1974 Boler Restore - Penticton BC

[Bcboler]

So I was given a free 1974 boler in very rough shape. I have never done any work like this before and look forward to the challenges and rewards ahead. Please offer any suggestions and tips you can. I'll start with a few pics as to where I'm at now. Hauled it from the woods, cleaned it up, frame is now off, appliances are stripped out, and half of insulation is off (po sprayed thick foam insulation everywhere - inside and out that all must go). Frame being fabricated next week, and I picked up a 30 yard roll of high grade marine vinyl to skin the walls with. Now to figure out what to insulate with...quite the debate on that one. I'll need super 90 glue to attach whatever goes up as we hit close to 40 Celsius a lot of the summer in the okanagan valley and don't want it to delaminate.
Let the games begin!!'

[Carol H]

Ira, that is a find!!! That should keep you busy for most of the winter ;-)
If you havent already found it Boleramma.org is a great place to start when in need of help or advise as to what best to use on the Bolers.

[Bcboler]

Also, this guy showed up in the mail this week. $12 shipped to Canada!

[Carol H]

Thats it your hooked! :-))

You will have to come down to the coast at the end of June next year and show off your work at the BC Glass Eggs Fiberglass trailer meet in Mission.

[Rick Mooyman]

Looks like you got as much to do to your Boler i do with my new project. I am going to use Reflectix insulation from Home Depot, but not sure what to use over it yet as the finish for the interior. I dont like the Scamp rat fur and Ensolite is way too expensive. Good luck with you project I will be watching waht you do as you go along.

Rick

[Carol H]

Trillium in the US sells a wall covering & t mouldings that would work. You could also contact Trillium in Calgary as they may have some of the same as well.

[Bcboler]

I picked up some ecofoam from Home Depot today after seeing it in action on a YouTube video by KevinHenry61. Site says its non longer available there, but I happened to find four 6x9' rolls left so I bought them all. I plan on gluing the foam to the Fibreglass and high grade marine vinyl to skin it. I'm very nervous to do this job but look forward to the challenge. I picked up some of the lepage Eco friendly contact cement to hold everything. I can't seem to find the temperature rating on it, I really need to find something that will withstand temps over 40 Celsius. Can't seem to find anyone that sells 3M Super 90 around here, that I know will do higher temps. If anyone has any tips to applying the vinyl and deal with the seams, I'm all ears.

[Bcboler]

This is the Eco friendly water based contact cement I'll be using to glue my Eco foam and high grade marine vinyl combination to the boler walls and ceiling:
http://dashboard.lepageproducts.com/...9813bb8bfa.pdf

It has a high operation temperature of 70C, so if you live in a hot climate like I do, it's something you have to consider as Super 77 spray from 3M will break down around the mid 30's Celsius. Water based so no fumes, easily clean up with water, 3x coverage of solvent based cements, and requires no clamping. Ran some tests tonight, so far it works like a charm!

[Bcboler]

Here is a pic of the products I'll be insulating the boler with:
Ecofoam (flooring underlay) from home depot then high grade marine vinyl glued with Lepage eco contact cement.
Won't add too much thickness, be better than the old gross ensolite/spray foam combo the po had in there, easy to wipe down, and nice and neutral from a design viewpoint.

[Crackedegg]

Hi, I was wondering where you purchased your vinyl from? Thanks

[Gilda]

I'd caution you to beware of black mold (if that is what it is) in your Boler. This can be nasty stuff for your health. Find out what precautions you need to take when breathing black mold.

[Bcboler]

No black mold in the boler, the black in the photo is just the black backing of the ensolite. It's on their good, while peeling it off, it has left bits. The original adhesive was so strong, you can still smell it fresh as if it was just put on. After almost 40 years, I'm impressed with how it's held up. Too bad it all has to go due to the gross spray foam everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

I got the vinyl locally off the Internet from a guy who started a business and bought an insane amount of it, shut his business down, and is now selling off at cost. I got a 30 yard roll for only $150. If you're in the okanagan valley or Calgary he still has some left. Not sure how much it sells for elsewhere, but I knew $5/yard was way too good to pass up.

[Bcboler]

Some pictures of the newly fabricated frame that will be ready to go in a couple of days. As you can see, about a 100x stronger than the terrible thing that came off. Bottom picture is of course the old one. Just a few more cross pieces to take care of

[Crackedegg]

Nice work! I had my frame inspected for my 1700 and the rv techs said it was good to go but I would rather a new frame as I'm doing a complete reno on the unit.

[Bcboler]

Just got the new frame home this evening. It's pouring rain in the okanagan valley and I'll have to wait a few days until I can get it inside the garage ready for paint then back under the coach. Then the real fun/work begins!!
Here's a few pic I snapped of the old one. Glad I replaced it. The fabricator was a friend of one of our customers and he did the entire fabrication for $1700. Great deal given the material and all his labor.

[Bcboler]

Bigger better boler

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Bcboler

Bigger better boler

Ain't that the truth!!

[Borden]

What will the new frame weigh in at as compared to the old?
Looks a lot better

[Borden]

Originally Posted by Crackedegg

Nice work! I had my frame inspected for my 1700 and the rv techs said it was good to go but I would rather a new frame as I'm doing a complete reno on the unit.

Some great ideas at this site for frames; even an aluminum frame project at this site posted

[Bcboler]

He said the frame would be aprox 300 lbs, so still very light. I just heard that there is somebody in my area that is fabricating aluminum frames, oh well, this restore is already a bit of a money pit, best to stick with this route. One shop quoted me $1300 plus our %12 tax just for the A frame welded to the chassis, $1700 tax in for this was a bargain. Helps to ask around, a friend of a friend type deal. Awesome that he wasn't just a welder, but makes trailers! He actually takes 5th wheels and converts them to tow trailers. The result, a used trailer you can buy at %30 less compared to travel trailers (in these parts anyway), with an insane amount of storage. Interesting and talented guy. You never know who you'll meet out there. This restoration is giving me a chance to meet some great people so far.