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.
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Episodes
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
How can you secure your van? Not personal security, but keeping people out of your van! The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a cool secret, and Salvage One is an interesting place to visit in Chicago. Would like a free water pump? We tell you how. And FINALLY, and explanation for all the Aurora references. And we try Rock Auto and report back.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Van Security
Keep your stuff out of site, hide small things, and learn a couple of tricks like kill switches, locking swivel seats, and chained steering wheels.
Tales From the Road
The Auroras explained, finally. What does it mean? You'll have to listen to find out.
Resource Recommendation
Rock Auto - more than just an annoying commercial. It's actually pretty great!
Tech Talk: Free Water Pump!
Ok, we'll spill the secret - your free water pump is... gravity. But it can be all you need.
Product Review: Amazon Fire HD 8
Not really a review, but rather an interesting way to use it as an Alexa hub.
Amazon Fire HD tablets. https://amzn.to/3ftHSts
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020
Wednesday Jun 10, 2020
What if you'd rather just buy a van? We talk about the realities, some of them harsh. We'll also review the Stanley Cook Kit (it's great!), talk about how to screw properly (really) and I'll tell the tale of what it's like on our Interstates now that COVID-19 is firmly with us.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Pre-Built Vans
They're expensive.
RV Trader is a great place to start, to get an idea of prices, etc.
Conversion Trader is focussed specifically on self-built vans.
Sportsmobile has the best full-sized, custom conversions.
Tales From the Road
Things are weird an eerie on the nation's interstates. Bring snacks.
Q&A - Window Tint
Is it legal to tint your windows? Maybe? Sometimes. Could be. We discuss.
Resource Recommendation
Perhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.
Tech Talk: Screw With Care!
Don't just screw willy nilly into your van. Every hole is a potential problem, and it's a good idea to know how your drill works as well.
Product Review: Stanley Adventure Prep + Cook Set - 1.58 Quart, Stainless Steel
This is a great, compact, and flexible cooking solution perfect for vans.
https://amzn.to/3hgDPm5
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Another Top 10? Who knows—but here are some tips about #vanlife that might help you make decisons. A House on the Rock (and so much more), Pre-made Camper Kits, a Choose My Own Adventure Idea, Free Templates, and a Velcro Wall.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Top 10 Tips
#vanlife can be easier if you know a few things. Here some of them are.
Tales From the Road
What if someone else told you where to go? In a nice way?
Q&A -Premade Kits?
Is a premade kit your ticket to #vanlife? Maybe.
Wayfarer Vans is the most well known.
Resource Recommendation
Free van build tool? Yes! But the templates are the real value.
Thank you, SportsMobile.
A Place to Visit: House on the Rock
One of the three "most curious" spots in the US.
You can't prepare for this - just go.
House on the Rock
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Top 10? Who knows - but here are some myths about #vanlife that need to go away. A moving highway? Yes, it exists and it's called the "Badger." How do the pros do laundry? Infrequently. And we'll explain the difference between solar charge controllers, tell a story of a storm and recommend Travels with Charley.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Top 10 Myths
#vanlife is gaining popularity and so are the stereotypes. Don't buy them.
Tales From the Road
What can a storm teach us about perspective?
Q&A - Laundry?
Use the laundromat?
The Scrubba promises to let you do your laundry in a bag. For a price. https://amzn.to/3bQRegx
A mini washing machine. https://amzn.to/3cOJo8v
A fine salad spinner washing machine. https://amzn.to/3e6ehp9
Resource RecommendationPerhaps the very first "#vanlife" book, Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.
Tech Talk: Solar Charge Controllers
Will Prowse is the god of solar. Here's is explanation, which is a lot more thorough than mine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB6zojol9o0
A Place to Visit: SS Badger
The last coal-fired steamship running the United States today.
https://www.ssbadger.com/
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Wednesday May 13, 2020
Can you work while living and traveling in a van? Of course you can! And there are more opportunities than you might imagine. I tell tales from the light and dark sides of Moon, Oklahoma, and spend a lot of time talking about insurance matters you need to consider.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Working From the Road
You don't need a #vanlife job
You need a job you can do remotely
RV folks have some answers for us
Great place to start: http://www.workamper.com
Divine on the Road's Earning a Remote Income | Van Life Facebook Group.
Tales From the Road
An alien visits Moon, Oklahoma and makes brief contact with the beings living there.
Google Maps: Moon, OK
Q&A - How Do I Get Insurance?
VIN determines if your vehicle is commercial or not
Concentrate on liability insurance
State Farm often comes up as the best
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Minimalism? Yes, but what kind? An exploration... also, we review Curtis Tow Hitches, take a look at drive options for different vans, take a death march through Texas, and invite you to visit Starry Meadows, and maybe see Charon.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Video Games in Your Van
A lot of #vanlife folks talk about "minimalism." What is it? And do you want it?
Melissa Camara Wilkins discusses Types of Minimalism
TECH TALK: FWD vs. RWD vs. 4WD
There are pros and cons to each of these setups. What will you use your van for? What's your budget? That can help you choose the best option for you.
A PLACE TO VISIT: Starry Meadows
Like astronomy? Visit Colorado (or what to)? Check out the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society and their amazing site, Starry Meadows.
https://csastro.org/
PRODUCT REVIEW: Curtis Tow Hitches
Not planning on towing anything? You might still want a tow hitch for bikes, storage, etc.
You can install it yourself.
Curtis makes a decent product. https://amzn.to/3c6un1L
Q&A - Kittens in a Van while at work?
It's fraught to attempt to have a pet in a vehicle while you're away, but if you have no other choice, here are tips for making the best of an imperfect situation.
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Wednesday Apr 29, 2020
Video games in your van? YES! Here's how. Also, an electric dry box, an easy shower solution, Winter Island: the place to stay for a visit to Salem, MA and Roadside America, the only tourist guide you need.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
Video Games in Your Van
It's all about power and what you want to do. Clear winners: PC laptops and Nintendo Switch. But want to play the latests games on your favorite console? Doable.
TECH TALK: Electric Dry Box
Fight humidity with an enclosed space and a old-fashioned light bulb.
A PLACE TO VISIT: Winter Island, Salem Massachusetts
This historic 17th century fort will welcome you and your rig for a visit to the Witch City.
Winter Island Info
PRODUCT REVIEW: SmarterFresh Quick Connect Sink Faucet Sprayer Set
This thing is great - it turns almost any sink into a shower you can use indoors or out
https://amzn.to/2ShvGmv
Q&A - Essential Tools?
Which tools should you bring? Quick answer: pick how much space you want to devote to tools, and then take a subset of all the tools you used to build your van.
Resource Recommendation: Roadside America
While the website is great, get the app (pay for it!) and you'll never be without someplace interesting to visit.
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
How a goldfish teaches us what's important about the #vanlife community, can you have a plastic-free van?, review of the Camco Flexible Camper Drain, getting over the fear of wires, a visit to a cool archaeological site, and a story of a van with no driver.
COVID-19: This the BEST resource https://vanlifers.co/pages/coronavirus
The Goldfish Metaphor
Someone wants advice on how to have a pet goldfish in their van. What's your response? It can teach us a lot about #vanlife and ourselves.
TECH TALK: Fear of Wires
I talk though an experiment in wiring designed to get you beyond you fear of electricity and cutting wires.
A PLACE TO VISIT: Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village
When in South Dakota, skip the Corn Palace. Go here: Mitchel Prehistoric Indian Village
PRODUCT REVIEW: Camco Flexible Camper Drain 37420
This thing is great - I don't know why people use anything else!
https://amzn.to/2VOCWHn
Q&A - Single Use Plastics?
Seanna wants to live without single use plastic. Can this be done in a van?
Tales From the Road: What happens when you're in a van going down the highway and no one's driving?