First time burner needs advice on cargo van rental...

[phoenixlily]

Hello everyone! First time burner this year (eep!) from the UK ... have been investigating various travel options and have come to the conclusion a cargo van will be best to transport me and my BM buddy and our stuff to the burn.

I've spent quite a bit of time reading posts on eplaya about different transport options and also checking various rental companies' websites, but still can't decide the best/most economical way to getting to the burn ... we were planning on being in the Bay Area (oakland) to stay with friends beforehand, but seems like it might be easier to get to Reno first and rent a cargo van and supplies from there?

Does anyone have any recommendations of rental companies they've used for cargo van rental in Reno? Or would we be just as well off renting one from the Bay area and driving across there and back? (we need to be back in San Francisco for a flight out...) Also anything we should be aware of in terms of insurance etc? U-Haul seem to be the most economical option but I've read many tales of woe from those who have rented from them ... and not sure whether recent changes to Budget apply to their vans. I've done online service chats with representatives from both companies this week and they both said there are no restrictions with where you can take their vans ...

Any advice much appreciated!

[lucky420]

Despite what online reservation tells you, Uhaul in Reno or in N. Nv will absolutely NOT rent to anyone taking their vehicles to burning man. Budget truck will but they may not have any left to reserve. Not sure if their new rates apply to the vans or not. You should call Budget directly and ask.

Yout best bet may be the Bay Area as I mentioned all the rentals in Reno may be reserved by now.

Best get on it and good luck to you

[theCryptofishist]

There's a Hengehold in Oakland. Near the Coliseum, whatever it's calling itself these days.

[trilobyte]

Yes, the rental will cost you more coming from SF. Aside from the 4ish hours it'll take you to drive, it's also hundreds of miles' worth of fuel, not to mention per-mile costs on the vehicle rental. Plus, while I've never done a comparison shop, the general cost of living in Reno is significantly less than it is in San Francisco. So the cost of food and supplies is likely higher, too. Unless you were planning on taking part in some SF-specific event or planning to help with some project before heading to the playa, I'd aim straight for Reno. You can get an inexpensive hotel for a couple days and get outfitted with everything you'll need there. So long as you have the vehicle cleaned well, I should hope you wouldn't have any trouble regarding your rental.

[Turtleburp]

This

[International Incident]

I found a burner friendly place in Sacramento. Helia has details - but if anyone wants the name just PM me.

[Turtleburp]

I found a burner friendly place in Sacramento. Helia has details - but if anyone wants the name just PM me.

Deletes long post... what Mel said

Other considerations are where you fly into/ enter USA, how long you have pre, during and post event.

[danibel]

I rented a cargo van twice from Enterprise. I ended up buying one because I cannot spend 2 days cleaning again. Seriously. The cleaning is not fun. That being said, you may want to try Enterprise. My first year I booked far in advance with AVIS and they magically didn't have a van when I went to pick one up. So I got one last minute at Enterprise. It went so well with Enterprise that I reserved one again the second year. They asked me, no less than seven times, if I was going to Burning Man, to which I replied "of course not!" I wasn't charged any cleaning fees, but I didn't want to chance it again.

I drive from Santa Cruz (90 miles south of San Fran), and gas runs me quite a bit, but whatever. If you end up with a rented cargo van, Be sure to ready to spend at least a day cleaning. Amour-all Leather Cleaning Wipes are your friend.