Some vintage trailers are restored from the frame up. Others are customized for modern camping. Then there are rare survivors that seem to have been frozen in time.
The 24-foot trailer was featured in the July–August 2016 issue of Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine. Now, this well-preserved Boles Aero is being offered for sale.
Hidden in an Oregon Barn
The story began in 2011 on a wheat farm in eastern Oregon.
The trailer had been sitting in the back of a large barn for decades. The Joneses’ son spotted it while putting equipment away after a day of cutting wheat. He knew his parents enjoyed traveling with their teardrop and 12-foot Lakewood canned ham, so he quickly sent them a photo.
A few months later, the Joneses visited the farm and made a deal with the owner. The owner’s parents had purchased the Boles Aero new.
Getting it out of the barn was not easy. It took about a month of cleaning, replacing the tires and axle, and moving farm equipment before the trailer could begin its trip to California.
The Door Had Not Been Opened Since 1974
The Boles Aero had last been used in 1974. When the door was finally opened, the trailer was still filled with clothing and other items from its final camping trip.
It was also home to what seemed like a million mice.
Fortunately, the mice had plenty of wheat to eat in the barn. They nested throughout the trailer but did not chew up or destroy its interior. Their access points were traced to the open sewer connection and an air duct for the diesel furnace.
Once decades of dirt and debris were removed, the beauty of the trailer began to show.
An Amazing Original Interior
Nearly every original piece was still present.
The curtains, Venetian blinds, upholstery, knobs, gaskets, Bakelite handles, and bathroom fixtures had survived. Even the small ruffled plastic curtains above the porcelain bathroom sink remained soft and usable.
Most impressive was the birch interior. The paneling did not need to be sanded or refinished. It had no major chips, dents, cracks, or other damage.
The exterior was also in good condition. An afternoon spent removing the old, yellowed Plasti-Coat revealed the aluminum underneath.
It is unusual to find a trailer this old with so many original details still together and in such good condition.
Practical Improvements for Camping
The owners preserved the character of the Boles Aero while making several important improvements.
The heavy galvanized sewer pipes—reportedly weighing about 200 pounds—were replaced with lightweight ABS. The remaining plumbing was upgraded from galvanized pipe to copper.
The three-gallon porcelain flush toilet received new internal parts. A five-gallon water heater was installed in 2011. The trailer also has a walk-in shower.
Its original Duo-Therm diesel furnace remains in working condition. It can warm the interior quickly without smoke or fumes.
The single-axle running gear has also been improved. The axle and tires were replaced, the leaf springs were reinforced, and protective skid bars were installed beneath them.
Comfortable for Extended Stays
This Boles Aero was built as a park model. It does not have freshwater or waste-holding tanks, so it is intended to be connected to campground utilities.
The floor plan includes twin “Lucy and Desi” beds, a spacious bathroom, and plenty of storage. The owners stayed in the trailer for a month at a time during winter visits to Palm Springs and found it comfortable for extended camping.
Today, the trailer remains in excellent working condition. It offers the charm of an original 1950s interior along with carefully selected updates that make it practical to use.
This 1955 Boles Aero Is for Sale
After years of preservation, travel, and enjoyment, this special 1955 Boles Aero Ensenada is now being offered for sale.
For someone who appreciates originality, documented history, and the quality found in early Boles Aero trailers, this is a rare opportunity. It is ready to become a comfortable rally trailer, seasonal retreat, guest space, or an important part of a vintage trailer collection.
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