Built To Go! A #Vanlife Podcast

299 Choosing the Best, ReStore, Electric Duster, Getting Not Stuck 01.07.2026 51min

What's the best tool: cheap or expensive? Well, it depends on a bunch of things. We'll take a look. We'll also visit a place filled with solutions, test some screws, and recommend a product that blows. Loudly. I never got stuck when I drove one of these PRODUCT REVIEW Zovair Cordless Electric Air Dusterhttps://amzn.to/3SFTwuf A PLACE TO VISIT Habitat for Humanity ReStorehttps://www.habitat.org/restores 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.

298 Prime Deals? Flashlights, Iceland, Vanly, Best Broom 24.06.2026 50min

Back from RMSS, I take a look at Amazon Prime Day and find an interesting trend. We'll also take a look at flashlights, visit Iceland, consider Vanly and get too excited about janitorial supples. A gift from insomnia NEWS Vanfest Endshttps://www.vanfestusa.com Passengershttps://nofspodcast.com/passenger-review-vanlife-supernatural-horror Slate EV Truckhttps://www.fastcompany.com/91561144/slate-auto-launch-design-process-ev-truck PRODUCT REVIEW Vanlife Broomhttps://amzn.to/4erpxP9 RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Vanly, AirBnB-style apphttps://vanly.app/ A PLACE TO VISIT Iceland Van Rentalhttps://indiecampers.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.

Bonus! Podcast Updates 09.06.2026 47min

So - my planned podcast for this week was a dud, because despite recording 90 minutes worth of material, we ended up with nothing. The file is there, the time is right, but it didn't save what was recorded. My file is like a ghost town - it used to be there, and now it's not. So, here are some tidbits and updates on various topics. 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.

297 Big Battery Episode! Survival Kits, Custom Podcasts 02.06.2026 50min

I screwed up, and I hope this fixes it: LiIon batteries are everywhere! Also, we'll take a deep dive into a pre-packaged survival kit, and talk about a custom podcast you can make This kit could save your life! Or, it could give you false hope and leave you in serious trouble. PRODUCT REVIEW XKASE Survival Kithttps://amzn.to/4uKJiGW RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION NotebookLM Podcast Generatorhttps://notebooklm.google.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.

296 Where Does it Go? Vanlife games, Fancy Filters, Indiana Jones Museum 21.05.2026 47min

All this stuff that is "our vans," where does it go? I mean, where does it all end up in the end? Let's explore. We'll also take a look at a couple of vanlife video games, the museum that things belong in, the BEST filters for your rig, and an interesting road trip. A hint of how big some things are at the former Oriental Institute NEWS Volkswagen Van Back https://newatlas.com/campervans/volkswagen-2027-id-camper-van-usa/ Vanlife Horror Movie Passengerhttps://www.slashfilm.com/2177942/passenger-2026-movie-review/ Gus Bushttps://www.autoevolution.com/news/gus-bus-proves-that-the-all-electric-vanlife-is-all-it-s-cracked-up-to-be-269207.html= PRODUCT REVIEW Rory Flow Portable Chargerhttps://amzn.to/4v3L31T RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Vanlife Simulator Gamehttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2711690/VanLife_Simulator/ Vanlife Game: Outboundhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GtUFav-Pog 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.

295 10 Stupid (but useful) Things, Tire Screws, Flat Routes, Fly the Plane 14.05.2026 49min

Are mindful when you're driving? I know you're paying attention; I'm asking if you're "mindful." We'll explore that, and a few stones of interest, mosquitoes, fuel prices, and the best way to find weird places to visit. Not a Tow Truck NEWS Brain Eating Amoeba https://gearjunkie.com/parks-and-public-lands/brain-eating-amoeba-national-parks New Winnebagohttps://camperreport.com/winnebago-arka-first-look-all-new-backcountry-adventure-motorhome/ New Campground Rules https://www.sej.org/headlines/trump-administration-orders-rapid-end-to-some-hunting-rules-on-federal-lands PRODUCT REVIEW Tire Screwshttps://amzn.to/4dsISOg RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Flattest Routehttps://www.flattestroute.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.

294 Mindfulness and Vanlife, Stones, Mosquitoes, GAS, Taula 06.05.2026 55min

Are mindful when you're driving? I know you're paying attention; I'm asking if you're "mindful." We'll explore that, and a few stones of interest, mosquitoes, fuel prices, and the best way to find weird places to visit. What is this stone?https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNaQZKqHjkAgstDx5= PRODUCT REVIEW Deep Woods OFF Dryhttps://amzn.to/42RtsxX A PLACE TO VISIT Talayotic Menorcahttps://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1528/ 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.

293 USA Wins, Paracord, Garum, The Thrill of Vicotry 30.04.2026 48min

There are things that are better in the US than abroad and we'll discuss them. We'll also make things out of paracord, visit a hidden fish sauce factory, visit a rock (with monkeys) and find secrets in your pocket. A 50 year journey comes to an end NEWS New ProMaster Cityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa9PE6j0XRo PRODUCT REVIEW 360° Spin Magnetic Stand for iPhone 17 Pro Max Casehttps://amzn.to/4tK0o7y A PLACE TO VISIT Cadiz Garum Factoryhttps://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/enclaves/enclave-arqueologico-factoria-de-salazones 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.

Bonus! Malaga and Beyond 18.04.2026 17min

Greetings from Malaga, Spain! We’ve had an amazing adventure and we’ve another week to go. Here’s an update, and some exciting news for small vans in the US!

O'Hare Quickcast: Ford Recall, Van Bidets & Goldfish Experiments 10.04.2026 14min

Host Jeff Wagg records a short episode from Chicago O'Hare covering three quick topics: a major Ford truck recall for windshield wipers, a recommendation for Work Camper News for seasonal jobs and resources, and practical bidet solutions for vans and RVs.He also shares experiments with sealed ecospheres and Wollstad tanks as van-friendly aquatic options, plus a travel tale about canceled trains, a family rescue, and staying calm on the road.

292 No Cook Eating, Skoolieswarm 66, Antarctica, Analog Meters 01.04.2026 57min

What if you wanted to hit the road, but without the need to refrigerate, cook, or clean up? It's possible, and we'll talk about how. We'll also talk about analog vs. digital multimeters, introduce you to Skoolieswarm Route 66, visit Antarctica (again), and talk about different travel goals. THIS thing awaits you at SkoolieSwarm Route 66 Nellie’s No Cook Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbn24P6yiBI NEWS Costo Standalone Gas Stationhttps://www.jalopnik.com/2130578/costco-open-standalone-gas-station Safer Than Everhttps://counciloncj.org/state-of-the-union-why-is-crime-going-down/ Leaded Gas Theoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93crime_hypothesis PRODUCT REVIEW Pocket Pillowhttps://amzn.to/4sKJLbf A PLACE TO VISIT Skoolie Palooza Route 66https://skoolieswarm.com/route-66/ RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Antarcticahttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1TYfsYKQ3h5AuGL6qF-VqUv07ciLt-yxYUfiwOop6byw/edit?usp=sharing 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.

291 Gas Price, Turbo Fan, Content Ethics, Rick Steves, WIndmills 25.03.2026 57min

President Gas is President Gas again. Kudos to you who got that reference, and I hate to break it to you: you're old. But in addition to gas prices, we'll talk about free audio tours, why windmills won't help you, and a new fan that is my constant companion. We also have a talk with Sherm about the ethics of making content.PRODUCT REVIEW Turbo Fanhttps://amzn.to/4sB2GoW RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Rick Steves Audio tourshttps://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours Sherm's Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenmachine.77/ Sherm is recreating a masterpiece here, and it's very, very green. InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmachine.77 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenmachine.77 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U2fSTHzeg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Bonus! Three Folks Living YOUR Dream 18.03.2026 43min

This is a recording of a conversation I had with three vanlifers, all "living the dream," and all doing it differently. Recorded at VanFest: Lift Off 2026, Bruce, Jon and Nellie all have tips and stories from the road, involving, in no particular order:FatwoodBearsProstitutesPutting on pantsWhere to go nextand why you shouldn't drive at night in Mexico. To check out Nellie's business at The Sassy Olive, use this link:http://www.thesassyolive.online/nellieinacan and this code might be of some use: Nellie10

290 Solar Awnings, Pet Sitting, Saw All, RMSS, SMart Car 11.03.2026 49min

You could have an awning that provides shade. But since it's blocking the sun anyway, why can't it generate power too? We investigate. We also take a look at an interesting opportunity to sleep under a roof, review a saw that does it all, look at some space junk, and get up close and personal with some major infrastructure. Alloy? Annoy. NEWS Jalopnik: Vanlife Isn’t Cheaphttps://www.jalopnik.com/2111425/van-life-costs/ TECH TALK Commercial Chef 0.6 Cu. Ft. 700W CHM660Whttps://amzn.to/4upataK Panasonic 1.2 cu. ft. Inverter Microwave 1250W - NN-SN68QB (Renewed)https://amzn.to/3N9U9Kf PRODUCT REVIEW WORX Cordless Reciprocating Saw & Jigsaw, Battery and Charger Included, PowerSharehttps://amzn.to/47Eihvj A PLACE TO VISIT Rocky Mountain Star Starehttps://rmss.org RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Trusted Pet Sittershttps://www.trustedhousesitters.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.

289 An interview with RV Tech Sherm of the The Green Machine 03.03.2026 1t 7min

Something special this week, an hour-long interview with Sherm, a fellow vanlifer who masquerades as an RV Tech during the day. We chat about a variety of topics, including the difference between an RV and a campervan, mice, greasy leather seats, the most essential tool, different oil leaks, and how to find someone to work on your rig. If you'd like more of Sherm, you're in luck: he'll be joining us on a future episode for a very different topic, but in the meantime, you can find him below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenmachine.77/ Sherm is recreating a masterpiece here, and it's very, very green. InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmachine.77 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenmachine.77 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1U2fSTHzeg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

288 Which Vanlifer are You, Diesel Tank, Solar Panel Voltage, Bishops Castle 25.02.2026 44min

If you need help, do you ask for it? Or do you help yourself? Can you do both? We'll explore. We'll also take a trip to Bishops Castle, explore diesel heater tanks, find water everywhere, and hear a tale about an old friend A tour of a 1977 Chinook, very similar to mine. NEWS Rocky Mountain Star Star (RMSS) June 10-14, 2026 in Gardner, COhttps://www.rmss.org DEF Delete?https://www.truckinginfo.com/news/justice-department-pulls-back-on-criminal-prosecution-of-diesel-emissions-delete PRODUCT REVIEW Vevor 400 watt portable panels (They seem to be out of stock!)200 watt version: https://amzn.to/4seL6GP A PLACE TO VISIT Bishop's Castlehttps://www.bishopscastle.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.

Bonus Again! A VanFest Conversation 17.02.2026 46min

Hello folks - I'm going to release all the VanFest content as "Bonus" episodes, which just means it doesn't follow the normal format. I've a few more interview episodes that will air in the coming weeks, and your feedback is always welcome! In this episode, I have a chat with three women who are all living on the road in their own way, and have different perspectives on why they're out there, and how solo vanlife meshes with gatherings like Vanfest.Links: VanFestUSAhttps://www.vanfestusa.com Skoolie Swarmhttps://www.skoolieswarm.com QueenKee Books by Lakeesha Martin: https://amzn.to/4rhRjl7IG: MakingQueenMoves

Bonus! Vanfest, and what to do when everything goes wrong. 11.02.2026 26min

Hello! Just a big long story this week as I recover from "things" that have been happening these past couple of weeks. Be it ever so humble, there's no place like "van." Vanfesthttps://www.vanfestusa.com

287 Best Vanlife Apps-ish, an overlooked resource, Toadstool Geology, Strange Electronics 28.01.2026 50min

The best apps for vanlife aren't apps! We'll explain. We'll also try an induction cooktop, visit another planet, consider the oldest tool ever found, turn lights into fans, and hear a tale of lost youth. NOT me. Ever. VANLIFE WEBSITES: •iOverlander — https://www.ioverlander.com •Campendium — https://www.campendium.com •FreeCampsites — https://www.freecampsites.net •Recreation.gov — https://www.recreation.gov•CellMapper — https://www.cellmapper.net •US Forest Service Travel — https://apps.fs.fed.us/TravelAccess/ •Google Maps (Web) — https://maps.google.com •Google My Maps — https://www.google.com/mymaps •Ventusky (Weather Maps & Forecast Visualization) — https://www.ventusky.com •OpenSignal (Cell Coverage & Signal Maps) — https://www.opensignal.com •ChatGPT (Free AI via Web) — https://chat.openai.com •AAA Gas Prices — https://gasprices.aaa.com PRODUCT REVIEW Vevor 400 watt portable panels A PLACE TO VISIT Toadstool Geologic Parthttps://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/recreation/toadstool-geological-park-and-campground 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.

286 Pets on the Road, Portable Solar, Loves Camping, Frozen Pipes 21.01.2026 49min

Hitting the road with your canine companion? Excellent! But there are things to consider, and we consider them. We'll also review a new type of portable solar panel, camping at Loves, defrosting pipes, and being dragged into the world. I did actually sleep in this thing. PRODUCT REVIEW Vevor 400 watt portable panelshttps://amzn.to/49M7Ar3 Direct from Vevor:https://www.vevor.com/solar-panels-c_13594/vevor-400w-foldable-solar-panel-with-frame-16bb-n-type-monocrystalline-solar-panel-charger-24-efficiency-ip67-waterproof-with-mc4-output-10-in-1-dc-adapter-for-power-stations-camping-hiking-trips-p_010143922897?lang=en&currency=usd&utm_source=inhouse&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=42492674&shortkey=20260121qTmy RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Camping at Loveshttps://www.camplife.com/campground/Loves+RV+Stops 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.