Pillow Fort Set Up

Updated for Burning Man 2025.

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The Pillow Fort is fairly easy to set up, and this guide will help you along the way!

Pillow fort tricks:

If the front passenger door feels stuck or locked, but it's not locked, you will have to press in right above the latch while pulling the latch open.

If you want to prop the door open, which we do whenever the pillow fort is open to the public, use the hook on the outside bottom of the door

The pillow fort has D-hooks along the top exterior edge located every 18" which can be connected to tarps.

We try to build a shade structure over the pillow fort so the sun isn't hitting directly on the roof. This helps keep it cooler.

Physical Setup

After the pillow fort has been dropped off, you need to stabilize the back corners so it doesn't tip backwards. There are stabilizing jacks located inside the passenger door on the right. Install two of them under the rear corners. Important: They should be positioned so as to provide support to the main, load-bearing steel frame of the trailer.

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Stabilizing Jack Installation Instructions

The long bolt in the center of the jack stand is threaded; At the top of the jack stand is a large nut that fits into a pocket to keep it from turning; The center bolt raises and lowers by turning the long bolt with the T-handle, either clockwise or counter-clockwise; Place under a section of sub frame close to the corners. The manufacturer recommends using wood or concrete blocks under jacks.

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They are not strong enough to support the weight of the trailer, so don’t jack them so far that they are pushing the trailer up in the air. They are only intended to keep the trailer from tipping back when people walk to the back, and to keep the trailer from rocking back and forth.

Warning: If you install the jacks when the trailer is empty, and try to remove them when the trailer is loaded, you will find that the added weight pressing down on the jacks makes it extremely difficult to remove them. You should install the jacks immediately on delivery when the trailer is at its maximum weight so they will be easy to remove.

The infrastructure team will provide power to the trailer by connecting the NEMA SS2-50P plug, located on the front exterior, to a spider box.

The pillow fort contains gear that goes elsewhere in camp such as audio and lighting equipment, and some gear that will not end up being used on playa but needs to be stored someplace sheltered. Before you empty the pillow fort, you will probably want to set up a tent where this equipment can be move and stored during build week.

Decor

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Be careful with the felt baffles hanging under/around the LED loops, these are installed in additional hooks around the LED loops. If the felt baffles fall off they can be reassembled and installed, but be careful to not bend/rip them.

The 2 black mesh bags with round plastic orbs are placed in the back. It's possible to hang them using only two points, so that they hang higher. You might have to temporarily remove the foam 'cuff' from the ceiling in order to hook them in.

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Two look like this:

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The entrance exhibit is meant to evoke an underwater / seafaring vibe, as if you found the gear from an old sea captain's cabin that had sunk below the sea. It provides a lit focal point when you enter the trailer. It also provides intimate and cleanup supplies, like condoms, lube, wet-wipes, nitrile gloves, paper towels, a little trash can, and a flashlight to help people clean up, in a well-lit space so visitors see it and know to use it.

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Congrats! You've set up the pillow fort and it is now ready for lounging. Invite others to nest when you decide to leave its cool embrace.


Revision #10
Created 10 March 2025 23:58:08 by Tristan
Updated 12 March 2025 17:03:53 by Jetpack