RV damage - how bad is it?

[JheregVonMuch]

So my husband and I are planning on attending Burning man for the first time this year. In years past when we have tried to attend we always wanted to stay in an rv.

In years past our only option was to rent one.

But now we are fortunate to own an RV and a older small travel trailer.

I would love to take either of those because well who wants to pay to rent?!? But I keep thinking back to that playa dust. Is it going to trash my RV beyond repair? What kind of damage can it do to the engine, generator and other vital components we rely on when using the RV?

Would be it better to rent so its not my problem? Should I take my little old travel trailer where it doesnt matter if it gets trashed?

Thoughts? Experiences?

[ygmir]

welcome!

I'd suggest reading the myriad of threads here dealing with this subject. There are many opinions and circumstances.
Use the site search, or, Google search: subject-eplaya.

good luck

[gstring]

Hi! I say - no worries, mate! My husband and I had the same concerns when we considered bringing our toyhauler, and with a few preparations, it was very smooth. Here's what we do to minimize dust invasion clean-up:
1. Buy a bunch of cheap flat sheets at a thrift store.
2. Cover your furniture and bedding with the sheets.
3. If you want to make floor clean up easier, stretch sheets over your floors and secure with wide painter's tape.
4. Cover the seals around your windows and vents with painter's tape.
5. Purchase small pillows or the made-to-fit RV vent plugs to plug your roof vents.
6. Prevent dust invasion into your things by using totes and zip lock bags.
7. When back in the default world, roll up the sheets from furniture, bedding and floor and shake, launder, toss, whatever.
We have never sustained damage as a result of playa dust. You will have to literally damp wipe EVERY SINGLE SURFACE in the RV when you get home. Inside cupboards, ceiling, etc., because it does get into everything. Adding vinegar to your water helps to cut the alkali and makes for easier cleanup. Playa dust just laughs at the vacuum cleaner. Also try to locate a carwash on your way home and give the exterior a nice long blast of soap and water. We still find playa dust in the far corners of the trailer - under the sink and such, but we find it is kind of nostalgic and we end up smiling. It's part of being a burner.

Don't let the fear of playa dust keep you from enjoying the comfort of your RV. Just imagine what you'd need to do ahead of time if someone told you they were going to empty a box of cornstarch in front of a fan inside your trailer. Good luck, see you on the playa! )'(

[Canoe]

You can start here. A somewhat eclectic collection of advice.
viewtopic.php?f=286&t=54180
"RV" is very short, so eplaya search doesn't like it. Use google to search eplaya.

Some things to watch for as you go through the threads/posts. Guaranteed I'm missing some.

• RV is convenient, but you need to address solar gain so it's not an oven past 9:30 in the morning. (temps are often in the 90's and can go above 100) There are some easy and rather low cost things that greatly improve this.
• And you want to do that instead of running A/C. Some A/C get trashed on the playa. The thought is this is due to their age and the playa gives them a workout, aggravated by heat due to dust build-up on motors and the fins. Some claim the fins where trashed by the playa dust. Others report no issues.
• Generators on RVs. Some do better than others. Have spare oil. Uses up your gas. Your neighbours are subjected to its exhaust fumes (including carbon monoxide) and noise, so situate yourself appropriately.
• Some RV rental companies use "it was at Burning Man!" as an excuse to make you buy them a new A/C/generator/engine.
• You can take cheap & easy measures to both prevent and manage dust infiltration and interior cleanup time. Check the threads.
• You can also address both cooling and minimize dust infiltration by adding a swamp-cooler. Large thread, latest recap of the three major designs starts here:
  viewtopic.php?f=280&t=33842&start=2430#p990806
• We regularly see advice to change things after being on the playa: engine air filters, oil & filter, same for generator.
• The community center in Gerlach typically has water available for sale. It's somewhat more expensive than in Reno or Fernley, but then you weigh less for the hills and traffic from Fernley up to Gerlach. Watch for this year's details later in the year.
• You're on the playa in the desert = no hookups. But there is a service that will empty the black water for a fee per service. Varying tales on elevated prices. In 2010 for my RV it was reasonable. Search/watch for details.
• Depending on the number of people who will be staying in the RV, look at the recommended sharing rules, particularly as to water usage.

NEVER leave an awning up while you sleep or are away from the RV. The playa can have 75 mph winds. While watching attachments “uninstall” may provide some entertainment value to those upwind, it tends to terrify those downwind. Ripping off and blowing away, an awning structure can really hurt someone, or damage/destroy vehicles or shelters. Even before leaving the RV, it can seriously damage those trying to restrain it as it flaps around.

[gstring]

Other thoughts to address your concerns:
Generator - ours is onboard and we've never had a dust-related problem (three years now). Proper maintenance before and after playa is essential.
Clean up - the clean up would be the same whether it's your RV/trailer or a rented one, so save the money and the risk of losing your deposit and take your own.
There's a huge mix of RVs out there, from luxury coaches to tiny old, old trailers. My thought is with a little preparation ahead of time, and a willingness to spend a few hours when you get home, take whatever you will be the most comfortable in.
Another thought, speaking of comfort: Dark fabric cut to fit all windows and attach to the valances with binder clips will help the inside stay cooler, and make it easier for you to sleep during the day. Night time is when you're most likely to be out enjoying the glorious lights and flames, so it's nice to have a dark respite when you need it during the daylight hours.

[Canoe]

... Another thought, speaking of comfort: Dark fabric cut to fit all windows and attach to the valances with binder clips will help the inside stay cooler, and make it easier for you to sleep during the day. ...

Bwaaahaha
No!
Absolutely no.
Fine if you have lots of A/C capacity and a generator & lots of gas to run it.

But, that's a great idea if you want to bake cookies without using any power.
(remember this if we have one of the freak cold days and you want heat.)

White curtains and blinds don't even work well.

You have sunlight (with heat), reflected heat and re-radiated heat trying to get into your shelter. Heat comes in through the windows (even North sun-free windows), skylights and even the window frames.
The best covers are the foil-sided bubble-wrap. Taped to the outside works best, also covering the frames. Double layer on the inside for skylights & roof vents you won't use. Install window covers on the inside if you want to be able to open the window, during a rare moment where doing so won't fill the RV with dust or for emergency exit. Painter's tape or gaffer's tape please, or you'll be sorry, be it cleanup or damage to surface. Tons of fine detail to doing it well, for little work and lowest cost. Check the threads.