On this episode Graham Burtoft is the host and was able to get myself, Michelle Burtoft, Kim Buck, Steven Mendivil, and Jeremy and Sara Sanchez together to talk about their thoughts on the STO Nation’s NYE overlanding event.

We talk about the planning process, the logistics, how people prepared for not only the below freezing temps but also the equipment needed, our favorite moments, and the food provided by @lunchboxoverland.

And make sure you check out the YouTube video of the NYE trip so you can see exactly what we were discussing!

You can follow this episode's guests on Instagram:

Michelle & Graham Burtoft: @canwegothatway

Kim Buck: @mobi.van

Jeremy & Sarah Sanchez: @vancheztravels

Steven Mendivil: @sherpandsweetie

If you'd like to get more info on attending a Sprinter Overlanding Trip, you can contact the team through their website or on Instagram.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

On this episode Cody Foster and I talk about how to safely overland by planning properly, knowing what recovery, medical, and communication gear you need to get yourself out of pickle.

Cody also talks about lowering air pressure in your tires and basic survival skills everyone needs to know before venturing out by themselves. So whether you’re an advanced overlander or just beginning, there’s something for everyone to learn.

You can find Cody and Xpedition America on his website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channel.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

Welcome back to part 2 of the interview w/ John Willenborg, owner and founder of Owl Vans. 

In part two John answers the big question - what does he think about Storyteller’s new Nvader system and how does it compare to his sherpa.

John also answers a bunch of excellent questions from the community, and one on a more personal level he discusses how he’s trying to balance work, life, and family.

You can find Owl Vans on their website, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

On this episode I got to sit down w/ John Willenborg for a second time, but this time we were able to talk extensively about what has happened w/ his shop as a whole since the last time we talked which was almost a year ago. 

If you haven’t listened to the first episode with John, make sure you check out episode #7 because we go more into his background and how Owl Vans began.

Believe it or not, this episode is actually the longest episode that’s been recorded so far - so long that the battery on the camera died while we were recording.

So to make the conversation more digestible I’ve broken it down into part 1 and part 2 - part 2 will be released next week.

For the first part we go into detail about the new facility in Denver CO - John talks about his plans for customers to be able to stop in, stay the night, and have some accommodations in line for the traveling person. He also talks about his plans to build an off road track!

Additionally we go into a deep deep deep dive into the new air locker and how it’s going to take vans where they’ve never been before, what it took to make it, how it’s made, how it compares to Agile’s ARB’s locker, the price, and when it’ll hit the market.

John also reveals some behind the scenes issues that he’s had to deal with while running Owl Vans.

And finally we talk about what went in to all the features that makes his Storyteller the ultimate beast.

Again, don’t forget that part 2 will be release next week where John shares his thoughts on the new Storyteller Nvader’s system, listener questions, and much more.

You can find Owl Vans on their website, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

On this episode you get to meet Peter Stetina. If you didn't already know Peter is a professional bicyclist and competed in some of the world’s most prestigious competitions to include the Tour de France, and now he’s a brand new owner of a Classic MODE 2022!

Peter goes into why he wanted to get a van, how he discovered the Storyteller, what other vans he was looking at, his sick mod he got done for his bikes at Canyon Adventure Vans, his first impressions of not only the van but the community. 

On a personal side he also talks about his career and what he’s working on now and hopes to achieve. He even answers some listener’s questions!

Be sure to follow Peter on his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Strava.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

In this episode we cover tons of extremely useful information such as the new changes in the 2022 to include why they replaced the 3600 watt inverter with a smaller 3200 watt inverter, the best practices to store your van in really cold weather for a long time, and answers listener questions that cover an array of topics that include the harness failure issue, service questions, and even answers the question of why you can’t charge at low idle.

You can find more about Volta Power Systems on their blog and their support page. And don't forget to follow them on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

On this episode Tim Hines and I talk about an array of shop topics plus he goes into detail about the big van event that he’s hosting this summer (2022) that’s focused on the community and actually doing fun events that caters to an array of different activities and hobbies instead of focusing on trying to sell you stuff.

But what I really enjoyed about this episode is that not only did we talk about what he can do in regards to the capabilities of his shop, but we talked about who Tim is personally - we talk about his passion, his history, and his prior service in the Navy.

Be sure to follow Adrenaline vans on their website, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram accounts.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

On this episode Charlotte's warm and charming personality shines as she sits down and talks with Michelle Burtoft about her delivery experience with La Mesa (San Diego) went, her trips, likes and dislikes, and other fun and exciting adventures that she's been on.

You can follow Charlotte on IG @nonamechar and on Facebook under her name.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

This episode is the 2nd and last part of the mini series about suspension. If you didn’t check out last week's episode w/ Van Compass, you should because it’s jam packed full of technical information that will help inform you to make the best decision when it comes to buying a suspension.

I’d like to state that I really don’t think you can go wrong w/ either Van Compass or Agile’s RIP kit. Both are fantastic suspensions that have great engineering behind them and both are a massive improvement over the stock suspension. .

And the last note before we begin is Agile requested to re-do the podcast from the one that we recorded in Flagstaff during the Overland Expo during Storyteller’s big 2022 features release. There were a number of reason why, but I obliged to their request for reasons stated in the episode.

And I’m glad we did re-record because we get to know John more intimately by talking about the genesis of Agile and even about one of his good friends and co-owner who passed away. John also answers the question on how the relationship was started w/ Storyteller began, why the Beast MODE doesn't come w/ the shock damper, what they offer for the MODE LT, answers his opinion on VC vs RIP kit, bigger fuel tank options, the hidden winch design, their new bumper, and other products that will make your MODE one bad mamma jamma!

This is a great episode that covers a lot of information to include updates about their new locker that they’re R&D’ing with ARB right now.

Make sure to follow Agile on their website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's website, YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi

Welcome back from the holidays!! I hope you guys didn't miss STO Nation over the holiday break, but thank you for your patience and understanding. It feels good to be back!!

The next two episodes will be a mini series on suspension. The first will be this episode where Paul Pritts and I talk to the co-owners of Van Compass, Rob Peterson and Mark Hesser, at the Adventure Van Expo in Bend OR. The second episode, next week will be with the co-owner of Agile.

So if you were ever curious on how Van Compass shocks work, this episode gets down to the technicality of how they were engineered and why. 

We also compare and contrast Van Compass suspension to Agile’s RIP kit, and they answer the question of why their names for their different shock systems are numbered the way they are.

So if you’re in the market for a new suspension for your Storyteller and want all the information possible, this episode is for you!

Make sure you check out Van Compass' website, Facebook, Instagram, and you can find a cheat sheet on their different suspension kits here.

Don't forget to check out and subscribe to STO Nation's YouTube channel, Instagram, and help contribute to our Patreon page or you can buy us a beer!

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Volta Power Systems

Freedom VanGo

Owl Vans

Kerma Vans

La Mesa RV

Canyon Adventure Vans

STO Nation Production Credits:

Audio Engineer: Stephen Grasso

Marketing Director: Guillaume Golsong

Original Music and Artist: Jason Walsmith and The Nadas

Sound Designer: Lorenzo Interiano

Web Designer Extraordinaire: Peng Shi