Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

You don't want the best. You want the optimal. Simple as possible. Really! We'll also visit East Aurora, NY, visit a community college, wrestle with clips and deal with a bit of road rage. And a new stereo! 
 
Nice unit, all told.
KISS — Keep It Simple, Stupid
A Message to Garcia — Elbert Hubbard
PRODUCT REVIEW
Topdisplay Stereo Video
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gkIzq9
Topdisplay: https://www.ustopdisplay.com/products/for-dodge-ram-1500-2500-3500-radio-upgrade?ref=JEFFWAGG Code "BuiltToGo"
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Community Colleges — American Association of Community Colleges
A PLACE TO VISIT
East Aurora, New York
Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, Built to GO may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Gasoline is getting more complicated than it used to be. This week we untangle octane ratings, ethanol blends, E15, Top Tier gasoline, and why the pump you used last year may not be dispensing the same fuel today. We'll also talk about welding safely on your vehicle, review TruFuel canned gasoline, celebrate the resurrection of the Max II ATV, visit one of Chicago's most unusual historical monuments, and recommend a thought-provoking look at the changing reality of stealth camping.
Yes, it's amphibious. No, the water isn't supposed to be in the gas tank
Main Topic: Gasoline Is Getting Complicated
Understanding octane ratings: 87, 89, and premium
What happens when your owner's manual recommends midgrade fuel
E10 versus E15 and what the differences really mean
Why some stations now sell E15 as their standard fuel
Which vehicles should avoid higher ethanol blends
What Top Tier gasoline means and whether it's worth seeking out
TECH TALK
Welding on Your Rig
PRODUCT REVIEW
TruFuel 4-Cycle Ethanol-Free Fuelhttps://amzn.to/4gdtoA2
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Stealth Camping Is Dead: The New Rules of Vanlife Nobody Wants to Talk Abouthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLQnnJYg1Fo
A PLACE TO VISIT
Balbo Monument, Chicagohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balbo_Monument
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

This week, we explore the strange and useful things you can attach to a trailer hitch, from hammocks and cranes to Starlink poles and a toilet seat. We’ll also talk about why you shouldn’t jack directly on pinch welds, review the Arctic Air Grip Go, visit the world’s largest penguin in Cut Bank, Montana, use NotebookLM to interrogate manuals, and explain why a stereo gets reviewed, or doesn’t.
Kid likes it moist...
Hitch Accessories for Vanlife
Kaxiwei Hitch Mount Umbrella Holderhttps://amzn.to/4fpmrvC
Viking Solutions SwiveLift Cranehttps://amzn.to/4yYn7zQ
Hitch Mount Vise Platehttps://amzn.to/4bIC92w
Hitch Mount Hammockhttps://amzn.to/4wYYYXU
EEZ RV Hitch Mount Starlink and Flag Polehttps://amzn.to/4beY2q7
Log Sawhorsehttps://amzn.to/4vSIJec
Bumper Dumperhttps://amzn.to/4fHXOZZ
PRODUCT REVIEW
Arctic Air Grip Gohttps://amzn.to/4wl3KPy
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
NotebookLM for Manualshttps://notebooklm.google.com/
A PLACE TO VISIT
World’s Largest Penguin, Cut Bank, Montanahttps://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/797
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

We take a look at different places to shop besides Home Depot and Amazon, visit some burned out forests, learn how to use Fuse Taps, spend some nights in a Tire Warehouse, and address some reader comments.
THIS is a fuse tap. :)
MAIN - Unexpected Places to Shop for Vanlife Gear
THANKS TO: Stefan
NEWS
Crossroads Foldshttps://www.instagram.com/p/Da3UxBKPPrZ/
Starlink Changes European Roaming Policieshttps://starlink.com/gb/support/article/0dd1c2c0-7bae-8c8f-43d4-9a64eb66662f
TECH TALK
Fuse Taps: The Right Way to Add a 12-Volt Circuit
PRODUCT REVIEW
LETOUR Magnetic Rechargeable Light Barhttps://amzn.to/44NVf3t
TALES FROM THE ROAD
How Sleeping in a Tire Warehouse Led Me to Vanlife
A PLACE TO VISIT
A Recovering Burned Region
READER COMMENTS
Insulation Follow-Up and Why Vans Are Overrated
 
QUOTE
“From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

This week, we'll look at 10 overrated things in vanlife, and not the ones you're thinking about. We'll also review a completely boring yet awesome kitchen item, visit a modern Pompeii, and grow tomatoes on the dashboard.
The Church (not really a cathedral)
PRODUCT REVIEW
Silicone Corelle Covershttps://amzn.to/4fkxV2a
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Urban Leaf Gardening In a Van?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJvCtMYO17Q
A PLACE TO VISIT
Eldheimar Museumhttps://visitwestmanislands.com/tour/eldheimar-museum/
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.

Back from RMSS, I take a look at Amazon Prime Day and find an interesting trend. We'll also take a look at flashlights, visit Iceland, consider Vanly and get too excited about janitorial supples. 
I don't miss these days
PRODUCT REVIEW
Korpai Folding 2-Step Stoolhttps://amzn.to/4bkbhFI
Jacauto Folding Step Stoolhttps://amzn.to/4vDySJJ
 
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
SunCalchttps://www.suncalc.org/
A PLACE TO VISIT
Woolly Mammothhttps://www.woollymammothchicago.com/
 
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

What's the best tool: cheap or expensive? Well, it depends on a bunch of things. We'll take a look. We'll also visit a place filled with solutions, test some screws, and recommend a product that blows. Loudly. 
I never got stuck when I drove one of these
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Zovair Cordless Electric Air Dusterhttps://amzn.to/3SFTwuf
A PLACE TO VISIT
Habitat for Humanity ReStorehttps://www.habitat.org/restores
 
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.  

Back from RMSS, I take a look at Amazon Prime Day and find an interesting trend. We'll also take a look at flashlights, visit Iceland, consider Vanly and get too excited about janitorial supples. 
A gift from insomnia
 
NEWS
Vanfest Endshttps://www.vanfestusa.com
Passengershttps://nofspodcast.com/passenger-review-vanlife-supernatural-horror
Slate EV Truckhttps://www.fastcompany.com/91561144/slate-auto-launch-design-process-ev-truck
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Vanlife Broomhttps://amzn.to/4erpxP9
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Vanly, AirBnB-style apphttps://vanly.app/
A PLACE TO VISIT
Iceland Van Rentalhttps://indiecampers.com/
FCC Notice: If you purchase anything from these links, the show will receive a small fee. This will not impact your price in any way.