How do I transport water
- thesandman
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How do I transport water
Hello to every one I am new at this hole thing being a virgin burner
1st thing to ask is what is a good way to transport water like a Coleman collapsible water containers or the 5 gal cans that look like a gas can and fill them up on arriving in Reno o and sorry for my bad typing I text more then type LOL
1st thing to ask is what is a good way to transport water like a Coleman collapsible water containers or the 5 gal cans that look like a gas can and fill them up on arriving in Reno o and sorry for my bad typing I text more then type LOL
- danibel
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Last year was my first year, and my sister and I took about 45 gallons for the two of us. We had two 5 gallon containers ( the kind that go on a dispenser ) to refill our solar shower (which we also filled up with tap water before we left). We had about five or six 2.5 gallon containers for cooking and refilling water bottles. The rest were in single gallons *WITH SCREW TOP LIDS*. The shower water evap'd but our graywater (from washing dishes and such) was funneled back into the screw top lid gallons and transported home to be poured down the drain. We ended up having a lot left over, but that was fine. I would much rather have more than not enough.
It's up to you. Louise and I buy the 2.5 gallon water boxes at supermarkets around our home because we live in earthquake country and we expect to lose our water. Then we haul them to Burning Man over the Sierras. But we also bring collapsible plastic containers and one 5 gallon jerry can. We fill those at our motel before we leave for the playa.
This was we cycle through our stored water. There's no one best way that I know of. Remember that water weighs about 8.5 lbs per gallon - 5 gallons is over 40 lbs. If that's moving around in your vehicle, it can cause stability problems, and if you're trying to pick it up to wet your toothbrush, that's gonna get old.
This was we cycle through our stored water. There's no one best way that I know of. Remember that water weighs about 8.5 lbs per gallon - 5 gallons is over 40 lbs. If that's moving around in your vehicle, it can cause stability problems, and if you're trying to pick it up to wet your toothbrush, that's gonna get old.
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A question like that you're bound to get 50,000 opinions.
For just myself, I take five cases of distilled water at six gallons each =30 gallons. They fit nicely in the back of my p/u truck.
I choose distilled primarly because if I experience cooling/radiator/blown heater hose issuses while traveling to and from the playa.
It's potable and can also be used for bathing.
For just myself, I take five cases of distilled water at six gallons each =30 gallons. They fit nicely in the back of my p/u truck.
I choose distilled primarly because if I experience cooling/radiator/blown heater hose issuses while traveling to and from the playa.
It's potable and can also be used for bathing.
- danibel
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That's funny. We didn't even consider the weight of the water! LOL Newbies. I swear. I was much more concerned with staying cool/warm/shaded/fed/hydrated. The fact that water weighs so damn much never entered my mind. At least we were smart enough to bring it in all different sized containers. Not just 5 gallons! That would really suck.
- thesandman
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- motskyroonmatick
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Check out that survival guide again and then give consideration to how you think you will use water on the playa.
I bring 2.5 gallons a day for my use in the big 5 gallon water dispenser jugs that you can get at home depot for $10. You get 5 bucks back when you return the jug.
I bring 2.5 gallons a day for my use in the big 5 gallon water dispenser jugs that you can get at home depot for $10. You get 5 bucks back when you return the jug.
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When you pass the 4th "bridge out!" sign; the flaming death is all yours.-Knowmad-
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When you pass the 4th "bridge out!" sign; the flaming death is all yours.-Knowmad-
we brought 2 of those blue 7 gallon water containers with the spigot, which we filled up in Lovelock at a friend's store. Those 14 gallons, plus random bottles of electrolite drinks, kept the two of us hydrated and clean for the week. Granted, the only cooking we did was dehydrated backpacking meals (no dishes to wash or toss), and we only showered once mid-week, so our water use outside of drinking is very low. Everyone's different, so it's best to err on the side of caution and bring more than you think you'll need, especially if you aren't used to the hot, dry desert like we are.
And when you are considering weight, don't forget the alcohol you bring - it also gets heavy, especially when you're bringing extra for the bar
We bought our liquor in Winnemucca to minimize the mileage with all the extra weight.
And when you are considering weight, don't forget the alcohol you bring - it also gets heavy, especially when you're bringing extra for the bar

- thesandman
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Yea....I second Dork's method. I alter it a bit and buy a couple cases of one quart water.
Ilike those because they are easy to handle, etc. I use the bulk water for cooking and showering,etc.
You're on the right track if you do that in Reno for sure.
Also, for the ride out, keep in mind you can pour out clean water on the playa if you spread it around a bit. No need to haul any extra home with you as long as it's clean and you're not mucking up the neighborhood.
Ilike those because they are easy to handle, etc. I use the bulk water for cooking and showering,etc.
You're on the right track if you do that in Reno for sure.
Also, for the ride out, keep in mind you can pour out clean water on the playa if you spread it around a bit. No need to haul any extra home with you as long as it's clean and you're not mucking up the neighborhood.
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
- theCryptofishist
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I'm another for the suitcases. 2.5 is something I can handle one-handed.
I have heard of someone making boxes of water, like those wine boxes, which has some advantages, they are good for two years, instead of six months, and they are burnable? compostable? recyclable? Okay, easier to dispose of. But since I have no idea where to buy them, the suitcase wins out.
I have heard of someone making boxes of water, like those wine boxes, which has some advantages, they are good for two years, instead of six months, and they are burnable? compostable? recyclable? Okay, easier to dispose of. But since I have no idea where to buy them, the suitcase wins out.
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"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- mudpuppy000
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I had a whole mix of stuff...
One 7 gal giant gerry can, I mostly used that for washing and filling my camelbak
10 gallons of those 2.5 gal jugs in the boxes, which I didn't even open.
Two gallons of gatorade, what I mostly drank
About 24 small water bottles I froze, and used to keep the beer cold.
Lots of beer/soda.
I had too much at the end of the week. I'm going to scale back a bit this year, but better to have too much than not enough.
One 7 gal giant gerry can, I mostly used that for washing and filling my camelbak
10 gallons of those 2.5 gal jugs in the boxes, which I didn't even open.
Two gallons of gatorade, what I mostly drank
About 24 small water bottles I froze, and used to keep the beer cold.
Lots of beer/soda.
I had too much at the end of the week. I'm going to scale back a bit this year, but better to have too much than not enough.
- thesandman
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- diane o'thirst
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Luggage tips:
I usually store my water jugs amidships in my car. The reason I put them in the centre of the car is because water is probably the heaviest thing you'll be toting and it will balance the load. If you're pulling a trailer, do the same, for the same reasons: Put all your water jugs in the middle of the vehicle, whether it's towing or towed.
Pro-tip II: DO NOT put them in the roof rack. They're blocky, heavy, and could explode from all the sun beating down on them. Put your solar lanterns in the roof load, not the water. You don't want to get to the Playa and found you've lost one-third to half your water because the jugs popped. "Pop" means the seals around the lids. Putting water in the roof rack also makes you top-heavy and there's some nasty winds and winding curves on the way to the Playa: recipe for rollover.
Pro-tip III: Water is crucial. They won't let you in unless you have enough water for your group, even if you have a ticket. #1 priority, don't skimp on the water. Everything else can be worked around and toggled with. Trust me, you'll find something to do with it
I usually store my water jugs amidships in my car. The reason I put them in the centre of the car is because water is probably the heaviest thing you'll be toting and it will balance the load. If you're pulling a trailer, do the same, for the same reasons: Put all your water jugs in the middle of the vehicle, whether it's towing or towed.
Pro-tip II: DO NOT put them in the roof rack. They're blocky, heavy, and could explode from all the sun beating down on them. Put your solar lanterns in the roof load, not the water. You don't want to get to the Playa and found you've lost one-third to half your water because the jugs popped. "Pop" means the seals around the lids. Putting water in the roof rack also makes you top-heavy and there's some nasty winds and winding curves on the way to the Playa: recipe for rollover.
Pro-tip III: Water is crucial. They won't let you in unless you have enough water for your group, even if you have a ticket. #1 priority, don't skimp on the water. Everything else can be worked around and toggled with. Trust me, you'll find something to do with it

Transporting Water
If you have one gallon jugs of water, place them in the corners
of your tent to provide extra stability in the wind; it helps when
the wind really kicks up.
of your tent to provide extra stability in the wind; it helps when
the wind really kicks up.
Rommel
Autoritär für Gigsicherheit
'oderint dum metuant'
Autoritär für Gigsicherheit
'oderint dum metuant'
- Captain Goddammit
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- thesandman
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They have the gallon bottles that are a bit squarer in shape. I buy enough to fit in the bottom of my ice chest. I freeze them (remembering to pour a little water out). I can usually fit 3 in the bottom of the ice chest I have.
Not only does it help to keep things cold in the ice chest, but I have ice cold water to drink. For the rest of my water, I figure out what will pack in my little car the best, and buy those sizes.
The other thing I have done is buy the water coolers with the spigot. I can then buy ice, and let it melt in the cooler.
Not only does it help to keep things cold in the ice chest, but I have ice cold water to drink. For the rest of my water, I figure out what will pack in my little car the best, and buy those sizes.
The other thing I have done is buy the water coolers with the spigot. I can then buy ice, and let it melt in the cooler.
- much2naughty2
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- Captain Goddammit
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Old hands hint...
Solid water is available on site. it's called "ice". You buy it at arctica and carry it back to camp, but instead of just tossing it the cooler with the old balogna and cheese floating around, cut the top off a 2 1/2 gallon jug, put that in the cooler, and pour the ice in there. Then when it melts you have clean water to drink, or wash your hair or... Super Soakers!
Solid water is available on site. it's called "ice". You buy it at arctica and carry it back to camp, but instead of just tossing it the cooler with the old balogna and cheese floating around, cut the top off a 2 1/2 gallon jug, put that in the cooler, and pour the ice in there. Then when it melts you have clean water to drink, or wash your hair or... Super Soakers!
- thesandman
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- EmilyD
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thesandman wrote:someone told me that the ice was not %100 ok to drink may need to mix it with lots of vodka or whisky :)
We always travel with one of these to help filter whatever:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product ... U=13346097
I wouldn't use it on grey water, but you could filter melted ice that didn't touch any meat products and then drink it probably.
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