WELCOME TO BOLER BEAR XPRESS

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Hi! We are Mike and Madison Levesque, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Boler Bear Xpress is a small family owned business, in the heart of old downtown Cambridge.
Our Bolers, also referred to as ‘EGGS’, because of their unusual shape and exterior texture, are vintage trailers, that haven’t been made since 1988. They started being made in 1968 and as the years grew into the 80’s there were less being manufactured.

We have had the pleasure and the luck of owning Bolers for 10 years. We own a 1987, which was previously owned by Wayne Gretzky’s Uncle, and have owned that particular Boler for over 5 years. Previously we owned a 1972 that we restored and sold when we found the ‘Gretzky’ Boler. Of course that one’s our pride and joy.

We’re proud of all of our Bolers and are excited to offer our renters the opportunity to experience the same wonders and ventures that we’ve had over the years.

THE RENOVATION:

During the restoration process, we kept in mind that we wanted our Bolers to be as original as possible, so that our customers could enjoy the ‘vintage’ aspect of these travel trailers and appreciate their originality. Maybe even get a bit of that nostalgic feeling.

Although the units have all been completely restored, some upgrades were necessary to ensure that the units were mechanically safe and dependable for our customers. We have also installed some modern day luxuries so that your vacation is cozy and comfy.

THE BOLER:

Because our fiberglass trailers are lightweight and easy to pull with almost any vehicle, we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to offer these little ‘eggs’ to families and couples who want to take an affordable road or camping trip, and not pay outrageous fees for hotel stays and eating out.

Boler Bear Xpress is committed to providing renters with the basic comforts of home while camping or traveling in our Bolers. We take great pride in our vintage trailers, and are proud to be able to offer a unique experience to anyone who ventures out in any of them.

Most have a similar shape and style but all are unique in their own little way.
They’re cute.
They’re fun.
They’re compact but roomy.
Most people who have never experienced travelling in a Boler, are often surprised by the space inside, the comforts and the conveniences that occupy the small interior.
We won’t kid you, they’re small, but they sleep 4, and have a stove, fridge, sink, countertop, closet and storage.
I know, your thinking, WOW, how can all of that be inside one of those little travel trailers.

Well we think, you should come and look for yourself. You’ll definitely be pleasantly surprised.
The Boler is a lightweight travel trailer that is the epitome of style and comfort.
In the world of ‘Bolers’ they are often referred to as ‘Eggs’ due to their unique shape and gel-coated exterior. Renters enjoy the vintage feel with our Bolers, and the fun that accompanies camping or traveling in these little eggs.

Each Boler comes with an accessory kit. The contents of the kit can be seen in the ‘Rental and Payment Information’ section of our website. You can also view our Rental Agreement using the PDF icon on the ‘Rental and Payment Information’ section of the website.
We are so excited that you’ve found us and are considering one of our rentals. You won’t be disappointed.
Please take the time to check out our website, and if you have any questions please contact us using the information from our contact page.

WHY RENT?

Renting trailers is a great idea but renting a Boler is even better. There are no pop outs, and no canvas to set up. Renting a Boler is an entirely different experience and one you won’t forget. They’re fairly simple. You just hook up and go…….unhook and set up in as little as 10 minutes.

And of course your covered and dry if it rains. There’s no unpleasant wet packing up to do.

We try to take the time to explain to individuals considering buying as opposed to renting, why renting is a money saving option that you can explore before making a substantial purchase.

Read on.......

Many families find it virtually impossible to dedicate 1 or 2 weeks each year towards a vacation. It's a very unfortunate reality in our busy lifestyles these days. Unless you are planning to camp more than 3 full weeks each and every year, then you could rent a Boler travel trailer for 10 years before you would spend the same amount of money purchasing a similar unit.

This is besides all the time and money that buyers would have to dedicate to cleaning and maintaining the trailer.

And of course, then there's storage of the unit, insurances, and the prep work involved in winterizing and opening up for the spring and summer.

Remember, if you own a trailer, 50 weeks out of the year, typically, it’s not being used.

Oh, and don't forget:
You don't have to equip a rental; you get almost everything you need to be comfy in the outdoors.
There's no obligation to lend your trailer to family or friends that ask.
No purchase taxes, and no annual insurance fees, or expense to purchase a license plate.
No annual maintenance costs due to the unit sitting for long term.
No worry of vandalism, rodents, and mildew.
And no worry on resale.
So, as you can see, owning a trailer can actually be more expensive than renting one each year. It can also be an expensive long-term endeavor mixed with some hefty risks.

That's why renting a Boler is an excellent alternative for people who are 'on the fence' about buying. So really, overall, most people who own trailers don't use their trailers as often as they had hoped and end up finding them an 'eye sore' in their yard, and sell sooner than not.

THE HISTORY OF THE BOLER

Boler trailers can still be seen on the road and in campsites. These egg-shaped Bolers were a Canadian success story. And it started with a septic tank!

The Boler ultra light fiberglass trailer – the famous "egg on wheels" – was invented in 1968 by Ray Olecko of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The trailer went on to sell thousands of units and to spawn a dozen imitators. Yet the history of this important Canadian contribution to the RV pleasure of so many people remains relatively unknown.

Ray Olecko, Trapper and Inventor

According to Jamie McColl – who on some unspecified date interviewed Olecko claims that Olecko was a car salesman and inventor. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office lists three patents in Olecko's name; the inventions are also patented in the U.S.A.

1. #770200 1967-10-24 Septic Tank (US #03426903)
2. #1263234 1989-11-28 Cable Trap (US #4920690)
3. #2297627 2000-02-03 Trap for Animals (US #3,272,193)

Olecko became interested in fiberglass, and on October 24, 1967 was issued patent # 770200 for a lightweight, cylindrical, expandable fiberglass septic tank with tapered ends. It was designed so the parts were nested together for shipping and bolted together in the proper configuration on the site. According to the patent description, this design offered substantial benefits over the concrete or steel tanks common at the time, and McColl reports that they sold well.

Boler aficionados would be aghast at any suggested connection between the rounded shape of the fiberglass septic tank and the egg-shaped trailer produced the following year. But a look at the patent drawings suggests a strong parentage! Perhaps a rounded cylinder represents a good blend of strength and volume.

The Boler is Born

While Olecko was camping with his family, McColl continues, he got the idea of a lightweight camper trailer made from fiberglass. "He never made any drawings, but carried the design around in his head, and when it came time to get down to work with mold maker Sandor Dussa [sic], he simply drew out the basic lines of the trailer on a large piece of cardboard mounted on the wall and said, 'Make it like this'." The bed-and-two bunks configuration was, McColl says, specifically designed for Olecko's family.

Seeing possibilities in the new trailer, Olecko and Dusa mortgaged their homes for $5,000 CAD startup capital and began producing the 13-foot four-berth trailer in an old Winnipeg warehouse. "He was looking for an unusual name for the trailer, and thinking that it looked a little like a bowler hat, he decided on Boler!" writes McColl.

Unfortunately, a search of both the Canadian and American patent databases did not turn up a patent for the Boler design. It appears that Olecko and Dusa may not have filed a patent.

The Boler Goes into Production

Forty flat-roofed uninsulated prototypes were produced in the first run, says McColl. These were later recalled and insulated after they encountered condensation problems. Subsequent models also had the arched roof that, with the rounded ends, gave the "egg" shape.

Initially, Olecko "met with dealer resistance, as the Boler price of $1400 was thought to be high at a time when you could still buy an aluminum trailer for $895 (1968). When he simply picked up the hitch and pulled the trailer across the parking lot by himself, dealers were quickly convinced that a lightweight trailer would be popular with the owners of the newer breed of smaller cars coming into vogue at the time."

Boler Exported to the USA

At some point, a third partner named Irwin Krieg joined the project, and by 1969 the factory was moved to a larger 30,000 sq. ft. facility on Dufferin Street. A report in the Manitoba Business Journal January 1971/72 p. 14) details some achievements of the company:

• 1000 Bolers produced in Winnipeg and Grand Praire
• 1971 Sales reached half a million dollars CAD
• Elenor International of Witchita KS signed on to produce Bolers in three plants

This is a remarkable achievement in only four years.

Boler Bought by Neonex

Around 1974 (or perhaps as late as 1977; accounts vary), the Canadian company was purchased by Neonex. Neonex had considerable experience, producing the Travelaire, Holidaire, Triple E, Rustler and Otto brand RVs. Neonex Leisure shifted production to Calgary and in 1979 introduced a 17' version that was not as successful as the original 13' edition.

All together, an estimated 10,000 Boler trailers were manufactured. There is no indication of what became of the American wing, though it continued for some years. The last Boler trailer apparently came off the line around 1988.

Jim Pattison Inc., the owner of Neonex, still holds the Boler trademark and the registration is still "live". Teardrop trailers are making a comeback, and there's a strong market for lightweight RVs.

The Fiberglass RV Forum has worked to collect a detailed time-line of the Boler ultra light fiberglass travel trailer from its humble beginnings, along with its many look-alike cousins such as the Scamp, Burro, Eco, Casita and El Macho. A brief digest of that work is provided here. This is a condensation of months of posts, and the author apologizes to the forum members for any errors that may have been introduced.

Dates in this time-line connected with the Boler trademark have all been confirmed at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office site. The Boler trademark is currently active and owned by Jim Pattison Industries. See Registration Number TMA170511.

• 1967 – Boler inventor Ray Olecko drafts the Boler design
• 1968 – 1st Boler produced at factory on Higgins Ave, Winnipeg
• 1969 – Factory moved to 177 Dufferin Street, Winnipeg
• 1969 – 19 July 1969, Boler name is trademarked
• 1970 – 14 August 1970, Boler trademark is registered
• 1970 – Boler Manufacturing Ltd. building 13' model in Winnipeg, Manitoba
• 1971 – American rights sold to Elenor International of Wichita, KS
• 1971–1973 - Bolers (original 13' model only) are in production by Glass-Fab Industries Ltd. in Peace River, Alberta.
• 1971–Present, Scamp trailer derived from Boler design produced in Backus, MN
• 1972 – Boler American produced by Elenor International in Wichita KS
• 1972 to 1975 - "Boler Manufacturing" was building "Honey" brand trailers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the Neonex name
• 1972 to 1979 - Earlton Manufacturing was building Bolers (13' only) in Earlton, Ontario.
• 1975 – Winnipeg plant builds Boler-branded (not Honey) trailers as Neonex Industries.
• 1977 – 10 Jun 1977, Trademark ownership changed to Boler Manufacturing Western Ltd.
• 1977 – 31 Oct 1977, Trademark ownership changed to Neonex Canada Ltd.
• 1977–1980 - 17' Boler model built (B1700)
• 1977–1978 - Bolers were "Built with Pride by Neonex" in Calgary, Alberta by "Neonex Shelter Ltd., Boler Division"
• 1979 – Vanguard Trailers built Bolers in Winfield, British Columbia in 1979.
• 1980 – Boler 1650 built by Earlton, in addition to 1300 and renamed 17' (now 1750)
• 1984 – production at Midhurst by the relocated "Earlton" operation under the name Advanced Fiberglass
• 1987 – 13' model in production in Midhurst
• 1988? – Last Boler rolls off the production line, and an era ends.

Boler Look-Alikes and Boler Renovations, The Boler Lives On

Apparently, original Boler molds were used to build the Scamp, and many of the "lookalikes" from the early 1970s on were virtually identical to the Boler.