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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 17, 2013 23:37:44 GMT -8
Heres my story. I bought a house with five acres of land. Borrowed several thousand from mother for down payment on it. Got to know my neighbors and started to find out what I had got myself into. Lived there for about a year and a half and thought I was living the American dream. Found my well was contaminated, my contract was null because it had never been filed with the recorders office as required by law, and never received insurance documentation which is considered fraud in some states. Needless to say the guy was a crook and took my money, my mothers money for that matter. I was going broke paying out almost $800 a month to mortgage before my my ungodly utility bills,food, gas,insurance ect. I am 40 years old trying to make it with my two daughters to support and wife who is having a hard time finding work after 2 years of college. She is a licensed medical assistant mind you. I could not take it anymore. I am originally from Indiana but moved to Missouri for work 600 miles to be able to support my family. Our solution was for the wife and kids to return to Indiana where she was to stay with family temporarily over this coming winter and for her to possibly find work there. I was staying behind to work my job and pay off the bills. Problem is a recent EF 5 tornado in 2011 when I first moved here destroyed so many homes that the remaining rentals skyrocketed. Where do I go and save some money? Honestly thought of living in a tent while the weather was good however I have my daughters dogg not so good. I finally found myself a temporary or possibly a permanent home after talking with a friend at work that I ride with. Happens her son bought this camper for $3,000 five years ago and lived in it for two years himself. Story goes he had some issues which landed him behind bars and the camper returned to its original owner after being abused. She asked the owner if she would sell it and sure enough I jumped on it. I was facing being homeless. I caved to the cardinal sin and bought it for $1,200 dollars without so much as even seeing it let alone inspecting it. Let me tell you I couldnt have gotten more lucky. Its a 1974 BOLES AERO BABY! It had some issues with freeze damage to pipes, mud daubers in water heater flue, bad tires,busted thermostat in roof unit, mice at one time and the list goes on. But its a BOLES period..The mechanicals such as dometic fridge, water heater and some cabinetry were redone in the late 90s. I have been living in it for three weeks now and enjoying working on it and looking forward to what it will become again when Im finished with it. The more I digg in the more I see the build quaility. The craftsmanship in this baby is unbelievable and its built like a brick outhouse. I wouldnt trade it for an airstream. My wife and girls may be joining me again sometime soon and I hope we can make room in here. Rv park is 225 month plus electric and I have wifi woo hoo. I will keep yall posted AARON
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shastabear
Active Member
'66 Model 1500 Shasta
Posts: 144 
Likes: 14
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Post by shastabear on Sept 18, 2013 7:08:21 GMT -8
Aaron
That's an awesome find....please do keep all of us posted..pictures also are appreciated here. Best of luck!
Randy
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Post by vikx on Sept 18, 2013 21:28:05 GMT -8
Welcome Aaron and wishing you good luck in the future! Boles are great trailers.
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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 18, 2013 22:01:09 GMT -8
Got all cpvc pipes fixed in the back. Installed new thermostat for the rooftop intertherm which was like finding a hens tooth. Air works great now, water heater fired right up after a good cleanout of the burner tube and pilot. Rebuilt delta faucet on kitchen sink. Holds water fine now. Projects upcoming are cleaning and resealing all seams and getting ready for winter. Heat tape on water hydrant and hose. Possiblly repacing power vent above shower and a recoat with some liquid rubber for extra protection. DC system needs upgraded and Im thinking golf cart batterys and solar in the mix somewhere. Maybe I need to start a new thread for this but does anyone know what they used as seam sealer back in 74? Whatever it was or is on this thing is still semi pliable "you can indent it with a fingernail" Looks as if it did its job very well. I am researching sealants and am down to a few for the metal seams. My list is SIKAFLEX, 3m uv 4000, 3m 5200, and BOSTIK. What holds up best? The caulking on roof will be covered by liquid rubber more than likely.
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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 19, 2013 8:15:18 GMT -8
Nope not butyl on the seams. I am looking for parts or a backup unit for the suburban nt22 furnace. I will post pics as soon as I have a good camera. I work full time so its hard with only a couple hours a day to do anything. This project will be stretched a long time for sure. Im living in it too which you would think makes it easier but organizing stuff is key.
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Post by vikx on Sept 19, 2013 21:39:27 GMT -8
Boles did not use Sealants on the roof seams in 74. Whatever is up there has been added... You might want to read this thread: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/213/question-on-caulkAdding goop and caulk never helps. At best it delays leaks, at worst it causes metal rot. (failed roof goop with water creeping under) |
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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 19, 2013 23:05:50 GMT -8
The roof has been coated with the white crap. Someone did a botch job replacing the power vent above the bathtub, it an old cracked up ventline I think. However what Im talkin about are the seams on the sides. May have been added but cant see it unless you look for it and it looks like good stuff. I thought about stripping the roof OMG. I know I am going to pull all the vents and a/c unit to replace its seal and and clean it up a bit. I dont have any leaks cept the screwed up vent above bathtub. Its rained for 2 days here. I just have seen pics of rotted out trailers and what water can do to one. I know just enough about Boles to know that I dont want anything to happen to mine. I heard the old fart was still kickin and would like to write hime a letter and thank him for building such a high quality unit. 40 years old and solid as all hell and she pulls great. My plan is logically to strip whats up there and maybe use the 2 part liquid rubber over it to be safe. Whatever I do has to be done right and thats why I am here. Everything on her is Blind Riveted like B-52 Bomber. What should I do to protect her? I dont want to make any mistakes. I need to get some pictures on here somehow for you to examine.
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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 19, 2013 23:13:24 GMT -8
I plan on replacing all the vent on roof as well, but should I coat it. I beleive replacing the entire sheet of aluminum is far more involved than what I would like to entail. And honestly I dont think it needs it its not bad. The side cap is all blind rivited together and I dont want to screw it up. I have got myself into it bbad cause I already love this thing. All my hobbies in one box awesome. One tight box that is no pun intended . Family lived in for a year and half after that! And thru one hard winter with temps at -20 below for a few days. Suffered a broken pipe and discovered heat tape outside on hydrant and sewer pipe works good. I had completely went thru furnace down to the motor brushes earlier that summer cleaned burner checked heat exchanger ect.I had to get a new regulator for the propane. Had to switch the 30 lb tanks for 100's. Then i got tired of lifting those suckers out of my truck and called the gas company. I got permission at rv park had the rig pressure tested and a big 250 gal propane tank set! The nearly 45 year old lines passed the manometer test and inspection. Had to plug the live pilot on the stove with a pencil eraser while he did it but no problem. Id get to 20 percent and call the propane man. I still have this trailer as of 2018 and maintained it. Roof sealed new coleman ac unit tile thru out and just mounted my brand new turnpikes on brand new dexstar rims from vintage trailer supply today! Jan 8 2018 ready to rock again!
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cowcharge
1K Member
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Post by cowcharge on Sept 20, 2013 8:31:36 GMT -8
Dunno nuffin' 'bout no Boles, but if you mean the seams where the roof meets the walls under the j-rail, it's almost certainly mastic putty tape. Most of the putty in my '76 Shasta was still pliable, too.
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Post by vikx on Sept 20, 2013 22:08:38 GMT -8
74, you're on the right track... You already love the Boles and it deserves an owner like you.
I wouldn't re-coat the roof. Clean very well around the vents, install properly with putty tape and a final seal with Dicor self leveling lap sealant. Dicor isn't always used, but I like it. It can be removed with much swearing. The seams can be inspected and edge trim re-puttied. In other words, clean what you can, especially at seams. Pick peeling old coating off. Keep an eye on the roof, which should be OK with proper maintenance.
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