The Bold and the BodoBoler
The Bold and the Boler
Boldly, I stuck to my guns. Amidst all the flak from family and friends I refused to falter. What do they know, I reasoned. I have a vision. Even my husband, H offered no support.
“They’re so old, it’ll cost you a pile of money to fix it up…”
“You’ll never find parts for these relics…”
“Why can’t you buy something new – something made in this millennium???”
But, I had this vision…
I fell in love with the little egg-shaped trailers during our RV travels and vowed to acquire my very own Boler someday. My dream was to Bodo-fy the unit into a sexy leopard skin ensemble that would accompany me to presentations and book signings. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. I was a woman possessed.
H went down south for a few days to golf with the guys and I knew I had a small window of opportunity. The plan was to purchase the wheels before his return and realize my dream. I knew the only way I would become the proud new owner of a Boler would be if the darn thing was just parked in the driveway upon his return and maybe, just maybe I lost the receipt.
I sourced a 1974 beige-on-beige number and wasted no time contacting the owner in a sleepy little town an hour away. It was still available and I raced out there immediately. As I drove up the mile-long driveway through acres of canola I wondered what kind of shape the Boler would be in. It didn’t matter, as soon as I rounded the corner and saw her nestled in the yard-high grass it was, well, love at first sight. Despite the stench of pee and 35 years of dust and must I plunked my cash on the dash before the vendor could say ‘BodoBoler’. A few days later my acquisition was delivered. I giggled uncontrollably while rummaging in forgotten drawers and creaky cabinets and began plotting the makeover. I could already see us bounding down the highway and taking the west by storm.
As I peeled back layers of material and memories, I envisioned the family vacations once spent in my little egg; warm summer days of sandcastles and triple-decker ice cream cones between dips in the lake, followed by evenings of toasted marshmallows and shooting stars before falling asleep to the hoo-hoo-hoot of the great horned owl. Sadly, the little trailer that was, was no longer. Years of neglect, hostile feral takeovers and the dawn of the super-sized RV seemed to have stripped away any dignity the Boler once enjoyed – never mind the fact she was fathered from a septic tank blueprint. Armed with rubber gloves and a respirator, I stripped away the upholstery, carpeting and curtains and scrubbed every crevice and orifice with high-octane cleansers. Slowly but surely the odor gradually dissipated; any lingering aromas were chased away with lavender essential oils.
Before performing any plastic surgery, I took my baby into the RV hospital for a full check up and spa treatment. She spent three weeks at the infirmary before she was considered road worthy. Tires, repacked axel bearings, kitchen taps, regulators, a POW-R-SURGE battery, a fridge and a myriad of seals and gaskets brought her up to snuff – along with an invoice that surpassed the original bill of sale. Then came the process of decorating and skinning. A few minor technicalities intervened occasionally – cracked hoses, a rusted hitch, broken lenses and a warped door were beginning to take its toll on my patience and my pocketbook. Oh, and then there was the time I was working in the Boler in the garage and she moved, just ever so slightly. But, it was enough to prevent the door from opening and I was trapped. It would be hours before H was due home and I had left my cell on the work bench. Gently, I began rocking the trailer back and forth until we had gathered enough momentum to roll out the garage door. I watched in horror as we picked up speed and sailed into the wrought iron fence. Fortunately, damage was minimal.
Well, she’s been prodded, poked and pelted for six months now, but the BodoBoler is finally almost finished. I still have a little tweaking to do but she will be ready to hit the road in the new year with the debut of my second book – ‘The Art of Upcycle’. Look for us ambling by to a location near you, or at the Edmonton and Calgary Home and Garden Shows. Oh, and by the way, H finally got his head around the whole issue so now I’m thinking maybe I can acquire a second unit and decorate it in a zebra motif…
The Boler ultra-light fiberglass trailer was invented in Winnipeg in 1968 by Ray Olecko, a car salesman and inventor. An interest in fiberglass led him to patent a septic tank design with tapered ends. The invention was a hit ‘tanks’ to its ease of transport when compared to its concrete and steel cousins. While camping with his family one summer, Ray came up with the idea of tweaking the tank concept into a light-weight camper that was easy to tow and move around. The prototype reminded him of a hat – more specifically a bowler, and thus the Boler was born.
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I love your boler! I have always wanted one and this has inspired me!
Thank you!
Bolers are the best! You will LOVE it.
What an awesome renovation you’ve done! I have friends with bolers and they absolutely love the little guys. Great job.
Thanks Bonnie…I had a blast working on it, but it still isn’t quite finished. Just purchased three teeny weeny LED chandeliers to brighten up the interior. And, of course still more leopardizing to do. I’m also adding an awning for a bit of outside glam.
Hi, I am re doing a 1970 (or 71)Boler, and I wanted to know where you purchased the interior battery lights from? Thanks Mark
Thanks to Linda heading up the trail …I now own a Boler too. We’er the Boler and I, not the husband and I) are in the Cleaning stage .What a great story of your search to live your Boler Dream. Mine started with the idea when I met Linda at George Pegg Gardens and came to life at a bridal shower in my livingroom. Happy Trails to All that own a Boler.! THX Theresa
Oooohhh Theresa…can’t wait to see your masterpiece, thanks for sharing your tale.