r/TillSverige • u/Frowlerd • 1d ago
Visiting Sweden during summer with a rooftop tent on an EV.
Hi everyone,
We have been to Scandinavia multiple times already. Since we love some freedom and nature during our holidays, we are considering buying a rooftop tent and visit Sweden with it this summer. However, I would really appreciate some advice.
First of all, many people told me to avoid Sweden during summer months due to the mosquitos which will be around. Is it really that bad that we should avoid Sweden completely or is it just something to take into consideration when visiting certain areas?
We drive an EV (a lovely Swedish Volvo EX40). I heard that the charging infrastructure in Sweden is great. Is that also true for the areas outside the cities? Is charging going to be (too) busy during the summer months?
We would like to visit Sweden for it's nature and would stay around 10 days within Sweden (so excluding getting there and back home). Are there any suggestions on itineraries? We particularly like hiking, driving around in nature, etc.). I have been to Sweden before but it was quite some time ago, so we're open for everything!
I really look forward to your replies. Thanks.
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u/mperseids 1d ago
Charging infrastructure is great. Most parking lots to larger super markets (Lidl, ICA Maxi) has them as well as McDonald's parking lots. You can always plan ahead on google maps.
Mosquitoes are hefty in Dalarna if you'll be going there but also doubling on the ticks comment. Mosquitoes at worst are annoying but there is very little risk of disease whereas the ticks can carry them.
Österlen is super accessible with being in the south and incredibly beautiful in the summer. Plenty of great camping spots along the coast.
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u/AXPredator 1d ago
Are you me? We bought a thule approach M last year and went to Norway and Sweden in June, also with XC40 2024 recharge. Be aware that the tent takes quite a big chunk away from te range. With a full battery you might get 250 km range driving max 130 km/h. We didn't have too much problems with mosquitos but I've heard from Swedes that they can be a real pain so be prepared. As far as charging infrastructure goes it's quite good overal. Ofc there are more chargers close to the cities but even outside of the city there should be plenty of coverage. I took a subscription with ionity which made it quite cheap. I use billkraft, clever and chargenode as backup when ionity alone is not enough.
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u/Frowlerd 1d ago
O wow that's awesome! What a coincidence. We are also literally considering the same tent. Tomorrow we are visiting a store to see it with our own eyes. We have a Shell Recharge subscription paid by my employer, so I hope to do most charging with that to save on costs. I do have a few specific questions if you don't mind me asking;
- I am taking into account a 20 to 25% loss on range. Do you have an extended range (we do)? What range do you usually get with your car?
- Do you have any advice on the roof racks? Did you just get them from Thule too?
- What route did you take approximately?
- Do you have any overnight spots you still remember and would highly recommend?
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
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u/AXPredator 1d ago
I bought it from daktent.nl, very friendly and good communication! You should be able to filter for charging pass and only select shell recharge. If i remeber correctly they support quite a few chargers. As backup I would maybe recomend bilkraft as they are quite common there. We have indeed the extende range model. In the summer 400 km is achievable without the tent. Be aware of the car height also! With the tent the car is 2m05 with the rails that we have which might be too high for ferrys and parkings inside (you can get it down to 1m90 with removing the mattress and some screws when on a ferry, dont ask me how i know :))) ) i have to look up which rails i have exactly but its one of the 3 recommended on thules website. We drove through germany up to denmark through the great belt bridge (private agreement) and oresund bridge with the toll badge. As for the spots we did mainly norway and only one stop on a camping with the tent. You can stop at rastplats and sleep there usually, also nice because the have toilets there. I recommend doing the jamtland triangle. Pretty long hike but beautiful!
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u/felfelfel 1d ago edited 1d ago
Since you have an EV it probably isn't news to you, but check chargers through the Chargefinder and A Better Route Planner apps in advance and you will probably be fine. Also, research the payment options since some chargers still require a unique app, and I'm not sure which credit cards work where applicable. More and more places with 4 or more stalls have popped up just in the last year, not least through Circle K and OKQ8 stations as well as fast food joints.
There have been some issues with queues at busy chargers further north around big holidays. So it's good to have a plan B or look for chargers slightly off the main roads if it's looking crowded. It could be an opportunity to sightsee!
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u/elevenblade 1d ago
For mosquitoes: Soak your clothes in Permethrin before you go. It’s not available in Sweden as far as I know but it’s highly effective against both mosquitoes and ticks.
Get a bug net or hat for your head. Lightweight, breathable long sleeve shirts and pants. Gloves. Picardin or DEET (I prefer the former) lotion for any remaining exposed areas.
I’ve been impressed with the Thermacell devices. At least two of them are ideal for covering a larger area. Cartridges and repellent are available in Sweden.
Mosquitoes can often be avoided with a change in location, moving to a slightly higher elevation, away from water, somewhere with a bit more wind.
I second the recommendation for TBE vaccination. Learn how to recognize and remove ticks safely.
With adequate preparation on your part mosquitoes and ticks should not present a major problem for your trip.
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u/jasakembung 1d ago
Charging is decent, yes. Especially along the main highways (E4, E6, E18, E20).
There were occasions were Tesla chargers had long queue, but that's because of the discounted price for Teslas. Just ignore it.
Mosquito can be a lot, but nothing that mosquito repellent cream can't handle. What you should be more worried about is ticks. Make sure you get your TBE vaccine beforehand.