Winter touring in Norway/Sweden

[madkoka]

Hi everyone
Has anyone on here toured Norway/Sweden etc in the winter in an A Class Moho, how did you find it, do’s and don’ts did you use all season tires, winter tires or studded any info would be appreciated on your experiences
Many thanks

 

[Figaro]

Take your big coat

 

[Northernraider]

Jees I think even the summer carries a risk of snow. Don't think I'd go near Norway in winter.

 

[brynric]

We travelled in late May last year. There was still snow on the ground in some camping areas and some roads were still closed. The summer season can be quite short. The winter can be very long , and dark.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not in the van but been to Sweden in the winter, wouldn't want to go in the van.
Linkoping which is fairly south, not much fun when ice crystals form in your beard and it was only -12. Then went north and it was - 20 now that was cold.

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[L' Hobo]

Don't know about Norway but in Sweden, most of the main routes are kept open and plenty of off-grid parking and a lot of the coastal guest harbours have hookups if they're open.

In places you will need studded tyres but all details are available on their Governments website and it's worthwhile joining there equivalent of our Caravan Clubs.

IF your going higher than Stockholm, it can get bloody cold!

 

[vanphil]

There was an excellent article about Norwegian winter touring in Decembers MMM magazine.

 

[akadingbat]

I have been away in the van at -19°C and the biggest problem I had was with the window washer fluid. Despite having heated nozzles but that is no use if the fluid itself is frozen, so make sure you put in fully concentrated -25° stuff. That was just in the Cairngorms, definitely you need winter tyres of some sort but as has been said check the countries’ own rules.

 

[Mleabon]

I went to Norway in October / November. It got down to -19c. We had snow in October in the South of Norway. We had winter tyres and snow chains. We needed the chains once when we got stuck. Definitely need some chains and practise putting them on. You can get autoglym windscreen wash which goes down to -25 I think. I insulated as many pipes as I could and had some silver bubble wrap for extra insulation for the skylights. You can get antifreeze for the grey waste tank.
If I went again in the winter I would fit an engine pre- heater and have studded tyres. All the locals had them. But you must do it. We had a wonderful time. Let me know if you want my polar steps route. Ended up doing 6500miles in 6 weeks. There are many wonderful scenic and free parkups.
Ps a radiator cover would be useful.

 

[Guffy60]

Have a look at this guy he has been there over the last 2 or 3 winters in a self built transit but will give you an idea of some of the conditions and the tyres he uses.

Mispronounced Adventures

My channel is about two main things, Tech and Overland Travel. I combine those both with my self built Campervan ford transit which I have used to explore the Arctic Winter and document some Extreme vanlife. I also test new ideas, with electrics, diesel heaters, Victron and more Welcome to my...

youtube.com

Alex(c) Frood

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[Henry Walpole]

Hi everyone
Has anyone on here toured Norway/Sweden etc in the winter in an A Class Moho, how did you find it, do’s and don’ts did you use all season tires, winter tires or studded any info would be appreciated on your experiences
Many thanks

Hi
We spent two winters in Sweden (also a bit of Norway in November) in A class motorhomes. The first winter was in a Hymer with Truma blown air heating and we coped fine but suffered from condensation in the garage and on the windscreen. We just had Michelin mud and snow tyres but didn't venture too far from major cities. We used a lot of lpg as the heating had no electric element.

The second winter was in a Niesmann Bischoff with Alde heating. The difference between the two heating systems is like night and day when temperatures plunge below -20c. The Alde heating was superb and provided a much more even (and silent) heat compared to the Truma. Plus I think the Niesmann was a better insulated van with no draughty cab door either side. We had Nokian winter tyres (not studded but one step down from that) on the Niesmann and they coped extremely well on a drive over the mountains from Oslo to Bergen and back. We decided against studded tyres as we wanted something we could use year round. Plus they are forbidden on some roads in Stockholm (due to noise I think).

We had a fantastic time and I can highly recommend it. I found it much nicer than winter in the UK as we got blue skies and snow rather than grey and overcast.

 

[Nitram77]

We were in Norway mid November (on a cruise). We saw several motorhomes in Alesund, Bergen and Trondheim. We were surprised by how many there were. None of them had the clicking noise of studded tyres as they drove past.

 

[madkoka]

Have a look at this guy he has been there over the last 2 or 3 winters in a self built transit but will give you an idea of some of the conditions and the tyres he uses.

Mispronounced Adventures

My channel is about two main things, Tech and Overland Travel. I combine those both with my self built Campervan ford transit which I have used to explore the Arctic Winter and document some Extreme vanlife. I also test new ideas, with electrics, diesel heaters, Victron and more Welcome to my...

youtube.com

Alex(c) Frood

Yes I’ve watched all of Alex’s videos on his Artic trips, this is where I got the idea about doing it

 

[madkoka]

Hi
We spent two winters in Sweden (also a bit of Norway in November) in A class motorhomes. The first winter was in a Hymer with Truma blown air heating and we coped fine but suffered from condensation in the garage and on the windscreen. We just had Michelin mud and snow tyres but didn't venture too far from major cities. We used a lot of lpg as the heating had no electric element.

The second winter was in a Niesmann Bischoff with Alde heating. The difference between the two heating systems is like night and day when temperatures plunge below -20c. The Alde heating was superb and provided a much more even (and silent) heat compared to the Truma. Plus I think the Niesmann was a better insulated van with no draughty cab door either side. We had Nokian winter tyres (not studded but one step down from that) on the Niesmann and they coped extremely well on a drive over the mountains from Oslo to Bergen and back. We decided against studded tyres as we wanted something we could use year round. Plus they are forbidden on some roads in Stockholm (due to noise I think).

We had a fantastic time and I can highly recommend it. I found it much nicer than winter in the UK as we got blue skies and snow rather than grey and overcast.

Thanks for the great info we are looking at changing our coachbuilt for a Frankia A class which has the Alde heating

 

[mackeellan]

And if you're from Yorkshire, don't forget to take your big jumper

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[jennywren]

Hi everyone
Has anyone on here toured Norway/Sweden etc in the winter in an A Class Moho, how did you find it, do’s and don’ts did you use all season tires, winter tires or studded any info would be appreciated on your experiences
Many thanks

Hi
No experience in a MH in winter in Scandi but we tend to spend a month in north of Sweden most winters, usually around Jan/Feb in the Kiruna area. We have known cold days around minus 30 degrees C. It's a fantastic place in our opinion any time of year, albeit, as others have said, a whole lot of new challenges in a MH in winter. Oddly enough, the roads tend to be fine, generally because virtually everyone uses 'dobbed' tyres and due to the constant 'extreme' temperatures, the snow on the roads becomes very compact. The west coastal areas of Norway can be more difficult to drive on as temperatures tend to be less cold (Gulf Stream etc) and will get above freezing during the day, so, rather like the UK (albeit less often), ice can be more of a problem than one would encounter further in land, such as northern Sweden (and Finland). However, the roads tend to be steeper in Norway and many of the mountain passes are permanently closed between certain pre-defined dates.

We always hire a car (complete with dobbed tyres) but in our travels, we do see the occasional MH out and about, there always appears to be park-ups available, even in winter. I believe all 'official' campsites are closed. Daylight hours is another big consideration and therefore, you may be better off March/April, still cold and snowy enough to experience a 'proper' winter but alot more daylight hours. As someone else said the blue light of the night (and daytime too!) sky and landscape is amazing. And of course, the chance to see the northern lights on a regular basis.

Certainly food for thought but I would suggest plenty of research, I think it will be more about living and coping in the van at -20 (and quite likely colder) rather than the actual driving. Sounds a great adventure. And, if it's a bit cold, head south, albeit, it can then get a bit wetter, more similar to UK. Although, these extreme temps can be potentially dangerous if not properly prepared, we find a dry -20/30C preferable to a wet and windy zero degrees, often found over here.

Good luck

 

[Linda B]

Hi everyone
Has anyone on here toured Norway/Sweden etc in the winter in an A Class Moho, how did you find it, do’s and don’ts did you use all season tires, winter tires or studded any info would be appreciated on your experiences
Many thanks

We left UK April 3rd last year for Norway. It was an incredible journey, couldn't reach Nordkap as road only reachable in snow convoy so didn't take the risk. Went again this year Aug-Oct another fantastic trip reaching Nordkap this time and home via the Baltics, Estonia etc. No snow 2nd time but saw Northern Lights several times. Now we want to go again next year but around end Feb I think, Norway has such a draw for us no place like it we love it. Think we will get diesel heater fitted for back up heating as LPG not so easy out there and an engine pre heater. We have winter tyres, snow chain, snow shovel and tow rope. Go for it you will not regret it.

 

[Funkymonkeybooze]

We're planning on heading for Sweden next weekend through to new year. I've been in cold conditions in the black forest last year and Chamonix alps the year before that, this I imagine will be a whole new level. I always use good soft rubberised snow tyres. This time I've upped my game by raising the suspension with stiffer bigger leaf springs at the back and larger mud/snow tyres at the rear (is old merc sprinter based Rimor vehicle). I have timed out on getting a winch installed however.... I always carry a couple of boards to help get unstuck, a good quality rope (over 10m - useful for everything) and a bucket! I also carry over 1000 Ah of 12v batteries and 6kW 240v invertors for running anything you like onboard like power tools for repairs. Spare wheel. In reality, you won't need all this fingers crossed, two LPG gas bottles 12kg each is plenty. Just stay warm. We're not planning on further north than 60°. Temps as others have said can be suicidal at this time of year, I don't fancy trying to defrost a coolant system with a dwindling battery bank (high % antifreeze is a must).