How many burns does your PVC last (for Monkeyhuts)?

[LittleJack]

For other Monkeyhut dwellers - how many years do you get out of your PVC?

I have a 23' long Monkeyhut that I've been using for the last 3 years, and my PVC pipes are pretty curved at this point. Assuming I get a ticket, I'm going to replace them this year with new straight ones, since the pre-bent poles don't seem to have as much structural integrity. I guess the dynamic tension adds a lot to the structure. Not only that, but it's a pain getting curved poles onto the roof rack without having them droop down in front of the windshield.

[vargaso]

Same here, I've used mine for 3 years, about half are really bent and will be replaced this year.

[uski]

I made a Monkey Hut for my first burn last time I went.
It was real good...

But having to dispose of all this PVC does not seem to be eco-friendly at all :
http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/ht ... /pvc3.html
(this is Greenpeace, they might exagerate a bit, but it's true that recycling PVC is a pain)

Using a few pounds of PVC pipes for only 3 weeks = 3 burns) seems quite bad

I'm not trying to talk you out of using a Monkey Hut, do what you want; but this year (if I get tickets) I will try to make a structure out of wood.

My 2 cents

[AntiM]

Bamboo!

[twister5voy]

Bamboo!

Really? Does bamboo work just as well? That sounds a lot cooler than PVC.

[AntiM]

Bamboo!

Really? Does bamboo work just as well? That sounds a lot cooler than PVC.

Probably, although I've never done it myself. Bamboo is flexible and sustainable, if you can source it. Make a mighty fine experiment.

[Bob]

Sure, if you plane and laminate the bamboo (or other wood) to the curvature you need, using appropriate glue, and work out a jointing system, including how to mate the wood frame to the stakes. Typical bamboo used for landscaping won't hold a curve without splitting.

[haolegolucky]

I have used the same PVC and my monkey hut for six burns now. Seems like a waste of money and resources to buy new PVC when my old PVC holds up fine.

The curved pipes means I have an easier time putting it up, and its held up to everything the playa has thrown at it.

[some seeing eye]

I have used mine for several years. Bent is fine. The bend to the bumper is much less than the bend in the hut. Schedule 40 is tough. You can retire it at home as buried sprinkler, or landscape wiring pipe, where the soil around it adds strength. Easy to loose the curve when you lay it in the trench. Just be sure you are using white pipe, better sun resistance.

[Rabbette]

Our monkey hut survived holding up someones shelter b/c they forgot to bring their tent poles, the front had really lopsided curved pieces. My honey wanted to get new PVC for all the bent ones, I was against it and said we could buy one extra, just in case one broke at BM.

Once we set the monkey hut up again they all evened out, you couldn't even tell the really lopsided curved pieces from the straighter ones.

[LittleJack]

Great information, thanks!

How do you keep the bent ones from drooping in front of the windshield? Highway Patrol tends to frown on things obscuring the driver's view. I thought about trying to find a massively wide cardboard or very light metal tube (HVAC ducting?) and forcing all the PVC into that, to have one rigid structure on top of my tiny little car, but I don't know how hard it would be to put all the PVC back into it when tired and wiped out on Sunday afternoon of the burn.

[Bob]

Tape or tie it in a bundle.

[Jackass]

Tape or tie it in a bundle.

Really tight with duct tape works for me.

[some seeing eye]

I just went Burningman ghetto and tied them to the front bumper. You could get say a 15' 2x2 piece of lumber or some tough aluminum 6061-T6 tubing to provide rigidity, then use it as your camp flagpole.