Newbie 17ft Boler owner in Vancouver BC

[ChrisInVan]

Hello all,

My name is Chris. I am new to the forum, and am hoping to learn a lot out about maintenance and repair of my 17ft 1976 Boler over the next few months. The family (kids, dog and myself) already took it for a trip down South over Christmas, and it's definitely a keeper! But like I said, it needs TLC....

One of the smaller repair jobs I have scheduled is the lock. Turns out my Boler has a Lyster 20/203 lock (which I think is identical to the older L400 Bargman?) but it's missing the actual locking mechanism (the part that connects the key cylinder to the bolt/shank assembly). I'll be posting another thread with a picture of my lock in the "wanted" section with more info, but just throwing it out there now that if anyone has an old L-400 lock that can no longer be used but still has that part, I'd be happy to take it out of your hands!

[John in Michigan]

Hello Chris and welcome to the forum!

I also have a Boler 17, been working on it for two years and still haven't taken it out! But I'm learning and happy to share what I've learned.

Regarding the lock, the Lyster lock isn't the same as the L400, not even the same size. I actually have both locks, Lyster on my Boler 17, and L400 on my Trillium 4500 (and on my previous Boler 13). Definitely post pics showing your problem.

Again welcome,
John

[ChrisInVan]

Hi John, thanks for the reply! I thought the locks were very similar, my mistake. I actually used a L-400 cylinder to replace the cylinder in my lock and it worked fine. But yes of course pictures are always helpful. Here they are:

[John in Michigan]

Chris, good to know that the L400 cylinder worked. I will post a pic of the back of the L400 in a bit.

[John in Michigan]

I'm sure folks on this forum (including me!) would also appreciate seeing pics of your new camper.

[John in Michigan]

Chris here's a pic of the L400 (also posted on your lock thread). The L400 is an inch wider than the Lyster lock.

[stude]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Chris here's a pic of the L400 (also posted on your lock thread). The L400 is an inch wider than the Lyster lock.

:it may be a inch wider but if you look carefully John the parts are 100% Identical. I know of two old time lock smiths in the lower mainland on is on 6th St in New Westminster on the east side of street in quite a large building their is parking lot in back, downhill from 6th & 6th, the other is back of Tim Horton's you get to the Post Office then turn left and start looking for them on the same side of post office, I know my way there but for the life of me cannot remember the name of the street, or check computer for old time lock smiths, the old timers never through anything out.
Stude

[ChrisInVan]

Hello Stude,

Thanks for the suggestion! Will definitely check them out if they have the part. And yes, I also had the impression that the parts were identical from various pictures I saw (although I never could compare them side by side). Chris

Originally Posted by stude

:it may be a inch wider but if you look carefully John the parts are 100% Identical. I know of two old time lock smiths in the lower mainland on is on 6th St in New Westminster on the east side of street in quite a large building their is parking lot in back, downhill from 6th & 6th, the other is back of Tim Horton's you get to the Post Office then turn left and start looking for them on the same side of post office, I know my way there but for the life of me cannot remember the name of the street, or check computer for old time lock smiths, the old timers never through anything out.
Stude

[ChrisInVan]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Chris here's a pic of the L400 (also posted on your lock thread). The L400 is an inch wider than the Lyster lock.

Hi John, thanks for the pic. Like Stude said, I think I could still use the part of a L400 if I could held hold of it somehow. Still hoping to hear from someone in the forum who may have an otherwise broken lock lying around...

Will post pics of the Boler soon. Thanks again. Chris

[Alex Adams]

Chris, how quickly do you need the parts? I am replacing the Lyster on my Boler with a Bargman L-400. I'm doing this because the Lyster's exterior door handle is literally held together by a pop-riveted piece of sheet metal the PO owner used for a repair which is loosening. Otherwise the lock is fully functional with the exception of the inside locking lever which is missing. I am waiting for warmer weather so I can remove the door, modify it for the Bargman and exchange the locks.

[ChrisInVan]

Hello Alex, I don't need it super quickly. The hard deadline would be the summer, when we take our Boler for a trip to the Rockies. If you could remember to notify me when you are removing the old lock, that'd be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Anke

Originally Posted by Alex Adams

Chris, how quickly do you need the parts? I am replacing the Lyster on my Boler with a Bargman L-400. I'm doing this because the Lyster's exterior door handle is literally held together by a pop-riveted piece of sheet metal the PO owner used for a repair which is loosening. Otherwise the lock is fully functional with the exception of the inside locking lever which is missing. I am waiting for warmer weather so I can remove the door, modify it for the Bargman and exchange the locks.

[Alex Adams]

Can do. I even have extra keys for the lock as well. I am planning on doing this in the spring as soon as the temps get a little higher.

[stude]

Originally Posted by ChrisInVan

Hello Alex, I don't need it super quickly. The hard deadline would be the summer, when we take our Boler for a trip to the Rockies. If you could remember to notify me when you are removing the old lock, that'd be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Anke

:Chris do you have a USA mail drop in and around Blaine? Sure saves a lot of money having one, my wife set one up for herself as she does all the buying as she is a nerd on the computer whereas I'm just a slug.
Stude

[Glenn Baglo]

I live in North Vancouver and there is no way on this earth that I would drive ( up to two hours one way ) to Blaine to save a few cents.
And, if you are going to do that, make sure you have travel medical insurance, even though you might only be in the States long enough to get hit by a beer truck.

[JMatt035]

Chris,

Welcome to the forums. My wife and I also live in Vancouver and have a 1979 1700. We were very fortunate to get a boler that had been very well cared for but are still working through some repairs and updates. We haven’t yet had any problem with the lock so I can’t help you much with that but if you run into anything else and\or even just need to look at another trailer i would be happy to accommodate. As I said welcome aboard and congratulations on your new (to you) boler.

Cheers
Matthew

[stude]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I live in North Vancouver and there is no way on this earth that I would drive ( up to two hours one way ) to Blaine to save a few cents.
And, if you are going to do that, make sure you have travel medical insurance, even though you might only be in the States long enough to get hit by a beer truck.

:Glen thankfully I lost my sight in my right eye in Dawson City 7 months ago, now were busy trying to get the slow Canadian Medical System to move a bit faster. Got home Aug 10/18 and started with eye dr who set me up with Specialist who is slow as Molasses, did blood testing, next is VGH for other things they want done like drops in eye then look through and see what is going on inside, I already told him what's up from the Retnologist in Anchorage who told me the whole sad Story, but down here they do not believe me they want to see for them selves. Just that little Visit to the two eye doctors there cost $3000, I was only there for 45 minutes, the previous night at the Hospital was much cheaper we were there about 1 1/2 hours and it cost me $1200. Basically we got off lucky.
Stude

[Glenn Baglo]

Got that right.

[ststefan]

Hi Chris, We live in Maple Ridge and bought a Boler 1700 2 years ago. Our door lock worked OK but when I accidentally stuck my tonneau cover key in it, it still opened. So then I tried all the keys that looked similar and almost all opened the lock. Feeling it wasn't very secure We opted for another option. I sold the lock, and bought a retro fit lock off camping treasures. Here's a link to the site if you're interested:

Boler - White - Door Lock Replacement Kit - 1975-1988 Boler - Camping Treasures

If you want to come over and take a look you're always welcome to. Just PM me.