Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

By Jeff WaggSociety & Culture Leisure Automotive Places & Travel Hobbies

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Typical duration
42 min
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99%
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Based on Podcast App listening data

Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast episodes

September 30310 Steve and Audra!
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
1 hr 15 min
September 22309 12v Ovens, Lunar Lake, Backup Battery, Podcasts
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 Ovens
https://amzn.to/4diqA35
A PLACE TO VISIT
Lunar Lake
https://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.
41 min
September 16308 Living with Looki, Golf after Death, Better Peeing, Electric Van Life
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 solution
https://amzn.to/4iYZNME
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Gus Bus Boondocks
https://www.youtube.com/@GusBusBoondocks/videos
A PLACE TO VISIT
Putting Green Grave of Richard “Ruff” Jones, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Ruidoso, New Mexico
https://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.
42 min
September 09307 My Pod, HMdb, Aurora IL, Pee Sport, Charging All-In-Ones
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 Lands
https://www.npca.org/articles/11495-selling-off-and-selling-out
A New Kind of Van Life: $180 to Camp for Seven Months
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/05/van-life-quartzsite-arizona
This Law Could TRIPLE Solar Prices
https://youtu.be/lEf5LTBWJvU
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Historical Marker Database
https://www.hmdb.org/
A PLACE TO VISIT
Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora, Illinois
https://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.
47 min
August 27306 Things Suck—Now What?, Window gasket, USB tester, Salem Woods
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 Seals
https://youtube.com/shorts/rtqVytwF22c?si=P74Prv9hIyhzrc3U
PRODUCT REVIEW
WhatCable.uk
https://www.whatcable.uk/
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
USB Port Colors Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSN-chBhkrA
A PLACE TO VISIT
Salem Woods, Salem, Massachusetts
https://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.
47 min
August 19305 KISS, East Aurora, Community College, Road Rage, New Stereo
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
Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, Built to GO may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
53 min
August 06304 Which Gas? Crank No Start, Balbo, Stealth Dead Again, TrueFuel
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 Fuel
https://amzn.to/4gdtoA2
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Stealth Camping Is Dead: The New Rules of Vanlife Nobody Wants to Talk About
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLQnnJYg1Fo
A PLACE TO VISIT
Balbo Monument, Chicago
https://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.
41 min
July 29303 Hitch Accessories, Influence Tricks, Arctic Air, Manual Database
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 Holder
https://amzn.to/4fpmrvC
Viking Solutions SwiveLift Crane
https://amzn.to/4yYn7zQ
Hitch Mount Vise Plate
https://amzn.to/4bIC92w
Hitch Mount Hammock
https://amzn.to/4wYYYXU
EEZ RV Hitch Mount Starlink and Flag Pole
https://amzn.to/4beY2q7
Log Sawhorse
https://amzn.to/4vSIJec
Bumper Dumper
https://amzn.to/4fHXOZZ
PRODUCT REVIEW
Arctic Air Grip Go
https://amzn.to/4wl3KPy
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
NotebookLM for Manuals
https://notebooklm.google.com/
A PLACE TO VISIT
World’s Largest Penguin, Cut Bank, Montana
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/797
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.
44 min
July 23 302 Different Shopping, Fuse Taps, Burned Regions, Tire Warehouse
We take a look at different places to shop besides Home Depot and Amazon, visit some burned out forests, learn how to use Fuse Taps, spend some nights in a Tire Warehouse, and address some reader comments.
THIS is a fuse tap. :)
MAIN - Unexpected Places to Shop for Vanlife Gear
THANKS TO: Stefan
NEWS
Crossroads Folds
https://www.instagram.com/p/Da3UxBKPPrZ/
Starlink Changes European Roaming Policies
https://starlink.com/gb/support/article/0dd1c2c0-7bae-8c8f-43d4-9a64eb66662f
TECH TALK
Fuse Taps: The Right Way to Add a 12-Volt Circuit
PRODUCT REVIEW
LETOUR Magnetic Rechargeable Light Bar
https://amzn.to/44NVf3t
TALES FROM THE ROAD
How Sleeping in a Tire Warehouse Led Me to Vanlife
A PLACE TO VISIT
A Recovering Burned Region
READER COMMENTS
Insulation Follow-Up and Why Vans Are Overrated

QUOTE
“From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
44 min
July 15301 10 Overrated Things, Dashboard Gardening, Corelle Covers, Modern Pompeii
This week, we'll look at 10 overrated things in vanlife, and not the ones you're thinking about. We'll also review a completely boring yet awesome kitchen item, visit a modern Pompeii, and grow tomatoes on the dashboard.

The Church (not really a cathedral)
PRODUCT REVIEW
Silicone Corelle Covers
https://amzn.to/4fkxV2a
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION
Urban Leaf Gardening In a Van?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJvCtMYO17Q
A PLACE TO VISIT
Eldheimar Museum
https://visitwestmanislands.com/tour/eldheimar-museum/
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.
54 min

About Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

From the publisher's feed

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…