Bonus - Internet on the Road with goRoam

Should you have a gun in your van? We present the pros and cons, and reveal our bias. We'll also visit Ausable Chasm, talk about refilling disposable propane tanks, maximize solar power in winter, take a look at shop4seatscom and have a tale with the Mythbusters.  === As self harm is mentioned in this episode, it's important to point out that help is always available. I used to be a listener with this group, and they're the real deal. Don't make a permanent mistake for a temporary problem. Click for anonymous, confidential help. === TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!   Guns in Vans A resource for some of the legal issues with gun ownership concealedcarry.com/ Statistics showing risk to self and family from gun ownership Study: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M13-1301?articleid=1814426& Article: https://www.vox.com/2015/10/1/18000520/gun-risk-death Less lethal option - Byrna Shoots plastic balls or pepper spray balls https://byrna.com/ Resource Recommendation - Shop4Seats.com One resource for RV and Van furniture such as seats and beds   Product Review - Propane Refilling Gadgets My recommendation: don't. One story. Another story.  A Place to Visit: AuSable Chasm A lovely riparian canyon environment with easy hiking and float trips. https://www.ausablechasm.com/ Some links are affiliate links, and the podcast host will receive a payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the podcast host.

30 Dec 202030min

This week, we're focussing on safety tips that DON'T involve someone messing with you and your van. You know, the ones that are much more likely to kill you. We'll also try to keep mouse rats out of our rigs, visit Atlas Obscura, take a look at door steps for roof access, discuss 12v kettles and hear some more on how the penis-free can urinate in comfort.  Is your load secure? (Photo by Ildar Sagdejev) AD: Team Rubicon I've been a volunteer with Team Rubicon for years now. If you're looking for a way to travel and do REAL good for communities around the world, this organization can help you get there.  Right now, there is a real need for food supportive services. If you have a day, a week, or a month to give to help get food to people, Team Rubicon is one of many organizations that can help you get the job done.  Though the organization is closely allied with veterans, you do not need to have been in the military to participate.  TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks! Female Urination Devices Some love them, some hate them. https://amzn.to/2WICxqO Resource Recommendation - Atlas Obscura A comprehensive guide to the world's most interesting places Product Review - Door Steps A quick and easy way to gain access to your roof for solar panel cleaning, packing, or whatever. https://amzn.to/2KNX7U4 Q&A - 12v Kettles Before you buy a kettle, figure out how you're going to power it and how you're going to recharge your battery. I use mine only when I'm driving. Look for one that has a light, is completely enclosed, and doesn't have a removable base. https://amzn.to/3hf7U5H Some links are affiliate links, and the podcast host will receive a payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the podcast host.

23 Dec 202030min

Moving in to the new place has taught me some realities of vanlife, especially regarding cube vans. We'll visit some amazing biology, review hand crank radios, talk about upgrading alternators, a tool for figuring out bolt sizes, and a monster in Salem Woods. AD: Robinhood   I’ve found an app that makes it dead simple to buy and sell stocks, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. And that app, is Robinhood. I’ve used it for years without a hitch. No contracts, no hidden fees, no gotchas. When you open your account, they’ll give you a free stock. That’s right, one share of a publicly traded company will be yours. It could be a big name like Apple or Google, but more likely it will be a smaller stock, like Zynga or Sirius. You will have to enter your bank’s information. But if you’re willing to do that, there’s literally a free stock waiting for you. And for me - and that helps keep the show going. Give it a try is join.robinhood.com/jeffw118 If you decide it’s not for you, sell the stock, keep the money and close your account. Easy peasy. I promise to only promote products that I use and trust, and Robinhood is one. If you have a different experience, please let me know. And thanks for giving it a look. TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks! A Place to Visit: Dismals Canyon Home to the only Dismalites in North America Bioluminescent "glow worms" make the area look like a galaxy at night.  https://www.dismalscanyon.com/ Product Review - Hand Crank Radios A must-have for anyone spending time in areas subject to severe weather. Look for: Lithium Battery Flexible Light Weather alerts (not just radio) Ability to charge cell phones Many good options: https://amzn.to/3oYMBYQ Some links are affiliate links, and the podcast host will receive a payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the podcast host.

16 Dec 202031min

Yep, it's time to talk about Insulation. Flames accepted. We'll also discuss tapping into fuse blocks, review a USB monitor, visit a famous movie site, plug FarOutRide.com and hear a "hot" tale.  AD: Robinhood I’ve found an app that makes it dead simple to buy and sell stocks, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. And that app, is Robinhood. I’ve used it for years without a hitch. No contracts, no hidden fees, no gotchas. When you open your account, they’ll give you a free stock. That’s right, one share of a publicly traded company will be yours. It could be a big name like Apple or Google, but more likely it will be a smaller stock, like Zynga or Sirius. You will have to enter your bank’s information. But if you’re willing to do that, there’s literally a free stock waiting for you. And for me - and that helps keep the show going. Give it a try is join.robinhood.com/jeffw118 If you decide it’s not for you, sell the stock, keep the money and close your account. Easy peasy. I promise to only promote products that I use and trust, and Robinhood is one. If you have a different experience, please let me know. And thanks for giving it a look. TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks! A Place to Visit: Chain of Rocks Bridge Route 66's crossing of the Mississippi River Filming location of Escape from New York Creepy murder site Visit Chain of Rocks Bridge Product Review AOC 16-Inch Ultra Slim USB Monitor Plug it in and you have an instant 2nd monitor, now power needed! About $85 at the time of publishing.  https://amzn.to/3lxCmZD Mac instructions Resource Recommendation Far Out Ride A great resource of all things #vanlife  https://faroutride.com/   Some links are affiliate links, and the podcast host will receive a payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the podcast host.

9 Dec 202030min

You've got your empty van. Now what? We're here to help - here's a method for getting things going and staying the course. We'll also visit Saguaro National Park, check out UCO Candles, learn how to charge laptop computers, figure out which octane to use, and hear a scary story.    AD: Robinhood I’ve found an app that makes it dead simple to buy and sell stocks, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. And that app, is Robinhood. I’ve used it for years without a hitch. No contracts, no hidden fees, no gotchas. When you open your account, they’ll give you a free stock. That’s right, one share of a publicly traded company will be yours. It could be a big name like Apple or Google, but more likely it will be a smaller stock, like Zynga or Sirius. You will have to enter your bank’s information. But if you’re willing to do that, there’s literally a free stock waiting for you. And for me - and that helps keep the show going. Give it a try is join.robinhood.com/jeffw118 If you decide it’s not for you, sell the stock, keep the money and close your account. Easy peasy. I promise to only promote products that I use and trust, and Robinhood is one. If you have a different experience, please let me know. And thanks for giving it a look. TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks! A Place to Visit: Saguaro National Park An overlooked and otherworldly wonderland near Tucson. https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm Product Review UCO Candle Lanterns Probably the best candle for #vanlife, but not really a heating solution https://amzn.to/3moCP1n   Some links are affiliate links, and the podcast host will receive a payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the podcast host.

2 Dec 202030min

Thanks for helping us get to 50 episodes! This time, we're taking a break from our normal format and presenting you with 50 #vanlife tips, and some news. Thanks for listening, and here's to another 50!    TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks!     Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host.

25 Nov 202032min

Which full-size van should you choose? Let's take a look... We'll also review 4-way stretch fabric, ride on the Possum 2, visit Coral Castle, explore HMDB.org, and invite folks to send their own Tales From the Road. And we'll explain the difference between starter batteries and leisure batteries.   TALES FROM THE ROAD - WE WANT YOURS! Send us your Tales From the Road and if we use the on the air, you'll receive a College of Curiosity SWAG bag, including some things appropriate for #vanlife. We'd prefer audio, but text could work and we'll help get it done for you. Send it to: jeff@builttogo.com. Thanks! Resource Recommendation Historical Marker Database A crowd-sourced list of historic markers across the country. There is a corresponding app as well. http://hmdb.org A Place to Visit Coral Castle Just south of Miami in Homestead, this historic structure was constructed out of enormous coral blocks that were carved and placed by one small man.  http://coralcastle.com (Check for COVID times.)   Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host.

18 Nov 202032min

Why not get a School Bus? Or an Ambulance? Step Van? RV???!!! We take a look at the pros and cons. Also, a fix for melting Velcro, magnetic phone holders, adventures in ZimZam, and how much solar should you have? ZimZam The space between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Victoria Falls Bridge https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls_Bridge Resource Recommendation AAA for Maps High-quality maps free with your membership Product Review: Magnet phone holders Standard: https://amzn.to/3kf7yMw Supports wireless charging: https://amzn.to/2IujOM9 Q&A: How Much Solar? Solar charges your batteries Size your batteries to your needs Solar wattage should equal battery amp hour capacity 100 watts of solar for 100ah of AGM battery. Lithium can use about twice as much solar per ah. Tech Talk: Shoe Goo Velcro Fix Velcro is great, but the adhesive melts in high temperatures Fix: use sew on, no adhesive velcro Staple it on or... Use Shoe Goo, which doesn't melt   Some links (Amazon) are affiliate links, and the podcast will receive a small payment if you order from them. Anything provided by a manufacturer for review will be fully disclosed. All reviews are the opinion of the Podcast Host.

11 Nov 202031min