Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

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
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 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
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.

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
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These commissions help support Built to Go at no additional cost to you.
 

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.

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
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