Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Are you following "the spirit of van life"? Spoiler: Yes, you are. You're also about to hear about the importance of bench testing, learn a lesson from a moth, score some free books and learn about a very nice trash can.  

THE HEART OF VANLIFE

• The article by Curious Toad https://www.thecurioustoad.com/post/vanlife-unfiltered-adventure-simplicity-and-self-discovery-in-a-changing-trend

NEWS

• Tucson City Council to vote next week to ban camping in washes https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/092024_wash_camping/tucson-city-council-vote-next-week-ban-camping-washes/
• Cat lost during camping trip treks 900 miles in the right direction https://boingboing.net/2024/09/23/cat-lost-during-camping-trip-treks-900-miles-in-the-right-direction.html
• Your Phone Won’t Be the Next Exploding Pager https://www.wired.com/story/exploding-pagers-hezbollah-phones/

PRODUCT REVIEW

• A Cool Trash Can. Really.  https://amzn.to/3zpMHnn

TECH TALK

• Gasoline Parking Heater https://amzn.to/4da0ufI

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Project Gutenberg

  https://www.gutenberg.org/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy https://keywestbutterfly.com/

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.  

Fire extinguishers may sound boring, but they're essential. Get one! Then we'll visit Bermuda, try out a space blanket, visit a unique store, make some custom badges, and compare gasoline heaters to diesel heaters. 

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• A good choice https://amzn.to/4d60OMo

NEWS

• BLM Hikes Fees https://www.rvtravel.com/blm-wants-to-raise-ltva-fees-up-to-5-times-current-rate-9n-r1/

• Gas Prices Plummet https://abcnews.go.com/Business/gas-prices-plummeting-experts-explain/story?id=113751441

• Except in California https://abc30.com/post/california-gas-prices-skyrocket-national-average-drops/15311721/

• Remote Jobs in Peril https://www.newsweek.com/remote-workers-get-bad-news-1953541

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Space Blankets https://amzn.to/47tNYq5

   

TECH TALK

• Gasoline Parking Heater https://amzn.to/4da0ufI

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• Custom Badges

  https://amzn.to/4da0ufI

A PLACE TO VISIT

• The Royal Male https://www.royalmale.com/

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.  

Living full time has many challenges, but one of those is a "fixed address." We'll discuss. We'll also review a new Vanlife Magazine, visit a miniature world, leave Las Vegas, and learn what to do when we find ourselves living in a car. 

TECH TALK

• Laser Level https://amzn.to/3xWVX1x

PRODUCT REVIEW

• Freedom On Wheels magazine https://online.fliphtml5.com/knlca/wxdz/

A PLACE TO VISIT

• Thorne Miniature Rooms https://www.artic.edu/highlights/12/thorne-miniature-rooms

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

• NomadWiki.life guide to living in your car https://nomadlife.wiki/Emergency_quick_start

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.  

A new law in Tennessee makes it a FELONY to do normal #vanlife things. What does it mean for us? We'll also visit the must-see House on the Rock, try out a battery powered chainsaw, and find a place to help us find windshields and the like. 

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.)

• Tennessee Law
  • Here are some articles about the new Tennessee anti-homeless law that makes camping (in a vehicle too) a felony on public lands.
  • NPR: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/26/1101434831/public-camping-felony-tennessee-homeless-seek-refuge
  • AP: https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-tennessee
• Product Review: Worx Chainsaw
  • My Worx has been great, but I'm really promoting the idea that having a chainsaw in your rig could be valuable. 
  • https://amzn.to/3JMQFXV
• A Place to Visit: House on the Rock
  • It's $30. Just go. Really. 
  • http://www.thehouseontherock.com
• Resource Recommendation: Downers Grove 
  • Glass for old vehicles can be hard to find. This is one place that might help.
  • https://www.downersgroveautoandglassrepair.com/antique-car-auto-glass

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. 

New tires? Great idea! But it's not as easy as it might seem. We'll also review K&N filters, visit the crazy place known as Northlandz, and explain why household switches might not be the best for your van. 

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.)

• Product Review: K&N Filters
  • Are they what they advertise? Maybe. And Maybe not. Do they really know more than automotive engineers?
  • https://amzn.to/3PQbVy9
• A Place to Visit: Northlandz!
  • The world's largest model train. And a bit of surrealism. OK, maybe a bit more than a little.  
  • http://www.northlandz.com

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. 

Am I quitting vanlife? NO! But we're going to talk about the reasons people do, and what to do about it. We'll also review the Carr Hoop II step, visit Beaver, UT, take a look at Salem circa 1692, and talk about conduit.  

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.)

The Future?

• Product Review: Car Hoop II Step
  • Affordable, strong, and fairly easy to install. Recommended! Make sure you get the one made for your vehicle. 
  • https://amzn.to/3OxExe8
• Resource Recommendation: 2025 Rivian Adventure Van
  • No, you can't buy it yet, but could this be the first truly all-electric campervan that's actually usable? 

  • Motortrend: https://www.motortrend.com/news/2025-rivian-adventure-van-electric-off-road-overland-camper-rv/

• A Place to Visit: Rebecca Nurse Homestead
  • No visit to Salem, MA is complete without seeing this actual site where a "witch" used to live. 
  • https://www.rebeccanurse.org/

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. 

Which is the most reliable van? It's not a brand, but more of a philosophy. We'll discuss. We'll also look at a regulated power supply, flexible solar panels, how to tell USB cables a part and a story involving a bulldozer.

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.)

A view from Aurora, Utah

• Product Review: Regulated DC Power Supply
  • This thing has been very useful for testing, charging, and observing rates of power usage on a variety of devices.
  • https://amzn.to/3Osm5Dr
• Resource Recommendation: USB Guide
  • USB is still a nightmare of different connectors and adapters. This guide will help sort it all out.

  • https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/usb-cable-guide

• A Place to Visit: Devils Icebox
  • A nice series of hikes and caves where the temperature is significantly lower than on a hot summer's day.
  • https://mostateparks.com/location/55460/devils-icebox-entrance

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. 

Batteries keep changing, so it's time for rundown on what's best for your rig. We'll also explore magnet fishing, get stuck in a hurricane at sea, recommend Off! Dry and explain what happened to the Aurora Project.

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.)

A view from Aurora, Utah

• Best Battery?
  • Budget: 100ah AGM - https://amzn.to/3IBBFLU
  • Solid: 100ah LiFEPO4 - https://amzn.to/3cbSuRB
  • Optimal: 200ah Renogy - https://amzn.to/3yGJpYe
• Product Review: Deep Woods Off! Dry
  • Quite simply the best Off! product yet. Effective and comfy!
  • https://amzn.to/3o2Lr09
• Resource Recommendation: Magnet Fishing
  • An inexpensive, fun and a bit messy pastime for anyone with water and a big magnet.  
  • https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262
  • Good magnet to start with: https://amzn.to/3AOPXXE
• A Place to Visit: Aurora Americanus
  • In 2019, I visited every place in the US named "Aurora." In 2021, I started to do it again, but had to stop. If you'd like to know what happened, you may wish to follow this blog. 
  • https://medium.com/@jeffwagg

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. 

This week, it's a smorgasbord of unrelated news, tips, and details, none of which make up a full episode themselves. We'll also talk about the realities of ice makers, try out a battery powered pump, play pool with a dangerous felon, and visit some old relatives - 460,000,000 years old, in fact. 

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.)

View from Tikibagoland

• Product Review: Bushnell Cellucam 20
  • A stand-alone camera that takes pictures and emails them to you. 12 AA batteries! Decent price here...
  • https://amzn.to/3y4PuNZ
• Resource Recommendation: wD-40
  • It is NOT a lubricant, but it's very useful. Gizmodo has some tips. 
  • https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262
• A Place to Visit: Mark Twain House
  • This isn't the ONLY Mark Twain House, but it's probably the best. 
  • https://marktwainhouse.org/

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. 

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.)

A formation at Chazy Reef

• Product Review: Worx Portable Air Pump Inflator
  • A much more civilized way to maintain tires or inflate bed pads and water wings. 
  • https://amzn.to/3NMeMGG
• Resource Recommendation:  Hitch Accessories
  • If you can think of it, someone has probably made one. 
  • https://amzn.to/3ut5RTo
• A Place to Visit: Chazy Reef, Isle La Motte, Vermont
  • 460 Million Year Old Fossils, on an island you can drive to.
  • https://www.lclt.org/goodsell-and-fisk-quarry-preserves/

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. 

What if you could fly, rent a van, and then do an instant "no build"? YOU CAN. Let's talk about how. We'll also talk about how you're using WD-40 wrong, a trip to Antarctica, how to get rid of ants, a new security camera, and Mark Twain's House.

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.)

View from Tikibagoland

• Product Review: Bushnell Cellucam 20
  • A stand-alone camera that takes pictures and emails them to you. 12 AA batteries! Decent price here...
  • https://amzn.to/3y4PuNZ
• Resource Recommendation: wD-40
  • It is NOT a lubricant, but it's very useful. Gizmodo has some tips. 
  • https://gizmodo.com/10-surprising-uses-for-wd-40-and-5-places-it-should-ne-5932262
• A Place to Visit: Mark Twain House
  • This isn't the ONLY Mark Twain House, but it's probably the best. 
  • https://marktwainhouse.org/

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.