Prepping for Arctic road trip

[Green Giant]

Sewing machine crafting day today.
Partner made a pair of ‘mirror muffs’
to save me having to remove snow/ice from the glass, we are going to add a band of elastic between them, like kids mittens, so they can’t blow off, get separated, the elastic band will also help keep the windscreen thermal cover in place on the stormy nights.

 

[Green Giant]

Next, making a rad muff cover to stop extreme cold air getting to engine, hopefully won’t need it, needed
to make cut outs for radar and spot lights, work in progress..

 

[Green Giant]

Made some thermal window covers for the kitchen window, to fit behind the splash back and the van shades blind.
For the sliding door brought a pair of thermal covers from Amazon, can double up and get both behind the van shades blind in the door, going to be cozy

 

[JumpShip]

Where did you buy the camo material?

 

[Green Giant]

Where did you buy the camo material?

UKFABRICS ONLINE, I tracked down the same waterproof pattern fabric that our rainbow screens poptop cover is made out of, it’s cheap so we have loads, might make matching trousers

 

[Salty Spuds]

Made some thermal window covers for the kitchen window, to fit behind the splash back and the van shades blinds,
For the sliding door got a pair of thermal covers from Amazon, can double up and get both behind the van shades blind in the door, going to be cozyView attachment 315523View attachment 315524View attachment 315525View attachment 315526

When you park up for the night, put the heating controls to “re-circ” and close the side vents on the dash.

 

[Rayza]

Having spent many weeks in Finnish Lapland in all seasons, I can honestly say the end of March/April is possibly my favourite due to the increase in day light and often beautiful blue skys. But not in my (Keep it Simple) van as I don't have heating. You could look up my trip report from last year (Vanya's Nordic trip 25), we left home at the start of May and it was still below zero when we got up to northern Sweden, and so we appreciated the value of a good sleeping bag and wool socks very quickly.
This year we are going back, but only for 8 weeks, and will spend more time in Norway, starting in June.
Some points to consider:
Mid European winter non studded tyres, may not be the same as Nordic non studded tyres, and may not be up to the job, so take some snow chains.
Most vehicles in Lapland use blindingly bright spot lights after dark, as Reindeer and Elk are quite stupid, and can end your trip quickly, so check yours are up to the task.
Speed limits are lower during winter, and whilst traffic jams are very rare, travelling behind slow vehicles may slow you down even more. Plan each leg well.
Only wear Wool socks, and under all instances keep them dry.
Most Nordic campsites have a reasonable kitchen, and the best have great facilities including a Sauna, and drying rooms.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Green Giant]

Having spent many weeks in Finnish Lapland in all seasons, I can honestly say the end of March/April is possibly my favourite due to the increase in day light and often beautiful blue skys. But not in my (Keep it Simple) van as I don't have heating. You could look up my trip report from last year (Vanya's Nordic trip 25), we left home at the start of May and it was still below zero when we got up to northern Sweden, and so we appreciated the value of a good sleeping bag and wool socks very quickly.
This year we are going back, but only for 8 weeks, and will spend more time in Norway, starting in June.
Some points to consider:
Mid European winter non studded tyres, may not be the same as Nordic non studded tyres, and may not be up to the job, so take some snow chains.
Most vehicles in Lapland use blindingly bright spot lights after dark, as Reindeer and Elk are quite stupid, and can end your trip quickly, so check yours are up to the task.
Speed limits are lower during winter, and whilst traffic jams are very rare, travelling behind slow vehicles may slow you down even more. Plan each leg well.
Only wear Wool socks, and under all instances keep them dry.
Most Nordic campsites have a reasonable kitchen, and the best have great facilities including a Sauna, and drying rooms.
Enjoy your trip!

Sounds like you had a great time, unfortunately we can only get a limited time away, allowing approx 6 days driving up, 6 days driving back, so will only have about 6-7 days available in the Lapland area to explore, another reason I didn’t go for expensive Nordic tyres. The van is happy on snow, it will be ice that will make driving difficult, we will be cautious, change plans if it gets really bad, hopefully we will make it to a camp spot before it gets dark each day, but we do have spotlights if needed, our wool socks are packed and we do have lots of warm down clothing etc from many years spending time at high altitudes in the mountains
I was told mid Feb to mid March is when they can get the heaviest snowfall, we will soon find out I guess

 

[Rayza]

Sounds like you had a great time, unfortunately we can only get a limited time away, allowing approx 6 days driving up, 6 days driving back, so will only have about 6-7 days available in the Lapland area to explore, another reason I didn’t go for expensive Nordic tyres. The van is happy on snow, it will be ice that will make driving difficult, we will be cautious, change plans if it gets really bad, hopefully we will make it to a camp spot before it gets dark each day, but we do have spotlights if needed, our wool socks are packed and we do have lots of warm down clothing etc from many years spending time at high altitudes in the mountains
I was told mid Feb to mid March is when they can get the heaviest snowfall, we will soon find out I guess

The first time I travelled in the far North in winter conditions, I found it very unnerving, because I didn't realise just how good studded tyres were. But and a big but, my family are able to read the ice better than me, and what I learnt was watching for areas of previous melts, especially where it crosses the road. That said, the roads were mostly snow and ice free below the Arctic Circle in late March. Hopefully the roads will be OK for you.

 

[Rayza]

I would thoroughly recommend the Lounas Ravintola ( lunchtime restaurant) in Finland, especially out of tourist areas. Buffet style home cooked food. Usually a basic main course or soup, Salad, Bread, a drink, milk etc, then coffee and cake or biscuits. Usually very good value. Sweden has a slightly more formal set up, but still good value.
Most supermarkets along main roads serve coffee, so take a thermos cup, again good value, and cheaper than the UK. Stay warm, and don't get your socks wet under any circumstances!

 

[Swamper_Jez]

Got the Autoterm liquid heater fitted under the van to heat up the engine coolant.
I’ve been watching the weather out there and it’s been below -30 lately View attachment 315169

Having the same fitted end of July. Useful kit at temperatures below 5C to enable the engine to be "warm" b4 starting. Of could absolutely necessary in the Nordics!!

 

[Swamper_Jez]

Note taken about cheap shovel, I have brought an Amazon special… but think I’ve got a proper mountaineering shovel in the loft, so a his and hers..I’ll make sure I have the one that breaks..
We are planning on a campsite stay every 3 nights, but there are not many open this time of year.
Van is going for a service next week and will check coolant/washer fluid temp and change oil to the thinner grade VW use in colder climates, it’s going to be an experience for sure, a bucket list trip
Drive on the ice roads in Lulea
Visit Kiruna NP to hopefully see Northern lights, visit the real ice hotel, dog sledding, visit Santa village in Finland, go on the long Toboggan run, do the ice hole dip, Royal Marine style (possibly)
Snowshoe out to an off grid cabin to stay overnight, chop wood, make fire, Hunt moose bears and wolves, joking about the hunting!
Oh, I’ve just remembered we have bought Amazon special snow shoes at £26 a pair, the proper ones cost around £200+ a pair, it’s going to be an interesting trek

Hey, I'm sure you have a little space in your van. You wouldn't even know I was there. This is well up there on our list and will be following your adventure!!

 

[Swamper_Jez]

Swapping over the tow hitch to the pin version, incase I need to put a tow strop on the rear of van, I use those soft shackles these days, very easy to use.
I have my homemade Front runner storage box mount fitted on the actual ball, handy extra storage and doesn’t need a lighting bar.
Ps, we have a u shape layout so don’t need to open the tailgate as everything is accessible from inside van.
The big bag on rack stores our external poptop/windscreen covers, steps snow shoes, etc, basically anything that gets wet and dirty.
The black water jerry can will be replaced with a yellow diesel jerry can, and will fill it up when we get to a garage that sells very low temp fuel in Sweden.

View attachment 315191View attachment 315192

...and there was me thinking the exterior on our van was done...

 

[Swamper_Jez]

Sewing machine crafting day today.
Partner made a pair of ‘mirror muffs’
to save me having to remove snow/ice from the glass, we are going to add a band of elastic between them, like kids mittens, so they can’t blow off, get separated, the elastic band will also help keep the windscreen thermal cover in place on the stormy nights.View attachment 315514View attachment 315515

Didn't know there was such a thing!! I'm sure, once our plans for the Nordics begin, Brutus will think he's on steroids...

 

[DXX]

Don’t forget Adblue freezes, I’m guessing the tank has a heater but no idea how well the pipes are insulated.
Spare fuel filter just in case it does wax up.
It’s surprising just how hot the high Arctic gets as the daylight hours increase.

 

[Green Giant]

Hey, I'm sure you have a little space in your van. You wouldn't even know I was there. This is well up there on our list and will be following your adventure!!

Ah sorry, too late, we went out in February, it was such a good road trip, so glad we went, you have to go out there, there’s actually lots of campsites open in Sweden and Finland during the winter, they love their winter activities

 

[Swamper_Jez]

Ah sorry, too late, we went out in February, it was such a good road trip, so glad we went, you have to go out there, there’s actually lots of campsites open in Sweden and Finland during the winter, they love their winter activities

After missing a space on your trip, yes Brutus will need to show us what he is made of...can't wait!!

 

[Green Giant]

After missing a space on your trip, yes Brutus will need to show us what he is made of...can't wait!!

You might of seen spiriT5_of_adventure YT channel, it’s worth a watch for inspiration they had -42 in their T5 at one point, now that is chilly!