boler 1300 frame rebuild material

[motorcarmike]

Hey all,

i am in the process of planing a new frame for my 13' boler. i was wondering what the best material would be to use? i have a 1969 so it has the original flimsy frame.

3" C channel?
1.5"x3" thick wall tubing?

any help or suggestions would be great.
thanks
mike

[Alex Adams]

Check this site out: Boler Modification Ideas & Projects - Boler-Camping

[motorcarmike]

thanks, ive seen that link. i dont like the idea of 6" rails. I was hoping to use a stronger steel but keep the stock look of the original frame. thats why i was thinking about the c channel or the thick wall tubing...just not sure what would be better.

[rbryan]

Mike, I seriously doubt you could improve on Ian's design, or find a more suitable material. His details about how and why when building a Boler frame are the best I've seen - anywhere.

Boler Frame - Boler-Camping

[motorcarmike]

Oh i have no doubt that his design is strong and works. I just think its a bit more work than needed for a boler. Would you not get the same result using structural thick wall tubing? like 1.5X3" or 4"? with alot less work?

I have a heavy duty tandem axle landscape trailer that is made with 4" Channel and ive seen 24'+ camper trailers made in a similar fashion.... i even think 1.5"x4" thick wall tubing is overkill for the weight of a boler...

So im guessing that no one has made a new frame using tubing?

[rbryan]

The original Bolers apparently used 1.5x3, as Ian points out on his website. That's strong enough per se, but anything that prevents potential bending or twisting of the frame as the trailer bounces down the road is a good thing in my book.

[jcstanley]

the original Boler used 1.5x3 16ga tubing . not strong enough for 45 years of abuse . I added 1.5x3 1/8 tubing under the original frame , and welded it together . by clamping things together before welding the heavy tube will help to remove sagging and twisting . use string lines to checkout weather or not you have sagging and twisting .(you will) if you are not comfortable doing this get a professional . check out my registry to see how i did this . also consider replacing the axle when you do this , because now you can flip the axle to the trailing position . good luck !