Shelter, shelter, shelter...and NOT domes...

[alt12]

Ok, so our camp has a couple of domes already but they are, quite frankly, a pain in the ass and we're looking to add some ready-made shade structures. We lost not 1, not 2, but 3 lame cheaply-made shade structures last year during the great tornado on Wednesday.

Any recommendations for $200-$300 high-quality, black rock desert-proof shade structures? Thanks in advance...
ALT

[PurpleKoosh]

They're out of your listed budget by about a factor of four, but the star tent that was the main structure for ePlaya Bar Camp last year was an absolute gem during Wednesday's storms last year. (Maybe Mozy'll stop by and confirm whether or not that's actually the company he got it from....)

[phil]

Nothing is proof against the playa and its winds. I use a carport I bought online somewhere. They sell a peaked roof-style tarp, the joints between poles, and bungee cords to hold the roof on the poles. You then go to your local big-box store that sells chain link fences and buy top rails in the presrcibed lengths and those are your poles, without paying the shipping.

Other stores sell the carports complete. You can get side panels if you wish (I recommend them, as the sun is never directly overhead).

But I also bring two backup shades, just in case.

[unjonharley]

On a street over from me, is a kind of junky yard..They had a 10X20 car port..Now it's just a mess..With a couple of the poles badly bent..I'm going to offer a few bucks to salvage it out of there yard..I need to add onto my car port..Then was thinking of using a section for a shade @ BM.. Cut it down to a 8X8 with black net cover and camo on the sun sides..That's it for back yard shoping for today..You see more if you slow down and ride a electric scooter to the store..

[phil]

> You see more if you slow down and ride a electric
> scooter to the store..

You're right. I miss walking everywhere at Burning Man. Even bikes are too fast for all you can experience on the playa.

[robotland]

Ok, so our camp has a couple of domes already but they are, quite frankly, a pain in the ass and we're looking to add some ready-made shade structures. We lost not 1, not 2, but 3 lame cheaply-made shade structures last year during the great tornado on Wednesday.

Any recommendations for $200-$300 high-quality, black rock desert-proof shade structures? Thanks in advance...
ALT

So you're not bringing the p.i.t.a. domes? They're the closest thing to tornado-resistant. How do you park your vehicles? VERY sturdy shade can be made by running 2x4s between cars and then covering with long, narrow tarps. (Don't use giant squarish tarps- they make better sails.) You can even save a few rebar stakes by rolling the wheels over the endpoints!

[MozyBonz]

They're out of your listed budget by about a factor of four, but the star tent that was the main structure for ePlaya Bar Camp last year was an absolute gem during Wednesday's storms last year. (Maybe Mozy'll stop by and confirm whether or not that's actually the company he got it from....)

The star tent works great in wind BUT at $3500 thats over the buget of most camps.


Three carports gives you 20x30 shade six will give you 40x30 shade.


I loved ibdaves setup. dave do you have pics?

[alt12]

well we did have a carport last-year without the side-walls. It was very cheaply made and we did a lame-ass job of tying it down. Whole thing flipped over during strong winds. Have these things survived strong wind storms when tied-down properly (i.e. with ropes at 45 degree angles at each joint tied to rebar)? The metal was cheap and the joints were plastic... Next year I'm considering this...Its cheap and flat, two qualities I like:

http://www.canopymart.com/_e/Standard_1 ... Canopy.htm

thanks for the feedback.... and yes we are definitely taking our domes again, just need some extra shelter for kitchen, etc.

[MozyBonz]

well we did have a carport last-year without the side-walls. It was very cheaply made and we did a lame-ass job of tying it down. Whole thing flipped over during strong winds. Have these things survived strong wind storms when tied-down properly (i.e. with ropes at 45 degree angles at each joint tied to rebar)? The metal was cheap and the joints were plastic... Next year I'm considering this...Its cheap and flat, two qualities I like:

http://www.canopymart.com/_e/Standard_1 ... Canopy.htm

thanks for the feedback.... and yes we are definitely taking our domes again, just need some extra shelter for kitchen, etc.

Four foot rebar drive two foot in the ground duct tape the shit out of the two feet sticking out of the ground to each leg. BM06 the wind took a 10x10 shade and blew it 40 feet in the air thirty feet from us. We held fine. (Stake pullers are a must the star shade has 30 in spikes.)

[unjonharley]

Four foot rebar drive two foot in the ground duct tape the shit out of the two feet sticking out of the ground to each leg. BM06 the wind took a 10x10 shade and blew it 40 feet in the air thirty feet from us. We held fine. (Stake pullers are a must the star shade has 30 in spikes.)

\/
Holly shit batman..I slept through that wind last year..I used 9 inch plastic stakes..

[diane o'thirst]

RV Burners take note...these are actual houses on wheels that can be towed by large pickups:

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

No joke, we're talking pop-outs, sleeping lofts, porches, gables, full-size doors, tankless water heaters, et alia. One model, the Enesti, is the size of an average 1-bedroom apartment and only weighs 3,000#.

I thought the Vardo and the WeeBee were particularly attractive. They even have a mini airplane bungalow. Definitely blows the hell out of pretty much everything else in the way of nomadic shelter out there. Better yet, they sell them in kit form and plans so you can make them yourself, and decorate them however way you wish.

[unjonharley]

RV's, I want so much to build a gypse caravan this year..Not enough time or money..Also I'm transporting two kinetic art sculptures and a mobility scooter on the trailer..

[MikeVDS]

If you will put in some work you can buy the carport kits that come with the joints. Buy steel stock to fit and cut to length. Drill some holes and put pins in. Trap it and stake it down and it's solid. That's one of our structures and in your price range.

[Tiahaar]

RV Burners take note...these are actual houses on wheels that can be towed by large pickups:

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

Those little structures are CUTE!!! I've bookmarked that link, thanks!

[diane o'thirst]

Those little structures are CUTE!!! I've bookmarked that link, thanks!

Aren't they darling?

I want the WeeBee. It just boggles me that here's a 200 sq. ft...cottage, really that weighs less than a fully-loaded horse trailer and costs about the same as a high-end SUV.

[BAS]

I've bookmarked that site as well! Those little houses are cool!



B.

[falk]

RV Burners take note...these are actual houses on wheels that can be towed by large pickups:

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

I've been planning to build a slightly larger version of that for myself (possibly making it self-mobile for the playa).

Anybody know where to get the cute little space heaters these things have?

Or better yet, a cute little pot-bellied stove?

[diane o'thirst]

You mean like this?

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=196148

[falk]

Oooh, that totally rocks. I was hoping for something retro-looking, but this is excellent. Thanks.

[diane o'thirst]

Well, I'm buying an F-150 in the next couple days. Nephthys Navajo had a good half-million mile run, but it's time to put her out to pasture. And in the back of the F-150, I'm gonna build the Vardo from Tumbleweed Tiny Homes. I just need to whip together the $1000 for the plans, the rest I can play by ear.

The materials list calls for fir flooring but I'm gonna use bamboo flooring. The stainless steel counter is small enough, I'll probably splurge and get a Corian counter instead. I'm planning on getting solar shingles for the roof so the camper will be self-powered.

EL wire in the stained-glass windows, anyone?

[geekster]

We experimented with a huge common shade thingy that everyone pitched their tent under. It worked great as far as keeping he tent area cool but the construction sucked so we aren't going to do the same thing this year. What I am planning to do this year is go to South Bay Canopy in San Jose and get all the pipe and fittings needed for a couple of 12x20 canopies (or a custom design if I have the time) and instead of tarp, cover it with shade cloth. That should give us a 24x20 shaded area to pitch tents under for folks that don't have their own shade structure (most do).

[harley1200]

Does anyone have experience with the flexy type of PVC to build a structure? Is it called pex pipe maybe?? I'm thinking of building a "hangar" shape deal with the two open ends and the sides facing east/west. I'm thinking the flexable stuff would work perfectly. They would be anchored into bigger pvc which, in turn, will be anchored into cans filled with ready mix concrete. I can just set them in the holes and stake the tarp part at 6 points;2east/west and 1 north/south. kind of hard to explain....

[PetsUntilEaten]

You know I've always resisted RV's and trailers, but I've altered my view now that I have a free place to put a trailer.

There are alot of outfitted & gutted "travel trailers" & aerostreams on Craigslist. "Toy haulers" & "Toy trailers" are more rare but even better because the back wall folds down into a ramp & they usually have a full kitchen prebuilt inside. I've seen a few travel trailers converted into toy haulers.

Bonuses:
• Way more wind proof than tents & domes
• Can be found cheaply ($200-1500) with a little patience & persistance
• Various sizes - 10 ft to 30 ft.
• Small ones can be towed by car or small truck.
• Cheaper than a uhaul rental trailer & no cleaning fees!
• They can act as a kitchen, lounge space or more.
• You can attach tarps to the sides for an awning / shade structure
Tie rings & such can be pre-attached to your trailer for easy install
• They'll get your art & crap to the playa

Minuses:
• You need a tow hitch
• You need a place to store it or re-sell it
• Registration & title can be $150 or so to change over

Things to watch for:
• Clear title & registration
• Decent tires & breaks

---------------------------------

The reason I never liked RV's is that they are like track housing. Closed off, Pre-fab, people trying to keep them clean in a dirty place. However there's no reason you can't keep them open, inviting & useful in your own way - especially if its yours to do with as you will

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*** Typical Values for 1977 Trailers ( 30 years old ) ***
Aljo 20’ Suggested list new $3,600 Retail used $730
Aristocrat 20’ Suggested list new $4,583 Retail used $680
Avion 20’ Suggested list new $3,600 Retail used $730
Fireball 23’ Suggested list new $5,945 Retail used $940
Jayco 20’ Suggested list new $4,786 Retail used $350
Kit 20’ Suggested list new $4,037 Retail used $450
Komfort 20’ Suggested list new $4,820 Retail used $650
Layton 20’ Suggested list new $4,745Retail used $510
Mallard 20’ Suggested list new $4,635 Retail used $460
Nomad 20’ Suggested list new $4,745 Retail used $500
Prowler 20’ Suggested list new $4,283 Retail used $700
Shasta 20’ Suggested list new $4,396 Retail used $470


***Typical Values for 1987 Trailers ( 20 years old )***
Casita 16’ Suggested list new $7,978 Retail used $1,520
Fireball 24’ Suggested list new $11,868 Retail used $2,240
Jayco 21’ Suggested list new $10,879 Retail used $1,690
Kit 21’ Suggested list new $8,769 Retail used $1,980
Komfort 20’ Suggested list new $9,510 Retail used $1,910
Layton 20’ Suggested list new $9,315 Retail used $1,780
Mallard 20’ Suggested list new $8,225 Retail used $1,470
Nomad 20’ Suggested list new $9,450 Retail used $1,780
Prowler 20’ Suggested list new $9,751 Retail used $1,910
Shasta 21’ Suggested list new $8,380 Retail used $1,590

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I got my post flagged on Craigslist for including the above values for trailers. Damn them. If you can travel, Oregon & Washington have sooo many of these things. Pheonix is pretty cool too.

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Don't be a SUCKER for high used RV prices.

Find out the appraised value of a used Recreational Vehicle for free at National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) appraisal website

http://www.nadaguides.com/SectionHome.a ... p=0&f=5602

For RV's older than 1989, drop NADA a line and we will quote the appraised value :

http://www.nadaguides.com/priceguides/p ... guide.aspx

Typical Values for Tent Campers

19 foot Apache
1977 Suggested list new $2,840 Trade in used $230 Retail used $300
1987 Suggested list new $5,868 Trade in used $610 Retail used $850

15 foot Coleman
1977 Suggested list new $2,964 Trade in used $310 Retail used $430
1987 Suggested list new $5,895 Trade in used $810 Retail used $1,160

15 foot Jayco
1977 Suggested list new $3,460 Trade in used $220 Retail used $300
1987 Suggested list new $5,210 Trade in used $550 Retail used $760

16 foot Starcraft
1977 Suggested list new $3,143 Trade in used $240 Retail used $310
1987 Suggested list new $3,464 Trade in used $550 Retail used $760



Typical Values for Mini Motorhomes

21 foot Dolphin
1977 Suggested list new $9,495 Trade in used $1,050 Retail used $1,460
1987 Suggested list new $23,777 Trade in used $3,040 Retail used $4,140

18 foot Sunrader
1977 Suggested list new $11,505 Trade in used $920 Retail used $1,260
1987 Suggested list new $22,695 Trade in used $2,900 Retail used $3,960

Typical Values for Class A RV's

27 foot Bounder
1987 Suggested list new $39,032 Trade in used $4,430 Retail used $6,040

27 foot Winnebago Chieftain
1977 Suggested list new $16,241 Trade in used $1,770 Retail used $2,360
1987 Suggested list new $37,128 Trade in used $4,460 Retail used $6,180

27 foot Southwind
1977 Suggested list new $16,056 Trade in used $1,790 Retail used $2,380
1987 Suggested list new $39,627 Trade in used $4,670 Retail used $6,360

27 foot Sprinter
1977 Suggested list new $14,168 Trade in used $980 Retail used $1,350
1984 Suggested list new $33,070 Trade in used $2,860 Retail used $4,090



Typical Values for Class C RV's

23 foot Tioga
1977 Suggested list new $14,161 Trade in used $1,080 Retail used $1,430
1987 Suggested list new $33,530 Trade in used $4,150 Retail used $5,560

24 foot Minnie Winnie
1977 Suggested list new $19,186 Trade in used $1,710 Retail used $2,220
1987 Suggested list new $30,174 Trade in used $3,860 Retail used $5,060

22 foot Lazy Daze
1977 Suggested list new $14,320 Trade in used $1,190 Retail used $1,540
1987 Suggested list new $32,750 Trade in used $3,970 Retail used $5,340

24 foot Honey
1977 Suggested list new $13,200 Trade in used $820 Retail used $1,070
1987 Suggested list new $30,093 Trade in used $3,090 Retail used $4,040

24 foot Jamboree
1977 Suggested list new $13,409 Trade in used $1,330 Retail used $1,690
1987 Suggested list new $36,295 Trade in used $4,380 Retail used $5,710

[gyre]

There are great deals on rvs, but it is a complex area.
And you need to know what you are doing to tow or drive one.
If you want one purely as shelter, the best deals are on rvs that need maintenance.
I got a great deal on my airstream, but only the inverter and stove work perfectly.
A perfectly functioning version is at least three times as much.
Trailer Life has great books on all this.
Maintaining a fully functional rv is more involved than a house, but it can be done.

I am getting an rv from a dealer as a gift, pretty much.
But it is only three feet high.
(Future art car)

You need to know what you want.
I paid ten times high blue book for a car and got a deal.
It all depends.


Here's a shade option and with sides, could be shelter.

http://www.shelsys.com/
I'm thinking of the combo unit with sides.
It can be set up two sizes.