Project: How to Take the Frame Off a Boler
How to take the frame off a Boler is one of the main questions we get asked on our Instagram account @tipsy.the.boler. So, we thought we’d put a few of the photos and some videos all in once place to possibly help someone out.
We’re about safety first. The process can be rough (sometimes we have to kick the frame out of place and it ‘crashes’ down with a huge bang) yet it’s safe.
Below you’ll find step-by-step directions and then we finish off with 2 videos. The first video we walk you through the process and the other is a time-lapse video of the process in action.
How to Take the Frame Off a Boler
What You Need
- a lot of jacks
- patience
- drill/grinder
- wrench to remove lug nuts
Step One
First, you’ll need about 14-18 jacks – don’t start until you have those.
Step Two
Then, on the inside of the Boler, you’ll need to disconnect the frame from the floor. We’ve had between 12-29 bolts, screws, and rivets connecting the frame to the body. You’ll need a drill or a grinder to get those off.
Step Three
Next, what you’re going to do is jack the whole Boler up by the frame, just enough to take the wheels off. So, you’ll use about 3 jacks to do that, then take the wheels off.
Step Four
After that, you’ll use the other jacks to support the body of the Boler. We’ve used blocks of wood between the jack and the body to ensure we’re getting max support and not punching a hole through the floor.
Step Five
Then, you’ll lower the jacks on the frame. We doubt it’ll just fall, but it might. It’s safe to be ready. Kick the frame downward if you need to or use a crowbar to try and help separate the frame from the body. If you notice any sticking points, you might still have a bolt in place, or 50 year old butyl tape – be careful if you head back inside the Boler.
Step Six
Add a couple of the jacks you had from the frame under the body for added support.
Step Seven
Once the frame is free, you’ll push it as far as you can to one side before you hit a jack that’s holding the body. The, use one of the jacks you had for the frame to place on the opposite side you’re sliding it to, to support the body. Then undo the jacks in the way and slide the frame a bit more. We often then put the jack back in place. Do this one jack at a time until the frame can fully slide out. At the end of this process we have about 16 jacks under the body and the frame is out.
Videos
Well, there you have it – how to take the frame off a Boler. Feel free to ask us any questions or ask for clarification. We’ve taken frames off of 6 Boler trailers, some with wooden floors and the frame exposed on the inside, and others with fully encased fiberglass floors. Hope that helps!
10 Comments
Kirsty
Hello there, we just bought a 1971 13′ Boler and need to replace the frame. It has a plywood floor, does the floor need to be removed before the frame or is the floor attached to the fibreglass egg? And if the floor comes out how do you lift the egg? Trying to figure it all out and sounds like you guys may have some answers 🙂
Ali
Hi Kirsty!
The frame is most likely attached to the plywood floor. And no, the floor doesn’t need to come off if you’re taking the frame off – the floor should be attached with a fiberglass trim around the lip where the two would meet. We used jacks to lift the body of the Boler and then separated the frame from the floor and slid it out (leap-frogging jacks, of course). We follow the steps in the post to a ‘T’ if you will. Feel free to reach out if there’s a particular step that’s not straightforward.
Have fun!
Bob Abbott
I was wondering if there are anyone in the U S That rebuilds/restore these old trailers, I just purchased a ECO
and it’s rough, and If you have an6 price range on restoring one that will surely need the frame reworked.
This just may be a larger job than I want to take on.
Thanks for any info
Ali
Hi Bob!
We’re in Canada, so I’m not too sure if there is anyone in the US. For us, we’ve overhauled 10 Boler Trailers and have found a local certified welder (we actually work with two local welders) who have helped ensure the proper structure and strength of the frame. It’s a big job, for sure, yet worth it if you love camping!
Melanie Hillock
Amazing.
I am not looking forward to this part… especially after I’ve renoed quite a lot of the interior.. LOL
Ali
Hi Melanie,
It’s a little scary (to me, that is) to take the frame off, yet well worth it!
Have fun.
Stephen Hoy
Hello thank you for all the photos and videos , they have been very helpful as i too am currently restoring a Boler
I currently have the frame off and have had it sandblasted, repaired , and re painted. Now to put it back on the body. I was wondering if you have any advice on how to remount the frame to the body. any advice would be appreciated. thank you
Steve .
PS, are you in Edmonton? So am I !
Ali
Hey!
Yes, we’re in Northern Alberta – we live outside of Edmonton city limits.
For putting the frame back on, we use about 12-17 jacks and leap frog them as we slide the frame back under. We’ve shared a few videos on Instagram which might help.
Madeline
Hi there. Love the videos to help fellow renovators. You do such an amazing job.
Question – did you ever have to replace flooring that was rotted on any of your boilers?
We have large sections that we found were rotted and likely need to replace the whole floor. I’ve read posts were some remove flooring then Jack up to remove trailer to get access to trailer but worried about limited support on shell.
Thanks for sharing!
Ali
Hi!
We have had to replace the flooring – we’ve done it a few times. The limited support is something I was concerned about, too – yet we braced with blocks and many jacks. We’ve used Crezon as new flooring, then fiberglassing a band around to secure it to the Boler, then painting the bottom for added protection. If you check out our Tipsy Instagram page, you can see we posted about Tipsy’s floor from early May 2021 onward (about 9 posts). Hope that helps!