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JDS · 08-29-2016, 05:29 AM

StevieB,

I really don't know. It's built in and has an exhaust to the outside right behind the unit. I guess I'd recommend Googling SoleusAir to learn more.

Best regards,

John S.

**Rocinante** · 08-30-2016, 06:03 PM

Bowlus owners, would love to hear your stories about dumping and cleaning the cassette toilet. It's the primary reason why DW doesn't want to consider said trailer.

JDS · 08-31-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Bowlus owners, would love to hear your stories about dumping and cleaning the cassette toilet. It's the primary reason why DW doesn't want to consider said trailer.

My wife had similar concerns but I reminded her that I would handle the cassette toilet. It's odor-free in the trailer. As far as emptying it, my only recommendation is to plan to empty it every day so that you're carrying a lower weight. It's easy to empty and I wear disposable gloves so my hands stay clean. When I get back from a trip I take the cassette out and clean it with the same soap I use for the trailer itself.

Once you get used to it it's as easy as can be, especially compared to the "stinky slinky" with an A/S.

John S.

xrvr · 08-31-2016, 08:58 AM

Is it a European style cassette that is removed from the outside or a portopotty thing to be hauled through the trailer to be emptied.? The outside access ones are easy to use, the inside ones not so much.

**Rocinante** · 08-31-2016, 04:28 PM

Thanks, John.

Oh, pretty sure it's a Euro-style cassette.

JDS · 09-01-2016, 07:39 AM

It's definitely removed from the outside.

John S.

SilverGate · 01-07-2017, 12:26 PM

Outside Interests, January 2, 2017

"Airstream historians know Hawley Bowlus, the pilot who built Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis in the late 1920’s. Bowlus also created the first aluminum riveted travel trailer—not Wally Byam, as many believe."

See the whole article:

Bowlus, then and now - Part One

**Rocinante** · 01-07-2017, 02:10 PM

We love these darn trailers. We'll hope to see one in person someday and keep dreaming.

Believair · 01-08-2017, 10:00 AM

JDS, I took your advice and made a trip to the Henderson, NV, Bowlus showroom a couple of weeks ago. First, I would like to say that Helene was a wonderful host - allowing me to crawl all through their vintage Bowlus (great fun) and the two new units in the showroom (1st unit was an early version and 2nd was a brand new one). They didn't have a lithium one on site - I think it was going to be available during CES last week and may still be there. The RV is very well built and has a good layout. Loved the interior look & feel, soft close drawers and the other simple but helpful things like the adjustable tie down/brace hooks. Bathroom seems a bit tight (how do you all manage showering without getting water on the main floor?). I've posted some pictures from my visit. Would like to hear how you (and any other Bowlus owners) are getting along with their RVs and if they have recommendations from us Bowlus-envy(ers) who may be future owners (is the standard battery okay, any mechanical or wear issues, propane tank large enough, have the solar option?)...

JDS · 01-13-2017, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Believair

JDS, I took your advice and made a trip to the Henderson, NV, Bowlus showroom a couple of weeks ago. First, I would like to say that Helene was a wonderful host - allowing me to crawl all through their vintage Bowlus (great fun) and the two new units in the showroom (1st unit was an early version and 2nd was a brand new one). They didn't have a lithium one on site - I think it was going to be available during CES last week and may still be there. The RV is very well built and has a good layout. Loved the interior look & feel, soft close drawers and the other simple but helpful things like the adjustable tie down/brace hooks. Bathroom seems a bit tight (how do you all manage showering without getting water on the main floor?). I've posted some pictures from my visit. Would like to hear how you (and any other Bowlus owners) are getting along with their RVs and if they have recommendations from us Bowlus-envy(ers) who may be future owners (is the standard battery okay, any mechanical or wear issues, propane tank large enough, have the solar option?)...

Hi Believer,

To answer your questions, I am 6'4" and because of that have hesitated to us the shower. I still plan to do it but have been using campground showers so far. The standard battery is absolutely fine. We have the solar option and have used it in remote camp sites (no electric). The propane tank is more than adequate - we have used about 1/2 of it in two years of camping with lots of cold weather involved.

Best of luck,

John S.

Believair · 01-15-2017, 11:51 AM

JDS, thanks for the reply/info. I'm not as tall as you (5' 10") so the toilet/shower area ceiling height wouldn't be as tight for me but I still would probably have to sit down in the shower vs. stand(ing) -- overall space in that area looks like I'd have to put a towel (or something) on the walk-way floor to catch overspray / splashes.

For "everyone else" reading this post, here are a couple of pictures of the original bowlus road chief interior (from the one at Henderson). Helena was gracious and let me take some pics of their classic (it definitely had a lower ceiling height than the current/modern model). Loved the "phone" for making calls to the driver.

and a pic of a new one - logo on the trailer.

SilverGate · 01-17-2017, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Outside Interests, January 2, 2017

"Airstream historians know Hawley Bowlus, the pilot who built Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis in the late 1920’s. Bowlus also created the first aluminum riveted travel trailer—not Wally Byam, as many believe."

See the whole article:

Bowlus, then and now - Part One

Bowlus, then and now - Part Two

**Rocinante** · 09-09-2017, 07:29 PM

We visited their Henderson showroom last week and were very impressed with what we saw there. They are gorgeous, well built trailers. They have that high level of quality you'd expect from any RV manufacturer, but that almost none deliver. The dedicated craftsmanship and design, combined with high-tech manufacturing methods, produces a lovely unit. As we sit here in Rocinante with yet another darn thing gone wrong (Relax awning won't open), We're thinking more and more about a Bowlus. A few of our favorite things about them: light and maneuverable, stunning quality, and wonderful design. The galley does feel a bit small, but we think it's workable.

ohmman · 09-10-2017, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

We visited their Henderson showroom last week and were very impressed with what we saw there. They are gorgeous, well built trailers. They have that high level of quality you'd expect from any RV manufacturer, but that almost none deliver. The dedicated craftsmanship and design, combined with high-tech manufacturing methods, produces a lovely unit. As we sit here in Rocinante with yet another darn thing gone wrong (Relax awning won't open), We're thinking more and more about a Bowlus. A few of our favorite things about them: light and maneuverable, stunning quality, and wonderful design. The galley does feel a bit small, but we think it's workable.

Thanks for your report. The next time we're down in that area, I definitely plan to stop in.

There were a few things that made it a difficult sell for me. One was that it was tight for the four of us. It can sleep four relatively comfortably, but we do like to all sit at the indoor table. The dinette seats two, and you can set up an optional sofa table adjacent to it. Another was that the owner I spoke with complained a bit about keeping the luster in the finish. He said it scratches easily when passing by brush or hanging trees. He also said moisture control was a concern, but then that's nothing new to an AS owner.

Even without those concerns, I'm not sure I was ready to make the leap of faith on the price. We hadn't done anything with a camper at that point, so I didn't know if it was going to fit our lifestyle, especially given the inherent challenges associated with our tow vehicle.

All of that said, it's really an ideal pairing for our TV. The other owner I referenced is also towing with a Model X and travels comfortably at 65mph with a range around 170 miles.

85MH325 · 12-19-2019, 07:53 PM

John (JDS) brought his 2014 Bowlus Road Chief to the 2015 Midwest Forums Rally at Moraine View State Park in LeRoy IL. He and his delightful wife were kind enough to grant tours of his coach for the attendees, and he was kind enough to allow me to photograph the coach.

The Road Chief is, indeed, a pretty spectacularly constructed coach. I was impressed with the materials, fit and finish. They were certainly superior to anything Airstream has ever built, even back in the Wally Byam days.

Without further ado, the photos of John's Road Chief #3 in the wild:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskeaqDVo

B A I · 01-18-2020, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDS

Hi Believer,

To answer your questions, I am 6'4" and because of that have hesitated to us the shower. I still plan to do it but have been using campground showers so far. The standard battery is absolutely fine. We have the solar option and have used it in remote camp sites (no electric). The propane tank is more than adequate - we have used about 1/2 of it in two years of camping with lots of cold weather involved.

Best of luck,

John S.

We are considering the Bowlus. What we have seen so far we love. My questions are 1. How do you fill the propane tank if it is in the unit? Is there interior access to the tank somewhere? 2. There are no rock guards on the unit like AS has. For those of you that have a Bowlus have you had issues with debris putting Knicks in the shell? Also any regrets? To me the toilet is a plus. We had a cassette toilet and it was great. Less is more there. Thanks for your help.

**Rocinante** · 01-18-2020, 06:05 PM

Those are great questions for the folks at Bowlus. Happy shopping!

GMFL · 01-18-2020, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Those are great questions for the folks at Bowlus. Happy shopping!

JDS · 01-19-2020, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B A I

We are considering the Bowlus. What we have seen so far we love. My questions are 1. How do you fill the propane tank if it is in the unit? Is there interior access to the tank somewhere? 2. There are no rock guards on the unit like AS has. For those of you that have a Bowlus have you had issues with debris putting Knicks in the shell? Also any regrets? To me the toilet is a plus. We had a cassette toilet and it was great. Less is more there. Thanks for your help.

The propane tank is easily filled from the outside, where there is a little door that provides access. No issue at all. Rock guards would be a good idea as we have experienced some "road rash". The wet shower is possibly the only regret.

John S.

ohmman · 01-19-2020, 04:06 PM

I’ve considered the Bowlus on and off for the last couple of years. I think I’d miss my Zip-dee awning quite a bit; the awning that ships with the Bowlus looks fiddly in comparison. I also find the galley to be slightly cramped compared to our Sport 22, because ours is a galley and I have the dining table behind me for prep.

I do like hard doors between the sleeping areas, the aerodynamics and weight, and other features. But I have had a tough time convincing myself to take the leap.