Burning Man at the Motorhome: A complete checklist for RV training and rental.

A trip to Burning Man on a motorhome is an exciting adventure that requires careful preparation. To make your trip go smoothly and leave only pleasant memories, it is important to think over all the details in advance. This checklist will help you not to forget anything.

Documents and visas

Start with the most important thing — the documents. Make sure that all participants in the trip have valid passports. If you are not a US citizen, check if you need a visa to enter the country and apply for it in advance. Make copies of all important documents (passports, driver's licenses, visas, medical insurance) in several copies, including laminated ones. Keep copies separate from the originals, as well as in electronic form (for example, in cloud storage or by e-mail).

Money

ATMs do not work in Black Rock City and they do not accept bank cards. The only exception is ice and coffee in a special camp. It is necessary to have a sufficient supply of cash with you for the duration of your stay. Count not only on personal needs (food, water, souvenirs), but also on possible expenses related to the maintenance of the motorhome (refueling the generator, draining waste, replenishing water supplies). Each of these services costs around $100-150. Also keep in mind that you may need money on the road at gas stations, shops and cafes.

Connection

There is virtually no cellular service or internet connection in the Black Rock Desert. Warn your family and friends that you will be unavailable for a certain amount of time. Arrange for communication sessions upon your return. If it's critically important for you to stay connected, consider renting a satellite phone or Starlink equipment. You can also use walkie-talkies to communicate within the group, but make sure they are allowed on the premises.

Logistics

• Housing after Burning Man: Take care of a place where you can relax after a week in the desert. Book a hotel room or apartment in advance, as the demand for housing in nearby cities is very high on graduation days.
• Route: Make a detailed itinerary to Black Rock City and back. Mark gas stations on the map (including those where you can refuel the generator), shops, places to stay overnight (if you plan to spend the night on the way), and waste disposal points for motorhomes. Please note that there may be traffic jams for hours on the roads leading to the desert on check-in and check-out days. Download offline maps, as the mobile internet may be unstable along the way.
• Useful addresses: Find and save addresses of food and water stores, gas stations, and service centers along the route and in cities closest to the desert (for example, in Reno) in advance. This will help save time and nerves in case of unforeseen situations.

In addition to the standard equipment provided by the rental company, you will need additional things to make your stay in the desert comfortable.

• Spare parts: Additional hoses, adapters for refueling with water, spare filters for the generator, electrical tape, duct tape, screeds.
• Cleaning products: Wet wipes, microfiber cloths, biodegradable cleaners, spray bottle, vinegar to neutralize alkaline dust.
• Toilet: purchase and take with you special pills or liquid for the toilet of the motorhome. They must be added to the waste tank after each emptying to prevent unpleasant odors and bacterial growth.
• To protect against dust: Thick paper or film to protect the floor, old sheets for furniture, masking tape to seal windows and cracks.
• For comfort: Entrance mats, slippers for movement inside the motorhome, additional blankets, pillows.
• To organize the space: Plastic storage containers, hooks, organizers.
• Tools: Multitool, screwdriver set, adjustable wrench, pliers, snow chains in case of rain, small folding shovel.

Before the trip, it is necessary to prepare the motorhome for the extreme desert conditions.

• Sealing: Carefully seal all cracks and joints of windows, doors and air vents with blue masking tape. This will help to minimize the ingress of dust inside.
• Glass protection: Windows can be sealed with foil or a special reflective material to reduce interior heating.
• Floor and furniture protection: Cover the floor with thick paper or film, and cover the furniture with old sheets or covers.
• Awning: Do not use the extendable awning (awning) of the motorhome, as it will be almost impossible to clean it from dust.
• Technical condition: Before traveling, make sure that all systems of the motorhome are in good working order: generator, air conditioner, plumbing, toilet. Check the oil level, coolant level, and tire pressure. Be sure to inspect the motorhome from below for oil leaks, gray or black water. If the rangers notice a leak, you may be banned from using the water and toilet in the motorhome, which will create serious inconvenience.

• Durable garbage bags: For collecting and taking out garbage.
• Airtight containers: For storing garbage in a motorhome to avoid unpleasant odors.
• Trash Bucket: For collecting trash outside the motorhome.

Remember: This list is just an approximate guideline. You can add it at your discretion. The main thing is not to take too much, but also not to forget anything important. Careful preparation is the key to your pleasant trip to Burning Man!

GREAT RV TRIP cooperates with the largest rental companies in the USA, so we guarantee our customers the best prices for rental motorhomes and high quality service.

We offer various types of motorhomes, from budget to premium class for your budget:

• Class C (alcove): The most popular model, optimal in terms of price and quality. Capacity is from 3 to 7 people, fuel consumption is 25-30 liters per 100 km. Motorhomes of this class have everything you need: beds, kitchen, shower, toilet. The rental price for the Burning Men starts from $4,500.
• Mercedes-based Premium Class: These motorhomes feature a higher level of comfort and equipment. They have an average size, a diesel engine with a fuel consumption of 15-20 liters per 100 km, and often have sliding sections (slide-outs) that increase the living space. The capacity is up to 6 people. The rental price for Burning Man starts from $10,000.
• Class A (house-bus): The largest, most comfortable and expensive motorhomes are, in fact, real motorhomes. They have everything for a luxurious trip: a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen, separate bedrooms, and a large bathroom. The capacity of such motorhomes is up to 6-8 people, fuel consumption is 30-40 liters per 100 km. An important advantage is the large water tanks. The rental price for Burning Man starts from $8000.

We only work with trusted rental companies. Among our partners:

• Cruise America: One of the largest rental companies in the USA with a large selection of Class C motorhomes (19-30 ft, 2020-2025 model years). When renting at Burning Man, a deposit of $1,000 is charged.
• Indie Campers: A company offering a Class C motorhome (24-26 ft, 2023-2025 model years). The deposit is $2,200, but it can be reduced to $550 by taking out premium insurance.
• El Monte RV and Road Bear RV: Two companies that are part of the same holding company and offer comfort and premium level motorhomes (Class C 21-32 ft, as well as Class A, 2024-2025 model years). The deposit for Burning Man is $1,500.

If you need an economical option, pay attention to Cruise America or Indie Campers. If maximum convenience is important to you and you want to travel on a Class A motorhome, take a closer look at the offers of El Monte RV and Road Bear RV.

We don't just help you rent a motorhome, but we offer a comprehensive approach to organizing your trip.

• Best prices: Through partnerships with rental companies, we offer our customers exclusive discounts and guarantee the best prices on the market.
• Individual approach: We take into account all your wishes and select a motorhome based on your needs, number of people and budget.
• 24/7 support: Our team is always in touch and ready to answer any of your questions, help with problem solving and make your trip easy, enjoyable and safe.

Careful preparation is the key to your comfortable and safe stay at Burning Man. Follow our checklist, adapt it to your needs, and your trip on the motorhome will be unforgettable!
Choosing and preparing a motorhome, collecting necessary things, and planning a route are all important steps that take time and effort. But don't worry, you're not alone!
The GREAT RV TRIP team is ready to help you at every stage of preparation.

In the next article, "Burning Man on a motorhome: The Road to Black Rock City, Life on the Playa, culture, return and important aspects", we will talk about how to get to your destination, how life works in Black Rock City, what you can do there, as well as about culture. Burning Man, the rules of conduct and how to return home and keep the vivid impressions of the trip.