Engineering for Iceland’s Extreme Environments

Sleipnir Tours' Tatra truck stands as a monumental example of engineering and adaptation to Iceland's extreme environments. This vehicle, specifically tailored for glacier tours, combines robust design with advanced technology, making it an essential asset for navigating the challenging terrains of Langjökull glacier, the second-largest glacier in Europe.

Chosen for its exceptional engineering, the Tatra truck features independent airbag suspension, a smooth ride, and a durable chassis capable of carrying significant weight without additional modifications. The choice was further solidified by Tatra’s historical reliability and the integration of Euro 6 DAF technology, ensuring a blend of tradition and modern efficiency.

Book your trip on Langjökull Glacier onboard the biggest monster truck in the world

The Tatra was custom-built with a specific chassis from Tatra, designed to accommodate large, 65-inch tires on 30.5-inch rims with a double beet lock system. This setup allows the truck to operate in rough terrain with air pressures as low as 4 psi. Sleipnir Tours constructed the body in Hafnafjörður, Iceland, focusing on strength (using Steel 52) and excellent insulation, essential for the cold Icelandic climate.

The truck sports an original engine coupled with an Allison 4700 automatic transmission that includes a torque converter and retarder, optimizing power and control. Despite the truck’s ability to be modified, its 27-28 ton weight when fully loaded with passengers means no extra steering or wheel modifications are necessary.

The Tatra truck is equipped with a unique Pacto dry toilet system from Danfo, which uses a biodegradable flushing foil made of corn starch instead of plastic, reflecting Sleipnir Tours' commitment to sustainability. This system encapsulates waste without the need for water or electricity, making it ideal for the environmentally sensitive areas where the truck operates.

• Length: 12 meters (39 ft)
• Width: 3.3 meters (10.8 ft)
• Height: 4 meters (13 ft)
• Max Speed: 85 km/h
• Fuel Consumption: 40-60 liters per hour, depending on offroad conditions
• Capacity: 49 people (47 passengers plus a driver and guide)
• Special Features: WiFi, low-range transfer case, steering on the last axle, and an ecological toilet.
  

The Tatra truck is primarily used for tours to Langjökull glacier starting from Gullfoss Cafe. Taking visitor's all year round to the glacier, with a summer and a winter program, see more about that here.

The large tyres are designed to pass even over crevasses that are up to 2 m wide! However, on the standard tours we visit a part of the glacier that does not have any crevasses, so it is super safe to be there.

Named after the mythical horse, Sleipnir 1 and Sleipnir 2 symbolize the company's journey towards creating the ultimate glacier tour vehicles. Sleipnir 1, completed in 2017, served as the initial step in this evolution, featuring even larger tires and a more powerful engine tailored for specific glacial conditions.



Read more about our Icelandic Folklore about Sleipnir