Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

135 Is Vanlife a Felony?, House on the Rock, Worx Chainsaw, Rare Glass

A new law in Tennessee makes it a FELONY to do normal #vanlife things. What does it mean for us? We'll also visit the must-see House on the Rock, try out a battery powered chainsaw, and find a place to help us find windshields and the like.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)   Tennessee Law Here are some articles about the new Tennessee anti-homeless law that makes camping (in a vehicle too) a felony on public lands. NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/26/1101434831/public-camping-felony-tennessee-homeless-seek-refuge AP: https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-tennessee Product Review: Worx Chainsaw My Worx has been great, but I'm really promoting the idea that having a chainsaw in your rig could be valuable.  https://amzn.to/3JMQFXV A Place to Visit: House on the Rock It's $30. Just go. Really.  http://www.thehouseontherock.com Resource Recommendation: Downers Grove  Glass for old vehicles can be hard to find. This is one place that might help. https://www.downersgroveautoandglassrepair.com/antique-car-auto-glass Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

134 Tire Troubles, Household Switches, K&N Filters, Northlandz

New tires? Great idea! But it's not as easy as it might seem. We'll also review K&N filters, visit the crazy place known as Northlandz, and explain why household switches might not be the best for your van.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) Product Review: K&N Filters Are they what they advertise? Maybe. And Maybe not. Do they really know more than automotive engineers? https://amzn.to/3PQbVy9 A Place to Visit: Northlandz! The world's largest model train. And a bit of surrealism. OK, maybe a bit more than a little.   http://www.northlandz.com Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

133 I This the End of Vanlife?, Rebecca Nurse Homestead, Conduit, Carr Hoop II Step

Am I quitting vanlife? NO! But we're going to talk about the reasons people do, and what to do about it. We'll also review the Carr Hoop II step, visit Beaver, UT, take a look at Salem circa 1692, and talk about conduit.   FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) The Future? Product Review: Car Hoop II Step Affordable, strong, and fairly easy to install. Recommended! Make sure you get the one made for your vehicle.  https://amzn.to/3OxExe8 Resource Recommendation: 2025 Rivian Adventure Van No, you can't buy it yet, but could this be the first truly all-electric campervan that's actually usable?  Motortrend: https://www.motortrend.com/news/2025-rivian-adventure-van-electric-off-road-overland-camper-rv/ A Place to Visit: Rebecca Nurse Homestead No visit to Salem, MA is complete without seeing this actual site where a "witch" used to live.  https://www.rebeccanurse.org/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

132 Most Reliable Van, Bench Power Supply, Devils Icebox, Flexible Solar Panels

Which is the most reliable van? It's not a brand, but more of a philosophy. We'll discuss. We'll also look at a regulated power supply, flexible solar panels, how to tell USB cables a part and a story involving a bulldozer. FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) A view from Aurora, Utah Product Review: Regulated DC Power Supply This thing has been very useful for testing, charging, and observing rates of power usage on a variety of devices. https://amzn.to/3Osm5Dr Resource Recommendation: USB Guide USB is still a nightmare of different connectors and adapters. This guide will help sort it all out. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/usb-cable-guide A Place to Visit: Devils Icebox A nice series of hikes and caves where the temperature is significantly lower than on a hot summer's day. https://mostateparks.com/location/55460/devils-icebox-entrance Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.   

131 Which Battery? Magnet Fishing, Off Dry, Aurora Project, Hurricane Problem

Batteries keep changing, so it's time for rundown on what's best for your rig. We'll also explore magnet fishing, get stuck in a hurricane at sea, recommend Off! Dry and explain what happened to the Aurora Project. FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) A view from Aurora, Utah Best Battery? Budget: 100ah AGM - https://amzn.to/3IBBFLU Solid: 100ah LiFEPO4 - https://amzn.to/3cbSuRB Optimal: 200ah Renogy - https://amzn.to/3yGJpYe Product Review: Deep Woods Off! Dry Quite simply the best Off! product yet. Effective and comfy! https://amzn.to/3o2Lr09 Resource Recommendation: Magnet Fishing An inexpensive, fun and a bit messy pastime for anyone with water and a big magnet.   https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262 Good magnet to start with: https://amzn.to/3AOPXXE A Place to Visit: Aurora Americanus In 2019, I visited every place in the US named "Aurora." In 2021, I started to do it again, but had to stop. If you'd like to know what happened, you may wish to follow this blog.  https://medium.com/@jeffwagg Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

130 Rag and Bone Bufffet, Portable Pump, Drug Study, Hitch Helpers, Chazy Reef, Ice Makers

This week, it's a smorgasbord of unrelated news, tips, and details, none of which make up a full episode themselves. We'll also talk about the realities of ice makers, try out a battery powered pump, play pool with a dangerous felon, and visit some old relatives - 460,000,000 years old, in fact.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.)   View from Tikibagoland Product Review: Bushnell Cellucam 20 A stand-alone camera that takes pictures and emails them to you. 12 AA batteries! Decent price here... https://amzn.to/3y4PuNZ Resource Recommendation: wD-40 It is NOT a lubricant, but it's very useful. Gizmodo has some tips.  https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262 A Place to Visit: Mark Twain House This isn't the ONLY Mark Twain House, but it's probably the best.  https://marktwainhouse.org/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) A formation at Chazy Reef Product Review: Worx Portable Air Pump Inflator A much more civilized way to maintain tires or inflate bed pads and water wings.  https://amzn.to/3NMeMGG Resource Recommendation:  Hitch Accessories If you can think of it, someone has probably made one.  https://amzn.to/3ut5RTo A Place to Visit: Chazy Reef, Isle La Motte, Vermont 460 Million Year Old Fossils, on an island you can drive to. https://www.lclt.org/goodsell-and-fisk-quarry-preserves/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

129 FLY with Your Van (sorta)! WD-40, Antarctica, Cellular Trail Cam, Ants, Mark Twain House

What if you could fly, rent a van, and then do an instant "no build"? YOU CAN. Let's talk about how. We'll also talk about how you're using WD-40 wrong, a trip to Antarctica, how to get rid of ants, a new security camera, and Mark Twain's House. FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) View from Tikibagoland Product Review: Bushnell Cellucam 20 A stand-alone camera that takes pictures and emails them to you. 12 AA batteries! Decent price here... https://amzn.to/3y4PuNZ Resource Recommendation: wD-40 It is NOT a lubricant, but it's very useful. Gizmodo has some tips.  https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262 A Place to Visit: Mark Twain House This isn't the ONLY Mark Twain House, but it's probably the best.  https://marktwainhouse.org/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way. 

128 Putting CARGO in your Van, Curt Hitch Rack, Hovercraft Trip, Timed Mapping, Rear Radio

It's going to happen: you're going to need your van to haul cargo. Here are some tips for avoiding ruining your rig. We'll also take a trip on a Hovercraft, consider putting a stereo security system in the back of rigs, and learn how to predict traffic. FIND US: We're on Facebook (Built to Go Group), Instagram (@collegeofcuriosity), Twitter (@colofcuriosity), and we have a Discord server (invite at top of main page at builttogo.com.) My hovercraft is full of eels... Product Review: Curt Hitch Rack with Ramp Heavy, expensive but very well-built and capable.  https://amzn.to/3OsOl9q Tech Talk : Radio in the back? This could be a great idea, but to hear Big Rob's review of the Absoso CA70BT Radio, follow the link below. Big Rob can be reached at BigRobsVan everywhere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkF7dkaVQTM A Place to Visit: Ketchikan Hovercraft If you want to see wildlife, there are less expensive ways. But if you're in Ketchikan, and you want to see wildlife from a HOVERCRAFT... this is your ticket.  https://alaskashoretours.com/excursions/ketchikan/hovercraft-eco-adventure-and-wildlife-viewing-tour/ Some links are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.