1975 Boler reno - Fiberglass RV
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Old 08-14-2013, 12:00 PM   #1
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
1975 Boler reno

Well..... here we go...

The story:
We always wanted a VW van, as we love to travel by vehicle rather than air for the simple ability to stop and see different places along the way. We usually have a destination in mind but are in no hurry to get there or back.
We thought a camper van would be perfect because we could stay the night wherever we decided. However, when I started talking to people that have had VW vans, it became clear that the fun of ownership is not as fun as the idea. I realized that we would be spending thousands in maintenance for a vehicle to keep it running and functioning safely enough to take on trips, when all I really wanted was a cool unit to camp easily in along the road.
That's when I started looking at Boler trailers. The ability to use a brand new vehicle that has warranty and no safety issues was really appealing. And being able to hook up to a cool trailer that pulls easily allows us to keep some of the 'fun factor' that we were looking for in a VW. A couple friends have them so I started asking questions. Soon I found a friend that had a Boler out at his uncle's farm. His grandparents bought it new in 1975. I randomly mentioned to him that he should sell it to me for about two years. Two weeks ago, he finally caved and sold it to us.
We went out to the farm and pulled it back to town. It had been stored in a Quonset so that kept it from the elements - but not the mice.

The deconstruction:
We forgot to take the pictures that REALLY capture the mess inside the trailer, but we got the mice out and all of the cushions, curtains, etc. I have removed some of the fiberglass inside to get to all areas to clean out the mouse droppings. We are still deciding how we want to proceed as there will only be two of us using it so we don't need the bunks. Currently, we are torn between a complete customization and a simple renovation....

The Pics:
As collected (with some of the really yucky stuff removed)Click image for larger version

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Old 08-14-2013, 12:04 PM   #2
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
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Posts: 44
more pics....
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Old 08-14-2013, 12:21 PM   #3
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
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Posts: 44
after a lot of cleaning and a bit of removal....
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Old 08-14-2013, 02:23 PM   #4
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Name: Slavomir
Trailer: 1978 Boler
Washington
Posts: 275
Do the full reno and make it uniquely yours! That's what we're doing; been fun, with a little frustration on the side, but in the end I know we'll enjoy using it.

Cheers,
Slav
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Old 08-14-2013, 02:58 PM   #5
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by slavandheather View Post
Do the full reno and make it uniquely yours! That's what we're doing; been fun, with a little frustration on the side, but in the end I know we'll enjoy using it.

Cheers,
Slav
Thanks for the advice. We are really leaning that way. Still finishing the deconstruction - some really rusty screws and rivets..... but at least this is the cheap part!
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Old 08-14-2013, 04:02 PM   #6
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Name: Slavomir
Trailer: 1978 Boler
Washington
Posts: 275
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnt65 View Post
Thanks for the advice. We are really leaning that way. Still finishing the deconstruction - some really rusty screws and rivets..... but at least this is the cheap part!
If you spread out your purchases over several months, it won't feel as bad. I recommend serious thought into having a new frame made. One of the guys who just got done had his break on the first outing. A new axle is another priority...looks like yours is low.

If you haven't already looked, our progress is here.

One of the most amazing full restorations by Robert Johans is here.

Cheers,
Slav
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Old 08-15-2013, 12:48 PM   #7
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by slavandheather View Post
If you spread out your purchases over several months, it won't feel as bad. I recommend serious thought into having a new frame made. One of the guys who just got done had his break on the first outing. A new axle is another priority...looks like yours is low.

If you haven't already looked, our progress is here.

One of the most amazing full restorations by Robert Johans is here.

Cheers,
Slav
Do you mind me asking what it cost you to have a frame built?
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Old 08-15-2013, 01:08 PM   #8
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Name: Slavomir
Trailer: 1978 Boler
Washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnt65 View Post
Do you mind me asking what it cost you to have a frame built?
Ours came in at about $1300 with all the components, like Bulldog jack, rear stabilizer jacks, coupler, and included 10% tax.

You can then either have it sandblasted and powder coated or paint it yourself with Rustoleum or equivalent paint.

New axle will run you about $500, depending on which one and if you get brakes.
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Old 08-18-2013, 06:46 PM   #9
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
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Posts: 44
emptied out

Quote:
Originally Posted by tnt65 View Post
Thanks for the advice. We are really leaning that way. Still finishing the deconstruction - some really rusty screws and rivets..... but at least this is the cheap part!
here are some pics of it now that it is empty....
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Old 08-18-2013, 06:48 PM   #10
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
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here are some pics of it now that it is empty....
Took some TSP to it and what a change....
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Old 08-18-2013, 08:17 PM   #11
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Name: Linda
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California
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A clean slate, as they say. The TSP (and lots of elbow grease I'm sure) made a great difference. Thanks for posting the pictures.
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Old 04-20-2014, 11:31 AM   #12
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
Hi all! It as been a while - long winters in Saskatchewan.

I hauled the trailer into my friend's shop and took the body off to have a look at the frame. I also dropped the water tank and am going to rebuild the housing for it. For the most part everything looks really good but I am going to have the frame sandblasted and fix some welds before doing anything else.
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Old 04-20-2014, 11:55 AM   #13
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
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here are some photos
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Old 04-20-2014, 05:52 PM   #14
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
Got a little free time again today so I removed the windows and took the door apart to get started on the restoration that Con Mobley did and was nice enough to send me a step by step guide for.
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:47 PM   #15
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
July and it's not done.... yet!

Well.... we have been busier than we would have liked this spring and the project has been pushed back. However, we have amassed everything we needed, and started getting things done.

Here are a few pics from this week's work.
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:50 PM   #16
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
polishing aluminum

big difference here

I left the drip rail half done to show the difference
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:52 PM   #17
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
bodywork and sanding

I removed the hood vent and furnace.... this meant I needed to do some glassing and filling... First time, but I think it went ok.
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:55 PM   #18
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
Fantastic Fan

I purchased a fantastic fan but decided to move it to above the bed/table because I hit my head on it in my friend's trailer when he put it in the original spot. Again, a little glassing and cutting but looks good!
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Old 07-16-2014, 10:59 PM   #19
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
door frame

I followed the steps outlined by Con Mobley and created an aluminium door frame. I had some help from a great friend, Jay, in Regina who owns the Complete Wheel Shop. If you need wheels he is the man! He is also an incredibly talented fabricator. I did the bends and cuts and he welded it together for me.
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Old 07-16-2014, 11:01 PM   #20
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Name: Dan
Trailer: 1975 Boler
Saskatchewan
Posts: 44
primer and paint

Got the trailer into primer and partially into paint this week as well.....
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