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12-15-2009, 10:29 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2007 19' Bambi
Somewhere
, Between the Tetons and the SF Bay
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 77
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Boles-Aero, Anyone know about these?
Anyone know about Boles-Aero travel trailers? There is an abandoned one on some land that the property owner is going to dispose of. It's an aluminum skinned tanden axle unit, circa 1968, that looks like it was pretty primo in it's day. The label says it's a "Non-Pareil" model 240-X.
Anyone?
__________________
TT: 2007 Bambi 19' 75th Anniversary Special Edition, David Winick
TV: 2006 Chevy HD2500 Duramax 6-speed manual
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12-15-2009, 10:37 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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My wife's parents full timed in a Boles Aero for several years in the 70s. I believe they were "top of the line".
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12-16-2009, 05:25 AM
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#3
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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Here's a link for some history of the B-A brand from the TCT website.
boles-aero [DokuWiki]
Kevin
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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12-16-2009, 12:23 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1969 21' Globetrotter
Springfield
, Oregon
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 23
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While living in the desert outside Tucson for several years we had neighbors who had developed a beautiful little compound on about 3 acres. They lived in a 50's vintage Boles Aero and a 60's vintage Caravelle, had an outdoor kitchen and outdoor shower. The Boles-Aero was beautiful. I don't know much about them, but always lusted after this one. I think there is a Boles-Aero cult out there. And like many feel about Airstreams - the older, the better.
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12-16-2009, 01:22 PM
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#5
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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I have a '53 Boles Aero in my backyard that I'm storing for a friend. It's a great little trailer, appears well built and is high on the cute scale. It just so happens to be for sale but still needs a little work on the plumbing and electrical.
Brad
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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12-16-2009, 01:37 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1961 22' Safari
Union
, Oregon
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 477
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I own a 1949 12 foot Boles and have almost completed a complete rebuild on it. I rebuilt and sold a 1948 14 footer. Both of them were very well-built (aluminum skin riveted to aluminum ribs). The frame is stout and does not rely on the body for support. I don't know much about the larger ones or the "newer" ones --- the later 50's and 60's.
Having rebuilt both a Boles and an Airstream I believe that the Boles is at least as well-built.
I would not hesitate to acquire another!
Sam
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12-17-2009, 01:11 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
1960 Caravel
Bend
, Oregon
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 89
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There's a fairly active yahoo group.
boles_aero : Boles Aero Vintage Travel Trailers
I plan on adding a Boles Aero to my fleet in the next year. There's a 1958 Mira Mar single axle around here that's begging me to take it home.
There's actually a very nice one on ebay right now.
The Zenith models from the late '50's are wood framed. This was a lower priced offering. As far as I know all the others were aluminum framed and rivited. The late '40's through the mid '50's models were smooth sided canned hams and are really gaining popularity with collectors and enthusiasts. Very well built trailers.
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12-17-2009, 06:47 PM
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#8
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1972 Travelux Princess 25
Cobourg
, Ontario
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,059
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If it's restorable you should save it from the crusher. Someone will want it if you don't.
Around here, junkyards won't even take trailers or motorhomes for free. They have too much wood and plastic, at today's low scrap metal prices they aren't worth bothering with.
So you should be able to get it for practically nothing.
__________________
Living in the trailer park of sense, looking out the window at a tornado of stupidity.
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12-17-2009, 09:18 PM
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#9
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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We have a '72 B-A that the person that owns it is trying to sell. He is asking $15K for it. It's pretty clean, and very complete. Time will tell how much it really sells for.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-17-2009, 09:30 PM
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#10
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tetstream
The label says it's a "Non-Pareil" model 240-X.
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Interesting model name. "non-pareil" = incomparable (unequalled)
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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12-17-2009, 09:36 PM
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#11
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
We have a '72 B-A that the person that owns it is trying to sell. He is asking $15K for it. It's pretty clean, and very complete. Time will tell how much it really sells for.
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You "have" it, Terry? Would you be so kind as to perhaps post some photos, or a link to where we can see it?
thanks,
Aage
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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12-17-2009, 09:42 PM
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#12
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
You "have" it, Terry? Would you be so kind as to perhaps post some photos, or a link to where we can see it?
thanks,
Aage
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By a coincidence, I snapped a few photos yesterday:
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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12-18-2009, 06:44 AM
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#13
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Wow, that looks great, Terry, thanks!
Apparently, that one has has some serious clean-up/updating done to it. A Fantastic fan, is an obvious example.
Is the interior real wood, by the way?
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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01-18-2010, 11:49 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
moab
, Utah
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 29
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Hi I'm trying to finish up my restoration of a 65' Boles.(Freezing weather and snow). The interior wood panels are a faux oak finish on1/8" luan. But all the cabinet framing is solid wood mahogany.I guess they used the faux finish for ease of cleaning and for uniformity.Unfortunately it's hard to repair surface damage. I've used pieces of unexposed paneling and paint matches to for my repairs.The ceiling panels(again faux finished) was totally destroyed to water damage so I used luan with a nice uniform grain and color to replace.
I love the square design of the Boles which gives it that cozy, warm interior.
ED
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01-18-2010, 12:38 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Classic
Oro Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
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We were jealous in 1975 when friends of ours bought a "non pariel" Boles 5th wheel. It was heavy, I think, but first rate.
I do not remember what it cost but it was out of our price range
Kistler
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01-18-2010, 01:10 PM
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#16
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
Is the interior real wood, by the way?
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It's real, in that it is real paneling, such as you would find in a mobile home of the period.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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05-31-2011, 07:25 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
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Another Found Classic...
Our Uncle is in his 90's, and restores old Ford's in his backyard 4 stall garage.. Alongside the house, he's had a Boles Areo trailer for years, which he bought new from a neighbor who used it for trips to Quartzite in the winters in the 1970's and 1980's..
He's finally had it, and is ready to sell.. I'm listing it in Classifieds, but any of you Diesel Truck owners looking for projects should be advised.. It's a 1976 Boles Aero NonPareil XL, and I believe it is 29' model, with rear bath, front dinette, and twin beds on sides behind kitchen.. Double Axle, 8,000# GVWR and Aluminum with gold/black stripes on sides and louvered windows.. I'd rate as "good" condition, needs work.. It's in SF Bay Area, has never been in high humidity area, and he is trying to get $5K for it...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
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06-01-2011, 08:22 AM
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#18
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Some good pics of another Boles Aero. These trailers were built by the same family-run corporation for 35-years.
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02-17-2014, 03:29 PM
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#19
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1970 30' Boles Aero
Vintage Kin Owner
Ashland
, Oregon
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
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We just bought a 30' 1970 Boles Aero trailer ($4700) to live in. It has two doors, couch in front, kitchen and fold out table in the middle, followed by bathroom & closets, with bedroom in back. The back bedroom was twins, which we've taken out to fit our queen bed. It seemed to be in great condition, but of course there is work to do.
So far we have torn out the 44 year old shag carpeting and pad (will replace with bamboo click-lock flooring this week), removed the old water tank (under one of the beds, and cracked), and removed the old Dometic M70b 2-way fridge (which wasn't working). Since we'll be parked, we'll have water and electrical hook ups.
I'd love to find more resources for working on the 1970 era Boles Aeros, but there seems to be very little online... Any tips?
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02-18-2014, 03:25 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Sunnyvale
, California
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,894
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The best online resource is the Yahoo "Boles Aero group" referenced earlier... You can post questions or messages and someone will answer, though not as reliably as this Forum site.. You need a Yahoo-compatible e-mail address to join and then join their "group"...
__________________
Condoluminum
In Theory, there's no difference between Theory and Practice, but in Practice, there is usually a difference...
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