Resource

A Burner’s Guide To Renting a Truck for the Playa

How Burners rent reliable trucks and vans for the Playa—complete with tips on vehicle types, fees, policies, and tips.
Published: September 1, 2025
Last updated:
November 18, 2025
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A Burner’s Guide To Renting a Truck for the Playa

Planning for the Playa? We’ve Got Your Ride.

Every summer, Hengehold Trucks helps hundreds of Burners get to and from Black Rock City with dependable rentals and fair policies. Whether you need a cargo van for your camp or a 15-foot box truck for your art installation, our fleet is built for the journey—on and off the road.

Reservation Policies

  • We will begin taking reservations on Tuesday June 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 AM.
  • New this year: this link will go live at 8:00 AM on June 2nd. You will be prompted to enter your name, contact info, vehicle size, and pick up & drop off dates. Reservations will be booked in the order they are received.
  • Alternatively, you may come to our location in Palo Alto at 8:00 AM to make a reservation in person.
  • Phone reservations will be accepted, but will prioritized after online and in-person reservations.
  • Reservations made via our regular online booking system will not be honored.
  • Your reservation is not confirmed until we receive your electronically signed Reservation Agreement and you receive a confirmation email from our system.

    • All vehicles are well-maintained, clean, and ready for long-distance travel. Just remember: conditions at the playa can be harsh, so plan ahead for dust, mud, and clean-up.

    Book Early—We Sell Out Every Year

    Book online here or visit our Palo Alto location to reserve your vehicle. We’re here to make sure your trip is smooth from start to finish.

    Type Cost
    Cargo Van $99.95/day + $0.99/mile
    Pickup Truck $99.95/day + $0.99/mile
    12' Parcel Van (Ramp or Liftgate) $159.95/day + $0.99/mile
    15' Box Van (Ramp or Liftgate) $179.95/day + $0.99/mile
    24' Box Van Liftgate $299.95/day + $0.99/mile (12 day minimum rental)
    14' Stake Truck Liftgate $129.95/day + $0.99/mile
    24' Stake Truck Liftgate $229.95/day + $0.99/mile

    Cancellation Policy & Fees

    Timing Cargo Vans & Pickup Trucks Box Vans & Stake Trucks
    Cancel before 7/15 No penalty No penalty
    Cancel from 7/16 to 7/31 $500 $1,500
    Cancel 8/1 and later $1,000 $3,000
    No show $1,000 $3,000

    This policy is designed to ensure that everyone who wishes to rent a truck from us can do so. By providing us with sufficient cancellation notice, you are allowing a The Playa participant on our waiting list the opportunity to use the vehicle you had reserved.

    Vehicles

    Please visit our Compare Vehicles Webpage to browse our different vehicle sizes.

    Drivers

    All drivers must come into our office in Palo Alto in person at the time of rental or after the rental has started (not before) to present their driver’s license.

    Credit Cards

    A valid credit card (not a debit card) must be presented at the time of rental and must match the renter’s name. This can be a different card than was used to hold the reservation.

    Cleaning: The Big Ole List

  • Please note that when you return from The Playa the next customer will use this vehicle to move furniture, personal belongings, expensive machinery and/or equipment. All of these items are impacted by the remaining dust in the vehicle. The next renter expects to rent a clean truck. We cannot meet their expectations unless the following guidelines and policies are met by customers returning from The Playa.
  • Due to the dusty nature of the Black Rock Desert, we have found that vehicles returning from trips to The Playa require extensive cleanup and reconditioning.
  • Vehicles often return with excessive mud and dirt on the outside and undercarriage. To remove this, vehicles must be jacked up and high-pressure washed.
  • Dirt and mud gets into the wheels and cakes the brakes of the vehicle. Often the wheels must be removed and the braking system properly cleaned.
  • Dust enters the vehicle's ventilation system and air filters must be cleaned or replaced.
  • Dust gets into the cab of the vehicle, settles into the cloth seats, behind the seats, and into hard-to-reach areas. Dust also coats the floor mats, dash, and door jambs.
  • Please take precautions while in the desert to prevent the above items from happening. You can bring tarps or plastic to cover areas of the truck. Only move the vehicle when absolutely necessary, especially if it's raining.
  • Minimum cleaning fees of $500 will apply if the vehicle is returned dirty.

    • What we expect: Exterior & Cargo Area

  • When you get back to the Bay Area, take the vehicle to a recommended truck wash (see below) and have a good cleaning performed on the exterior of the vehicle.
  • Use an AIR HOSE at the truck wash to blow out any dust from the bed floor and off of the walls/behind slats. With a damp cloth or very small amount of water, wipe down the bed of the vehicle.

    • What we expect: Interior

    Use an air hose at the truck wash to blow out any dust from the vehicle's cab.

  • DO NOT HOSE OUT or use excessive water to clean the inside of the vehicle. Water can get into the electrical system under the dash and can cause electrical failure. The floor mats are lined with jutes and any water on the jute will mildew and smell. Both conditions require excessive labor to remove the components, dry and replace.
  • USE ONLY AN AIR HOSE TO BLOW OUT EXCESSIVE DIRT AND DUST.

    • Truck Wash Locations

    For smaller vehicles (cargo vans, pickups without racks):

    Ducky's Car Wash
    841 El Camino Real
    Palo Alto, CA 94301
    650-324-2634

    Double Take Auto Spa
    43122 Christy St
    Fremont, CA 94538
    510-472-4181

    Auto City Car Wash
    505 South Van Ness Avenue
    San Francisco, CA 94110
    415-565-6700

    For larger vehicles (pickups with racks, box vans, flatbeds):

    East Bay Truck Wash
    8255 San Leandro St (Behind the 76 Truck Stop)
    Oakland, CA 94621
    510-569-1624

    AAA Truck Wash (Box trucks Only)
    176 Gateway Blvd.
    South San Francisco, CA 94080
    209-640-7786

    About Hengehold Trucks

    Founded in 1948, Hengehold Trucks is Northern California’s most trusted source for pre-owned commercial vehicles, rentals, service, and professional upfitting. Family-owned and based in Palo Alto, we’ve built our reputation on trust, straightforward pricing, and the best-maintained fleet in the region. For over 75 years, contractors, businesses, and public agencies have relied on us to keep their operations moving—with work-ready trucks, expert service, and support you can count on.

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