RV Checklist

RV checkup (completed before leaving home)

• Consider disinfecting your fresh water tanks before you leave.
• Fill your water – check for fresh water leaks
• Run your sink – (one minute) check for gray water leaks
• Flush your toilet – (a few times) check for black water leaks
• Check for vehicle fluid leaks – If you can, crawl under and inspect the underside of your RV, particularly around the engine compartment and drive train to look for wet spots where fluids might be leaking.
• Find out what weight oil your generator uses and buy an extra quart of it. (Most generators use 10w-40.  You can also pickup a quart at Walmart) (if renting, do it at rental shop)
• Buy at least 2 extra generator air filters (if renting, do it at rental shop)
• Make sure your generator is freshly serviced, i.e. oil, air filter, fuel filter, oil filter.
• Test your carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
• Consider buying an exhaust vent. It will divert nasty fumes and reduce noise.

As you are preparing to leave

• Pack a bucket that will fit under your gray and black water drain pipes.
• Pack two large tarps. One to catch oil leaks under engine. the other to catch black and gray water leaks under drain pipes. (in addition to bucket) Also pack stakes to secure the tarps.
• Check your potable, grey, and black water caps. Caps are easily replaceable at an RV store.
• Ensure your propane is full.
• Pack at least 2 extra air filters and an extra quart of oil for the generator. (see ‘RV Checkup’)
• Pack toilet and gray water chemicals for odor control. One bottle is not enough in the heat of BM! Bring several.
• Check you vehicle’s tail, brake and headlights.
• Make sure your license plate tags are current and completely visible and not obscured by your bike or other gear.
• Check RV tire pressure the day you leave when tires are cold.

On the road

• Fill up with water either in Fernley or Gerlach. (Gerlach is more expensive, but you don’t need to schlep water up the hill)
• Fill up gas in Fernley
• If possible, top off gas in Empire or Gerlach.

When you are setting up camp

• Find camp leader for placement.
• Spread your tarps and secure with stakes. Make sure potential oil, gray/black water leaks are covered.
• Make yourself a cocktail; you made it!
• Switch refrigerator to gas only. (not auto)
• Before running generator, open cover, find the altitude adjustment knob and set it to 3800-4000 ft.

Halfway through the burn

• Check generator air filter and change at least once during the burn, twice if very dusty.
• Check generator oil level every couple of days if your running the generator a lot. Top off if necessary.

When you breaking camp

• MOOP MOOP MOOP

When you get home

• Service your RV and generator. The oil is the main thing.
• Store your RV with a full tank to prevent condensation.

Useful information

The below information is useful reference material to bring onto the playa. Print and put it with your tickets.

Much of it comes from the excellent Burning Man RV Guidelines page. Please read it. We’ve extracted some of the ideas in it to the checklists above and this reference section here, but it is still worth reading.

RV Servicing

If your name and RV is not already on the list for RV servicing on playa then you will be required to arrange for your own RV servicing by United Site Services. Once you get to the playa, speak with Kat for instructions on how to get this done.

Dealing with a Tank Leak (gray, black)

Leaking is commonly caused by being overfilled or, worse, a crack in the tank. If you have a leak, here’s what to do:

• Stop using it – First of all, stop. Until you fix it, no more showers, toilets or baths.
• Contain it – Use a bucket to collect the leaking fluids. If the spill is over one gallon, the amount of contaminated playa is five gallons. If you’ve got a spill, mark off the spill area with cones and get help from Rangers or ESD.
• Dig It Up – If all the contaminated playa can fit in a five-gallon bucket, use a shovel to dig up the contaminated playa and dispose of off playa. If the spill affects a playa surface  larger than five gallons, call a Ranger or ESD. Leave No Trace.
• Fix it – If your spill is due to a crack or some other malfunction, you may have to stop using your RV tanks entirely. If it’s overfilled, get your tank emptied or pumped by United Site Services.

Dealing with Engine Oil Leaks

Engine oil leaks are common, especially in older vehicles, and they are bad for the playa. Check under your vehicle; if your engine oil is leaking on the playa, use a drip pan, tarp, rug, plywood, or anything that can be secured to the ground so it catches the oil.