Your Guide To Burning Man RV Rentals

Travel Inspiration

Every year, the Burning Man Festival pops up in the Nevada desert for nine days around Labor Day weekend. Experience the magic and still have the occasional shower or air conditioning with Burning Man RV rentals.

This article will cover how to find Burning Man RV rentals, how much you can expect to pay, and tips for owners who want to rent out their RVs.

You’ll learn how you can enjoy the community of thousands who congregate on the playa in a temporary city. It’s a thriving community based on art, immediacy, de-commodification, and inclusion.

This post contains affiliate links. RVshare may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a product or service link.

Renting an RV for Burning Man

Burning Man RV rentals book up fast! You’ll have the best chance at securing a rental if you make your arrangements several months, or even a year, ahead of time.

Specific Burning Man RV packages are generally more expensive than regular area camper or trailer rentals that aren’t connected to the festival.

Some companies even offer luxury RV rentals for Burning Man that include delivery and setup services. All you have to do is get yourself to Black Rock, and you’ll find your tricked-out camper waiting for you. Of course, this kind of all-inclusive package can run up a hefty bill. Your luxury RV rental alone will cost several thousand dollars. Then there’s the cost of transporting yourself from your home to Nevada and the fuel you’ll need to run a generator if you choose. You’ve also got the Burning Man ticket price, food, and all the creative outfits and projects you’ll want to bring to participate in the festival.

So what’s the best way to rent an RV for Burning Man without going broke?

Burning Man RV Rental Cost

Well, you’re likely not heading to Burning Man looking for a cheap vacation. The ticket alone costs over $500 and can be more than $2,000, depending on the tier you choose.

But if you’re already paying that much just to get in the door, you may want to save with a cheap RV rental for Burning Man.

The size and type of RV you choose to rent will have a huge impact on how much you pay. You can find a small sleeper van or campervan rental for Burning Man for cheaper than you’d pay for a large, Class A motorhome.

If you’re renting early enough, try to find modest RVs that aren’t in super-close proximity to the Burning Man site. Renters close to Black Rock have likely hiked up the price for the festival, so the farther away you look, the cheaper rentals will likely be. Remember, you’ll have to trade off on those savings by paying for gas to get to Burning Man … so make sure you’re not too far away unless you want a road trip!

Another option is to check out the peer-to-peer RV rental market, such as the one here at RVshare. These companies often have more affordable options than commercial dealerships. Once again, the more time you give yourself between booking and Burning Man, the more and the cheaper options you’re likely to find.

Outline of the Burning Man before it's set ablaze

Burning Man RV Rental Tips

Here are some more Burning Man RV tips to help ensure your time on the playa is safe and enjoyable.

  • Minimize your generator use. Yes, it’s nice to cool down from the hot desert sun with your own air conditioning unit. But propane-burning generators are noisy and produce fumes that could irritate other festival-goers.
  • Make sure your fresh water tank is full — and bring extra! You can’t stay too hydrated in the desert! Also, running out of water could be a very dangerous situation.
  • Don’t forget: Leave no trace. Packing out everything you pack in is one of the main tenets of Burning Man. Have a plan for every ounce of garbage or drop of dirty water you produce.
  • Be prepared and keep cool. The desert sun is no joke! Make sure you have everything you need to stay safe and healthy including extra food and water, sunscreen, and an emergency kit. Check out Burning Man’s own guidelines for RV camping.

How to Keep the RV Clean

While the desert’s playa is beautiful to look at, RVs can take a beating thanks to the dust. The combination of playa and hard winds can send dust into any crevice and surface of the RV, including the engine and vents. Since the sand has such a fine texture, it can cause damage if not tended to properly. This is why you may see cleaning fees or higher deposits for Burning Man rentals – the playa gets everywhere! But nothing beats having a comfortable bed and home to retreat to while also enjoying the festival. Luckily, we have some tips that can help keep dirt as contained as possible once you get the keys.

Getting an RV ready for Burning Man is similar to preparing a home for a remodel. You’d likely cover your carpet before painting and toss drop cloths over furniture before sanding, right? Some preparations owners can take to protect their RV may not be the most attractive, but they are effective!

Keep everything covered

Floors can easily be covered with plastic or thick paper. Seams for windows and doors may be taped. Renters may cover furniture and windows with plastic. If you’re renting from someone who knows you’re headed to Burning Man, they may even have done these things for you.
Most windows can also be covered with a reflective wrap on the outside to keep the RV as cool as possible. Just be sure to tape the wrap securely because the wind does pick up. You’ll also want to leave a window or two without reflective wrap, so they can be opened for ventilation. Cover these windows with air conditioner filters instead. These provide some airflow while also preventing excessive amounts of dust from entering the RV.
Finally, cover the roof vents on the inside and outside, the fridge vent, and any other vents to the outside with the same AC filters and tape. You can choose to cover the water heater and furnace vent with painter’s plastic, but make sure your renters know to remove the covers. Also consider covering the AC unit. You can either show renters how to remove the cover or make a rule that the AC cannot be used at the event. 

Be mindful of the door.

Keep an old rug outside the door (make sure it’s weighed down), and brush your feet off before entering the RV. Maybe even leave shoes outside in a tub or bucket to avoid additional dust that can be tracked in. Also, try not to leave the door open except for the brief moments you’re going in and out!

Clean as you go.

The last thing we want is to take away from your time at Burning Man with chores. However, this will make your temporary home much more comfortable! Simple tasks like wiping down counters, changing sheets, and inspecting the unit will go a long way.

Keep the awning closed.

Owners may even include this in rental instructions. Not only will keeping the awning closed prevent it from getting dirty, the winds there are no joke. Owners can provide additional shade options for your renter or renters can bring their own. 

Consider having your RV waxed beforehand.

This adds a protective coating to the rig, making it much easier to clean later.

Post-Burning Man Cleaning Tips

For owners trying to clean their RV after the festival is over, here are a few tips. Of course, you can certainly leave the cleaning to the professionals. They have tools and tricks that you may not be aware of and may even have experience with cleaning a rig that’s just left the playa.

If you’d like to do it yourself, you’ll want a lot of vinegar and some of Burning Man’s official post-playa tips:

  • Wash your vehicle immediately.
  • Use an air compressor to blow all the dust out of the engine and other areas.
  • Open all the windows and turn the AC fan on high to help get the dust out of the vents. (Be sure to wear glasses or goggles!) 
  • Change all air filters, including the engine air filter, cabin air filter, AC air filter, and generator air filter. 
  • Vacuum everything – floors, window treatments, furniture.
  • Clean with white vinegar to cut through the dust.
Burning Man festival

Last Minute Burning Man RV Rental

If you’re searching for an RV for rent just days before the event, you may find yourself in a bit of trouble. It can be tough to find Burning Man RV rentals even when you’re well prepared, so it’s even more difficult at the last minute!

However, even if online listings seem to turn up one disappointment after another, it never hurts to call RV rental agencies in the area. You never know when someone might have a cancellation, and you might be able to get on an RV rental waiting list… as long as you’re prepared to pay up if your name is called!

Burning Man RV Rental FAQs

Here are a few of the most common questions people have about the Burning Man festival.

What is Burning Man?

This art and music festival is like no other. Burning Man is “dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance”. Black Rock City is the pop-up city that hosts the festival for nine days each September. But like any other city, it has an essential infrastructure and community services including city planning, emergency, safety, and sanitation. There are even RV maintenance services. Attendees can spend months planning their camps, outfits, art exhibits, and more.

Burning Man originally started in San Francisco on Barker Beach in the mid-1980s and moved to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada by 1990 as the event grew. The desert is actually an ancient lake bed. Because of various environmental and biological factors, it is home to the unique alkaline dust on the playa.

How can I rent out my RV for Burning Man?

If you’re interested in renting your RV for Burning Man, you have an opportunity to earn more than an average rental. Here are a few things to keep in mind when renting out your rig to Burners.

  • Update your listing: Mention that your rental is Burning Man-friendly. Include information on what is expected of those who rent for the event as well as what they can expect from your RV. Be sure to note what kinds of coverings you might use to protect the rig.
  • Change your rate: You should charge extra to rent your rig for Burning Man. Some people charge as much as three times their usual rate. Also, be sure to add extra generator fees, up your cleaning fee, and make sure your deposit is at least $1500 in order to cover the insurance deductible in case damage occurs.
  • Install a GPS tracker: If you do not have one, you can buy one. Whether or not your rig is headed to Black Rock Desert, we recommend having a GPS as standard practice for our owners. This data will also be very useful for disputing claims if needed.
  • Keep all payments and conversations within the RVshare platform: Regardless of where your RV is headed, if you’re using RVshare to rent your rig, we recommend keeping track of payments and conversations on our platform as an easy tool to dispute claims and prevent fraud.
  • Work with your renters: Since Burning Man is the largest “Leave No Trace” event on the planet, most Burners tend to take care of their things and are conscious of taking care of yours, too. Work together to prepare your RV and make sure renters know what you expect them to do to clean the RV before returning it to you.

What should I set for my security deposit?

We’d recommend a minimum of $1,500. RVshare’s insurance deductible can be as high as $1,500 per incident, so we suggest that your security deposit match to ensure that you are reimbursed for any potential claims.

What about prices for generator usage?

Burning Man is a boondocking only event – there are no hookups available for use – so your Burner will likely heavily utilize your generator. 

As an owner, you can charge for additional usage by the hour. Fees can be set at whatever you are most comfortable, but usually run from $1-10 extra an hour. You may also want to invest in a reflective tarp or shield to keep the generator from overheating under the hot desert sun. 

Are there additional fees I should consider?

We would recommend adding a cleaning fee whether you plan to clean the RV yourself or hire it out. It may be worth getting a quote from your local professional cleaners to understand what you should charge. Typically, you can expect $750 to $1,000 to have it cleaned professionally. The severity of the clean can vary based on your prep and the renters’ precautions while camping, as well as the size of your rig. 

How can I make sure my RV is fully insured when heading to Burning Man?

You will want to make sure your RV is fully covered when it heads out on its Burning Man adventure (or any other adventure, for that matter). This is where RVshare can help. We help make sure your RV is safe no matter where it goes by providing excellent insurance coverage for each and every rental. This includes Burning Man rentals, meaning you can rest easy when you rent your RV through RVshare for the Burning Man event. 

Do damage and overage claims still work the same?

They sure do! Just be sure to properly document everything on the Departure Forms before the unit has left your possession. You may also want to take extra precautionary measures and take timestamped pictures of the inside and outside of the unit to help in the event of a dispute. 

RVshare is also available to help. If you have any additional questions, reach out to us online or give us a call at 888-482-0234.

What if I don’t want to rent out my rig for Burning Man?

Some RVshare owners decide the potential money made isn’t worth the risk. Here’s what to do if you don’t want your rig headed to Black Rock City.

  • Update your listing: Note your listing as NOT Burning Man friendly.
  • Communicate with potential renters: Make sure to find out where they plan to go and what they plan to do. If the conversation seems suspicious, you can always decline to rent.
  • Install a GPS tracker: If you do not have one, you can buy one. Having a GPS can deter renters from heading to Burning Man after they say they aren’t. This data will also be very useful for disputing claims if needed.
  • Keep payments and conversations all within the RVshare platform: Another great way to handle dispute claims and prevent fraud is to keep track of all the information in one secure place.
  • Black out dates: While we don’t typically encourage renters to make their rental unavailable, it is certainly an option. You could even use this time to take a trip yourself!

Whether you sleep in a camper, a tent, or under the stars, enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime Burning Man experience.

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