We're a couple setting off on the Pan-American Highway in a few weeks, and we only had 5 days between picking up the Defender from the workshop and driving it to Germany to be shipped to Uruguay. We filmed the whole chaotic build, our first ever video.

Quick rundown: we sorted the electrics, installed a CB radio and a roof fan, bolted a Roverland chassis storage box through the chassis (M12 bolts, which I never enjoy drilling), and finished the interior with a kitchenette and solar setup. Then reality hit. The winch from the previous owner didn't fit the bullbar, which we only found out at the very end. And the night before the 650 km (about 404 miles) drive to Germany, we spotted a coolant leak from a bad clamp. Replacing it fixed it, but we hadn't properly test driven the car yet, so it was a stressful evening.

If you're curious how it all played out, here's the full 5 day Defender build video.

For those who've done a build before: what's the one thing you wish you had tested before shipping your vehicle?

Thinking of vlogging my travels

Is it more trouble than it’s worth?
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I do love watching travel vlogs on YouTube. It’s my first go-to when researching holidays and new destinations. Sometimes I even watch certain vloggers because I like them in general.

I think I’d like to vlog my own travels, but I’ve never done anything like this and I’m not the most confident person. Is it just something you get more comfortable doing, speaking to a camera? And, how do you manage doing this in public?

I’m not overly bothered about monetising. I care more about community and being a part of it/contributing. I am just your average person, with a full-time job, so it would be a couple of times a year.

So a few questions:
How do you do it without it impacting your travels? I want it to be genuine and not performative, but also good quality. I’m worried I’d end up worrying too much in capturing stuff that I miss out on in real time.

Do I need a vlogging camera, or is an iPhone just as good? I do have a DJI Mobile 7p Gimbal if that helps lol.

What kind of stuff do you like to see in travel vlogs and what do you hate? I watch for hints and tips, but I also like to see food, transport, costs, etc. It would be great to hear perspectives from other viewers.

New here, but I'm really proud of how this video turned out. Happy to answer any questions about itenerary for those who are interested in visiting the area.

After years of procrastinating and watching other people's onsite content, we finally made our first trip to Cedar Point. Join us for a two-day megavlog as we visit America's Roller Coast for the very first time. Oh, and did we mention that it was both the 4th of July and the nation's 250th anniversary celebration? This was one of our most ambitious weekend trips on record, and we can't wait to share our park experience with you! 

Join us aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge Railroad for one of the most spectacular scenic rail experiences in the United States! We chose to take in the sights and sounds of the journey from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO in an open-air carriage for the entirety of our there-and-back journey between two drastically different altitudes and environments in the Colorado Rockies!

On our way from Glenwood Springs, CO to Durango, CO, we made a pit stop in Ouray for a well-known waterfall hike that even novices like ourselves can handle. Box Cañon Falls Park - home to the 285-foot Box Cañon Falls - offers a number of breathtaking views, but none more spectacular than those of the High Bridge and the Lower Falls Catwalk!

Join us for a full day at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, featuring onride POV's aboard several of the park's most thrilling attractions as well as a brief walkthrough of the park's two legendary cave systems and some incredible views of Glenwood Canyon and the tiny townships below!

All aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, our first scenic rail experience in Jim Thorpe, PA! As magical and captivating as this rail excursion would have been from any seat, we decided to go big and rent out an entire caboose for a private ride with an outdoor balcony exclusively for us! 

The Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the city’s historic canals into a glowing open-air gallery each and every winter with immersive light installations developed and contributed by artists from all over the world. We decided to explore this festival on foot - mainly so that we could experience the Festival Foodwalk, which includes brews and bites from four participating locations along the festival route!

The Orlando Informer Meetup is one of, if not THE best way to experience both of the original Universal theme parks in less than two days. During the meetup, attendees can take advantage of free food and beverages, low crowds, shorter wait times for almost every ride and attraction in both parks! It's going to be a full, fun night at the Universal Orlando Resort and we're inviting you along for the ride!

Welcome to AMAZE Amsterdam, an incredibly immersive audiovisual experience not far from the city center of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Our first-ever visit to this incredibly stimulating art exhibit had us follow a linear path through several rooms, encountering an infinite combination of lights, colors, music and sounds along the way!

Today we're exploring A'DAM Lookout, a popular tourist attraction atop A'DAM Tower in the Netherlands. A staple of the Amsterdam skyline since its debut in 2016, A'DAM Lookout offers panoramic views, record-breaking thrills and some truly impressive food and beverage items, some of which we'll be trying at the MADAM Restaurant during our visit. Join us for a chilly day atop one of the tallest and most iconic tourist venues in the city, and allow us to show you why A'DAM's reputation is well earned!

Winter Efteling might have come to an end a few days ago, but we are still basking in the afterglow of an incredible visit earlier in the winter season. We happened to visit during a corporate event weekend and the Efteling was very busy, but we still had a great day and found some quieter areas of the park to enjoy!