Boler Fiberglass Trailers: "The Egg"
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". t'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
A visual history of motor camping in the early 1900s. Perfect for the fan of early trailer design, and vintage trailer promotional material. A must for anyone who enjoys living on the road and collectors of trailer ephemera.
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.
If you are a canned ham trailer enthusiast you'll love the over 200 color photographs by Douglas Keister of vintage trailers. There are also photos of the restored classic cars that tow the old trailers. Wonderful pictures of boler like trailers.
Do You Own a Vintage Trailer or a Boler Trailer? Or just leave a note to say you stopped by.
I inherited a 1973 Boler and am starting to fix her up
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.
We own a refurbished 1974 Yellow Egg.
I would love to have one of these ones!
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...
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!
My brother used to have a teardrop style trailer that he pulled behind his '40 Ford to go to the hot rod shows.
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.
Definitely still see eggs from time to time. :)
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.
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!
Just stopping by again. I really would like to have a little trailer for going on the road camping at campgrounds.
My daughter and son-in-law just purchased a vintage trailor. My daughter is having fun redecorating the interior.
Looking forward to have one..:)
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.
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.
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Check out my other page Boler Trailer Parts and Repair for places to find parts for Bolers.
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 }
Fantastic lens, inspired me to research further. Thank you.
I only once had the pleasure of a trip in a trailer and it was great fun. We went to Algonquin Park.
Brings back fun memories of family camping when I was a kid!
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
That is cool. Congratulations on winning the Purple Star for a fourth time. Impressive accomplishment.
What fun! Your trailer looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Congratulations on your Purple Star!
- AUTHOR
@bushaex: Thank you for the blessing!
These are neat little trailers, I would love to have one. Congratulations on the Purple Star. :) Blessed!
SquidAngel blessings. Fun and informative!
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Thanks for the blessing!
I would love to try traveling with one of these.
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.
I have a1973 Boler. I love it. Would like to buy an awning for it, Email me.
They look like so much fun. Very classic looking
we had one when i was young
Classic looking old trailers. Now I want to use one and take a trip cross country!
Oh, now I want a Boler trailer. That's just fabulous.
Had an old vintage trailer once, but not a Boler. This is downright cute.
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