Making the trip in a small vehicle

Bluemandrew · Post by **Bluemandrew** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:02 am

This was briefly mentioned in the thread about batteries, but I think it warrants its own thread.

My girlfriend and I are both virgins and will be making the trek this year. We live in NH and are planning to drive cross to the burn. Origiinally we had a large group of friends going too, so we were going to rent a truck for everyone's crap and carpool/fly the people. Well...they all bailed on us.

We'll be making the trip in a 4 door Dodge Neon. No trailer, no roof rack (at this point). Just a crappy bike rack that straps onto the trunk. It limits how many projects I can bring, but what else?

Those of you that drive a long distance in a tiny car, how do you pack? What can stay home, what must I have? Obviously water, food, and shelter are things I can't leave (although that would free up some space...) How do you recommend getting enough water for 2 into a car that small and still having food and a shade structure?

Any other tips for the space-impaired?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:05 am

the first timers and survival guide is a good place to start......

and, really, all you need is bacon.............and PBR...........

How much room can that take?

good luck

Bluemandrew · Post by **Bluemandrew** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:23 am

ygmir wrote:How much room can that take?

That really depends on how much bacon and PBR I bring. How come there''s no tips on that in the survival guide? When I go backpacking I bring 1 keilbasa per person per day. I'm sure I can use that number to ration my bacon.

I've read and re-read both many times. Obsessing is one of my skills. I'm just curious how people fit 30+ gallons of H2O, food, tent, shade, clothing (I guess that's optional though), PBR, and bacon into a tiny car and still manage to bring some fun stuff to share with the community.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:31 am

one thing is, IMHO, especially as a 'virgin', don't worry so much about bringing a community gift.....there's no rule.
Come, relax, enjoy, participate in other ways........leave your expectations at home, be a blank slate.

A great gift is helping someone with a task, smiling, poetry........

Save the bacon and PBR for bribes and sexual favors.......

Get your water in Gerlach or Empire. Just bring containers, maybe the collapsible type.

Just some thoughts........

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:18 am

Water won't take a ton of space, but will take a LOT of weight. I'd recommend getting it in 2.5 gallon jugs at the Scolari's in Fernley and packing it on the passenger floor/seats. Same goes for food and ice except what you need for the trip and what you're preparing at home first.

No roof rack is good for mileage but it limits your ability to haul large items for shade. Do your rear seats fold down so you can poke long objects through from the trunk?

Really there aren't a lot of must-haves apart from food/water/shelter/basic toiletries/health items. Stick to items you know for sure you'll use and projects you know will work out there. If you have any doubts about whether something is a good idea or will hold up to the weather post your plans here and we'll give you feedback.

Also look into flights and rental cars from Reno - it might turn out to be cheaper.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:25 am

If you wanted to you could install a towing hitch onto the Neon

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi ... 11039.html

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:00 am

I've been driving out in my Element (from Michigan), and sleep in it on the road and at the event...when I get within a couple of hours of the playa I pick up my critical supplies and the car gets VERY snug. (I like to bring as much stuff as I have room for, and the car's already pretty full.) Once parked I stick the water and canned goods under the car, where they stay relatively cool. Improvising a little shade off of the roof of the car makes a shady spot for the cooler. (Try to elevate the cooler from the ground for optimum performance.)
There's a chance that I'm flying out this year, which should prove interesting for a clutterbug such as myself....

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:09 am

I've seen three teenagers from New York ride out a week in BRC with everything they needed in a Honda Civic hatchback....including bikes & water so I know it can be done. And this year for the first time it appears I won't have access to a pickup or SUV so if I can go I'll be doing the same thing with a 4 door Focus...so this thread is one I'm following with great interest.

Also the first year you go...don't worry about gifting material things. You can gift your services as a volunteer and cover the gifting thing just fine. I'll relay some advice that was given to me: Just go...and experience it. Leave the expectations alongside 447, just roll through that gate and take in the experience. When you leave a week later you'll likely already be thinking of what you can bring from year 2 to gift and it will be good stuff to boot.

StevenGoodman · Post by **StevenGoodman** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:14 pm

It is also possible to buy your water at BM. You buy ice everyday or so, and move the ice into a Zip Top bag. When the ice melts it is fine for water, cleaning, etc. You just need to make sure it doesn't get contaminated with food stuff.

Also, a lot of other non-alcoholic drinks basically count as water. No need to really double up.

And, as people have said, buy stuff in Fernley, no need to drag it across the country.

Also, a "personal" shade isn't a huge deal; you will be friends with your neighbors soon! But something to help shade your tent is good. If you can find some of the tyvek white snow tarp stuff it is perfect.

Martini Steve

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:08 am

StevenGoodman wrote:It is also possible to buy your water at BM. You buy ice everyday or so, and move the ice into a Zip Top bag. When the ice melts it is fine for water, cleaning, etc.

If by "fine" you mean "tastes stale and nasty" true.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:25 am

I think you should just buy a Hummer.

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:44 am

Â¡Niers! wrote:I think you should just buy a Hummer.

There are plenty of Brothels you pass by to get to BM from the East and South - Nothing to the north or West though.

Miss Kittys in Winnemucca was just remodeled.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:36 pm

Curious......think they cater to homos?

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:50 pm

robotland wrote:There's a chance that I'm flying out this year, which should prove interesting for a clutterbug such as myself....

Up, up and away!

Post by **Sham** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:54 pm

Â¡Niers! wrote:Curious......think they cater to homos?

This is about self reliance. Bring your own homo!

As far as the question at hand, last year I made the cross country trek in a Ford E250 modified with a cool interior for Burning Man. I bought all my supplies in Reno, but the van was still pretty packed with stuff. I have tow hitch on the van and was able to pull an art car the entire way with no problem. The van also had a platform bed in it, so driving cross country, you could sleep in the back and at BM there was an instant bed. I also brought a tent and sleeping bag, so I really had all the comforts of home.

I'm not far from you if you want to see this van. PM me if you want a tour! I am getting ready to take it apart soon, since I will be flying to BM this year.

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:55 pm

Â¡Niers! wrote:Curious......think they cater to homos?

Well, if anybody would know, it would be MD...OWWW!!

Ohhh, I tink you bwoke my nose MDMF

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:12 pm

Â¡Niers! wrote:Curious......think they cater to homos?

Only if you're a girl. But you can still get a cup of free coffee.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:31 pm

Well, if there's one thing you can count on in this world, it's a free cup of coffee.
Even in a time of economic hardship, a man can still find a great cup of crappy coffee brought to him by nothing other than the practice of UNfair trading (otherwise known as slavery) between less fortunate communities and our own.
Isn't it great to be an American?

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:32 pm

Wait, what was this thread about?

StarShineScars · Post by **StarShineScars** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:40 pm

We have a truck that we take up, but some friends always rent a trailer (since you said you don't have one renting might be the best way to go. They have a fairly small car and it works well for them. Might cost a little bit, but could be worth having the extra breathing space in the car.

http://www.uhaul.com/trailers/

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:22 pm

the quantity and volume of stuff and how much is a lot of stuff is something I've considered. When I went from backpacking to car camping... I thought I could bring EVERYTHING NOW. Then I went to burning man, and curiously my car got very small. The difference in volume for me is lights and decorations, extra chairs, and the shade shelter. Stuff I don't usually take camping. oh yeah, and the extra water. I drive a focus hatchback, and I can get more than I need to take in it, but the fantasy of the mutant vehicles, and yurts and generators... well you know how it is. I want a van or a truck. Last year, I slept in the drivers seat on the first night, and should have on the last night... ended up snoozing at first chance rest stop. so, I am planning on a packing approach that allows for a front seat to recline when fully packed or nearly full in case that happens again. I've never been a good packer, and this year I want to apply some more method to that. It can be done.

emotion_sickness · Post by **emotion_sickness** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:03 pm

In 2007 i took a 2 door convertible (i went by myself) with barely any trunk space either...managed to pack a 6' tall dome tent, a mini-tent for gear storage on-playa, a few costumes, all my water, food, booze, boom box, camping gear etc and still managed to squeeze into the drivers seat...first day out i see a guy camped up the block from me with an identical vehicle who had done the same thing, so...it can indeed be done, all with much better gas mileage than a truck, RV, SUV or uhaul. but comfort is a different story. I would recommend at the very least a station wagon for 1-2 people, a minivan or suburban for 3-4 people, and a big van or RV for more folks with big projects or lots of gear. a station wagon with a little trailer and you can damn near bring anything you want and still have wiggle room in the car.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:17 pm

Bluemandrew wrote:This was briefly mentioned in the thread about batteries, but I think it warrants its own thread.

My girlfriend and I are both virgins and will be making the trek this year. We live in NH and are planning to drive cross to the burn. Origiinally we had a large group of friends going too, so we were going to rent a truck for everyone's crap and carpool/fly the people. Well...they all bailed on us.

We'll be making the trip in a 4 door Dodge Neon. No trailer, no roof rack (at this point). Just a crappy bike rack that straps onto the trunk. It limits how many projects I can bring, but what else?

Those of you that drive a long distance in a tiny car, how do you pack? What can stay home, what must I have? Obviously water, food, and shelter are things I can't leave (although that would free up some space...) How do you recommend getting enough water for 2 into a car that small and still having food and a shade structure?

Any other tips for the space-impaired?

Have you ever camped *anywhere* before? What did you pack?

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:29 pm

Â¡Niers! wrote:Curious......think they cater to homos?

Moneys Money I guess - Though I do not recall seeing any men in the line up. Doesn't mean it cant happen I guess.

RedheadBarbie · Post by **RedheadBarbie** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:59 am

I say install the hitch. You can buy one online and install it yourself for under $150. Here's my teardrop trailer and in front of it is a little hatchback that pulled it from Texas. http://www.deviantdonkey.info/index.php?showimage=379
Harbor Freight has a light 4x8 trailer for around $200-300. I did have engineers calculate my limits since technically they don't like you to tow with little cars. We made the teardrop but would do it completely different now. Total cost was about $2,000 but the plans called for expensive wood that we'd downgrade.

Brought 15 gallons of water for 2 people and maybe used 8 including lawnchair baths.

Â¡Niers! · Post by **Â¡Niers!** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:01 am

RedheadBarbie~
Wow, those are some amazing pictures! Are they yours? If so, do you sell prints? There's a few that I would love to see hanging up in my home.
PM me if so.

dc383 · Post by **dc383** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:49 am

-RedHB

I am infatuated with those teardrop trailers and am interested in what wood you stared with and what you would downgrade to.

-original post

1.) Get water in reno or gerlach/empire.

2.) Build shade off of your car to save space.

3.) Do some test runs to see how much crap you can carry. you will get better at this after a few tries.

Tons of small cars (tercel, civic, even metros) are seen bottoming out on the playa from being overloaded and they still make it. I say go for it.

Daddy-O · Post by **Daddy-O** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:39 am

Last year my camp set up a large shade structure and had several couches that provided a place for weary travelers to rest. I don't think that you need to worry about bringing a big shade structure as there will be a lot out there that will welcome you and they take up a lot of space. You mentioned that you have a crappy bike rack. If you are planning on bringing bikes (good idea) you should be sure that they are secure. Last thing you would want is to look in the rear view mirror and see your bikes doing flips down the freeway

oldsoul · Post by **oldsoul** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:09 pm

Every year I've attended the event I've done it in a small vehicle, twice with my Pontiac Grand Am, and last year with 4 people and all of our gear (including a large central shade tent) stuffed into a Subaru Legacy with a cartop carrier.

Here's some links to some photos of us pulling everything out of the back to get to our spare tire when we got a flat in Kansas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/ ... ansas1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/ ... ansas2.jpg

(We also had to repack everything another time in the middle of the road on our return trip when some South Dakota cops pulled us over for "speeding" when we had cruise set at the posted limit and proceeded to search us)

With two people, a trunk, and a backseat to pack you should in my estimation have plenty of space, though I'm a serious minimalist so your mileage may vary. Look into picking up one of those soft cartop carriers that hook into your door frames if you need extra space. I've used one a couple times with no issues.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:47 pm

Just remember this Big Top Factoid: the smaller the car, the more clowns in it.

Making the trip in a small vehicle

Making the trip in a small vehicle

Re: Making the trip in a small vehicle