Box truck camping tips..

[Kire]

Whats the deal on insurance for the budget trucks? do they require you get the damage/collision waiver (i would get it just in case I get an unsecured something flying my way) cause you're heading out to BRC? How much is that for those that have done it before? I saw JS you said 6$ a day, that seems really cheap I talked to guy on the phone and for 8 days he said $681 all said and done. that seems rather high compare to reserving online. I'll call back and see what up.

[lucky420]

I don't get the extra insurance but then again I live dangerously

Seriously I can't remember how much they charge because they ask when you pick up the truck and well my memory...I do remember saying "no thanks" though.

[lazerfox]

I had asked the folks in Sacramento about insurance if the campmates credit card doesn't cover it and they said it was $25 per day. (Ouch)
Call your credit card company and ask if they cover truck rentals.

[junglesmacks]

**ATTENTION**

I just got off the phone with Robert @ Gentry Way, and have the complete breakdown on discounts/fees/etc.

Discounts/Daily Rates- Robert reports that regardless of how you book the truck online, he is willing to switch you to a business rental to save you money. He is also giving everyone that same 20% discount. The coupon code is only good for 15% so he is kicking in an additional 5% to make it 20%. If you did not reserve online with the coupon code, he is giving you the 20%. Everyone is paying the same.. regardless of how you reserved.

This makes the total daily rate for a 16' truck $26.86/day and $0.16/mile

Insurance - With a business rental, you are required to carry both collision and comprehensive insurance. You have two options for this.. either $17/day with a $500 deductible, or a $23/day no deductible. This is not optional.. you must accept this.

Cleaning - They are offering a flat rate cleaning option this year for $100. Everyone pays the same regardless of condition. This also includes the disposal of up to 4 bags of trash. If you return the truck clean, then there is no charge.

Deposit - When you rent the truck, you are require to put down a deposit on the rental in the form of a pre-authorization on a credit card. The amount varies according to how many days you are renting and is anywhere from $600 - $1050. Upon return of the truck, they will refund you the difference for your total rental charges. If you would like to find out your EXACT deposit amount and any and all fees, you need to call them @ (775) 825-8833 and they will walk you through everything.

Total Fees - There will be the daily rate, mileage, insurance, licensing and sales tax on the final bill. if you call, they can tell you exactly what you will pay. For me, I'm renting the truck a total of 11 days and estimating around 240 miles driven. With everything included, this will come to $685. Again.. call for an exact amount.


Any questions, comments, concerns, BBQ recipes, etc.. please don't hesitate to give them a call. They're 110% here to help and they LOVE US and value our business. Please all let's show them the love and gratitude this year for continuing to support our community with such a valuable resource! Keep in mind that they are the ONLY commercial outlet for box trucks in Reno.. and what an incredible resource they are. If you have some extra gift schwag or otherwise.. help decorate the front office! Spread the love!


Now.. back to your regularly scheduled fuck yer day.

[junglesmacks]

Bump a rumpa. This is important.

[Copper nicus]

Another bump - coupon STILL WORKS! Thank you so much for sharing it!

[Straightveg]

This just in: You will need to have a spare key cut if you need/want one for your rental truck. They don't have extra copies of keys (and can't cut/program new ones there). They probably also want you to give them the spare when you drop the truck back off.

[junglesmacks]

When you get to the playa, toss keys in specific location and don't touch again until you have to leave! What do you need a spare key for??

[stew]

When you get to the playa, toss keys in specific location and don't touch again until you have to leave! What do you need a spare key for??

Shit happens. Specific locations aren't what they used to be...

Rental car agencies always give me two keys, but they're connected with a steel cable - no clue why. So far, none have charge me extra for it, but I've always cut the cable and separated the keys for the week of the burn. I don't want to find out first hand how much it costs to get AAA or a locksmith to BRC.

[Straightveg]

What do you need a spare key for??

Because I've learned not to underestimate the human ability to lose Very Important Things at the most inconvenient of times?

[BoyScoutGirl]

After reading the weather prediction DOOM thread, I am glad I'm coming in a truck my first time 'round. The dust is one thing, but the window blowing over structures built by the DPW and other experienced build teams is really starting to worry me.

I am buying every bit of insurance they offer.

[FeetOfClay]

This has probably already been said, but bears repeating:

DO NOT RENT FROM PENSKE TRUCK RENTAL FOR THE BURN!

a friend just sent me a link showing the new Penske agreement which specifically states that taking the vehicle to BMan ("off paved roads") is a violation of terms, and that they HAVE A GPS in each vehicle--when they discover it is at BMAN, they come at REPOSSESS it at your expense!!!!

Budget Truck on Gentry Way is the only place to go to (thanks Junglesmacks!)

[fingermaster]

Penske not burner friendly...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67249454@N ... /lightbox/

[lucky420]

and that is why I only rent from Budget...

Made a trip this week and one last week (it was good practice driving the BFT)

and uhaul can fuck off too

[Kire]

I'm pretty sure you can still get a truck if you still need one. I've talked to the people there a few times over the last couple weeks and tried a few things out, they are great guys so give them a call. For me I got a better rate reserving a truck on line with a coupon code vs. what they could set up over the phone. I was doing it while talking to him on the phone and he couldn't get his computer to get the same values as the online reservation.

For me:
10' Truck business rental
8 days @ 24.28$/day
285 miles @ 0.17$/mile
cost recovery fee 3$/day
limited liability insurance 11$/day (you have no option on this, you must have insurance coverage to get the business rate. can also get the million dollar liability @ 19/day)
complete damage coverage 23$/day (can also get the 17$/day + 500$ deductible if something happens damage coverage)
40 something in taxes
total ~580$
then +100 if we don't clean it ourselves

this is the smallest truck size you can get but it works for my group. we're not camping in it but we are hauling a bunch of stuff out there and there is no chance of getting hosed like you would with Penske or U-Haul.
when i first talked to them I thought the 23/day covered everything. this time he said I also had to have the 11/day liability at a minimum as well. is this the same for you JS?

[junglesmacks]

when i first talked to them I thought the 23/day covered everything. this time he said I also had to have the 11/day liability at a minimum as well. is this the same for you JS?

Interesting.. I gathered just what I posted earlier in the thread..? My understanding is that the 23/day covers everything. I'll call tomorrow and ask directly.

[Kire]

Interesting.. I gathered just what I posted earlier in the thread..? My understanding is that the 23/day covers everything. I'll call tomorrow and ask directly.

Thats what I thought as well until I was rechecking and finalizing some stuff yesterday. It was a different guy than I had spoken with previously. Please let us know what you find out.

[Drawingablank]

BTW - when we spoke with them the $23 per day insurance does not cover any damage to the roof.

[DanLondon]

Heloooo from London Uk,

fresh from reasonable Olympic success with zero rain, we're now fancying trying to pull off accommodation in a Box Truck!! Looking at using Budget on Gentry Way, Reno, i see 16' and 24' options, there are two of us, friends who like a little space so we thought the 24' would be best but i notice that it's diesel, so does anyone know if this is going to cost us a lot to fuel in the US or if there are any other potential problems, like supply from gas stations?

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Dan. x

[junglesmacks]

Diesel is a tad more but not that bad and especially in a 24'. Those things have monster tanks. You'll be fine..

[DanLondon]

junglesmacks

thank you for that, someone had warned me it could cost a great deal more and be hard to find, i had doubted that, this is America after all!!!

I think the extra 8' would be welcome, plus some extra headroom.

Can a reflective tarp big enough to create a Sun shield over such a truck be bought anywhere in Reno or San Fran?

Dan. x

[junglesmacks]

Harbor Freight is your cheapest bet for silver tarps. GET PLENTY REBAR to stake that sucker down with, and try to find something to give air space. I'm using 10" cylindrical concrete forms from Home Depot as spacers between truck and tarp. the main issue is that the roof is sheet metal and will absorb heat like a stove when in the sun. The sides are fiberglass and don't absorb much. It's the roof that needs concern.

[Canoe]

Heloooo from London Uk,...does anyone know if this is going to cost us a lot to fuel in the US or if there are any other potential problems...

Hello across The Pond,

Regular gas is around $3.90 a U.S. gallon in Reno, as I write this.
http://www.nevadagasprices.com/Reno/index.aspx

3.7854 litres to a U.S. gallon, so $1.0276 a litre.
At 1 USD = 0.8097 EUR, that's 0.83 Euro a litre.
At 1 USD = 0.6358 GBP, that's 0.6533 GBP a litre, or 65.33p.

Diesel is $3.99 at a number of places with a fair number at $4.05, a U.S. gallon.
http://www.nevadagasprices.com/index.as ... =Y&intro=Y
Call it $4.02, for $1.062 a litre, for 0.8599 Euro, or 0.6752 GBP, or 67.52p.

Hope I did the math right...

I believe you're still over 130p there now?


One oddity I ran into in Nevada, is that my credit card and debit card do not work at most gas stations. Paying at the pump, they require that you enter your zip code as an additional security check, but coming from Canada I didn't have one. In Reno, every station had the same requirement when paying inside too, whereas closer to the Utah border, I could pay by card inside without issue.
Had to pay cash at all gas stations in Reno, and most in Nevada.

[DanLondon]

Hello across The Pond,

Regular gas is around $3.90 a U.S. gallon in Reno, as I write this.
http://www.nevadagasprices.com/Reno/index.aspx

3.7854 litres to a U.S. gallon, so $1.0276 a litre.
At 1 USD = 0.8097 EUR, that's 0.83 Euro a litre.
At 1 USD = 0.6358 GBP, that's 0.6533 GBP a litre, or 65.33p.

Diesel is $3.99 at a number of places with a fair number at $4.05, a U.S. gallon.
http://www.nevadagasprices.com/index.as ... =Y&intro=Y
Call it $4.02, for $1.062 a litre, for 0.8599 Euro, or 0.6752 GBP, or 67.52p.

Hope I did the math right...

I believe you're still over 130p there now?.

.......Oh yes, it's a little more, mostly 135p....craaaaazzzzzyyyyyy!

One oddity I ran into in Nevada, is that my credit card and debit card do not work at most gas stations. Paying at the pump, they require that you enter your zip code as an additional security check, but coming from Canada I didn't have one. In Reno, every station had the same requirement when paying inside too, whereas closer to the Utah border, I could pay by card inside without issue.
Had to pay cash at all gas stations in Reno, and most in Nevada.

[/quote]

Thank you for this info, Uk banks can be a little odd too when they realise you might be lost in a desert!!!


junglesmacks, thank you again for the prompt response, your idea is exactly in line with my concerns, that air gap will be important as will the ability to reflect the Sun, do you happen to know where the nearest Harbour Freight is from Budget Reno or is this better taken care of in San Fran.

I feel like a lazy SOB with all these questions, it's just that i'm runn off my feet here at present and we didn't even know we could make it until very recently, so all advice is thoroughly well received.

Dan. x

[junglesmacks]

There's a Harbor Freight not far at all from the Budget in Reno and in fact I believe that it's within 1/2 mile.

Getting around Reno is actually quite easy. If you look below, that diagonal street is Virginia St and is a main throughfare. That whole side of town is rather commercial/industrial, so the roads are wide and every business you would need is somewhere right off of that road. Harbor Freight, WalMart, Sam's Club, REI, etc.. everything is within no more than a couple of miles from Gentry Way. Once you're done doing your shopping, you just hop on hwy 580 North up to 80.. go east.. and you're on your way. Very simple, really. Avoid going north as that is where downtown is and it can be tricky navigating with a box truck. Stay in the Virginia St area and then find a cross street to 580 when you're ready to bail town.

[illy dilly]

Harbor Freight is your cheapest bet for silver tarps. GET PLENTY REBAR to stake that sucker down with, and try to find something to give air space. I'm using 10" cylindrical concrete forms from Home Depot as spacers between truck and tarp. the main issue is that the roof is sheet metal and will absorb heat like a stove when in the sun. The sides are fiberglass and don't absorb much. It's the roof that needs concern.

Are you gonna lay them down on the round sides? They could roll away. I'm bring my sawzall, if you want, we could drill a quick hole then slide the sawzall in and cut each cylinder into 12" lengths then you could have 4 'columns'. They might be less likely to roll away. and it would allow air to flow from front to back.

How long are the cylinders, about 48" right?

[junglesmacks]

Harbor Freight is your cheapest bet for silver tarps. GET PLENTY REBAR to stake that sucker down with, and try to find something to give air space. I'm using 10" cylindrical concrete forms from Home Depot as spacers between truck and tarp. the main issue is that the roof is sheet metal and will absorb heat like a stove when in the sun. The sides are fiberglass and don't absorb much. It's the roof that needs concern.

Are you gonna lay them down on the round sides? They could roll away. I'm bring my sawzall, if you want, we could drill a quick hole then slide the sawzall in and cut each cylinder into 12" lengths then you could have 4 'columns'. They might be less likely to roll away. and it would allow air to flow from front to back.

How long are the cylinders, about 48" right?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YES!!! How about.. I get the 12" size.. and we just cut them in half to make two 6" half domes?

Bring the sawzall.

[Esteban Ohh]

Harbor Freight is your cheapest bet for silver tarps. GET PLENTY REBAR to stake that sucker down with, and try to find something to give air space. I'm using 10" cylindrical concrete forms from Home Depot as spacers between truck and tarp. the main issue is that the roof is sheet metal and will absorb heat like a stove when in the sun. The sides are fiberglass and don't absorb much. It's the roof that needs concern.

Are they cheaper than this?:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TARP-12-x-20-SI ... 1c2a538eb6

That's where I got my 12x20 tarp. Its packages up very small, doesnt take up hardly any room in luggage (about the size of an xbox360)

[DanLondon]

Harbor Freight is your cheapest bet for silver tarps. GET PLENTY REBAR to stake that sucker down with, and try to find something to give air space. I'm using 10" cylindrical concrete forms from Home Depot as spacers between truck and tarp. the main issue is that the roof is sheet metal and will absorb heat like a stove when in the sun. The sides are fiberglass and don't absorb much. It's the roof that needs concern.

Are you gonna lay them down on the round sides? They could roll away. I'm bring my sawzall, if you want, we could drill a quick hole then slide the sawzall in and cut each cylinder into 12" lengths then you could have 4 'columns'. They might be less likely to roll away. and it would allow air to flow from front to back.

How long are the cylinders, about 48" right?

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YES!!! How about.. I get the 12" size.. and we just cut them in half to make two 6" half domes?

Bring the sawzall.

These you mean:

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Mater ... C8IZPZmSao

A great idea, not sure i'd be bringing a saw from the uk to rip them in half. I did think of picking up some old car tyres and placing them across the roof, enough so that the tarp wouldn't sag but with enough gaps between them to facilitate air flow between them and being heavy, they wont blow away.

Another idea was to utilise a load of cardboard boxes in the same way but Gaffa tape them to the truck and each other. A lot less stable but should be freely available from the industrial shops around Virginia in Reno?

Would old car tyres be available from a tyre shop? Over here they'd be happy to give them away.

dan .x

[junglesmacks]

Yes those are the tubes!

Used tires here are resold at most tire shops. You might be able to find a few freebies in a back dumpster but I wouldn't count on it. Another option is wooden shipping pallets which you can sometimes find behind grocery stores or the like.

I compared eBay to Harbor Freight on prices and it varies but overall HF had it better. I picked up my 24 x 18' with a 20% off coupon for under $40. I also ordered the extra grommet kit to add more grommets for extra securing.

For rebar, go 1/2" x 24" per bar. Home Depot will cut the lengths for you I believe..