Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

This week, we talk counters, not kitchen, review the BougeRV Arch 2.0 200W N-Type flexible solar panel, recommend EveryVoyage, and visit Hawaii—with a link to live lava.
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Sorry, I messed up the episode numbers. This is officially 311!
 
Main Topic: Counters, Not Kitchen
Countertopshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countertop
PRODUCT REVIEW
BougeRV Arch 2.0 200W N-Type flexible solar panelhttps://www.bougerv.com/products/arch-n-type-200w-flexible-solar-panel
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
EveryVoyagehttps://everyvoyage.com/
A PLACE TO VISIT
Hawaiihttps://www.gohawaii.com/
Live Lavahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQ1iv8iZr8
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This week, we interview YouTube sensations Steve & Audra, who live in their Ford Transit full time as they cross the country in search of new adventures. We talk about how they make it work, and the scariest moment they've had as nomads. 
Everyone likes Steve & Audra. You will too, and they'll be at Vanfest Liftoff 2027 where you can meet them for yourself. 
Follow Steve & Audra's adventures on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveAudra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveandaudra/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveandaudra
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steveandaudra

This week, we revisit episode 1 and talk about how things changed and stayed the same. 
Discretion is the better part of valor.
PRODUCT REVIEW
12v Ovenshttps://amzn.to/4diqA35
A PLACE TO VISIT
Lunar Lakehttps://calval.cr.usgs.gov/apps/lunar-lake
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This week, we look at what it is like to live with an always-available AI wearable, cover safe solar-wire work, and make stops in Aurora, Ontario, and Ruidoso, New Mexico.
A slightly distorted and yet oddly accurate summary of my day.
PRODUCT REVIEW
A simple solutionhttps://amzn.to/4iYZNME
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Gus Bus Boondockshttps://www.youtube.com/@GusBusBoondocks/videos
A PLACE TO VISIT
Putting Green Grave of Richard “Ruff” Jones, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Ruidoso, New Mexicohttps://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/59508
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This week, I'll explaing my camper pod project, we'll visit a couple of marsupials, test out a sporty device, and celebrate the return of VanFest!
The Pod - and the late van. :(`
NEWS
VanFest USA Is Back!https://vanfestusa.com/
U.S. Losing Public Landshttps://www.npca.org/articles/11495-selling-off-and-selling-out
A New Kind of Van Life: $180 to Camp for Seven Monthshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/05/van-life-quartzsite-arizona
This Law Could TRIPLE Solar Priceshttps://youtu.be/lEf5LTBWJvU
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Historical Marker Databasehttps://www.hmdb.org/
A PLACE TO VISIT
Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora, Illinoishttps://zoo.aurora.il.us/Home
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Things suck, so let’s go camping.  We’ll also look at window seals, review WhatCable.uk, explain USB port colors, and visit Salem Woods in Massachusetts.
See? Woods.
TECH TALK
Window Sealshttps://youtube.com/shorts/rtqVytwF22c?si=P74Prv9hIyhzrc3U
PRODUCT REVIEW
WhatCable.ukhttps://www.whatcable.uk/
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
USB Port Colors Explainedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSN-chBhkrA
A PLACE TO VISIT
Salem Woods, Salem, Massachusettshttps://www.salemwoods.org/
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

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
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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.