If you're one of our avid Class B motorhome fans, then you're going to love this one, especially if you've ever been fortunate enough to take a trip in a Class B built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter.
Mercedes Benz Canada recently matched up ten of its Mercedes Sprinters with an intrepid group of adventurers in a quest for the Arctic Circle.
The group assembled in Anchorage with plans to doggedly head north to the former mining camp of Coldfoot, inside the Arctic Circle. There, they were destined to enjoy six-hour days surrounded by lengthy nights that served as the perfect backdrop for the "Northern Lights."
Mercedes had already demonstrated that the rear-wheel drive commercial van could handle minus 22 degree Fahrenheit temperatures in northern Sweden. Now, the German company known for its engineering prowess intended to demonstrate that its diesel-powered 2500 series Sprinters could take on Arctic chill far colder than that.
Both cargo and passenger models were provided, in the two Sprinter wheelbases offered: 144-in and 177-in. The longer wheelbase passenger vans offer five rows of seats. One of the cargo versions was loaded up with emergency gear like tools, tow ropes, and windshields. You heard right. Apparently any windshield, even one from Mercedes, is no match for a rock thrown up by a semi that strikes at just the right angle. Ultimately, this group never has to resort to on-the-fly windshield repair.
Alaska looks large enough on a map, but this 1200 mile trek impressed upon the team just how immense the 49th state is. A trip from Chicago to Denver would fit neatly into this planned excursion, with far better driving conditions.
The Sprinter headed up the well-travelled route from Anchorage to Fairbanks rather uneventfully. The real test began north of Fairbanks, when the crew embarked on the final 800 mile leg of the journey, riding alongside the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline until reaching Coldfoot. The 17,000 BTU auxiliary heaters came in handy on this leg of the journey.
The trekkers passed out of cell phone range, and a satellite phone became a reassuring companion. One of the traveler's iPhones did not fare too well at all, even when it was still in range. With the temperature caressing the minus 36 degree mark on whatever thermometers recoded numbers that low, the iPhone's owner observed his battery indicator plummet from 80 percent to one percent in less than a minute.
Accommodations transitioned from the Sheraton in Anchorage to slightly more spartan facilities in Coldfoot. We did say "former" mining camp. The hotel lobby was protected by a few strategically placed rat traps.
The group successfully returned to the more populous confines of downtown Anchorage impressed by three things: the depth and richness of the Arctic lifestyle, the artistic quality of the Alaskan light, and the Sprinter's knack for handling whatever nature threw at it, for the most part at least. The expansive interiors were not always warmed sufficiently, even with the auxiliary heaters. And, with the temperature reading minus 41, one Sprinter that was not pre-heated would not start.
The Sprinters' diesel fuel supplies were topped off with diesel anti-gel along the way, with expected success. The Continental and Michelin snow tires also performed in GE icy hyper-cold, sans studs or chains. The rear-wheel drive Sprinters had indeed negotiated endless icy patches and daunting inclines along the way.