Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast
Built to Go is your #vanlife companion for long days on the road, working on your rig, or just relaxing by that perfect spot. Self-build? Living in your vehicle? Stealth Van? Our magazine format has something for every #vanlife interest.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Recorded on a ship - sorry for the ocean sounds!
I recorded this aboard the Celebrity Millennium, the first cruise ship to sail from North America since the pandemic. And you know what? IT'S JUST A BIG VAN! We'll also talk about a problem with self-tapping screws, visit a museum that's a museum itself, and invent a better clothes line, and tell a tale involving Jules Verne, James Bond, and a robot shark. Oh, and all that stuff I said earlier about ambulances? Yeah, we need to have a chat about that.
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.)Stickers are coming! As soon as I get back to the United States.
A Place to Visit - Fairbanks Museum
This Victorian Era museum in Northern Vermont is a great place to see how things used to be.
https://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/
Tech Talk - Self Tapping Screws
They get loose if you keep taking the out! Don't.
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 anyway.
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
Wednesday Jun 02, 2021
In which I breakdown... twice! And what I did to get back on the road. We'll also review Harvest Host, discuss a way that VSR gives you MORE battery capacity, stay at the Sacramento Pass BLM area, and learn about Lies Across America.
Hawthorne, Nevada AKA "Boom Town."
Breaking Down - OBDII Scanners
The one I just got, Innova 3170: https://amzn.to/3fJhEGw
ScanGuage II (permanent installation): https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/
A Place to Visit - Sacramento Pass BLM Camping
Really nice, free place to camp on the Utah/Nevada border.
https://www.blm.gov/visit/sacramento-pass-rec-area
Product Review - Harvest Hosts
$99 a year (coupon JUNE saves 15%) gives you access to overnight parking at wineries, farms and museums across the US.
Pros - for folks who like a B&B-style experience, this can be a great thing
Cons - Must call to reserve, show up during business hours, and you're expected to buy something. Also: strange vehicle restrictions.
https://harvesthosts.com/
Resource Recommendation - Lies Across America
Those "Historic" Markers are great, but are they accurate? Well, maybe. Dr. James Loewen's myth-busting history book which focuses on the inaccuracies, myths, and lies that can be found at national landmarks and historical sites all across America
https://amzn.to/3wVGLM3
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 anyway.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
I love sleeping in rest areas. Is it legal? Well, sorta? No? Maybe. We'll discuss. I'll also eat some crow over some USB advice, tell the tale of an encounter with displeased Zambian police officers, review the Wolfwise tent, visit Bob Ross, and suggest ERG 2020 for road travel awareness and enlightenment.
A Place to Visit - Bob Ross Encounter
You can visit the Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, IN here: https://www.minnetrista.net/bobrossexperience
Product Review - Wolfwise Tent
This the standard "potty tent." Works well, but it can be tricky to take down.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2S6jbga
Resource Recommendation - ERG 2020
Lookup hazmat placards that you see as you drive!
https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/erg/erg2020-mobileapp
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 anyway.
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Wednesday May 19, 2021
Vanlife isn't free, but you can do a bunch of amazing things for no cost. We give you 10 ideas. We'll also explore drain traps, hear a tale from Wales about a cliff walk, review Bidlacks Bowls and More, learn about the amazing Art-O-Mat, and look at an online resource for military surplus.
Visit our Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!
New Video!
The Aurora Project: Texas Confederate Graves, Alien Crash, Area 114, Political Signs. https://youtu.be/4AlgxyTW4Tg
A Place to Visit - Art-O-Mat
These repurposed vending machines now dispense art!
You can find them all over.
https://www.artomat.org
Product Review - Bidlacks Bowls & More (on Etsy)
Hal is a man of many talents, and now you can experience one of them with your very owned, custom carved and printed, wooden object.
Bowls, cutting boards, French rolling pins, Ulus...
Visit his Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BidlacksBowlsandMore
Resource Recommendation - Military Surplus
Sometimes things made for war are just the thing you need for peace.
http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com
Tech Talk - P and S Traps
This is the trap to consider: https://amzn.to/3otYMxU
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 anyway.
Wednesday May 12, 2021
Wednesday May 12, 2021
"Solar Generators" are coming down in price, but should you use one? We'll give you the pros and cons. We'll also take a look at a new safer butane canister, have lunch at an active volcano, learn how to level our vans, and share our disappointment with peel & stick flooring.
We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!
New Video!
The Aurora Project: Kentucky Black Only Park, Rocket Ship Bridge Crash, Music Hall, Hitching Post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnLBHq63tZo
A Place to Visit - Hotel El Crater
Lunch on the side of an active volcano? Yes, please.
https://en.elcrater.com/
Product Review - Peel and Stick Vinyl
In short, not a great option. While cheap and replaceable, they move with temperature changes and crack if the floor isn't completely firm.
Resource Recommendation - GasBuddy
Check for the best gas price near you.
http://www.gasbuddy.com
Tech Talk - Butane Canister SafetyLook for the blue ring!
CRV is the term: Countersink Release Vent
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bjotMo
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 anyway.
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Have AAA? What if when you call they say "NO." It can happen. We'll also take a look at vinegar and what it is and isn't good for, recommend you check out Bob Wells, get stared down by a doggo, have a a first look at cheap "solar generators," and see how locks work. Not that kind!
We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!
New Videos!The Aurora Project Vlog # 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZnlPYaUquo
The Aurora Project Intro & FAQ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWhS_wox6s0
A Place to Visit - Illinois Waterways Visitors Center
Watch how massive locks work on the Illinois River.
https://www.illinoisriverroad.org/places/united-states/illinois/ottawa/nature-outdoor-recreation/illinois-waterway-visitors-center/
Product Review - Wakyme and Awanfi Power Stations
I haven't done full testing yet, but the Awanfi seems to be the winner for size and price, though they're only $25 apart. Wakyme has USB C.
Pricing fluctuates almost daily - watch for a good deal.
Wakyme 500 https://amzn.to/3b6Gr4m
Awanfi 500 https://amzn.to/3eYEIze
Resource Recommendation - Bob Wells & Cheap RV Living
If you're considering #vanlife, especially on the smaller scale of things, this is a must.
CheapRVLiving
Bob's charity: Homes on Wheels Alliance
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 anyway.
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Wednesday Apr 28, 2021
Sorry this is late - the first part of the podcast explains why. And then we discuss lighting for your rig, visit Reconciliation Park in Tulsa Oklahoma, take a tour with the Dismalites, consider sleeping at a Rest Area and reviewing the Vallentuna Bed two years in.
We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!
A Place to Visit - Reconciliation Park
Learn about the 1921 Race Massacre in Tulsa OK, and help the healing process
John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation
Wikipedia: Tulsa Race Massacre
Product Review - Vallentuna Sleeper Module
Overall, a good no-build solution.
Ikea
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 anyway.
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
Wednesday Apr 21, 2021
No negativity! Let's talk about what a JOY #vanlife is! And we'll also visit some drooling insects, find ourselves in a bar fight, find some CRAZY good prices on "solar generators," review some innovative lights and promote the Van Life Nomadic Pantry.
We now have a Discord Server! What’s that? It’s a place to share and ask questions with the host of Built to GO and other listeners. It’s a new community, so it will take some time to get to size, but you can be part of that! This link will take you to a video that explains the concept. Join us!
Rainbow Falls as Dismals Canyon by Ronnie Harris
A Place to Visit - Dismals Canyon It takes time to get there, but it's worth it to step back 450,000,000 years in time.
Imagine insects recreating the night sky with their own light, because that's what you can find here.
https://www.dismalscanyon.com/
Tech Talk - CRAZY Deals on "Solar Generators"
Not sure what's going on, but take advantage if you wish. These are Jackery/GoalZero-type devices. 40% off! Check the coupon box and add to cart for actual price.
Wakyme 520Wh $275 https://amzn.to/3eolsuC
AWANFI 505Wh $236 https://amzn.to/3dDkKLa
I'll be reviewing both of these in the future.
Resource Recommendation - Van Life Pantry Podcast (Nomadic Pantry Facebook Group)
A friendly podcast about food-related #vanlife subjects.
https://vanlifepantry.podbean.com/
Product Review - Gator Eyes
Versatile little lights for emergencies or just general lighting
https://amzn.to/3ejyrhj
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 anyway.