Shipping Water to BRC

elijacob · Post by **elijacob** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:06 pm

Anyone know a way to ship our water from SF or Reno to BRC? We are a group of 5 people, and water will be taking up most of our vehicle space. thanks.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:54 pm

Same way we all get it there- in our own vehicles. There is no other way to get it there (no delivery service, no train, etc), and it takes up a ton of space in all our vehicles. You need to plan for that.

For 5 people figure a minimum of 2 gallons a day each (1 gal. for drinking, 1 for cleaning dishes, washing, cooking, drinking more), so you'd need at lease 28 of the 2.5 gallon suitcases. If it won't fit into your vehicle, you might want to look into renting a trailer.

I'm not meaning to be snarky, but water, food & shelter are the most important things you can bring out, they should get priority in your packing. If you can't bring your super cool but not necessary-for-survival (fill in the blank) if you bring water, leave your super-cool thing behind. If you can't fit 5 people and the water into one vehicle, bring two vehicles. Pick up the water by Reno- you shouldn't count on there being enough water in Wadsworth or Gerlach for you.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:55 pm

Can you pull a trailer?

You could always buy ice and melt it.

I type too slow...Beat to the punch!

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:47 am

Water for five in a single vehicle is a problem for sure. Water weighs 8 1/3 pounds per gallon. So each 2.5 gallon suitcase weighs just under 21 lbs, and 28 of those suckers total over 580 lbs.

This can seriously destabilize your vehicle, especially since the water sloshes in the containers. And if you have a quarter-ton truck, there's your quarter ton before you even get in. Much less all your other stuff. I'd guess you've got problems even if all you're bringing is survival necessities.

I seriously suggest two trucks instead of one. Having a top-heavy vehicle with five people in it is a hazard on the road. Please drive carefully and don't make high-powered swerves to dodge a rabbit.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:55 pm

Remember to buy your water in Reno. There is no need to lug that much weight over Donner Pass.

Seriously consider what the above folks have told you. In addition to that, I have never seen 5 people stuffed into a car rolling into BM. 5 people need far too much gear for one vehicle (unless you have a box truck carrying your stuff out there). It takes a lot of stuff, a lot of planning, and in most cases, a lot of money to make it to burning man.

ragabashpup · Post by **ragabashpup** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:56 pm

We have three people going in a van and even that is going to be tightly cramped and is going to give us horrible gas mileage due to weight.
We will most likely wait to grab water until we hit oregon then hit the last wal mart in the state. That worked well for us in 06 and worked well for them in 07 so that is the hope again. Lug the water for as short of a distance as you have to.

elijacob · Post by **elijacob** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:51 pm

I meant to say that we are 3 people, not 5. I was thinking of renting a minivan and purchasing the water in Reno, but i don't know if even that gives us enough room. We could also rend a cargo van. This will be my second year at BM, and my first yr leading the planning of our camp. Well, thanks for your input. More is welcome. eli

EB · Post by EB » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:21 pm

Three people in a mini-van should be fine re: water. Not to mention you've been before so you know what to expect.

(I know it's 'off-message' but I've never used 2 gallons of water/day. And that's with a shower!)

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:44 pm

I save a lot of weight and space in my car by bringing freeze-dried Instant Water

ragabashpup · Post by **ragabashpup** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:52 pm

Teo del Fuego wrote:I save a lot of weight and space in my car by bringing freeze-dried Instant Water

You my dear sir are just silly.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:46 pm

phil wrote: And if you have a quarter-ton truck, there's your quarter ton before you even get in.

Those terms "half-ton", "3/4 ton", "1-ton" aren't literal, just traditional names from long ago. The actual payload is much higher.

Actually you CAN get fresh water on the playa, from the JOTS people, as well as grey water removal. I'm almost considering it, I go through about 100 gallons. I might just top off, I hate to depend on anyone for my entire supply.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:58 pm

(I know it's 'off-message' but I've never used 2 gallons of water/day. And that's with a shower!)

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I bring 1.5 gallons per day for myself and I have a ton of water left over at the end. I do not, however, have a shower.

I didn't know that JOTS sold blue water? Can anyone verify that?