Monkey Hut measuring suggestion

[Ninja Nemo]

This year was my wife and I's first burn. We used the monkey hut measurements from multiple people on the forum and it worked out great, even though we didn't even do a practice run before getting there. The only problem was that our stakes weren't perfectly square, causing a slight twist in the hut. To prevent this, I came up with a great idea to get your stakes set perfectly.

All you need is rope and 6 plastic rings about 1" in diameter (I'm using the things in the center of a scotch tape roll). Calculate the distance between three of your rebar stakes as if you were forming a right triangle. Then, cut a length of rope to match each side and tie one plastic ring to the end of each rope. That's it.

Now you should be able to slip the ring over the rebar and accurately measure out your next stake. Once two rebar are staked in, you can use two ropes and get perfect triangles every time. I'm hoping this will make setup a breeze since the tent would be guaranteed to be square.

[Kontradiction]

Coolio and thank you; the monkey hut will be a staple for us too, 2012 will be our 1st Burn.

[Ano]

Nice idea! First time I built my monkey hut, it was crooked. The second time I built it, it looked like a U. Luckily, the third time was a charm!

[bud buddah]

I just use the center rib that runs along the top as a guide. Lay it down where you want one side, measure out your stake locations with a measuring tape and put 'em in. Then move the center rib over 12 feet or whatever and measure the distance from the pvc to 2 of the stakes you already have in. That will ensure the pvc is parallel to the other side. Measure the space between stakes and put them in along the pvc. All done.
Bud

[graidawg]

my first burn this year too and mydearfriend mad a monkey hut she put 2 10 foot tarps down as a floor and we used the rings in the tarps as markers for where the stakes went using the half painted rebar to measure how far from the tarp they went into the ground. also the rebar went into the ground till the paint ws buried. i am sure MDF will be able to explain better

[incubus_pantomime]

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for posting.

You said that you had not preformed a "test run" of the monkey hut before you got to the playa. Did you buy your PVC at home and travel with it, or did you buy it in Reno? I'm flying in, and therefore can't bring PVC pipe. I've got a sneaking suspicion that the PVC might sell out at the hardware stores in Reno, and I was wondering if anybody had any feedback on this issue.

[theCryptofishist]

1--Reno area stores are fairly well prepared for the influx
2--Some places you can order and pay for what you need, and they will hold it until you pick it up.

[The CO]

A note on monkey huts:

Don't close up the ends unless you have a mighty swamp cooler to pump in. A campmate did that this year and made an astounding sauna by mistake.

[BlackRockCityPimp]

The few times I have seen these things they always seem a bit wonky and dont look like they will hold up in a real duststorm. I do spend more time drooling over domes and buses though so I might be missin out on some good ones. All the yurt people swear by the yurts via insulated panel. I'm a tent camper or skoolie camper, wouldnt mind doing something different though. Anyone got any dox or pix of something that hold up against 70mph+ ?

[Bounce530]

I don't doubt my little monkey hut a bit. Used it for the last two years without any problem at all (of course last years weather didn't pose a problem to start) Yeah, they flex and bend a bit, but I know mine would not take flight. I guyline the crap out of it though.

[FIGJAM]

The few times I have seen these things they always seem a bit wonky and dont look like they will hold up in a real duststorm. I do spend more time drooling over domes and buses though so I might be missin out on some good ones. All the yurt people swear by the yurts via insulated panel. I'm a tent camper or skoolie camper, wouldnt mind doing something different though. Anyone got any dox or pix of something that hold up against 70mph+ ?

I built a "playapod" that is lite and easy to set up.

I'll bump the thread.

It's over in transpotation.

[monsta2ownzu]

A note on monkey huts:

Don't close up the ends unless you have a mighty swamp cooler to pump in. A campmate did that this year and made an astounding sauna by mistake.

Yup, we bought a tarp that was extra long and closed off one end of ours last year. HOLY COW did it get hot in like two seconds. We fixed it immediately and all was well Lesson? Don't close the ends, and keep the tarp at least a foot off the ground on each side so there is good ventilation.

[Milayna]

I have a question about closing the ends of the monkey hut. I've seen lots of plans/pictures where people add a flap to one end of the monkey hut that goes over your tent and then is staked down. To me this seems like closing an end....would it have the same sauna effect?

[skibear]

Yup, we bought a tarp that was extra long and closed off one end of ours last year. HOLY COW did it get hot in like two seconds. We fixed it immediately and all was well Lesson? Don't close the ends, and keep the tarp at least a foot off the ground on each side so there is good ventilation.

What color was your monkey hut? Silver or white work best. I close one end and all of the sides of my silver hut to
keep the dust down. Did not notice them getting hot (3 years running)

Last year after closing the South West end -the predominate wind direction the wind changed to North East most
of the week, Go Figure!

[JDCookMS]

Sorry to jump in here, but I have a question... first of all, I'm a birgin and am not used to the desert (coming from Mississippi). But, I had thought about creating a central structure and then using a monkey-hut style system to create a tunnel from the tent(s) to the main structure. This was mainly to keep as much dust out as possible, as well as being able to have more shade. So, from what y'all are saying, this would not be a good idea, since it closes off more than one side?

[JayBobBoy]

I think the key to these types of lightweight structures is good ventilation. You want maximize shade space and allow the air to flow through and around the structure.

As for trying to keep your stucture dust free(or at a minimum)...just go ahead and give up on that plan right now. There's no escape....

A monkey hut entryway to your structure does sound pretty cool though. I'm probably being harsh. If you set it up facing the right direction and the wind behaves, it will probably help. But if you accept the dust now, it'll be easier.

Burn on!

[Ninja Nemo]

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for posting.

You said that you had not preformed a "test run" of the monkey hut before you got to the playa. Did you buy your PVC at home and travel with it, or did you buy it in Reno? I'm flying in, and therefore can't bring PVC pipe. I've got a sneaking suspicion that the PVC might sell out at the hardware stores in Reno, and I was wondering if anybody had any feedback on this issue.

As everyone else said, I think you'd be fine buying it in Reno, just make sure you can get all your supplies - don't forget a PVC cutter. Although, if you're going to give it away after the burn, keep in mind that the huts aren't the cheapest, mine cost a little over $100 in total, primarily tarp & rebar.

[incubus_pantomime]

I plan to fly out there with a tarp that we already had in our garage, and so long as I can find a place for it in our luggage, I wouldn't have a problem buying the rebar and PVC connector pieces here. That way, the only thing I would need to buy in Reno would be the PVC pipe. I also plan to build a test hut at home, so re-using the rebar and connectors cuts down on cost and waste.