Box truck camping tips..

[sharpstick]

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.

we did this, but at HD, they told us that it was a chipped key and would cost around $80. we just got a couple unchipped keys, locked the real key in the truck and kept the door keys with us so even if one of us got caught in the playa mental vortex and lost one we wouldn't be screwed.

[Spryte]

i just spent the past hour or 2 reading this entire thread start to finish.....you guys rock my world holy crap!!!

2013 will be my first BM, so i've been doing any and every little research i can, i am SO happy i found this thread...a basic plan now is that a friend of mine has an RV...but i don't know how many of us are going at this point and time...so as time goes on, LIFE is going to happen, and i may not be able to make it or my friends might not be able to make it...WHO KNOWS?! BUT what i DO know is...even if i end up traveling alone or with maybe 1-2 other people...i KNOW how im going to go....I'm in Florida just like JungleSmacks, so sir, i love hearing everything you have to say, because in the continental US, we do have quite the travels for us compared to some others!

An idea i had midway through the thread, i saw a lot of people were trying to figure out a way to hang stuff up, lights, clothes, bags, etc. whatever....and i thought it would have been mentioned, but notice it hadn't.....these automatically came to mind:

they are GREAT because you can remove them so easily after the burn and you don't have to worry about any sticky residue left behind

I'm so happy i read up on this thread and i will subscribe/bookmark/whatever i need to do to always have it on lock if i need to go back to it for any reference.

[FeetOfClay]

dunno if this has been said yet, but:

don't plan on using an airbed in the smaller box trucks. anything but the smallest airbed can't really fit, get snagged on the metal wheel well, and pops
i know from whence i speak.

that being said, last year was my first burn, and i rented the smallest Budget box truck, and i LOVED it!!! parked with opening due north...not bad on wind, not bad on heat. my truck was cool, even during mid day. surprisingly little dust, and i almost always left it wide OPEN. ability to padlock back door handy on burn nite.

i will DEFINITELY rent the same vehicle again this year. used the 10 ft budget to drive from RNO to BRC, lived in it all week, dropped it off and paid Gentry Way Budget an extra $75 for cleaning, so i didn't have to do %$#@ when my burn was over. hid logos with blue painters tape during burn; created a food section and clothes section inside

only difference this year? bringing a padded sleeping mat instead of air bed

[junglesmacks]

Hey all..

Stoked to hear you had such a good experience, FOC! Your take on it is pretty much shared by almost everyone that rents one for the burn. They work awesome..

I guess for a 10'er that you may be cramped with an air mattress in there. I'm wondering if you could lay something down to protect it though, too. Cheap king size flat sheet from Goodwill? There should be a way. Anything to avoid sleeping on a hard wood floor for a week..

FYI, I've spoken to Gentry Way recently and they said that for this next year there would be a flat rate for everyone instead of trying to search out coupon codes, business vs person rentals, etc etc.

Thanks also to everyone that's taking care of these trucks and treating them and Budget with such respect! It's directly because of it that we are able to do this. Budget corporate knows exactly what is going on and they're cool with it as long as we keep a good thing going by treating them and the trucks right..

[BoyScoutGirl]

...FYI, I've spoken to Gentry Way recently and they said that for this next year there would be a flat rate for everyone instead of trying to search out coupon codes, business vs person rentals, etc etc....

That's cool news - sounds like a win/win situation. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, 'smacks. Did they happen to say whether this means we should reserve over the phone with Gentry Way specifically instead of reserving online?

[edbrez]

Hey all..

Stoked to hear you had such a good experience, FOC! Your take on it is pretty much shared by almost everyone that rents one for the burn. They work awesome..

I guess for a 10'er that you may be cramped with an air mattress in there. I'm wondering if you could lay something down to protect it though, too. Cheap king size flat sheet from Goodwill? There should be a way. Anything to avoid sleeping on a hard wood floor for a week..

FYI, I've spoken to Gentry Way recently and they said that for this next year there would be a flat rate for everyone instead of trying to search out coupon codes, business vs person rentals, etc etc.

Thanks also to everyone that's taking care of these trucks and treating them and Budget with such respect! It's directly because of it that we are able to do this. Budget corporate knows exactly what is going on and they're cool with it as long as we keep a good thing going by treating them and the trucks right..

Thank you for starting this thread, very informative, I am constantly in awe of the wealth of information on this forum
Great reference to help me make an informed decision and hopefully avoid unnecessary spending

[junglesmacks]

Steve said either will work. It's irrelevant what price the online system gives you as they'll adjust the pricing to the Burning Man renter discount. When you reserve online, it goes straight to their office anyway. So.. either or. As long as you're down for the reservation before they hit their limit which so far hasn't been hit even with 150+ trucks rented last year. He's still figuring out the details and wants me to get back in touch in February for the full 2013 information which will be passed along in detail as soon as I have it.

...FYI, I've spoken to Gentry Way recently and they said that for this next year there would be a flat rate for everyone instead of trying to search out coupon codes, business vs person rentals, etc etc....

That's cool news - sounds like a win/win situation. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, 'smacks. Did they happen to say whether this means we should reserve over the phone with Gentry Way specifically instead of reserving online?

And as far as this goes below.. you crazy. You know where I keep the keys? In the cupholder of the truck with the doors unlocked at all times. There's nothing to steal in there anyway and it assures that I know where the keys are at all times.

This just in: You will need to have a spare key cut if you need/want one for your rental truck.

[edbrez]

Steve said either will work. It's irrelevant what price the online system gives you as they'll adjust the pricing to the Burning Man renter discount. When you reserve online, it goes straight to their office anyway. So.. either or. As long as you're down for the reservation before they hit their limit which so far hasn't been hit even with 150+ trucks rented last year. He's still figuring out the details and wants me to get back in touch in February for the full 2013 information which will be passed along in detail as soon as I have it.

I presume by this that 2013 is still up in the air for bookings in August, I checked the Budget rental site and only available booking dates go as far as June 2013.

[junglesmacks]

Yeah.. you can only reserve up to 6 months in advance. That's why we agreed on a February re-convening to work out the 2013 price structure. No rush.. you'll get your truck.. promise..

Steve said either will work. It's irrelevant what price the online system gives you as they'll adjust the pricing to the Burning Man renter discount. When you reserve online, it goes straight to their office anyway. So.. either or. As long as you're down for the reservation before they hit their limit which so far hasn't been hit even with 150+ trucks rented last year. He's still figuring out the details and wants me to get back in touch in February for the full 2013 information which will be passed along in detail as soon as I have it.

I presume by this that 2013 is still up in the air for bookings in August, I checked the Budget rental site and only available booking dates go as far as June 2013.

[edbrez]

Yeah.. you can only reserve up to 6 months in advance. That's why we agreed on a February re-convening to work out the 2013 price structure. No rush.. you'll get your truck.. promise..
.

[/quote]

Cool thanks, looks like ill concentrate on led lighting, a shade structure for back, and dimensions for a Irish theme bar
until Feb.

[junglesmacks]

I wouldn't worry too too much about a shade structure for the back as you'll (hopefully) be spending way more time in more interesting places than the back of your box truck. If anything, a simple silver tarp attached to the top of the truck and run out at an angle to the ground secured by candy cane rebar works great..

[Savannah]

I wouldn't worry too too much about a shade structure for the back as you'll (hopefully) be spending way more time in more interesting places than the back of your box truck. If anything, a simple silver tarp attached to the top of the truck and run out at an angle to the ground secured by candy cane rebar works great..

That's what I would do.

I have noticed from hanging out in and around Motsky's box truck that one may also generally have shade within or naturally outside of it, in a modest but tangible way. Of course, his truck is pretty tall.

I did admire very much the theatre curtains some friends of mine purchased from some opera house or whathaveyou. They extended a tarp and hung the curtains at the sides. Prettiest box truck ever.

[edbrez]

I wouldn't worry too too much about a shade structure for the back as you'll (hopefully) be spending way more time in more interesting places than the back of your box truck. If anything, a simple silver tarp attached to the top of the truck and run out at an angle to the ground secured by candy cane rebar works great..

That's what I would do.

I have noticed from hanging out in and around Motsky's box truck that one may also generally have shade within or naturally outside of it, in a modest but tangible way. Of course, his truck is pretty tall.

I did admire very much the theatre curtains some friends of mine purchased from some opera house or whathaveyou. They extended a tarp and hung the curtains at the sides. Prettiest box truck ever.

Ok its not essential but maybe a nice option should I find suitable tarp. I was looking at silver tarp and hopefully i'll be able to source some when I arrive in Reno.
It'll be short notice and more than likely impossible with the number of people scrambling to get their bits together prior to BM, but if I can at all it would be a nice bonus for zzzz not that i expect to get much sleep during the week
I know there will be the communal shade structure regardless to fall back on if im boiling in the box truck

[junglesmacks]

Silver tarps are a snap to gather in Reno. Check out Harbor Freight for basic hardware needs, flashlights, etc. Dirt cheap and they're within a mile of Gentry Way Budget.. as are almost all the stores you'll need to visit before heading out of town.

[Savannah]

I wouldn't worry too too much about a shade structure for the back as you'll (hopefully) be spending way more time in more interesting places than the back of your box truck. If anything, a simple silver tarp attached to the top of the truck and run out at an angle to the ground secured by candy cane rebar works great..

That's what I would do.

I have noticed from hanging out in and around Motsky's box truck that one may also generally have shade within or naturally outside of it, in a modest but tangible way. Of course, his truck is pretty tall.

I did admire very much the theatre curtains some friends of mine purchased from some opera house or whathaveyou. They extended a tarp and hung the curtains at the sides. Prettiest box truck ever.

Ok its not essential but maybe a nice option should I find suitable tarp. I was looking at silver tarp and hopefully i'll be able to source some when I arrive in Reno.
It'll be short notice and more than likely impossible with the number of people scrambling to get their bits together prior to BM, but if I can at all it would be a nice bonus for zzzz not that i expect to get much sleep during the week
I know there will be the communal shade structure regardless to fall back on if im boiling in the box truck

Oh, that's right Edbrez. You've thrown your hat into the ring at a camp with shade.

There may even be the option to park your truck East-West to provide part of a "wall" for the South end of shade, meaning you could park next to it. This stuff usually gets discussed as the event gets closer.

[edbrez]

Silver tarps are a snap to gather in Reno. Check out Harbor Freight for basic hardware needs, flashlights, etc. Dirt cheap and they're within a mile of Gentry Way Budget.. as are almost all the stores you'll need to visit before heading out of town.

[theCryptofishist]

Some of the Reno stores allow you to reserve what you need ahead of time and pick it up on your way in. I don't know which, of course, but it seems like an exceptionally attractive option if you're coming from overseas.

[edbrez]

Some of the Reno stores allow you to reserve what you need ahead of time and pick it up on your way in. I don't know which, of course, but it seems like an exceptionally attractive option if you're coming from overseas.

Brilliant Fishy thanks, thats a great idea! I read people mentioning this before, I'll do a little research with the bottom and maybe if I can work around timezones make a phone call ( from work)

[usurpedus]

this might be a dumb question but i dont recall it being addressed.. but do these trucks have translucent/plastic roofs or solid/metal roofs?

thanks for all the great info!

[theCryptofishist]

Solid metal roofs. They are the same trucks that you see around town. Delivery and moving, mostly, but not a separate cab like a tractor/trailor or semi-truck.

[junglesmacks]

Correct. Sheet metal roof with fiberglass sides.

[BoyScoutGirl]

Note that magnets don't stick to said fiberglass sides, but if I remember correctly my truck had some ferrous metal uprights where I could hang LEDs with magnetic backing. I'm too short to put the magnetic lights on the ceiling easily.

[edbrez]

Note that magnets don't stick to said fiberglass sides, but if I remember correctly my truck had some ferrous metal uprights where I could hang LEDs with magnetic backing. I'm too short to put the magnetic lights on the ceiling easily.

Nice bit of info, I was planning on using scotch tape, but now I can hang the solar powered Led's I bought if my truck has the same metal uprights.

[junglesmacks]

Yes, all trucks have the metal frames inside for sticking anything magnetic to. Works great for lights. Forget those solar lights.. waste of time. A few good LED lights will last you the whole burn on just a couple of AA batteries and be 10x as bright as the solar lights.

We picked up a few of these years back and they're great. They have a strong magnet on the flip side and it attaches perfect to the roof for flood lighting. Two of these is all you really need for overall roof lighting and for under $4/each you can't go wrong.

http://www.harborfreight.com/27-led-por ... 67227.html - Harbor Freight is a must stop for last minute flashlights, rope, whatever.. and it's a mile away from Gentry Way Budget.

[9ah]

Those LEDS are pretty good.

This is also a fun trick http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/2012/06/seriously-clever-headlamp-around-gallon.html

[MyDearFriend]

Junglesmacks, great find thank you and 9ah, great idea!!!

[lucky420]

We had one of those lights too, until Sadie dropped it in the Porto at Reno decom...

[Savannah]

Nice, Junglesmacks.

[missprism]

great thread!! i think i'm sold on the box truck lifestyle! at only 5'3" though, it looks like i wouldn't able to add a silver tarp solution for the roof.

however i live in SF and i don't know what i'd do with my car to get to the fabulous gentry way office.

anyone taking a truck out from SF? i assume not all budget offices are as burning friendly :/

[edbrez]

Thanks Junglesmacks nice option

I have picked up a streetwise led torch, good for 10000 hours battery life "if I believe the packaging" i'll bring spare batteries just in case.
Solar Leds are for back of Box truck for decorative purposes, they are outdoor ones so should be alright for ambient light (Blue and Pink)
Charge during the day and good for 8hours light at night
Totally unnecessary but will be a nice addition to the tarp i'll be picking up