Fruit_uk

Arctic 4x4 Rally 2011 Yo may have seen the posts on this one, we went along and it was a fantastic trip - sadly for everyone here we use a Volvo, but there was a 110 on the trip and pretty handy at ice scraping they became ;o) If you want to read about it or want any info if you fancy it in 2012 see www.ukrallyraiders.blogspot.com

Arctic 4x4 Rally 2011 Yo may have seen the posts on this one, we went along and it was a fantastic trip - sadly for everyone here we use a Volvo, but there was a 110 on the trip and pretty handy at ice scraping they became ;o) If you want to read about it or want any info if you fancy it in 2012 see www.ukrallyraiders.blogspot.com

We're only going for two week trip up to the far north, but don't want a wrecked car along the way ;o)

I hope you get sorted, probably just a computer mistake. However please all of you consider this and please it isn't a smart ar*e reply, but there is definitely something in it. I deal with a bloke who runs an independant tyre supplier down the road, i've been dealing with him for 25 years, i know his first name, his family and where he lives, sometimes he's cheap and other times he costs a bit more, I always get service when I turn up and its personal. Punctures, new valves balancing all at minimal cost and with all the modern kit to back up the service. Hey the internet and mail order can be great but think about what happens when you need a tyre saturday morning so you can go pay and play. Cheers Eric.

Thanks

I understand the Webasto, runs on diesel? and is a pre-heater? I am lead to believe that the locals have an electric device that they run whenever they park up - all night in other words for us and it runs on 230V I don't know but these sound like different things. Also the hot frog thing I saw talks about running for 30mins to prewarm the engine we will nee 14 hours heating. Sorry if I sound a bit vague here but I have spent lots of time trying to pin this down and can't seem to break the circle of suggestions for short duration heaters that people in the uk seem familiar with and the overnight type that they use in canada and scandanavia but noone knows anything about in the uk. Frustrating eh. There must be someone who has lived in a snowy waste (Newcastle over the weekend doesn't count). Cheers again

photos at www.ukrallyraiders.blogspot.com The new Rally Raid vehicle for Dakar 2012 and beyond. Take a look its yummy! Want one - empty your piggy bank and speak to Paul at Rally Raid www.rallyraid.co.uk We (Up and Under Rally Team) are off to the Arctic in Feb for fun and games in the snow, want to join in - details also on the blog above. Cheers Fruit

We are getting winter tyres - this may be useful to some http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-Auto-Bild-Winter-4x4-TyreTest.htm and are hoping to remove the need for drastic oil changes by installing block heater and using heated garages where provided chains are only for deep snow where winter tyres may not be completely effective. Studded tyres considered but part of the journey through areas where not permitted Also winter tyres can continue to be used after trip and are actually pretty good to drive on if a little wear prone. The block heater remains elusive however. As for the Toyota, mmmmm well I have a freelander. It's a case of My Freelander ;o) cheers for the input

Here's a link to a german winter tyre test programme: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-Auto-Bild-Winter-4x4-TyreTest.htm Cheers

Does anyone have any experience of driving a freelander 1 2005 55 plate in Arctic Norway/Finland? The things that I am most interested in are: Is an engine block heater available (electric, plug in, all night type)? Best tyres? Using chains - manual says 15" 195 tyres only we have 16" and would rather not buy new wheels and tyres for one off trip if at all practical. Have spoken to hotels in the areas we will be visiting and they say temp can be -50 without wind chill so pretty stern test of the vehicle I would imagine. Cheers

Does anyone have any experience of driving a freelander 1 2005 55 plate in Arctic Norway/Finland? The things that I am most interested in are: is an engine block heater available (electric, plug i, all night type)? Best tyres? Using chains - manual says 15" 195 tyres only we have 16" and would rather not buy new wheels and tyres for one off trip if at all practical. Have spoken to hotels in the areas we will be visiting and they say temp can be -50 withouth wind chill so pretty stern test of the vehicle I would imagine. Cheers

Ah the North of Scotland - doesn't it rain there however cold it gets ?

Went a few years ago. Great value when you compare it to the British GP. You could buy tickets cheaper if you joined the club that runs it the Automobile Club d'Ouest or something like that. Met lots of people camping at the circuit some very well equipped with gazebo's, and 52" plasma's, fridges, etc, etc. Very friendly

Hope to see you there, if you are going keep in touch, the price goes up on the 1st Oct so don't delay.

Last trip to Morocco we did we really only had one thing that we stuck to, at 4.30 we started to look for a camp site if we were travelling. Found some great ones and always had a brew in hand to watch the sunset. Have a good trip