Rainydaz has learned a lot from her vintage 1973 13-foot Boler trailer.

The Original Lightweight Trailer

Boler camper trailers are the original lightweight trailers. The trailer was made of fiberglass and was the lightest trailer on the road at that time. Even today, there are only a few trailers available that are as light as the Boler.

Bolers were manufactured primarily in Canada for over 20 years. The first trailer was produced in 1968 and the last one, apparently, in 1988.

In spite of their age, you can still find Boler trailers for sale. They are a highly sought-after collectors item as Boler enthusiasts are restoring them to their former glory. The owners even organize an annual meeting to show off their trailers.

The Boler's rounded shape led to them being affectionately referred to as an "egg." The space inside the Boler is small, but well-utilized. As teardrop trailers and tiny trailers are becoming popular again, people are once more finding value in a Boler trailer.

The History of the Fiberglass Boler Travel Trailer

The Boler was designed and manufactured by Ray Olecko. He based the design on his own family needs—a lightweight trailer that could be pulled with a car and accommodate two adults and two children. He was fascinated with fiberglass and had designed a fiberglass septic tank before he started producing the Boler travel trailer.

Ray Olecko named the small trailer Boler because he thought it looked much like a bowler hat. The lightweight trailer became a fast selling item because smaller cars were coming into vogue at that time.

Buyers of the trailer nicknamed it "the egg." It's believed that around 10,000 of them were produced and some of them are still going strong. There was a 17' Boler but it wasn't as popular as the 13' Boler.

The Design of the Boler Trailer

The Boler Floorplan

The Boler camper trailer sleeps four people. There are two single bunk beds on one side and a double bed on the other. The beauty of the design is that the bunk beds convert into a couch and the double bed area converts into a table with seats for dining. The kitchen has a stove, fridge, sink with overhead shelves. There is even a closet worked into the floorplan.

The Boler furnace runs on propane and the trailer can be hooked up to electricity. There is a 12-gallon holding tank for water. Since the body of the trailer is made of fiberglass it is corrosion-proof. The interior of the Boler is lined with insulation. It weighs 850-900 lbs depending on the model.

There is even an awning that goes over the door of the trailer. It slips easily into the slot just above the door. Our trailer still has the the original awning and is in perfect shape. I love my vintage camper.

Our Boler Trailer

It Was Love at First Sight

We bought our 13-foot Boler trailer eight years ago and haven't looked back. It's a perfect trailer for young families with kids. Traveling with the trailer is easy because it's so small and light. You hardly know you're towing anything.

The only updating we did to our trailer was replacing all the foam on the cushions and covering them with new fabric. We also replaced the drapes. The trailer was in very good shape, the electrical worked, and the furnace worked.

Our vintage camper still had the original specifications attached to the closet door. It was manufactured in Peace River, Alberta in 1973. As far as we know the trailer had about four previous owners.

The Dining Area

Looking for Parts for Your Boler Trailer?

• My article on Boler Trailer Parts and Repair has information on how to fix up your Boler.
• Vintage Trailer Supply, Inc. sells some hard-to find-parts for old trailers. Check them out.
• Fibreglass RV Parts, Repairs, and Service by Paul Neumeister is a site with lots of Boler parts.
• Bolerlife.com chronicles the restoration of a Boler trailer. The site has lots of tips for fixing up a Boler.

Looking to Buy a Boler or Meet Other Boler Owners?

• Fiberglass RV - Boler Trailers
  An online community on molded fiberglass travel trailers.
• Boler ama
  Another great forum for connecting with other Boler owners, sourcing parts, and selling or buying a Boler.
• Boler Forum
  A forum dedicated to Boler trailers. A great place to ask questions or to buy and sell Bolers.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Do You Own a Vintage Trailer or a Boler Trailer? Or just leave a note to say you stopped by.

Bill on January 12, 2020:

I bought a home with one left in the yard. I’m considering the possibilities

Sally on April 07, 2019:

I own a 1972 biker that I love. It was an ugly yellow and brown when I got it. I repainted it red on the bottom and white on top. It looks good but I would like it to be Sony. Any suggestions? People at the park call it the “little ladybug” trailer and I always have a lot of people asking to see the inside (or buy it!)

Jennifer Zulian on October 04, 2018:

I inherited a 1973 Boler and am starting to fix her up

Nancy on August 07, 2018:

Just purchased a 1976 boler. Looking forward to our first trip and many more. Would love to be able to catch up on the big meet up some day.

Louise on November 22, 2017:

We own a refurbished 1974 Yellow Egg.

bugtrap on June 11, 2014:

I would love to have one of these ones!

Northerntrials on June 29, 2013:

I remember when we finally got a trailer for family camping. It was a Boler. They are awesome. The first renovation he did to it was glue a floor mat to the front lower panel for rock chip protection. We had it for years but I never slept in it once. I was always out in the tent. The trailer was for Mom and Dad and the babies. :) Good thing... its easier to sneak out of a tent at night than a trailer...

Renaissance Woman from Colorado on June 28, 2013:

I've been researching vintage trailers in the hopes of building one (a teardrop) or perhaps restoring one. I enjoyed being introduced to the Boler trailer here. Congrats on your feature!

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on June 28, 2013:

My brother used to have a teardrop style trailer that he pulled behind his '40 Ford to go to the hot rod shows.

LilyBird on June 28, 2013:

We lived in and traveled in an older Airstream for 15 years and loved it. We currently have a 1964 Silver Streak that we're fixing up to travel in. RV's are great. Thanks for the info on Bolers.

RVLens on May 06, 2013:

Definitely still see eggs from time to time. :)

Cynthia Haltom from Diamondhead on May 05, 2013:

I don't own one but I am looking for one to purchase. I want to get one that I can fix up, so my family can use it when the come for a visit.

geosum on April 04, 2013:

The only trailer I ever pulled was a U Haul from MD to NY. Terrible gas mileage and I felt insecure. I bet the Egg would be a whole lot better and safer. Great lens!

anonymous on December 19, 2012:

Just stopping by again. I really would like to have a little trailer for going on the road camping at campgrounds.

maijame on November 30, 2012:

My daughter and son-in-law just purchased a vintage trailor. My daughter is having fun redecorating the interior.

aylsbillones1 on November 25, 2012:

Looking forward to have one..:)

KimGiancaterino on November 24, 2012:

We have a GMC motorhome. We may switch to a trailer someday since we also have a truck. Thanks for sharing your Boler. It seems perfect for family trips.

darciefrench lm on October 09, 2012:

No, but boy would I love too. When we're ready, it won't be a 36 foot condo on wheels for the price of a stationary home, but a super light trailer like the Boler.

rainydaz (author) on October 08, 2012:

@anonymous: Check out my other page Boler Trailer Parts and Repair for places to find parts for Bolers.

anonymous on October 08, 2012:

yes i am an egg canper also i have a 1970 and i am in need off a gas regultor for frig .windos with cranks compteat if possible ;{left & right rear sides }

a2zcamping on October 04, 2012:

Fantastic lens, inspired me to research further. Thank you.

sherioz on September 18, 2012:

I only once had the pleasure of a trip in a trailer and it was great fun. We went to Algonquin Park.

anonymous on August 30, 2012:

Brings back fun memories of family camping when I was a kid!

anonymous on August 13, 2012:

I need some help repairing my 1975 13 ft. Boler in Central Alberta Canada. Any information on someone who can help with this at a reasonable rate would be apreciated.Thanks/Bob

Little Linda Pinda from Florida on August 09, 2012:

That is cool. Congratulations on winning the Purple Star for a fourth time. Impressive accomplishment.

Rosaquid on August 09, 2012:

What fun! Your trailer looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Congratulations on your Purple Star!

rainydaz (author) on August 08, 2012:

@bushaex: Thank you for the blessing!

Stephen Bush from Ohio on August 08, 2012:

SquidAngel blessings. Fun and informative!

rainydaz (author) on August 08, 2012:

@anonymous: Thanks for the blessing!

anonymous on August 08, 2012:

These are neat little trailers, I would love to have one. Congratulations on the Purple Star. :) Blessed!

WriterJanis2 on August 07, 2012:

I would love to try traveling with one of these.

Sherry Venegas from La Verne, CA on August 02, 2012:

We had a trailer when our two kids were young. They still want to go back to our camping haunts at ages 29 and 30. We love the sky over our head. Have fun this summer camping.

anonymous on July 05, 2012:

I have a1973 Boler. I love it. Would like to buy an awning for it, Email me.

Lori Green from Las Vegas on June 17, 2012:

They look like so much fun. Very classic looking

anonymous on May 23, 2012:

we had one when i was young

zentao on May 18, 2012:

Classic looking old trailers. Now I want to use one and take a trip cross country!

flycatcherrr on May 17, 2012:

Oh, now I want a Boler trailer. That's just fabulous.

Auntie-M LM on May 17, 2012:

Had an old vintage trailer once, but not a Boler. This is downright cute.