First time to Burning Man....

Pygromanche · Post by **Pygromanche** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:45 am

My husband and I are going to be attending Burning Man for the first time this year (9.3.09 - 9.7.09). No one mentioned that six months before Burning Man there would be no RV's available, not to mention the fact that they are CRAZY expensive. So is there anyone that would be willing to allow us to buy in on an RV with them? We are going from Reno to Burning Man, is there ANYONE out there??

** Also feel free to find other people who are looking for a ride / riders
**

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:17 am

Barbarian Camp is always looking for slaves. You can sleep on the ground.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:53 am

actually, there ARE several threads that say that getting an RV for the event, even in advance, is very hard or impossible.

anyways, nothing wrong with a tent/shelter. Rvs have no 'class'

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:14 pm

klondike_bar wrote:actually, there ARE several threads that say that getting an RV for the event, even in advance, is very hard or impossible.

anyways, nothing wrong with a tent/shelter. Rvs have no 'class'

Exactly, that's why I'll be right at home in my newbie RV

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:04 pm

Sail Man wrote:
klondike_bar wrote:actually, there ARE several threads that say that getting an RV for the event, even in advance, is very hard or impossible.

anyways, nothing wrong with a tent/shelter. Rvs have no 'class'
Exactly, that's why I'll be right at home in my newbie RV

*envisions virgin self in september, standing outside his semi-collapsed, home-made structure, covered in dust and booze, shaking his fist at nearby Rv'ers*

professorzed · Post by **professorzed** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:41 pm

Some people like to take an old school bus and transform it into an RV.

The school buses are cheap, compared to a regular RV. However, you need a 'C' license to drive one. You also need the time and skill to rip out all the seats and put in plumbing and electrical.

Pygromanche · Post by **Pygromanche** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 6:50 am

Sail Man wrote:
klondike_bar wrote:actually, there ARE several threads that say that getting an RV for the event, even in advance, is very hard or impossible.

anyways, nothing wrong with a tent/shelter. Rvs have no 'class'
Exactly, that's why I'll be right at home in my newbie RV

I am very new, total newbie and I haven't yet had a chance to look over everything on this site. There was this one site that was charging 10K for their service! I have a camp, sorta, since I'm from wisconsin I'm going to be with Burning Snow, I'm just looking for an RV so I have not only a ride from Reno but a place to shower and s#%t in peace.

From what I have read though RV's block the wind for tents so they aren't blowing all around. If I were to find an RV further away I'm even looking for a caravan to show me how to get to BRC.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:33 am

No one mentioned that six months before Burning Man there would be no RV's available

there was a full page ad in both the washington post, and the new york times a FULL YEAR AGO that this would be the case, not to mention the numerous TV ads and billboards.

it is no ones fault but your own.

Wal-mart. Reno. Cheap tent.

deal with it.

Pygromanche · Post by **Pygromanche** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 7:39 am

Simon of the Playa wrote:
No one mentioned that six months before Burning Man there would be no RV's available

there was a full page ad in both the washington post, and the new york times a FULL YEAR AGO that this would be the case, not to mention the numerous TV ads and billboards.

it is no ones fault but your own.

Wal-mart. Reno. Cheap tent.

deal with it.

Seriously sweets how many times do I have to say newbie?

Lol.

Also I have come to terms with the fact that I probably won't be able to find one in the Reno Area. I'm just looking for either a ride or a caravan if I get my own from my area.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:48 pm

klondike_bar wrote:
Sail Man wrote:
klondike_bar wrote:actually, there ARE several threads that say that getting an RV for the event, even in advance, is very hard or impossible.

anyways, nothing wrong with a tent/shelter. Rvs have no 'class'
Exactly, that's why I'll be right at home in my newbie RV
*envisions virgin self in september, standing outside his semi-collapsed, home-made structure, covered in dust and booze, shaking his fist at nearby Rv'ers*

*Opens door to RV, recognizes Klondike from Lakes of Fire, waves at him and motions him inside. "Hey there KB, your looking kinda dusty and hot, how bout a nice cold brewski? Sorry they're Labatt's"

*

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:33 pm

...school buses are cheap, compared to a regular RV. However, you need a 'C' license...

In most states (generally speaking), you can register a decommissioned school bus as an RV. Then you do not need any special driver license.

Local state requirements vary, but plan on removing seats, installing bunks and a rudimentary kitchen, and painting the bus something other than yellow.

I love my 1992 Blue Bird.

There is a school bus thread in Questions and Tips.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 9:52 pm

Elliot wrote:
...school buses are cheap, compared to a regular RV. However, you need a 'C' license...
In most states (generally speaking), you can register a decommissioned school bus as an RV. Then you do not need any special driver license.

Local state requirements vary, but plan on removing seats, installing bunks and a rudimentary kitchen, and painting the bus something other than yellow.

I love my 1992 Blue Bird.

There is a school bus thread in Questions and Tips.

there are exceptions that still require a CDL - If it has air brakes, or weighs 26001 pounds or more, you haul explosives, 16 or more paying passengers, are engaged in Interstate commerce (you need DOT number CDL may not be required for interstate commerce) you need CDL

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:22 pm

mdmf007 wrote:there are exceptions...you haul explosives...

well dang that just sucks

Back to the original poster: watch for the rideshare postings later this year, there're always folks looking for RV share, if you haven't found anything by then. IMHO renting shiny new RVs and going to BRC in them is a non sequitur.

(I'll be back on here more often from now on I hope, I miss everyone!)

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:25 pm

Whoa! Now I have myself totally confused.

It was stated above that a class C license is needed. I just realized, C is the basic passenger car license (In California). (I have a Commercial Class A (18-wheelers), so I never think about this.)

I believe the classes of driver licenses are standardized nationwide, but I may be wrong. I do know that the Commercial licenses are standardized -- was done in the mid-1980s.

State requirements for what license is required for what vehicle may vary, but I'm pretty close to sure that all states accept whatever is legal in a driver's home state -- pertaining to private "tourist" traffic.

I have the 2008 California DMV RV handbook here. Basic Class C allows any house car up to 40 feet. ("House car" is government-speak for RV.) Max. 26.000 pounds applies to other vehicles but not "house cars".

Direct quote:
"You have a... Class C... you may drive... any house car 40 feet and under, in length." End quote.

No mention of air brakes.

Yes, it is weird. Air brakes is a separate test when taking a Commercial License. But I suspect that state governments love tourists who can afford big RVs.

I have a 2006 regular CA DMV handbook also. Same info.

I could dig in my complete CA Vehicle Code, but it is from 1999.

I'd love to get solid info from other states on this, and the question often comes up.

Post by **Sham** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:04 am

Pygromanche wrote:My husband and I are going to be attending Burning Man for the first time this year (9.3.09 - 9.7.09). No one mentioned that six months before Burning Man there would be no RV's available, not to mention the fact that they are CRAZY expensive. So is there anyone that would be willing to allow us to buy in on an RV with them? We are going from Reno to Burning Man, is there ANYONE out there??

** Also feel free to find other people who are looking for a ride / riders
**

Let me take a second to jump back to the question first posted and offer my thoughts to this first timer.

RVs are reserved in some cases years in advance and the dealers charge a fortune for them--because they can, and because they come back with at very least with a haze of dust inside and out, that is very difficult to clean. At worst these RVs are trashed and require days of cleaning.

My first year attending, I felt I had to be in an RV for the reasons you mentioned. Sleep, shower, clean toilet, comfy cool place to sit and relax etc. I had only slept in a tent once as a kid and I HATED it. Hot, cold, damp, cramped, musty, uncomfortable, dirty etc.

I could not imagine ever willingly sleeping in a tent as an adult and felt I would have to be in an RV to attend BM. There was an RV in our camp and I asked the people if there was room and how much would my share be. There was no room and no easy prospect for a spot for me, so I went to Walmart and picked out a 5 person tent for myself just in case nothing else panned out. Fast forward for 9 years and I've used that tent every year since and never once stayed inside an RV even though I had the chance to.

RV toilet tanks fill up quickly and the potra potties are not that bad. You may also find yourself at the other end of the city when you have to poopie anyway! We have an outdoor shower stall set-up, our cooking is done on the stove in the RV. My tent has all the comforts of home with an air mattress and a nice warm sleeping bag and extra blanket.

I have spent quite a few windy nights in that tent and really love the feel of being zipped in tight while the breeze runs over the top of the tent. An RV just doesn't give you that fun feeling of having all your preparation pay off. I would really like to suggest that you at least look at tents that may work for you and see if this may be a better choice than an RV.

I hope this info helps you a little bit. And by the way, WELCOME and see you on the playa.

Post by **mdmf007** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:38 am

http://www.drivingrules.net/cdl/needaCDL.htm

Here's a quick website that will tell you what license you need.

Simply click on the above link, and answer the questions to the end of the tree. It does not matter what you class it as RV, Truck, that simply changes your tax rate USDOT still mandates what license you need to operate the vehicle.

later

Barbie · Post by **Barbie** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:45 am

Hey Heyyyyyyy hey Welcome Pyromanche & Husband !!!!
shhhhhh don't tell every NEwbie BUT the HOPE is Cargo VAN!!!
YES rent a Cargo Van- Find a Mattress that will fit inside- and sleep in tHEre. Bring a tent just in case, In fact you may want to bring 2 one for Your Stuff. You can Pile that Cargo Van with ALL the Stuff You Need; maybe even get a tarp, pvc pipe and rebar- make your own little awning off side. Let That Inner Child build your camp for Youu.. set Up A camp shower on one side of it. READ our BIBLE -known as THE SURrrrrrvvvvvVIiiiiaaaaaAL Guide commit this to memory and be able to recite it BACK at the GATE!! 'cause I'll ask you questions. LOLOL
Go camping a couple time this Summer IF you don't already. In fact if you don't camp you may want to reconsider Burning MAn in general and use that MoNey, to visit Hawaii this Summer 'cause we could really use the tourist money around HERE!!! and Burning Man can make or Break A relationship- You don't really KNOW someone until after they have had about 6 hours sleep in 4 days.

OKAY THEN !!!! GEt to Work You don't HAve a WHOLe Lot of time to get it all Together!!! COme by and have a drink at Blackie's Bar & Grill 9:15 second to the last ring. SEE Ya in THE Dust!!

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:53 am

It certainly is complicated.

Here is an other site, and this one addresses RV drivers exclusively.

http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml

It lists the requirements for each state. Some states apply the 26.000 pound threshold to RVs, and some do not. This site even rates the quality of its own information for each state.

I'm also learning that Non-commercial licenses are not federally standardized as Commercial ones are. What a mess!

How much is 26.000 pounds? First of all, we are dealing with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating -- that is, the most the vehicle may weigh, fully loaded. My 40 foot bus has a GVWR of 31.000 pounds. 40 feet are as long as school buses are ever made. You may not even want that big a bus. A bus in the 30 to 35 foot range could keep you below the 26.000 threshold. The GVWR is posted inside every bus.

klondike_bar · Post by **klondike_bar** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:25 pm

Sail Man wrote:
klondike_bar wrote:
Sail Man wrote: Exactly, that's why I'll be right at home in my newbie RV
*envisions virgin self in september, standing outside his semi-collapsed, home-made structure, covered in dust and booze, shaking his fist at nearby Rv'ers*
*Opens door to RV, recognizes Klondike from Lakes of Fire, waves at him and motions him inside. "Hey there KB, your looking kinda dusty and hot, how bout a nice cold brewski? Sorry they're Labatt's" *

id love to. sadly, i do not believe that i will be attending the lakes of fire.

between already packing my summer with activities, and the fact that i must work for money

, id be stuck with the "under 21" bracelet.

that aint cool. at all.

and what this about not being allowed to carry explosives in an RV?

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:50 am

I'm just looking for an RV so I have not only a ride from Reno but a place to shower and s#%t in peace.

You're going to miss out on the sense of community that comes from your ass sharing the same space as thousands of others, and you'll really stand out with that stench of soap coming off of you. You might as well just write newb in block letters across your forehead! Seriously though, it's really not that bad. I've never been an RV camper and being closer to the elements out there always added to the experience for me. I met some really cool people in line waiting for the mountains of crap to be pumped out of the shitters and who doesn't enjoy showering in the great outdoors? It just involves a little more preparation on your part, but at least for me, the preparation just adds to the excitement of getting there.

First time to Burning Man....

First time to Burning Man....

Old School

Re: First time to Burning Man....