Tent Camping vs RV

[kellichandler01]

Hey I will be a first timer in 2010 and will be coming from Louisiana. Trying to decide whether to tent camp or try to rent an RV. Any thoughts?

[Fire_Moose]

Tents are cheaper and kinda put you in the tent city kinda mood while setting up and for the duration. RVs will be more expensive and may make you feel a little bit removed from the event, but very little dust to deal with and plenty of wind proofed shelving.

[C.f.M.]

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[Captain Goddammit]

It's been discussed to death, so you can search and probably find a few more threads about it.
But, in a nutshell... Renting an RV will cost roughly $2500. Pros: You have a real home, with A/C, a hot shower, a real kitchen with a real fridge, a nice bed, etc. as well as total isolation from dust storms. And, when you roll into Black Rock city after a long time on the road, you immediately have shelter.
Cons: You have to get all your stuff out of it and clean the entire thing immediately after Burning Man, when you really just wanna go home and "decompress" for a while. And it costa lotta.
A tent is a LOT less expensive. Pros: More opportunity to decorate and be "artsy" with your shelter, less commercial looking, and you're one of the "hard-core" burners who is more connected with the playa. Some people say tenting is a more social way to go.
Cons: It's hot as hell and dustier than hell. You're out there on the desert floor and you can't escape it. When you roll into Black Rock City after a long time on the road, you are faced with immediately having to erect and set up your camp so you can rest and kick back.
Comfort level is up to you. You can bring camp showers, kitchen/cooking facilities, and sleeping arrangements to suit yourself.

There is Option Three: for the same money or less than renting an RV, you could buy an older model camper or trailer.

[teardropper]

Man, how much money do you have? New RV's are expensive. How far do you have to come? Do you camp? Are you used to the general rigor of tent camping? Add to that the extreme nature of camping on the playa. There are a lot of personal choices to be made based on your experience, your wants, then of course the needs, your checkbook. Have you been reading and studying the required reading? You do not want to come out here (there) unprepared. Having your physical needs taken care of automatically frees up your head. Plan, prepare, make lists, read, revise lists... Hope you get the idea. And when you have a question, do your research first, ask the question next, or be prepared for what will happen to you. The snark will land on you. All right, walk off a bit, act contrite and NOW ask your next silly question.

[lucky420]

you can build a hexayurt. that is what i am planning to do. Appropedia.org/hexayurt_playa

[HuDannie]

Going in an RV doesn't have to be that expensive. I'm splitting the cost four ways and it runs about 1500 per person. That's including food, Gas and AC for 9-10 days.and 100-250 back if we don't break the RV.

[Homiesinheaven]

it all depends on how much you can afford. i seriously considered it last year but after seeing a group of friends stressing about keeping it cleaning, shower and toilet hassles, etc., it just didnt seem worth it at all.

you can definitely do without it and use the money you would spend on other camp necessities and luxuries.

[Captain Goddammit]

Yes! Good point Homie... if you do get an RV, your own small one is so much easier to deal with than a large one shared with several other people.

[jella]

For tht price you can own a pretty decent rv outright. We just bought a c class with a brand new engine in it for less then 3 grand. Maybe it's not brand new but I won't have to scrub it for three days when I get back home .