Will my car get stuck?

doctrdev · Post by **doctrdev** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:46 pm

Hi All!

This will be my first time at bm. I will be driving my little Scion xA to the playa, with a roof pack for my extra gear. This little car struggles with sand, it definitely can't drive on anything like beach sand... can it handle the dust at Black Rock without getting suck?

Thanks!

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:50 pm

We have a Scion Xa, and it has been on the playa. You will be fine.

Dato · Post by **Dato** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:52 pm

My first year I took my little focus hatch. It was lowered, had summer tires, and I pulled the back and passenger seats out of it to fit all the gear food and water. ....if that little sucker made it, you won't have an issue.

doctrdev · Post by **doctrdev** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:55 pm

:D :D :D

GREAT thank you!!!

Yeah my scion is lowered also 1.5" and on 17's, definitely not an off-road car.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:58 pm

The dust out there is like concrete right now, you'll be fine.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:23 pm

There are two ways to make sure your car doesn't get stuck:

1. Drive a truck. That way it will be your truck that gets stuck.

B. Drive someone else's car.

Ok, just be careful and don't drive where another vehicle hasn't gone.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:44 pm

LOL< while my Scion has been on the playa at ROM, we take the trailblazer for the big event.

Token · Post by **Token** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:47 pm

If there is anything to worry about it would be the turnout from the highway onto the access road.

They pack that in with some pretty sharp large aggregate and after all the trucks grind some potholes in it it can get rough.

Go real slow and watch the road carefully.

Playa Tom · Post by **Playa Tom** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:08 pm

If it rains the playa turns into a slippery gooey mess. If you try to drive you will get stuck. Wait until it dries.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:55 pm

It's not going to rain...

Your car will be fine as long as you aren't slammed to the ground. You can pretty much see the sand dunes up ahead, just avoid them.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:51 pm

I'd agree the causeway the BLM built from the paved road to the playa would be the main hazard for lowered rides w/ skinny tires.

But first, the canonical question -- HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CAMPING, ANYWHERE?

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:57 pm

do be sure NOT to pull off highway 447 (the 2-lane road between I-80 and burningman) onto the shoulder unless you are in a town. Most places it is soft soil that you will sink into, even if you are in a truck.

Other than that, you will be fine.

doctrdev · Post by **doctrdev** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:08 pm

[quote="Bob"]I'd agree the causeway the BLM built from the paved road to the playa would be the main hazard for lowered rides w/ skinny tires.

But first, the canonical question -- HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CAMPING, ANYWHERE?[/quote]

Sure but not in this car =)

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:15 am

your car will NOT get stuck UNLESS you try to drive after one of the very rare downpours. Also, do not, under any circumstances be tempted to take the back entrance off of Jungo Road. Plenty of discussion here about the tire-shredding propensities of that road and the difficulty crossing the railroad tracks. Also, be careful about pulling off the road on your last 20 miles of approach. The shoulders around Gerlach and beyond are very soft.

All in all, this is one thing you do not need to worry about if you avoid the things listed above.

doctrdev · Post by **doctrdev** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:50 am

Great tips, thanks! :)

Not the best car to do this in, but it's all we got this time

Dato · Post by **Dato** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:19 am

BitterDan wrote:It's not going to rain...

Says who?

Don't jinx it now.....

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:08 pm

Dato wrote:
BitterDan wrote:It's not going to rain...
Says who?

Don't jinx it now.....

That ain't rain -- it's just REALLY high humidity!