I'm driving from the UK to the Arctic (Disaster) - Part 1

Well it's finally here. Van life on a new level. I'm driving my self built camper van from the UK to the arctic circle. It's been an idea I've had for years, but only in the last 6 months has the planning become a reality.
Talking of planning, I've prepared the camper van but I haven't planned the route or any destinations. I'm just going to hit the road, drive north and see what happens. That's the spirit of adventure right?
In this episode there is a huge disaster though. And it leaves the future of the trip in jeopardy. I genuinely don't know what to do at this point and I'm considering getting the boat home and starting the trip again next winter... Fingers crossed I can continue.
I hope you enjoy the start (and possibly the end) of this van life, arctic road trip series! Thanks for watching!
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#vanlife #stealthcamping #campervan #arctic #arcticcircle #arcticroadtrip
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[@Conflictofinterest902]

Truma should be coming out with a replacement unit. Especially as thousands are watching. Truma, we are watching. Signed, possible future customer (currently deciding between autoterm, Truma and eberspacher)

[@Dubslag]

I did notice she seemed to want off the phone as quick as possible 😂

[@Conflictofinterest902]

@@DubslagI think he edited half the convo out as there was a clear break in the footage. It was probably a long call of humming and hawing. They SHOULD be saying they’ll have a new unit to install if it’s an intermittent fault. Imagine if it was a research expedition and the company said “think about cancelling” Not good

[@Adz]

Yeah I edited the conversation down, she was really helpful on the phone. The suggestion was that if no one could help in Europe, that I went back to the UK where they’d look at it for me

[@Dubslag]

@@Adz you could do with a backup of some sort for trips like this. Good old log burner

[@ppo2424]

They should send you a new one if its a fault.​@@Adz

[@adamweeks2231]

You could take another option and head south (south of France or Italy) where the heater isn’t as important. Stay safe Adam!

[@samuelpittaway590]

I had the same issue, you need a slow blow/time lag fuse. It’s placed at the bottom of the motherboard when you remove the two plastic covers. Had me stumped for weeks!!

[@yunachan06]

Bumping this so you see it

[@Kitkat-247]

@adzentures

[@samuelpittaway590]

@Adz

[@ovicen]

And get a backup diesel heater :)

[@thenomad9853]

Bump

[@dlions9068]

Blessing in disguise. You needed a backup heater regardless. Better that happened early than later to get you thinking about contingency. It's just a challenge to overcome.

[@TillyCollie]

I am really impressed by how you have kept your cool with this setback - on camera at least! Although it is really tough on you, the reality of it all makes compelling viewing and I am sure that if anyone can sort it you will. What a Brit!

[@Pugwash.]

If you have twice as much cable length as required, I would cut both in half, double up the wires. This will significantly increase the load they can take and reduce the resistance. Worth a try? Even if you don't have double what you need, I'd cut the cables to the correct length.

[@markgraham3201]

Hey Fella, get a pint on me. And the further North you go, you'll be lucky to get a pint for £10!! Take care & all the best. 🙂

[@Adz]

Thanks mate! Definitely needed after this 1st night 😂😂

[@Guvnor100]

Remember its not the destination that makes these trips memorable, it's the journey. Ready for the next instalment.

[@campervannie5948]

Oh what a nightmare😢 I've done the trip up through Denmark , then Sweden and north and across to Norway and up to the Arctic circle, and its truly epic, but i did it in the SUMMER! ☀️ Amazingly beautiful, with all day sun! Doing it in the winter, you are an absolute hero! But i have, over the years, and many many trips learned that every dammed thing that can go wrong WILL go wrong. Like other comments, i have every kind of backup imaginable, multiple batteries , multiple heaters, multiple torches and extra solar as well. I've learned the more we rely too much on tech, the more vulnerable we are. Best of luck, I'm sure you will get there and cant wait to see it all ❤

[@Horizon-1-3-5]

Hi Adz. I did the same route you are planning on taking a couple of years ago up to the west coast of Norway where i live now. I did it in my old vw t5 which had been my work van for the previous 10 years with my girlfriend next to me and my cat in the back of the van lol. Took us 3 days with very little rest stops but was in november so better weather. Youre a brave man taking this on at this time of year. The weather up here is no joke and like i say im on the west coast which is way warmer than where you are planning on going. Youve chosen the hardest time of the year to do it weather wise. You might find that you need a set of spiked tyres when you feel what its like getting over a mountain pass driving on ice. Also the cold is shocking when you havnt experienced it before so take precautions as needed. Ill be watching the rest of your journey for sure. Good luck fella.

[@Rickandhisvan]

Adam, sorry it’s not much but hope you can grab a warm drink. Been looking forward to this trip. I hope you are safe and looking forward to a new video and good news.

[@Adz]

Thank you so much mate!

[@primalvanlife5581]

I’m driving to Europe in a few days via Calais, if you need anything parts wise bringing from the Uk I might be able to help

[@Rickandhisvan]

The way that guy slammed the cable down on the counter......classic. viva le france

[@staffybullterrier7678]

I totally feel ur pain my bro, u gotta keep ya head up man... we the subscribers aren't going to leave ya...

[@JustForTheWeekendVanLife]

Aww bless you. We recently had issues with our diesel heater (fixed now) but where you’re going….you can’t manage without heat. Hope it gets fixed properly and you can go 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@NealePinkney-td2cn]

When things start going wrong ,maybe take it as a warning Adam, smart guy,van looks brilliant, can't wait to see this adventure but do it safely .

[@Richard-qg5hh]

That's so frustrating Adam hope it gets sorted especially as it cost for the system. I fitted an Autoterm and touch wood it's been ok, always a worry about heating failing, safe travels.

[@mraidymaddful]

Where the seat in the back is, you should have put in a small pot bellied stove. I had one in an ambulance back in the 90's and it was considerably smaller than your van in the back. Modern stuff is wonderful, and then it goes wrong! Good luck mate and keep us informed please..............

[@adamwharmby4864]

Absolutely gutted for you pal 😢 hopefully u get it sorted all that hard work getting the van ready will pay off in the end 🤞

[@richardmoses2105]

Hope you get the heater sorted. Enjoy a pint or two on me to either celebrate or commiserate…. Wishing you every success in your adventure!

[@Adz]

Thank you so much mate!

[@Adz]

Thank you so much mate!

[@jenstone9308]

Noooooooo! I started off this video so excited and ended it like 😫😫😫 Gutted for you that your trip has started off this way! So much hard work and time has gone into getting the pigeon ready for its migration to the arctic. Hope you manage to get it sorted 🙏

[@samuelford]

watching with my eyes closed so it's 'the transporter' sequel where Jason Stathem goes on holiday in his camper.

[@alanwhitley1541]

I have been up that end of Norway many times and at all times of the year, and believe me when I say, you do not want to do it without any heating. Just delay until you can get the problem fixed we all understand m8. Good luck Adz,

[@davewarren401]

Mate, feel your pain, really hoping that you managed to get this sorted, good luck mate look forward to hearing how you got on

[@waterfallman4787]

Travel south, through Germany across the alps, down into Italy and then along the Med into France then onto Spain. Warmer and fantastic scenery. Plans change, roll with it, there will be another opportunity to go to the arctic and do it safely. Happy Travels!!

[@rpcamera]

Think when I do my Van Conversion I will be spending a year in the UK first making sure everything is working correctly. Hope you go mate but remember your life is worth more than a delayed journey. Good luck.

[@user-qz9yy5id2b]

The inside looks perfect, very cozy. thx for the vid🚐

[@clarkspiemuncher]

Should have bought a cheap chinese diesel heater. One point I would make is try connecting the cables directly to the battery. Obviously with an inline fuse.

[@Quickblood1]

Yeah if I was going to the Arctic I'd definitely have a spare one installed say under one of the front seat so I don't have to rely on one heater.

[@Conflictofinterest902]

Sod that. No way would I touch a cheap Chinese diesel heater for a life and death climate.

[@Quickblood1]

@@Conflictofinterest902 Mispronounced Adventures has been using his for years on his Arctic trips, been using mine for years in London, best £85 quid I ever spent on the van.

[@Conflictofinterest902]

@@Quickblood1 fair enough, I’ve just seen hundreds of other comments about quality control issues and it’d be my luck that mine would be one that’s crap. lol

[@Adz]

Yeah I think from what I’ve heard you can get good and bad ones and there’s no way to tell. I guess no matter what you have it’s always a risk

[@jackacook]

Man I felt your pain watching this and I know you would have edited so much frustration and heartache out of the final video, I hope whatever the decision you make take the one that keeps you most safe !

[@googlechunkybig165]

We feel your pain 😩 esp when you expect equipment to work. Eeeek! The impromptu cost of some of those electrical parts must've been eye watering 😵😫 keep your adventures going 👍 will be interesting to see what alternative heating/warmth options you use as back-up 🫡

[@masonbradley1812]

Well hopefully they sort this out adz, you have alot of youtube viewers and this could crush trumas reputation if they dont deal with it in a appropriate way. Fingers crossed bud

[@pamelarothwell1320]

Hi Adz, I feel your pain. We have the same Truma D4E boiler and had the exact same issue in Scotland on the N C 500. What Truma don't tell you is that you only have so many reset lives, maybe 20, not sure. When youve used up your attempts, lives, the boiler shuts down and cannot be reset by anyone but a Truma dealer with a reset software computer. We had ours reset but the issue was the 12v supply. We fitted thicker cable direct to the batteries with a bigger fuse and so far so good. Please be sure it's working correctly before you continue. All the best

[@lesliehunter1823]

This heater problem is a very strong argument for redundancy. I spend half the year in the Arctic and would not go there with only 1 heating option.

[@neilyeomans9805]

Always pull the fuse on stuff if it does not work wait a few minutes and refit normally sorts most things

[@BoadiceanRevenge]

OMG! My mum used to have Camp coffee in 60 and 70s. Coffee essence I believe. Loving the Pigeon! Safe travels. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🙋🙏🙂

[@NathandHannah]

Wow!! So Stoked that your taking on this adventure. Hope your heater gets sorted quick and your back on the road. Safe travels 👍🏻

[@colmantoner2648]

I must say things most be very stressful for you but you hang in there Also Best cliffhanger I’ve seen in ages lol Well Done can’t wait to see what happens next

[@stephenrussell6074]

Hi You have a long journey ahead to find out if the heater has an issue. Get a small electric heater and then you have the option of using it on hookup at a campsite. You can determine that everything is ok before you are too far. If you can’t make it then do a tour of the southern parts of Norway and Finland. If you have the option of hookup plus the vans heaters and the right outdoor gear you will be fine. People make it to the arctic circle in tents. Also get a winter mountain four season sleeping bag.

[@garysollis5949]

Hi Adz .. hope you get your van sorted ... heading up north make sure you have a spade. You can buy small bags of grit.. cover for your grill .. can of de-icer. Also chains for your wheels.. this time of year it might be better to go sweden Finland norway.. roads are better .. going up the west coast you will get storms and lots of ice roads .. and February is the coldest month .. March is going to be plenty of snow.. your solar panel will get covered in ice might not be so useful.. I have lived up at the top fir 37 years. The weather is no joke ..any problems with the van . Cheaper in sweden Finland. Here in Norway it's bloody expensive.. stock up with plenty food .. good luck will be watching. 👍

[@Bugoutvehiclesuk]

That thermal blind looks ideal

[@historiccornwall]

I was thinking the same, I wonder where it’s from

[@Adz]

There’s a link to it in my build video description (previous video to this one). I’ll show it properly in an episode soon too

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

What an absolute pain, that would cause heater trust issues with me for a while mate; something you don't need on an Arctic trip. I'd definitely pick up a portable gas heater and a dozen or so cartridges and hope never to need to use them. I have one as a backup and had to use it once. I'm so glad that I had it in Scotland during Autumn never mind the Arctic during winter. My vans insulation is poo and it's a draughty old thing; it invites the outside temps in and hands out the lowest ones free cookies. Anyway, I hope you get sorted and don't need to head back home.

[@ClarkeeKat]

What a nightmare, sorry you having this hassel mate, fingers are crossed it all comes good

[@maxineredfern3380]

🙈🥶o no Adam, on a good note it’s at the beginning of the trip and yr not snowed in somewhere with no heat. Hats off to you with how you kept your cool trying to fix it through the night, you must of been cream cracked. Stay safe Adz. Maxx

[@mrcamper5211]

Having just been in Scotland in -10 in our van, I would head south if I was over there, the north looks beautiful but its dangerous.

[@CharlFolscher]

Love the humour.

[@JP19-67]

Good luck with the trip mate. Looking forward to following your adventures.

[@chrismarshall5743]

Yes I've been waiting so long for this

[@charleshayes5366]

Have a awesome trip bro bit skint but hopefully should get you a few extra miles 😊

[@Adz]

Sorry mate. I’ve only just seen this! But thank you so much!

[@pauldupre2269]

What a bummer. All the best Dude, I'm lookin' forward to this Trip

[@caliado]

Trial and error Can't wait for the upcoming videos

[@snakerlast]

Truma by name. Trauma by nature. Good luck, Buddy.

[@mariasofia5257]

😂

[@lewistaylor4620]

Catalytic heaters are a possible option. Not too expensive and safe to use indoors. Hope this helps dude and fair play making a video whilst all this has been going on.

[@ari.voutilainen]

Luckily the weather forecast, even in Nordkapp, is not that cold for the next few weeks. Around -5C, give or take a few degrees. Well built van and the duvenator will take care of you.

[@ari.voutilainen]

No, just a Finn. 🚐🇫🇮

[@garysollis5949]

The problem is when it's not so cold . Your gonna get more dangerous ice roads on the coast .. especially when people do not have studded tyres...

[@ari.voutilainen]

You are right. The roads are most slippery when the ice starts to melt and you have water on the ice.

[@garysollis5949]

@rollypolly1 we only get down to about -25c .. inland they had -40c. 😂🤣🥶

[@LeisureBit]

Hope you manage to get it sorted so it’s working reliably - nothing worse is there 🤞 All the best, David 👍

[@Adz]

Fingers crossed!

[@wheeler908]

My mate installed the Trauma heater 😂 in his van and had lots of trouble with it, something wrong with the motherboard. He swapped it out for a Chinese heater and that's been fine. 👍👍 Safe travels.

[@mattt1974UK]

I feel your pain. I've just replaced my diesel heater after spending ages trying to diagnose a fault. Mine's a cheap Chinese one though. gutted for you.

[@spectrospirit]

You must be well on your way now, right? My caravan (this is my home by choice now because of inflation and increasing rent prices, but I think this is the best choice I did so far) have liquid heating from ALDE, it uses cooling fluid and it takes at least 1 hour before it gets cold when not working due to power outages, but when it does work, you have heating from all around the room, it can easily get too hot, and you can easily buy the pipes and couple this to a number of heating options like furnace, electrical and propane burner. I really want to upgrade to a furnace coupled to the liquid pipes just to have the security of never getting cold and prices shouldn't be very much either here in Norway, yes I'm from Norway and welcome when you do come around😄 Most norwegians are very fluent in english and has english as the second language, so you shouldn't be facing very much difficulty here and much less a language barrier. As you're going to stay here in Norway, you want to know where to buy certain things for cheap and the place for everyone is FINN.NO, the norwegian marketplace where private citizens and anyone can announce anything they are are selling, even shops tend to use finn.no and you can find literally anything in there. I found my own diesel heater via finn.no, but I never got around to use it as I had access to electric, 1KW worked pretty good down to at least -10, but the temp in my place fell down to -27 and a little help with another 1KW air blower oven were a great help, but my caravan held up pretty good actually. As for anything else, you will get by pretty easily when searching for shops in google maps, but the places to keep in mind is JULA & BILTEMA if you're looking for electrics and whatnot, but as for quality, it is so-so, but prices are cheap compared to the ripoff you faced in France and the total for a similar wire stripper and connections would not be priced over 40 euro, but I guess quality are taken very serious there as well, hence the price. Stay safe and toasty mate, looking forward to your next video!😊

[@liamwalkerlwfitness]

Hope u get it sorted mate! Look forward to seeing the adventure continue next week hopefully. 🤘

[@James_Innes]

You said that your Truma heater ran on both 12v and 240v . The 12v circuit has a fault but have you tried the shore power side plugged into a mains supply? This would narrow down the search to a fault in the inverter or Victron switched supply. Also you could try a fused direct cable to your battery to bypass all other circuitry. And have you checked the link cable to the Truma control panel is not loose or pinched at the other end. Good luck

[@Adz]

The 12v is still needed even on 240v unfortunately so once the error shows up I can’t turn it on at all. Yeah we’ve been looking at the communication cable. I’ve not tried connecting directly to the battery but will be trying that when I’m home. Although the fuse box does work fine with everything else and gives a good voltage out. But it’s definitely worth trying that

[@James_Innes]

I like to test 12v supply with a car head light bulb too. A volt meter might read 12V but a bulb will be dim if the Amps aren't there - showing you have a dry joint or other supply fault.@@Adz

[@Michael-m4y]

Hope you get it sorted out asap, but as you knew you were going on such a cold trip it might have been a good idea to install a back up heat source like a diesel heater as they take up little space good luck

[@johnsmith6082]

Teething problems lol,don't let it get you down,enjoy your adventure

[@nickrubberboot3673]

Great video again!

[@richardfife8192]

Are you getting a load drop? Check your volt meter across the voltage when it starts up. If it drops too much it might have load off something else restricting the power of needs. Basically disconnect everything else and leave just the heater on to rule everything out.

[@Richard_Barnes]

A great first time to start watching👍🏻Deadpan humour😆 I love it. 'Camp' coffee being just one example. What a series this will be. Good luck 👍🏻

[@GavsGutters]

Gutted for you mate, hope You get it sorted and the trip can continue, been looking forward to this series beginning of the artic trip so fingers crossed you get the heating sorted, small gift sent to help 👍

[@Adz]

Thank you mate, it’s much appreciated!

[@martinbowra9152]

Listen mate this is real life and you have shown it. Bloody great video. I know not for you after all the effort you have put in. But at least you show it warts an all. Could be your Truma 12v power supply is being interrupted during use which triggers the overheating switch in the Truma. Try connecting the Truma directly to a 12v car battery or supply with nothing else connected then eliminate your power setup. Another tip buy Douwe Egberts sachet koffie when in Amsterdam alot better than the camp koffie

[@MegaSamsamuel]

Good luck Adz hope you get everything sorted. Make sure you keep the pigeon warm fella ! Soooo looking forward to your adventure

[@sitrant]

Been waiting for this . Safe travels adz ✌🏻

[@Petermcpete]

What a nightmare. really sorry to see. Bright side i suppose is that it happened before you got to the arctic. (not much consolation though). Just to add insult to injury thats some robbin prices for electrical bits!!!

[@user-cu3jt4nw1h]

When you plan a trip and rely on products from reputable manufacturers you expect an event free experience. Buy a cheap Chinese diesel heater and if no help arrives from the expensive heater manufacturer you can still make the trip. You are living the dream most of have had but not experienced. Have a great trip. Truma will reap the benefit of your experience.

[@wildishwanderer7]

man, that sucks. Feel for you pal. All the prep and boom. I hope you get it sorted fella.

[@user-fe7oo7oy8c]

Truma crap boilers strike again , I have 50/50 confidence in mine starting..

[@bikesandstuff135]

Just remember the adventure is remembered on the things that challenge you and not the things that go right. It’s all part of the journey and story 👍🏼

[@Adz]

Very true mate. Wouldn’t be an adventure in the same way if it all went smoothly!

[@chrisdenley4593]

Gutted for you mate. Been looking forward to following your trip, cant imagine how you must be. Be positive, whats not to be is not to be. Whats next. I look forward to seeing you get the van fixed and your next episodes. Stil lots to explore without freezing.

[@ZachAsaD]

Wow what a POS heater, I’ll definitely avoid that company in the future, for things like this you need it to be reliable. What a great example of how it can go wrong

[@wideeye5592]

I was Gonna say the same, I know its more money but grab another all in 1 diesel heater, my heart broke for you dude, I live full time in my van I feel Ur pain!

[@Joe0994]

Not the ideal start mate but hoping you get it sorted in the end. Hope you can get a drink with this

[@Adz]

Sorry mate. Only just seen this! Thank you so much!

[@mikiegb]

We had this exact issue in our Sprinter with the Eberspacher unit. Voltage was fine when it was off but as soon as I turned it on the amps it drew dropped the voltage from 13.8v to 10v causing a fault. We had to bypass the fuse box as it was throttling the amperage and dropping the voltage. We have an in-line fuse and holder which is able to take the amps without dropping the voltage directly connected to the battery. FYI we snowboard off grid with our van and have seen -35C so like you it is a critical system.

[@webshyte]

I'd love to see that van snowboarding

[@yunachan06]

Oh buddy!! Im so sorry. Hoping you've got things sorted 🙏

[@OutAndAbout-UK]

Oh mate! You’ll find a way, you always do! 🤞stay safe

[@leonjewells3626]

Ive never heard of Truma but sounds like Truma and I'll be steering well clear of them. Ive got a Chinese diesel heater, probably should have got that

[@stevesidare2493]

Bummer. I hope the situation clears up for you.

[@deanbrown2015]

Adz, get your head up and be the positive guy we know you are! You’ll laugh about it soon enough trust me! I’m giving you a score based on my belief in you and the pigeon! It’s a perfect 10!!! Let’s do this……

[@deanbrown9454]

Sincerely hope that you get this setback satisfactorily sorted.

[@robertbournethejoker7701]

Aww geezer, hope ya get it all sorted fingers crossed for ya pal, good luck 🤞

[@nigelwatts3091]

Hope you can get it sorted pal not juat, so we can watch your journey but so you get the experience too. Good luck 👍

[@blackbob3358]

"Kinell" gavna, Camp Coffee ? There's a blast from the past. D'int know they still made it ! Hope the pidg holds up.

[@leebryantravels]

Yeah the most important thing is heating so id want a back up heating source for sure

[@TillyCollie]

Thanks

[@Adz]

Thank you so much!

[@colinbailey6236]

Adz. YOU CAN DO THIS. Your fanz need you ❤

[@Sean-vz7zw]

Really gutted for you, fingers crossed it gets sorted 🙏

[@gosomewherenew]

if you don't go to the arctic this time. we would much rather you stay safe.. safety FIRST! as others have said, why not go south for a few weeks, or come home and do it again a little later.. hope you get sorted though and here is ALWAYS another time to do a trip there

[@BenWalkerPhotos]

Hope you get it sorted matey - I'd defo install an additional chinese diesel heater as they are relatively small if you're heading to the arctic, purely as a backup, they are surprisingly reliable and easy to fix if they go wrong. Stay safe & hope you make it North soon !

[@derekbuttery4776]

You've probably sorted this out already mate, BUT there's ALWAYS another way.... keep on keeping on peace

[@briangardner1641]

I have been looking forward to this trip since you announced it, it such a blow for the heater to cause problems at the beginning. I do so much hope that you get it sorted in France.

[@Adz]

Thank you!

[@bfrommars]

Not good news. I'm so glad it happened before you went further north. Stay safe xx

[@user-rc4vu9ur4i]

Awww I felt so sorry for you, but best you know now

[@russellstanford4584]

So sorry dude. I'm at a point in my life where everything seems to go wrong. But I will say why don't you just go get a all in one diesel heater. It would be good 4 back up anyway. Love peace and happiness Russ 🧡

[@rossfishy]

Hang in there dude. Everything will work out.

[@johnhbuiltnotbought4924]

Good luck matey stay safe. See you in the next one 👍🤞🇬🇧