Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

It's a big topic, and one that deserves some attention—so why not talk to the people we're talking about? Hal Bidlack has had a storied life, but part of that story involves his time with "the police," though his role was a bit more complicated than that. Listen in and learn what a cop is thinking after they pull you over. 
Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, PhD, USAF Ret. on patrol. He's was the office you wanted to encounter. 
 
 

It's time to talk about dealing with the police, and how changes in the US have made vanlife a riskier proposition. We'll also drive without an alternator, admit that Hal was right, visit a word, and evaporate some gray water. 
Every truck camper comes with its own bug museum.
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Simple Multimeterhttps://amzn.to/3KebLCW
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Graywater Evaporation Systemshttps://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMan/comments/pc8a0u/most_simple_gray_water_evaporation/
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.  

The Big Announcement is here! And so are the mice, and they've very very hungry. We also have a lovely visit to Canadian Tire, praise the lowly tread rug, and turn a camper back into a van. 
Why does the fluff...move? 
 
A PLACE TO VISIT
Canadian Tirehttps://www.canadiantire.ca
 
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.  

Finally, we hit the road, and we learn some things about truck camper life. We'll also explore a simple water system, talk about ways to adjust voltage, visit a Lady Van, Ghost Dancing and learn a very important thing on the drive home. 
Every truck camper comes with its own bug museum.
 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Digury 5 Gallon Water Systemhttps://amzn.to/3KebLCW
A PLACE TO VISIT
Ghost Dancinghttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ghost-dancing-van-missouri
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
The Lady Vanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89UwM8sLg9c
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.  

There's more than just Route 66! Let's explore some other roads of legend. We'll also spray some goo, solve a weird furnace problem, visit the Batmobile, and explore an unexpected and unbelievable museum with a big problem.
The mystery begins.
Nice diorama
The Canton Toll Booth
And the issue at hand. 
What the museum used to look like. 
PRODUCT REVIEW
Gorilla Rubber Sprayhttps://amzn.to/41UFhUd
A PLACE TO VISIT
Volo Museums
https://www.volocars.com
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Trip Ithttps://www.tripit.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.  

In the past week, I realized that my truck is the perfect vanlife vehicle for me. Learn why! And we'll visit Aldi, Mississippi, have a bit of a cry, and explore the basics of stealth camping.
The transplant begins.
NEWS
Starlink Slow Modehttps://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-replaces-free-pause-mode-with-5-monthly-charge
 
Bluetti Power Systemhttps://www.theverge.com/news/767283/all-in-one-vanlife-power-system-rvsolar-bluetti
 
Grizzly Pacifica Concepthttps://www.autoguide.com/auto/auto-news/chrysler-pacifica-grizzly-peak-concept-is-all-about-that-vanlife-44624167
PRODUCT REVIEW
USB Water Pumpamazon.com/dp/B08DCCJ3FH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
A PLACE TO VISIT
Windsor Ruins, Gibson, MShttps://roadsideamerica.com/story/12415
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Stealth Camping Guidehttps://beyondthebucketlist.co/vanlife-stealth-camping/
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.  

This week, we offer 10 ideas for keeping noise down in your van, play with a USB water pump, visit a Toyota plant, explain why use front hitches are, and learn how to tie some important knots. 
Sunset indeed.
NEWS
De Minimis Shipments Taxedhttps://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/what-end-de-minimis-exemption-means-us-shoppers-businesses-2025-08-29/
New Way to Harness Solar Powerhttps://www.technology.org/2025/09/03/black-metal-could-give-a-heavy-boost-to-solar-power-generation/
Man Fined for Sittinghttps://www.timesunion.com/news/article/saratoga-springs-storyteller-issued-tickets-21022015.php
PRODUCT REVIEW
USB Water Pumpamazon.com/dp/B08DCCJ3FH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
A PLACE TO VISIT
Toyota Plant Tourhttps://tmmc.ca/en/plant-tour/
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Camping Knotshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzAgyJWp4Og
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 any way.  

The 3-Way fridge is falling out of fashion, but should it? Maybe not! We'll also visit a gruesome scene, talk about dangerous deeds, talk to Willy Wonka, and tell a tale of peril in Arizona.
Just yards away for her permanent pasture.
A PLACE TO VISIT
Matawan Memorialhttps://www.atlasobscura.com/places/matawan-new-jersey-shark-attack-of-1916
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 any way.