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Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:15 am

Me and the guys in my band have decided to go to Burning man this year and just bought tix last night. I have a really sweet 87' 2wd Westy very clean in and out with lot's of upgrades, 15" wheels etc., which many of you have seen and read about here on this forum.

How trashed will my van get if I bring it? I'm torn, I love my van and think it would be awesome to have on the playa but how bad will the dust F it up? Otherwise we are probably going to build a portable yurt and drive a Dodge truck to Black Rock with a small trailer.

Just wondering what some experienced burners thought, Thanks!

Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:32 am

I actually rented my westy 3 years in a row to a couple who took it to Burning Man. Sounds Crazy, especially considering that my westy is very clean and in great cond. But they were very responsible and the price was right. Our westy is our 3rd vehicle and it was nice to have some income to offset the upkeep cost.

Here's what they did.... Cover all exterior vents with some sort of material and painters tape, replaced the air filter, power sprayed the undercarriage, and detailed the van upon return.

To be honest, my van was usually returned cleaner after the trip. I know all about the playa dust and it's reputation for getting into areas that you can never get clean. But with some meticulous planning, I think it's doable.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:34 am

They will probably place it on top as homage to the VW Gods!

Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:52 am

yes and no...how much do you like your van?

I've taken my bus or my vanagon since '99. But after this last year (I ended up bringing both), i decided i wouldn't do it again. While its nice to have the comforts of home, it definitely costs me in unanticipated ways. Its very difficult to avoid a very hot, slow, exit (greater than 3 hours at 5mph or less...this overheated and exploded my coil).

Its nice to just rent a van, carry tons of stuff, and not worry about clean-up etc.
No matter what anyone tells you, it will age your rig prematurely.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:05 pm

I'll be going to burning man this summer, dust? M'eh, my van has already been absolutely completely saturated (not by me) with bolivian road dust to the most maximum extent possible, so I have nothing to lose LOL.

I'm sure the dust will bug me, but nothing a few hours with a vaccum and a pot of soapy water won't take care of.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:22 pm

jackbombay wrote: I'll be going to burning man this summer, dust? M'eh, my van has already been absolutely completely saturated (not by me) with bolivian road dust to the most maximum extent possible, so I have nothing to lose LOL.

I'm sure the dust will bug me, but nothing a few hours with a vaccum and a pot of soapy water won't take care of.

don't be so sure. Nothing is like this stuff. It's highly alkaline and so miniscule are its particles that you'll be getting them out of whatever you bring for years to come. Being that it is a dry lake bed, it is mostly calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate (mineralized fish poo).
When wet, it turns into glue and being alkaline your bucket of soap won't do anything but mush it around a bit. You need something slightly acidic to clean this stuff off (soap is basic/alkaline - the soft slimey feel...clorox is really basic). So watered down vinegar helps. I'm sure some HCL might work, but would ruin your car. the best way to clean (assuming you don't get rained on/glue), is to use compressed air before getting near it with water.

There is also a good bit of aluminum oxide in the dust....very abrassive stuff (what dermatololgists use for removing skin).

Again, I've been there for eight years and while its fun, I kinda regret bringing my VWs. don't underestimate how harsh the playa is.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:25 pm

Bolivia,

Although the playa dust seems particularly nasty with its alkaline properties.

Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:54 pm

I thought Burning Man became too commercialized ?

Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:10 pm

I'm leaning towards NOT taking it, it's pretty clean all around. I'm still open to what others think....

Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:44 pm

hey.
Steelhead did you camp by the L.A.F. camp last year at Burningman?

Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:39 am

VeeWee wrote: hey.
Steelhead did you camp by the L.A.F. camp last year at Burningman?

don't think so, they were over by centercamp. we (camp evol) are usually around 2:30 and D.

As long as we are talking about burningman and machines. This thing was a sweet piece of engineering. Never got to drive it, but it was one of many cool rigs.

here it is racing a solar big wheel...

Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:40 am

Ahhh, the infamous burning man party. Up here in Vancouver, BC, we used to have our northern version of this party called "BURNING VAN" Van, for Vancouver of course. Or is it for burning Van? as in your van is here today, vanagon tomorrow?

Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:53 am

I brought my '82 westy out to BM last year and although the dust certainly wasn't great for it, it was really nice to have my home with me and i fully intend to bring her again this year. be gentle in the heat - leave at night, try not to drive around in any dust storms, and bring a spare air filter. It's very possible I am prematurely aging the vehicle by bringing her out there, but hell - that's what she's for. and fixing her up is all a part of the adventure, right? :)

P.S. soapy water - won't do jack. mix vinegar with water to get the dust off. add lavendar oil if you don't like the smell of vinegar :) clean twice. it's gonna take a lot of cleanup on whatever vehicle you bring out there, IMO you might as well bring the one you enjoy the most!

Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:06 pm

Don't hesitate to take your van to Burning Man! I've taken mine twice and hung out at the VW Bus Camp. Great fun you won't regret. Yes it's true the dust is pretty bad but that doesn't stop folks with brand new cars and trucks from going. I like to go where it gets dusty, so I don't mind. Once I get home, I wash it down with a white vinegar and water rinse to neutralize the alkalinity and that seems to work pretty good. Your van will never be the same, but neither will you.

Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:23 pm

I grew up in Nevada and have spent a lot of time on the back roads of the state. The alkaline poof dust is very invasive and will be sifting out of inaccessible areas of your bus for years after the event. It will either be a pleasant remembrance of the experience or a nagging reminder of it. I've never noticed any particular corrosive properties associated with the stuff, and "native Nevada" cars tend to be rust-free.

Seems to me that if you can afford the mondo expensive tickets, damage to a vehicle wouldn't be a concern. Just buy another one!

Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:06 am

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. My bandmates and I have decided on a rental truck to carry all of our stuff and a yurt and large military desert shade structure for our shelter. I was really torn but the van just won't carry everything we are planning on bringing since we are going to have a "band camp" with a performance area, stage, seating, lighting etc. We routinely use my van for local gigs as we are a trio but even then it's stuffed to the gills, so as much as I would love to have it at Burning Man, I think it will be better overall to go the rental truck route. I do plan to checking out some of your rides though when I'm there!

Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:26 pm

kevin! whats up man, long time no see. I'll be heading back out for year #3. Ive taken my van everytime and joined the VW bus camp. I wash it a good 3 or four times when I get back but i still find pockets of dust. Do know your location yet? I'll come have a beverage and would love to jam out. I'll either be at bus camp( 3 and dart) or mint condition 4oclock and something???
adios!

Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:17 pm

Leaving for Burning Man again for the 2nd year (in 6 days!) and came back to this thread as I'm thinking of taking the van this year. I didn't take it last year but was fine as we had a really nice shelter (Hexayurt, google it, worked awesome) but we only had 6 people in our camp and this year we will have 12 with 2 yurts and a few people in tents. I'm bringing my GF this year and thought it might be nice to have the van as a "retreat". Just thought I would ask again those of you who have brought your van to the playa what you thought and any other advice as what to do to help protect it if I do.

After being there last year I must say that the dust was way more intense than I ever imagined. I still have playa dust on and in things from last year. I guess I'm still on the fence and trolling for advice (OK, I'm really trying to be talked into it as it would be really nice to have the van there!)

Kevin

Camp Gravybrain, 3:30 & Biology (or thereabouts), look for the camp GB mailbox! my band, Gravybrain will be playing Tue night at Terminal city, 3:00/A, Wed night aboard the art car "Natulius X", and big Friday night show at Transmorphogon, 3:00 and Esplanade 10pm, Burn on!

Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:55 am

Don't do it. Rent a cargo van and throw a mattress in the back. Why ruin a van you love?

Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:01 am

don't, small temporary comfort in exchange for dust forever and who knows what else, you might regret it later, I've seen all the time spent and the stuff you've done to your van, this move doesn't seem to click with all the love you have for your van.