Diesel Heater Tune-Up, Cold-Weather Gear & Getting Ready for Atlantic Canada Adventures
Winter rolls into Atlantic Canada with the same enthusiasm as a runaway logging truck, and if you’re not ready for it, well… it’ll remind you pretty quickly. For me, winter isn’t downtime — it’s planning season, gear-testing season, and the perfect excuse to get out into the woods when everything feels crisp, quiet, and alive in a different way.
This year I’m focusing on winter prep not just for the mini-barn basecamp project, but for camping, the Explorer, and fat biking. Here’s what’s been on the checklist, what’s been tuned up, and what I’ve learned after a few years of winter adventuring.
Diesel Heater Tune-Up (and Why You Should Treat These Things Right)
My diesel heater is one of the best winter investments I’ve ever made. When you’re camping in -15°C winds or trying to work inside a barely-insulated 8×8 shed, having even a bit of heat makes all the difference.
Before winter actually hits, here’s what I do:
✔️ Clean the glow plug and combustion chamber
Carbon buildup is the silent killer of cheap diesel heaters. A quick brush-out keeps things running smoothly.
✔️ Inspect the fuel line and clamps
Cold weather makes cheap fuel lines brittle — a split line equals no heat.
✔️ Test-run at full blast for 20–30 minutes
Always do a “burn-off” before the season. If anything is going to fail, better now than when I’m half-frozen in the woods.
✔️ Swap in fresh fuel
Old diesel or kerosene turns to sludge. I start each winter with fresh, clean fuel.
✔️ Keep a backup 12V power source
My Bluetti EB3As will be dedicated to small gear this winter, but I always keep one available for the heater just in case.
If you take care of these heaters, they treat you well. If you don’t… they’ll smoke like a chimney and ruin your trip.
Vehicle Winter Prep (For Both the XC70 & Nessie 2.0)
Winter maintenance isn’t glamorous, but neither is calling for a tow at 11pm on a logging road.
Volvo XC70 — The Adventure Rig
- ✔️ Fluids checked (coolant, oil, power steering)
- ✔️ Winter tires ready
- ✔️ Heater core and blower doing their thing
- ✔️ Charging system confirmed healthy
- ✔️ Rust areas identified for spring repairs
The Volvo will be the main adventure vehicle again this winter once my daughter’s Jetta is inspected and I get it back.
The Explorer — Recovery Duty & Woodlot Mule
- ✔️ New welds needed on the rear floor
- ✔️ 4×4 system tested
- ✔️ 33” mud terrains are winter-ready
- ✔️ Chains and recovery straps located and organized
This thing is basically my winter bulldozer — perfect for moving the shed via komatik, hauling supplies, and playing in the snow.
Winter Camping Gear Check
Winter camping has taught me that small failures become big problems fast.
So… I go through everything.
Insulation + Sleep System
- Down sleeping bag — checked
- Hammock-Top Quilt-Underquilt — checked
- Tarp, cords, fasteners — checked
Lighting
- Headlamps recharged
- Power station topped off
- Spare batteries sorted
Cooking Gear
- Swapped to winter gas canisters
- Stove cleaned
- Fire-starting kit replenished
Safety Kit
- First-aid bag updated
- Emergency bivy added
- Extra wool layers packed
Fat Bike Winter Prep
Winter fat biking is one of my favourite ways to explore quiet trails once the snow hits.
Prep List:
- ✔️ Tires inspected & studs counted
- ✔️ Chain cleaned and lubed with winter lube
- ✔️ Brake pads replaced
- ✔️ Pogies attached (knuckle savers of the gods)
- ✔️ New lights charged
I plan to shoot more fat bike content this season — exploring snowy trails, frozen bogs, and those silent winter mornings that make you forget January is miserable.
Why I Love Winter Prep Season
It slows everything down.
While summer is chaotic — cameras, content, road trips, repairs — winter forces you to think ahead, test gear, refine your loadout, and get excited for what’s coming.
This year, winter prep also means building the foundation for:
- the mini-barn basecamp
- the komatik project
- planning 2026 routes
- and building Time To Xplore into something bigger
Winter isn’t the off-season…It’s the reset season.