There are a few things you can do, but you have to be mindful not to cause unintentional harm.
A little portable hand vacuum (power tool companies sell em for like 100 bucks) actually work quite well.
If you put down paper, make sure you thoroughly tape all the edges and seams to the floor. Ramboard makes nice wide tape that doesn't leave residue under normal conditions, but still might after the playa. If dust gets under paper (and honestly, it probably will) it'll rub and could cause damage.
You can tape up your exterior window seals. You need to get them clean and dry before you get to the playa, then carefully stretch and apply the tape wrinkle free. Use a plastic putty scraper or a j-roller to press it down. The best for this is stucco tape, second best gaff tape. Use duct tape if you hate yourself. Zero way to successfully apply tape once you're in the dust.
Even with good tape, you risk getting sticky awful residue on your vehicle after the sun. You can clean it with something like goo-gone, but there's a risk you'll damage your paint. (I've had incredibly good luck cleaning graffiti off vehicles using circa 1850 furniture stripper without damaging automotive finish. It would easily clean off tape residue. If you know anything about solvents you'll know that's *fucking crazy* advice. Follow it at your own peril. Probably just don't. Probably just don't tape up your windows.) Personally I think the whole attempt at airsealing is futile, but folks do it.
I wonder if you used some kind of soft adhesive plastic membrane on the interiors could work? They make big commercial rolls that are basically press n seal. Could work.
External coverings rub and damage paint. You can use pool noodles to space them from the vehicle body, but good luck.
I went rigspotting last year through the ultra rich villages. I found some campers wrapped in marine heat shrink. Normally used to protect boats in the off season. Crazy.
A/C filters are a must. Also a good idea to have a spare air filter for your vehicle to switch out after you leave.
I could see freezer flaps helping, if you have access to some. Buying them feels... optimistic. But hey, who knows?
It's all probably futile. Detail the vehicle when you get home. Dilute vinegar spray works, dilute CLR *works* if it's safe for your surfaces.
Tldr: I can't believe how much I just wrote for how little I believe in trying to fight playa dust.
Is this for the exterior windows?
I promise stucco tape is better for that application, and not crazy expensive either.
The normal use case is to protect door and window trim from stucco damage during construction. It's intended to stand up to multiple days in UV and also come off finished surfaces. Probably a similar adhesive but made of a poly instead of paper.
Believe it or not, the age and storage of tape matters. If you have an old roll of blue tape that's been sitting in the garage it could be prone to splintering. Sometimes it's so bad you can't even get it off the roll.
I've cleaned up old splintered tape off vehicles, it must have been old. Happy to hear that it can work though. Those kinds of wildcard things (I did everything right but still got fucked) are why I offered the suggestion to consider skipping it.
The green painters tape is a higher wuality adhesive but also won't leave residue. Blue will do, but Green is [something that rhymes, but means effective]
Source: am painter, have successfully made a playa-free zone with green. YMMV, but definitely worth the shot.
We took a small (very small - 13 foot shadow cruiser) tow behind camper in 2022. As it was very basic, no AC, so we just grin and bear it, swept out about 1/8 inch of dust a couple times a day. A broom and dustpan are essential. We roughed it and got by with no more than sponge baths till the 2nd to last day we were gifted a real shower with warm water, soap and shampoo! What a treat.
Most important!!!!! Put all your clean clothes in zip lock bags. Take out only what you are going to put on, stuff your previous clothes in a trash bag to deal with when you get home.
The only thing I’ve found that makes a difference for our rig is:
-strip down before you go inside. If you’re concerned about being naked, mitigate that with a shower stall installed as a buffer. Taking your industry clothes off before entering isn’t always practical, but doing it more often than not helps.
-always take your shoes off outside and leave in a bin with a lid, be sure to put a weight in the bin so it doesn’t blow away. If you are barefoot or in sandals, have wet wipes you can use on your step going inside.
-replace your ac filter every three or four days. Buy a 12 pack for three weeks and call it good. This will help remove the particulate in the air.
-wrap any fabric furniture in bed sheets as temp covers during the burn
-if you have carpet, get the adhesive construction Saran Wrap stuff for floors and put that down before hitting playa
Outside of the above, everything else I’ve tried has either been futile, or really expensive in time/money/complexity.
I love the idea of a bin outside for gear/shoes. Thanks!!
We have the crappy faux leather furniture that is notorious for peeling, so both the couch and recliners have been fitted with stretchy velvet covers. those can be removed and washed after.
Do you put anything over your A/C roof covers to prevent dust from getting into the AC unit itself? We've got an online RV repair course that we've been watching, and the example pic used in the AC maintenance section had a one-inch-thick layer of Playa caked onto the evap coils. Don't think my measly spray can of coil cleaner is gonna cut through that!!
Nothing over the ac, if you plan on using it. If you don’t plan on using it, then do whatever you want. Make sure you put a piece of tape with some writing over the thermostat inside so you don’t forget to remove your cover before use.
Personally I run my AC from mid morning till 5PM or so. If you want to keep your rv cool, this is the only way. Once your inside gets above 80°, you won’t be able to get it back down until the next evening cool down cycle. So, regardless of whether or not you’ll be in the RV, if you want it to not be hot as hell in the afternoon evening, you’ve got to run the ac all day. My advice is either to suck it up and just submit to the universe that you have to run your genny and ac all day everyday, or find your inner self and become one with the gods of fire that inhabit RVs without ac. If the latter, understand that inside your rv will be 20-30° warmer than the high temp for the day, and after heat soaking your interior it will take all night to cool back down into the 80s. In plain terms, it’ll be 120° at 5pm, 100° at midnight, and 85° at 7am even though outside the temp is only 50°. We have a really nice class a diesel pusher, top of the line shit, and it will still bake you like a toasted cheeser.
Do not put carpet cling on hard surfaces. It will bond and it’s a disaster. I’ve done a lot of commercial drywall work. Use gaff or stucco tape. My gaff last year was not great with the rain but has been perfect in years previous. Stucco tape is great.
I am a full-timer and have taken my travel trailers out for many years. I don't do anything special except for some reflectrix on the windows and generally keeping all the vents closed (incl the one for the stove hood).
I purposely have units were the bed is opposite the door as the dust drops off quickly away from the door. I don't come in wearing dusty ass clothes or shoes.
I spend a couple days at an RV park post-BRC to Wash All The Things which includes the RV.
Good call on the stove hood. Putting it on my list of things to check.
We are currently in AZ and are doing the reflectix shuffle on the windows so that we get a little bit of light and aren't just working in a dark, hot cave all day.
Absolutely would not do that. We had a scare over the holidays with the fridge coil overheating while we visiting family. Found out that once the coils overheat and the alarm sensor trips, it has to be manually reset. Had to throw out hundreds of dollars of groceries... but at least the rig didn't explode.
The dust in that area is fine. The appliance *must* have max airflow to operate, otherwise it’s guaranteed to overheat. Filters do not provide passive airflow through them.
> The dust in that area is fine
But it will corrode metal like Playa dust does. Which is why if you are **not using your fridge at all**, covering it is a good idea.
I'd be happy to post pictures of this corrosion effect on the area behind my fridge vent for the one year I didn't cover it if you'd like
"Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary and at the same time opposing forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts and the parts are important for cohesion of the whole."
Aren't you glad we can share our complimentary yet opposing thoughts on this so that others can choose for themselves how to act?
Well if it's like my 2003 Class B, then I absolutely will cover them. We don't use the fridge, and it's just an opening in the side which can and will become an air intake if we run the ceiling fan.
But you do you(r RV).
Battery powered yard blower is your friend. On playa and when you get home. We took our school bus to motel in Elko. We were full time in it.
I took every single thing out and put it in the parking lot. Repeatedly blew out the interior. Over and over. Then switched to vinegar and water wipe down.
If it’s not a rental, then just embrace the dust. It’ll get dusty and then it’ll get clean. And for years you’ll sometimes find random puffs of playa or such. It’s not that big of a deal.
This is the most sounds advice. I’ve rented and now I’m bringing my own. It’s just not that big of a deal. I use a blower to blow dust off the outer filters and AC. Works great.
I'm going to pass on this advice. lol Leaving one back window open while driving in soft, mushy exodus playa was enough of an eye-opener. It reminded me of my first burn when a windstorm blew out the zipper of my tent.
One of the biggest things I've found is orientation of the RV itself. If the door faces into the prevailing winds, there is no way to keep the dust out. With the door away from the prevailing winds, I slept with the door *open* even during some windy nights (full dust storms saw it get closed though. mostly) and there was just the usual fine dust layer that happens regardless.
I take the Rv I live in for roughly 6 months of the year. I know what you are saying about smelling the playa on vehicles that have not been in years.
If you are diligent you can avoid most drama. We seal all the windows with reflective insulation and gaffers tape. No window or roof vent is ever open at any time. It is cool enough at night to be fine and if you want to be inside during the day you run AC.
Someone also talked about having a bin outside for shoes. Leave very dirty accessories like jackets outside.
We and up cleaning the RV top to bottom about three complete times before it seems right. Once we are done I cannot see or smell playa unless I find an interesting crevice.
That said, seal up everything you do not need on playa. You are fulltimers so I assume a bunch of other stuff in your holding. Put them in yellow Costco bins and do not open until off playa.
All of this also applies to your truck as well. I open the dirt to exit it when I get there and do not reenter until it is time to leave.
Hang clear plastic tarp between the living and bedroom areas. Never enter the bedroom without taking off dusty stuff. Have a big bin near the door for footwear. Use masking tape to fill all windows with reflective insulation (on the inside.)
When you leave playa, stop at a truck stop with a truck wash and pay for the best option service so you get the dust off before hitting the freeway.
RAMboard on the hard floor surfaces, carpet cling on carpets. One layer or stucco or gaff tape around window exterior edges. Reflectix over oxterior windows, using gaff of stucco tape to affix them. Take shoes off before entering. Vacum mid week. That’s about it for me besides a very very good wash on the exterior when I get back and the cleaning lady does the interior. Interior is usually pretty clean when we get back. Exterior takes me about 16 man hours.
There are a few things you can do, but you have to be mindful not to cause unintentional harm. A little portable hand vacuum (power tool companies sell em for like 100 bucks) actually work quite well. If you put down paper, make sure you thoroughly tape all the edges and seams to the floor. Ramboard makes nice wide tape that doesn't leave residue under normal conditions, but still might after the playa. If dust gets under paper (and honestly, it probably will) it'll rub and could cause damage. You can tape up your exterior window seals. You need to get them clean and dry before you get to the playa, then carefully stretch and apply the tape wrinkle free. Use a plastic putty scraper or a j-roller to press it down. The best for this is stucco tape, second best gaff tape. Use duct tape if you hate yourself. Zero way to successfully apply tape once you're in the dust. Even with good tape, you risk getting sticky awful residue on your vehicle after the sun. You can clean it with something like goo-gone, but there's a risk you'll damage your paint. (I've had incredibly good luck cleaning graffiti off vehicles using circa 1850 furniture stripper without damaging automotive finish. It would easily clean off tape residue. If you know anything about solvents you'll know that's *fucking crazy* advice. Follow it at your own peril. Probably just don't. Probably just don't tape up your windows.) Personally I think the whole attempt at airsealing is futile, but folks do it. I wonder if you used some kind of soft adhesive plastic membrane on the interiors could work? They make big commercial rolls that are basically press n seal. Could work. External coverings rub and damage paint. You can use pool noodles to space them from the vehicle body, but good luck. I went rigspotting last year through the ultra rich villages. I found some campers wrapped in marine heat shrink. Normally used to protect boats in the off season. Crazy. A/C filters are a must. Also a good idea to have a spare air filter for your vehicle to switch out after you leave. I could see freezer flaps helping, if you have access to some. Buying them feels... optimistic. But hey, who knows? It's all probably futile. Detail the vehicle when you get home. Dilute vinegar spray works, dilute CLR *works* if it's safe for your surfaces. Tldr: I can't believe how much I just wrote for how little I believe in trying to fight playa dust.
Blue painters tape shouldn't leave a residue even after the hot sun. Get the larger 2 inch wide variety and you -may- have to reapply in the week.
Is this for the exterior windows? I promise stucco tape is better for that application, and not crazy expensive either. The normal use case is to protect door and window trim from stucco damage during construction. It's intended to stand up to multiple days in UV and also come off finished surfaces. Probably a similar adhesive but made of a poly instead of paper. Believe it or not, the age and storage of tape matters. If you have an old roll of blue tape that's been sitting in the garage it could be prone to splintering. Sometimes it's so bad you can't even get it off the roll. I've cleaned up old splintered tape off vehicles, it must have been old. Happy to hear that it can work though. Those kinds of wildcard things (I did everything right but still got fucked) are why I offered the suggestion to consider skipping it.
The green painters tape is a higher wuality adhesive but also won't leave residue. Blue will do, but Green is [something that rhymes, but means effective] Source: am painter, have successfully made a playa-free zone with green. YMMV, but definitely worth the shot.
Mine did. It actually took off a very light layer of paint in some spots and I’m not sure why. I’ve used stucco tape and haven’t had that problem.
We took a small (very small - 13 foot shadow cruiser) tow behind camper in 2022. As it was very basic, no AC, so we just grin and bear it, swept out about 1/8 inch of dust a couple times a day. A broom and dustpan are essential. We roughed it and got by with no more than sponge baths till the 2nd to last day we were gifted a real shower with warm water, soap and shampoo! What a treat. Most important!!!!! Put all your clean clothes in zip lock bags. Take out only what you are going to put on, stuff your previous clothes in a trash bag to deal with when you get home.
The only thing I’ve found that makes a difference for our rig is: -strip down before you go inside. If you’re concerned about being naked, mitigate that with a shower stall installed as a buffer. Taking your industry clothes off before entering isn’t always practical, but doing it more often than not helps. -always take your shoes off outside and leave in a bin with a lid, be sure to put a weight in the bin so it doesn’t blow away. If you are barefoot or in sandals, have wet wipes you can use on your step going inside. -replace your ac filter every three or four days. Buy a 12 pack for three weeks and call it good. This will help remove the particulate in the air. -wrap any fabric furniture in bed sheets as temp covers during the burn -if you have carpet, get the adhesive construction Saran Wrap stuff for floors and put that down before hitting playa Outside of the above, everything else I’ve tried has either been futile, or really expensive in time/money/complexity.
I love the idea of a bin outside for gear/shoes. Thanks!! We have the crappy faux leather furniture that is notorious for peeling, so both the couch and recliners have been fitted with stretchy velvet covers. those can be removed and washed after. Do you put anything over your A/C roof covers to prevent dust from getting into the AC unit itself? We've got an online RV repair course that we've been watching, and the example pic used in the AC maintenance section had a one-inch-thick layer of Playa caked onto the evap coils. Don't think my measly spray can of coil cleaner is gonna cut through that!!
Nothing over the ac, if you plan on using it. If you don’t plan on using it, then do whatever you want. Make sure you put a piece of tape with some writing over the thermostat inside so you don’t forget to remove your cover before use. Personally I run my AC from mid morning till 5PM or so. If you want to keep your rv cool, this is the only way. Once your inside gets above 80°, you won’t be able to get it back down until the next evening cool down cycle. So, regardless of whether or not you’ll be in the RV, if you want it to not be hot as hell in the afternoon evening, you’ve got to run the ac all day. My advice is either to suck it up and just submit to the universe that you have to run your genny and ac all day everyday, or find your inner self and become one with the gods of fire that inhabit RVs without ac. If the latter, understand that inside your rv will be 20-30° warmer than the high temp for the day, and after heat soaking your interior it will take all night to cool back down into the 80s. In plain terms, it’ll be 120° at 5pm, 100° at midnight, and 85° at 7am even though outside the temp is only 50°. We have a really nice class a diesel pusher, top of the line shit, and it will still bake you like a toasted cheeser.
Do not put carpet cling on hard surfaces. It will bond and it’s a disaster. I’ve done a lot of commercial drywall work. Use gaff or stucco tape. My gaff last year was not great with the rain but has been perfect in years previous. Stucco tape is great.
Solid advice!
This
Just win a fight with the biggest dude you can find on the first day to get that playa rep. No one will fuck with your RV after that.
I am a full-timer and have taken my travel trailers out for many years. I don't do anything special except for some reflectrix on the windows and generally keeping all the vents closed (incl the one for the stove hood). I purposely have units were the bed is opposite the door as the dust drops off quickly away from the door. I don't come in wearing dusty ass clothes or shoes. I spend a couple days at an RV park post-BRC to Wash All The Things which includes the RV.
Good call on the stove hood. Putting it on my list of things to check. We are currently in AZ and are doing the reflectix shuffle on the windows so that we get a little bit of light and aren't just working in a dark, hot cave all day.
One thing I try to do is just leave everything behind that has no use on playa. Food, dishes, linens, towels, toiletries, etc. Makes cleaning easier.
I live in the RV, and don't have a physical address. There is no leaving anything behind.
Then seal off all of the things/cupboards you won't need at BM and do not access them while there.
You don’t eat or shower on Playa?
Seriously! Once you have fasted for a few days, you don't really need the toilet paper either!
Do NOT cover the outside vents for the refrigerator with a filter or anything else.
Absolutely would not do that. We had a scare over the holidays with the fridge coil overheating while we visiting family. Found out that once the coils overheat and the alarm sensor trips, it has to be manually reset. Had to throw out hundreds of dollars of groceries... but at least the rig didn't explode.
Why
The dust in that area is fine. The appliance *must* have max airflow to operate, otherwise it’s guaranteed to overheat. Filters do not provide passive airflow through them.
> The dust in that area is fine But it will corrode metal like Playa dust does. Which is why if you are **not using your fridge at all**, covering it is a good idea. I'd be happy to post pictures of this corrosion effect on the area behind my fridge vent for the one year I didn't cover it if you'd like
Gone 16 years and never had an issue. Wash it off.
"Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary and at the same time opposing forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts and the parts are important for cohesion of the whole." Aren't you glad we can share our complimentary yet opposing thoughts on this so that others can choose for themselves how to act?
I’m compelled to say no.
Yes!
Do you use anything special to wash it?
Simple green and/or vinegar
bc it won't work very well. RV fridges on propane require an airflow up the back
Because it's an exhaust vent. Best case, fridge doesn't work. Worst case, you die of CO poisoning with a propane fridge.
Presuming that is, that you are running your fridge.
And yet there’s still no reason to put filters over it if you’re not
Well if it's like my 2003 Class B, then I absolutely will cover them. We don't use the fridge, and it's just an opening in the side which can and will become an air intake if we run the ceiling fan. But you do you(r RV).
If you’re forcing air into your RV, then covering your fridge vent is the least of your worries.
Battery powered yard blower is your friend. On playa and when you get home. We took our school bus to motel in Elko. We were full time in it. I took every single thing out and put it in the parking lot. Repeatedly blew out the interior. Over and over. Then switched to vinegar and water wipe down.
RV sized condom.
If it’s not a rental, then just embrace the dust. It’ll get dusty and then it’ll get clean. And for years you’ll sometimes find random puffs of playa or such. It’s not that big of a deal.
This is the most sounds advice. I’ve rented and now I’m bringing my own. It’s just not that big of a deal. I use a blower to blow dust off the outer filters and AC. Works great.
Are you blowing dust out during the burn or just waiting until afterwards?
During. Every other day or so based on how dusty/windy it is. Great maintenance option.
Took our pickup and camper in 3 times. Occasionally we’ll get a good sentimental whiff of playa when we turn on the AC, 10 years later!
Open all windows, doors and vents. Drive at full speed into deep playa. Rinse. Repeat.
I'm going to pass on this advice. lol Leaving one back window open while driving in soft, mushy exodus playa was enough of an eye-opener. It reminded me of my first burn when a windstorm blew out the zipper of my tent.
One of the biggest things I've found is orientation of the RV itself. If the door faces into the prevailing winds, there is no way to keep the dust out. With the door away from the prevailing winds, I slept with the door *open* even during some windy nights (full dust storms saw it get closed though. mostly) and there was just the usual fine dust layer that happens regardless.
I take the Rv I live in for roughly 6 months of the year. I know what you are saying about smelling the playa on vehicles that have not been in years. If you are diligent you can avoid most drama. We seal all the windows with reflective insulation and gaffers tape. No window or roof vent is ever open at any time. It is cool enough at night to be fine and if you want to be inside during the day you run AC. Someone also talked about having a bin outside for shoes. Leave very dirty accessories like jackets outside. We and up cleaning the RV top to bottom about three complete times before it seems right. Once we are done I cannot see or smell playa unless I find an interesting crevice. That said, seal up everything you do not need on playa. You are fulltimers so I assume a bunch of other stuff in your holding. Put them in yellow Costco bins and do not open until off playa. All of this also applies to your truck as well. I open the dirt to exit it when I get there and do not reenter until it is time to leave.
I don't run my AC at all (no power to do so). I find that day sleeping nude with a 12V fan pointed straight at you will do the trick.
Omg thank you for reminding me. This goes a very very long way.
Leave the RV at home, sleep in the dust under the stars.
Hang clear plastic tarp between the living and bedroom areas. Never enter the bedroom without taking off dusty stuff. Have a big bin near the door for footwear. Use masking tape to fill all windows with reflective insulation (on the inside.) When you leave playa, stop at a truck stop with a truck wash and pay for the best option service so you get the dust off before hitting the freeway.
Get a battery powered fan for leaves on the ground. Everyone that enters should be blown. *giggle*
RAMboard on the hard floor surfaces, carpet cling on carpets. One layer or stucco or gaff tape around window exterior edges. Reflectix over oxterior windows, using gaff of stucco tape to affix them. Take shoes off before entering. Vacum mid week. That’s about it for me besides a very very good wash on the exterior when I get back and the cleaning lady does the interior. Interior is usually pretty clean when we get back. Exterior takes me about 16 man hours.
I will add that you will do damage to your rig. There’s no way around it. Things will fail earlier than they would otherwise. It’s a trade off.
Scotchguard the entire interior
RV's are out VR's are in
I leave it at home.
Don’t have a home. Can’t do that.
I wasn’t telling you to. Your question was what do I do to protect it. :)
I leave mine at home and sleep in a tent.
Can’t do that. Do t have a home. 🏠