Authentic Finnish sauna – built into an Ifor Williams trailer!
Premium authentic Finnish sauna company Finnmark ltd have built a fully functioning wood-burning sauna using a boxvan from Ifor Williams Trailers. It means outdoor enthusiasts and people potentially interested in authentic Finnish sauna now have the chance to try the experience for themselves. The sauna comes complete with a dimmable, LED-lit backrest, and it’ll be parked up at idyllic tourist spots including Snowdonia, the Lake District and at endurance events, cycle races, festivals and triathlons as soon as the lockdown restrictions lift.
Finnmark MD Jake Newport explained, “A lot of our work is high-end domestic. The problem we have is being able to show people how our saunas are really meant to be enjoyed. We just felt the real deal for us would be to have a properly finished sauna in a beautiful setting next to a lake where you can go for a cold plunge too and see what it’s all about. In the UK, sauna use is a really prescribed event, lasting 10 minutes. In Finland, you won’t find any sand timers on the wall at all. It’s about listening to your own body. If you get the temperature and humidity right, it’s nice and relaxing.
You’ll not only release endorphins, you will sleep like you haven’t slept since you were a teenager. There’s a huge upswing in the amount of research being undertaken in Finland. Scientist and cardiologist Dr Jari Laukkanen, for one, has published a number of scientifically researched journals on the sauna health benefits.”
Jake added, “We’ve seen Ifor Williams Trailers growing up, it’s a brand from our perspective that’s associated with the same values of quality and durability. It’s evident in the resale value of these trailers. You can buy a trailer and not do anything with it for two years and sell it for nearly the same price. If you’re putting £30,000 worth of time and materials into something you don’t want the wheels to fall off.”
We consulted distributors Alan Tuer Trailers in Carlisle to find the perfect model and were delighted with the BV127, which suited our needs perfectly. We used Western Red Cedar wood from Canada during construction because it has a lower density allowing us to keep weight to a minimum.
Finnmark Design Director Max Newport said, “We had to cut one of the steel box section cross members, so we reinforced that area with additional plywood prior to installing the insulation and tile build up. We also fitted the flue so that the twin wall insulated section terminates at a coupling just above the flue grommet on the roof. We did this so that we could remove the chimney for ease of transportation and then quickly add it back on for a good draw through the stove and ensure smoke exhausts at an adequate height.”
Stephanie Foster, managing director at Alan Tuer Trailers, said, “The sturdiness and robustness of the boxvan trailer made this a winning combination for Finnmark and we were delighted to be able to offer our advice. This is a trailer known for its durability and performance and continues to meet the needs of a whole range of businesses.”
Finnmark PR Manager, Robbie Thompson said, “We are so pleased with it that we are now offering mobile saunas as a new product range. We unapologetically place quality and authenticity over price and no expense was spared in the development of the mobile sauna, which was designed to reflect our values of quality and craftsmanship.”
Andrew Reece-Jones, Design Engineering Manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, finished, “The list of ingenious uses of our trailers is growing and we are always amazed at the wonders that can be achieved. We’re delighted Finnmark appreciates the quality and road worthiness of our boxvan trailer designs and wish them every success with their new venture.”