because the dust is so omnipresent, you must beat and then vacuum the cusions. No one but someone whose money is at steak would bother. Putting down the plastic carpet covering is an absolute must. Everywhere. And then put down your own carpeting. If you can put bedspreads over the couch and back bedroom or the one above, do it. Don't care if it looks "dorky", you're talking about real money. But the best advice is this: lie to the RV company and tell them you're going ANYWHERE BUT Burning Man. I, for one, am not ashamed in this case of being called a liar. I've been called worse.

[safetythird]

The carpet barrier stuff kicks ass. Really, everyone should consider it for protecting their interiors.

Friends of ours always rent an RV and they always get one with vinyle flooring throughout. They also bring tents to store gear and as changing rooms or daytime crash spaces. The less in-out of the RV the less dust gets in. They spend a day cleaning it when they get back and always get their deposit back. If you want something done right, sometimes, you just have to do it yourself.

We used the interior of ours like we normally would in a camping environment except not using the toilet or shower until late in the week. We carpet barriered the inside and had a big plastic bin outside the front door to store shoes. Having a big carpet remnant out there helps too. We spent minimal time in the RV because it was too freakin hot during the day and too many things to do at night. YMMV.

And BTW: When we priced out RV rentals for last year we were looking at around $2500 and tons of hoops and wouldn't be able to run the generator. We decided that for us it made more sense to buy an older (but still sound) RV and use it year after year. 4 more trips and it'll have paid for itself.

S3

[phil]

But the best advice is this: lie to the RV company and tell them you're going ANYWHERE BUT Burning Man.

Louise and I have rented a commercial van from a company since our first trip to the burn. I'm old and don't look like a burner. I tell them we've rented a condo in Incline Village for the summer, and we're going up to get all our stuff and bring it back for the winter. A few pleasantries about how nice Incline Village is; if they want details about places to go, things to do, I go off on us getting married at Ponderosa and go into the long version, which sidetracks everything, as they don't have time to hear my yarn with other customers waiting and all. :->

We bring the van back, clean out the back and sweep it clean, then take it to a car wash where people clean it for you. They vacuum out the passenger compartment and wipe it down by hand with damp cloths, run it through the wash, dry it off, and we take it back sparkling clean. The agent thanks us for bringing it back so clean they don't have to wash it themselves, and we rent from them again the next summer.

This will be our 10th burn with them having no clue.

[witchy]

But the best advice is this: lie to the RV company and tell them you're going ANYWHERE BUT Burning Man.

I think that's the worst advice... I've gone in an RV and I told the rental company EXACTLY where I was going... Both times (this year being the second RV year).

Last time, I just covered all parts that I could with sheets & had a "no shoes" rule and made myself & anyone else wash up in the tent first, if that seemed necessary.

I cleaned when I got home, spent a few hours on it & got all of my deposit back.

[theCryptofishist]

Another problem with lying is that some companies (and I assume it's shortly to be all companies) are beginning to put gps on their rental units. If you lie about where you are going and getcaught, you might end up with significantly more money taken from you. Breach of contract and all...