Arctic Circle road trip - a blog
Discussion
S100HP said:
Got me looking at GL350s now. Thanks.
Happy to help if you need any advice.I bought mine from Saxton 4x4.
Go into ownership with open eyes - they are not cheap to run but if you can get an enthusiastic "indy", you might be onto something. I haven't, and pay Mercedes, always wondering if it's all sorted now, and it'll need no further fettling.
To be fair to Mercedes, they always do a spot-on job, and there's a sense of comfort knowing their warranty is there just in case...
FiF said:
NormalWisdom said:
Great thread - Mrs Wisdom fears it has reawakened a similar desire of mine!
Tell me about it. One thing I wondered about was doing a similar trip right up to Nordkapp, hopefully chasing the Northern Lights and then for part of the return trip have a rest on one of the Hurtigruten cruise ships which also carry a few vehicles.
Great trip. Keep the updates coming.
In Sept 1996 my Uncle had just moved to Fauske and knowing I was time rich (student) he asked me to take his car out there. Devon to Newcastle, Ferry to Bergen. I then drove to Tronheim in a day and then Fauske for early afternoon the next (before getting a train to Oslo and flying back to Heathrow) I'd have loved to go further North and we're now trying to work out how to take enough time off work to head up to the top in our motorhome.
In Sept 1996 my Uncle had just moved to Fauske and knowing I was time rich (student) he asked me to take his car out there. Devon to Newcastle, Ferry to Bergen. I then drove to Tronheim in a day and then Fauske for early afternoon the next (before getting a train to Oslo and flying back to Heathrow) I'd have loved to go further North and we're now trying to work out how to take enough time off work to head up to the top in our motorhome.
ncjones said:
Great trip. Keep the updates coming.
In Sept 1996 my Uncle had just moved to Fauske and knowing I was time rich (student) he asked me to take his car out there. Devon to Newcastle, Ferry to Bergen. I then drove to Tronheim in a day and then Fauske for early afternoon the next (before getting a train to Oslo and flying back to Heathrow) I'd have loved to go further North and we're now trying to work out how to take enough time off work to head up to the top in our motorhome.
Ah, in a motorhome it'd be a great trip.In Sept 1996 my Uncle had just moved to Fauske and knowing I was time rich (student) he asked me to take his car out there. Devon to Newcastle, Ferry to Bergen. I then drove to Tronheim in a day and then Fauske for early afternoon the next (before getting a train to Oslo and flying back to Heathrow) I'd have loved to go further North and we're now trying to work out how to take enough time off work to head up to the top in our motorhome.
You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
kamilb1998 said:
Interesting read, thanks for sharing. I'm currently planning a similar trip, possibly venturing a little further north than yourself this April.
From the Artic Circle Visitor Centre, you'll need another day at the rate I'm driving to get to Tromso, and of course another day to get back down again.That was my original plan but that would mean I'd need an extra day off work. And now that I've done all this, I think the schedule I've set is a little too much. I think I'd like to limit the driving time to 8-hours a day now. I was dead when I got into Mo I Rana yesterday, although in fairness I'm absolutely fine today having driven for a similar time. Today was different though - I was driving fast and that isn't as tiring for me.
Whatever you do, please write it up. Are you the chap who rebuilt a Sinclair C5? If so, I loved that.
Watchman said:
From the Artic Circle Visitor Centre, you'll need another day at the rate I'm driving to get to Tromso, and of course another day to get back down again.
That was my original plan but that would mean I'd need an extra day off work. And now that I've done all this, I think the schedule I've set is a little too much. I think I'd like to limit the driving time to 8-hours a day now. I was dead when I got into Mo I Rana yesterday, although in fairness I'm absolutely fine today having driven for a similar time. Today was different though - I was driving fast and that isn't as tiring for me.
Whatever you do, please write it up. Are you the chap who rebuilt a Sinclair C5? If so, I loved that.
I am indeed the chap who rebuilt the Sinclair C5, I doubt there was another!That was my original plan but that would mean I'd need an extra day off work. And now that I've done all this, I think the schedule I've set is a little too much. I think I'd like to limit the driving time to 8-hours a day now. I was dead when I got into Mo I Rana yesterday, although in fairness I'm absolutely fine today having driven for a similar time. Today was different though - I was driving fast and that isn't as tiring for me.
Whatever you do, please write it up. Are you the chap who rebuilt a Sinclair C5? If so, I loved that.
I've done some pretty epic road trips in Europe since passing my test but haven't really done much in the way of write ups for them expect for perhaps the first one in 2016. Will try harder this year to document anything of interest.
Ideally, I'd like to go up to Nordkapp and get some skiing in as well. I've set aside two weeks for this which is probably a little ambitious so will have to see how I get on. Haven't done much planning as yet but my initial thought is to go straight up to Nordkapp on the fastest route - through Sweden - and then gradually wind my way down Norway with a bit of skiing to break up the sightseeing. Whether two weeks is sufficient for this remains to be seen.
Watchman said:
Ah, in a motorhome it'd be a great trip.
You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
Watchman said:
Ah, in a motorhome it'd be a great trip.
You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
An ex colleague from my time in Sweden is into the skidoo hobby in a big way. He and a friend in that sport converted an old bus into a part motorhome part transporter part workshop area. Epic device, and the Commer two stroke diesel sounds magnificent when given some welly. Has no trouble with ice and snow, Nordic winter truck tyres obviously.You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
I guess this sucking sound from some tyres is different from the clatter of studs on tarmac?
Thanks. Taking the motorhome would definitely be a summer trip. It's already got all season (3 peak) tyres which help with muddy fields and a dusting of snow, but it'd be utterly rubbish dealing with full on Nordic winter conditions.
When I was there that September, I'll always remember how fast the temperature dropped when the sun dropped below the mountains.... very, very easy to get into difficulty without all the right kit, planning and prep.
When I was there that September, I'll always remember how fast the temperature dropped when the sun dropped below the mountains.... very, very easy to get into difficulty without all the right kit, planning and prep.
Watchman said:
When I did the Se7ens tour in 2000, we sailed from Newcastle. Sadly the north sea ferries are no more, If they ever started up again, I'd do another trip but to the very top of Norway. In fact, I'd do a loop from Oslo, Atlantic Ocean road, Arctic Circle Visitor centre, Tromso, and back down through the Swedish mountains, as I did today.
I agree it's sad that the Newcastle sailings are no more - would open up the north of Norway beautifully! That said your trip is one I've said to Mrs Iroc that I really would like to do (and she's onboard with the idea)FiF said:
Watchman said:
Ah, in a motorhome it'd be a great trip.
You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
An ex colleague from my time in Sweden is into the skidoo hobby in a big way. He and a friend in that sport converted an old bus into a part motorhome part transporter part workshop area. Epic device, and the Commer two stroke diesel sounds magnificent when given some welly. Has no trouble with ice and snow, Nordic winter truck tyres obviously.You'll need at least two weeks, I'd have thought. I'm moving very quickly in my car, and spending all day at the wheel. In a motorhome, I'd want to spend more time enjoying places to stop. Up in the mountains today, I was surprised to see many caravans and motorhomes parked up in the snow. And I think they're all there for skidoo type things. Very many cars are towing enclosed trailers with them inside (I saw someone opening one up), and pick-ups with skidoos on the bed.
A motorhome is likely only 2WD so you'll want it to have a locking diff, or some sort of LSD, and snow tyres rather than just winter tyres. I could hear something funny coming from some cars over the past few days - a sucking sound when they drive on wet asphalt. I think I've worked out that they are on snow tyres - likely a softer compound than even my winters, and with more aggressive tread patterns.
I guess this sucking sound from some tyres is different from the clatter of studs on tarmac?
Some of the trucks have quite aggressively patterned tyres. I say "some" because the vast majority of them were heading towards me at too an alarming rate for me to check.
RazerSauber said:
Awesome road trip! Really makes me want to do my own but I don't have a vehicle as capable, despite doing it in my V6 Calibra being sorely tempting!
Is the GL one of those "intelligent" 4WD systems? Or is it permanent?
It's permanent. And there's more to it than that.Is the GL one of those "intelligent" 4WD systems? Or is it permanent?
It has:
Locking diffs Centre and rear, activated from a dashboard switch. Obviously I don't use them often so I "test" them every couple of months, and immediately before I left home last week.
It might also have a front LSD. A couple of people in the US forums swear they do. No-one else can confirm either way, including my local Merc garage. Not all LSDs behave in the same manner, so even me testing it isn't easy. Oh, and I've no way of jacking both front wheels off the ground either.
Low range Not really that helpful in snow. It'd lose traction before I ran out of enough torque to haul it up anything steep. Regardless I tested this too before I came away.
Height adjustable suspension Now this could be useful if you found yourself in a deep drift. The GL already has good ground clearance but if you click the buttons up the three stages allowable, it goes up another 10 inches. Also tested before I came away.
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