My newly acquired 1973 Boler is missing it’s refrigerator. Anyone know where I can source a fridge? I would also like to put a pair of new propane stove top burners on the kitchen counter. Possibly make them portable for outside cooking. Any ideas? Thanks.
Hi Steve, For fridges it can depend on what type of camping you plan on doing, If you always plan on camping with 110V power you can install a small dorm fridge, but they only work when your trailer is plugged in. If you need a fridge for off the grid that means a 2 way or 3 way fridge that will run on propane plus either 12V and/or 110V, To save some money check our local auto wreckers, I have found a number of these in camperized vans and small RV, tent trailers that an auto wrecker may have. Finally you can buy new, Dometic still make a small fridge that fits the opening but is deeper than the original so it will stick past the cabinets some. There is also a low draw 12V fridge that is becoming popular although it is expensive.
Thanks Ian. I am thinking of a 3 way. I would like to put 2 deep cycle batteries in the trailer charged from a low profile solar panel, and a converter when in a 110V circuit. I could consider adding a harness to charge the batteries from the towing vehicle. This would supply any electrics I put in. Propane could be optional. Dometic appliances are so darned expensive, I like your wreckers yard thought. I’ll do some research on that.
Thanks again.
We recently bought a 1974 and took it out for our first night. It still has the furnace, which we got working. However, it would give off good heat for 30 min or so, then the pilot light would go out. Any ideas what’s happening? It would relight each time, run for a while, then go out again. Our propane tank is at least 1/4 full.
I’ll start with the warning, since this is a gas appliance if you are unsure have a professional repair it, even the smallest gas leak poses a tremendous risk to your safety …
I would be looking in three areas to start with, first look for any propane or air leaks using soapy water, second spiders routinely get into the gas lines and orifices and these can block the lines, to clean you take the burner and pilot light apart, blow out with compressed air and even wash and dry them. Finally you could also have a faulty regulator on the propane tank the is limiting supply to the furnace.
Hi, I just bought a 1974 boler trailor. It is currently set on propane. How do you switch it to electric for the fridge? I couldn’t find specifics- although I looked quickly in the 1979 manual.
The control for the fridge is usually on the back, open the lower vent on the outside and there should be a control where you can switch between gas/12V/120vac If you cannot figure it out please send me a picture to 1974Boler [at] gmail.com
I have a ’74 and had the same question. If you’re looking at the trailer from the hitch end, it’s on the right, near the bottom. It’s a little door with a butterfly latch.
Sorry for the delay in replying, Dometic is the most common RV fridge. I have had the most success buyig used fridges at self serve auto wreckers, look in camperized vans. I pulled 3 out of a wrecker in a small town and the most I have ever paid is $100
Hello, im looking to buy propan heater and nobody have, look like something rare!
I have boler unik 13′ do you no where i can buy small propan heater, does in mather if is coming from usa… I need it.
I dont want to use anymore my portative heater beacause i want to let the heater working during the night!
Tank you for your website is very usefull 🙂
Hello Valerie
For a furnace I really like the Propex units, they are small and easy to mount. The one I really like is the Propex HS2211 which can be mounted externally, if your water tank is not under the trailer this unit could be mounted under the back of the trailer, behind the axle. http://propexcanada.com/our-products/
Hello Ian,
I have a 1974 Boler. Recently I switched my 3-way fridge to propane, lit the pilot and before I knew it, the controller on the backside of the Boler seemed to overload resulting in an electrical fire. The wires leading in and out of the controller all burned through.
1) Any idea what could have caused the overload/fire?
2) Is it worth trying to repair the controller or better to source a new one?
3) If sourcing a new one, what’s the best place to look other than a wrecker?
It is quite common that spiders will build nests in and around the gas orifice, when this happens the flame will be redirected and often flare out. Cleaning the area is often all that is needed, warning, do not use anything metal to clean out the gas orifice, you can easily make the hoe in the orifice larger which will cause major problems. Gas leaks can also come from any junction or fitting, always check with soapy water to test for leaks. As for the controller, it all depends on what damage was done it is very hard to say without looking at it. As for replacement it also depends on the model of fridge, for fridge replacement I have had great luck finding very good used units at self serve auto wreckers in customized vans.
Upon closer inspection, I’m not so sure it was an electrical fire after all. I couldn’t figure out how propane operation would induce any current and more research seems to suggest there was a gas leak that ignited and burned through some wiring.
Check all propane connections and the gas valve with soapy water for leaks. It is even worth soaping us all the lines and tubes in the back of the fridge just in case a crack has developed in one causing the leak.
Hi there Ian, picked up a 1970 boler 13’ that I’ll be restoring and found this website that’s becoming a bit of a bible to me so I thank you for that! My question is about the fridge that it comes with. I pulled it out and didn’t find a power source so I’m assuming it’s just an ice box with a styrofoam surround? Looking for suggestions as to how to bring back some of the shine and tips on cleaning products that may help brighten it up a bit. Or am I going to have to paint it or just replace?
Thanks for any time and advice you may have on this issue,
Roger C
Hello Roger and congratulation on being a boler owner
Yes the ice box was the standard offering with a 3 way fridge being optional. you can try using products like Magic Eraser to see if that helps improve the look.
You can paint it, use paints designed for plastic. Or you can replace it as ice boxes are still available, I think the boler is about 2 cu/ft(but please check the size), here are some examples: https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Ice-Box-Small-p/vts-712.htm http://www.formcoinc.com/ice-boxes.html
Also are you aware of the boler 5th Anniversary Event I am organizing, here is all the info and tickets will go on sale early in the week http://www.MyBoler.com
Hello Ian,
My recently acquired 1980 13’ Boler has a non functional 3 way Dometic. Previous owner says it hasn’t been used for years. Propane 12V and 110V power were all given a trial of a few hours running with no cooling. I suspect the refrigerant needs to be replaced but am not sure if it is worth getting into the cost of repair. I understand that this would be the best fridge if it can be repaired at reasonable cost and it is otherwise in good nick. Can you share any thoughts on the options of replacing with a new unit vs. repair? I anticipate using it at sites where there may be no hookup at times. Any comments appreciated.
All the best.
Alex.
Hi Alex, The absorption fridges used in RV’s are very reliable but it will take more than a few hours to check if they are working. These fridges can take a full day, 8+ hours to cool. It is also unusual for all three power sources to fail, usually the fridge will only not cool using one and that is easy to diagnose. You cannot recharge the coolant and please do not attempt to, liquid ammonia is used and only complete cooling units can be used for repairs. If your fridge does cool on one of the power sources that confirms the cooling unit is functioning and to repair the power source is easy affordable. If you do confirm the fridge is not working then the cooling unit is at fault and not worth repairing. I list some options in the “Appliances & Propane System” section in http://www.boler.ca/2020/12/11/boler-faqs/
Steve
My newly acquired 1973 Boler is missing it’s refrigerator. Anyone know where I can source a fridge? I would also like to put a pair of new propane stove top burners on the kitchen counter. Possibly make them portable for outside cooking. Any ideas? Thanks.
Ian
Hi Steve, For fridges it can depend on what type of camping you plan on doing, If you always plan on camping with 110V power you can install a small dorm fridge, but they only work when your trailer is plugged in. If you need a fridge for off the grid that means a 2 way or 3 way fridge that will run on propane plus either 12V and/or 110V, To save some money check our local auto wreckers, I have found a number of these in camperized vans and small RV, tent trailers that an auto wrecker may have. Finally you can buy new, Dometic still make a small fridge that fits the opening but is deeper than the original so it will stick past the cabinets some. There is also a low draw 12V fridge that is becoming popular although it is expensive.
Steve
Thanks Ian. I am thinking of a 3 way. I would like to put 2 deep cycle batteries in the trailer charged from a low profile solar panel, and a converter when in a 110V circuit. I could consider adding a harness to charge the batteries from the towing vehicle. This would supply any electrics I put in. Propane could be optional. Dometic appliances are so darned expensive, I like your wreckers yard thought. I’ll do some research on that.
Thanks again.
Tania
We recently bought a 1974 and took it out for our first night. It still has the furnace, which we got working. However, it would give off good heat for 30 min or so, then the pilot light would go out. Any ideas what’s happening? It would relight each time, run for a while, then go out again. Our propane tank is at least 1/4 full.
Ian
I’ll start with the warning, since this is a gas appliance if you are unsure have a professional repair it, even the smallest gas leak poses a tremendous risk to your safety …
I would be looking in three areas to start with, first look for any propane or air leaks using soapy water, second spiders routinely get into the gas lines and orifices and these can block the lines, to clean you take the burner and pilot light apart, blow out with compressed air and even wash and dry them. Finally you could also have a faulty regulator on the propane tank the is limiting supply to the furnace.
Jacquie Robichaud
Hi, I just bought a 1974 boler trailor. It is currently set on propane. How do you switch it to electric for the fridge? I couldn’t find specifics- although I looked quickly in the 1979 manual.
Ian
The control for the fridge is usually on the back, open the lower vent on the outside and there should be a control where you can switch between gas/12V/120vac If you cannot figure it out please send me a picture to 1974Boler [at] gmail.com
Tania
I have a ’74 and had the same question. If you’re looking at the trailer from the hitch end, it’s on the right, near the bottom. It’s a little door with a butterfly latch.
Ian
Thank you Tania
Ewa
Hi Ian..can you advise what kind of fridge and were we can buy for Boler 13.we realny need with propane.Please help
Ian
Sorry for the delay in replying, Dometic is the most common RV fridge. I have had the most success buyig used fridges at self serve auto wreckers, look in camperized vans. I pulled 3 out of a wrecker in a small town and the most I have ever paid is $100
Mathew
Hi Ian, Do you know the dimensions for the original fridge and ice box used in the boler?
Ian
Sorry I don’t have those measurements at hand. Maybe another owner can reply with measurements from theirs.
Valerie
Hello, im looking to buy propan heater and nobody have, look like something rare!
I have boler unik 13′ do you no where i can buy small propan heater, does in mather if is coming from usa… I need it.
I dont want to use anymore my portative heater beacause i want to let the heater working during the night!
Tank you for your website is very usefull 🙂
Ian
Hello Valerie
For a furnace I really like the Propex units, they are small and easy to mount. The one I really like is the Propex HS2211 which can be mounted externally, if your water tank is not under the trailer this unit could be mounted under the back of the trailer, behind the axle. http://propexcanada.com/our-products/
Hyuma
Hello Ian,
I have a 1974 Boler. Recently I switched my 3-way fridge to propane, lit the pilot and before I knew it, the controller on the backside of the Boler seemed to overload resulting in an electrical fire. The wires leading in and out of the controller all burned through.
1) Any idea what could have caused the overload/fire?
2) Is it worth trying to repair the controller or better to source a new one?
3) If sourcing a new one, what’s the best place to look other than a wrecker?
Regards
Hyuma
Ian
It is quite common that spiders will build nests in and around the gas orifice, when this happens the flame will be redirected and often flare out. Cleaning the area is often all that is needed, warning, do not use anything metal to clean out the gas orifice, you can easily make the hoe in the orifice larger which will cause major problems. Gas leaks can also come from any junction or fitting, always check with soapy water to test for leaks. As for the controller, it all depends on what damage was done it is very hard to say without looking at it. As for replacement it also depends on the model of fridge, for fridge replacement I have had great luck finding very good used units at self serve auto wreckers in customized vans.
Hyuma
It is a tedco 202 TW.
Upon closer inspection, I’m not so sure it was an electrical fire after all. I couldn’t figure out how propane operation would induce any current and more research seems to suggest there was a gas leak that ignited and burned through some wiring.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Ian
Check all propane connections and the gas valve with soapy water for leaks. It is even worth soaping us all the lines and tubes in the back of the fridge just in case a crack has developed in one causing the leak.
Roger Crait
Hi there Ian, picked up a 1970 boler 13’ that I’ll be restoring and found this website that’s becoming a bit of a bible to me so I thank you for that! My question is about the fridge that it comes with. I pulled it out and didn’t find a power source so I’m assuming it’s just an ice box with a styrofoam surround? Looking for suggestions as to how to bring back some of the shine and tips on cleaning products that may help brighten it up a bit. Or am I going to have to paint it or just replace?
Thanks for any time and advice you may have on this issue,
Roger C
Ian
Hello Roger and congratulation on being a boler owner
Yes the ice box was the standard offering with a 3 way fridge being optional. you can try using products like Magic Eraser to see if that helps improve the look.
You can paint it, use paints designed for plastic. Or you can replace it as ice boxes are still available, I think the boler is about 2 cu/ft(but please check the size), here are some examples:
https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Ice-Box-Small-p/vts-712.htm
http://www.formcoinc.com/ice-boxes.html
Also are you aware of the boler 5th Anniversary Event I am organizing, here is all the info and tickets will go on sale early in the week
http://www.MyBoler.com
Alex Moll
Hello Ian,
My recently acquired 1980 13’ Boler has a non functional 3 way Dometic. Previous owner says it hasn’t been used for years. Propane 12V and 110V power were all given a trial of a few hours running with no cooling. I suspect the refrigerant needs to be replaced but am not sure if it is worth getting into the cost of repair. I understand that this would be the best fridge if it can be repaired at reasonable cost and it is otherwise in good nick. Can you share any thoughts on the options of replacing with a new unit vs. repair? I anticipate using it at sites where there may be no hookup at times. Any comments appreciated.
All the best.
Alex.
Ian
Hi Alex, The absorption fridges used in RV’s are very reliable but it will take more than a few hours to check if they are working. These fridges can take a full day, 8+ hours to cool. It is also unusual for all three power sources to fail, usually the fridge will only not cool using one and that is easy to diagnose. You cannot recharge the coolant and please do not attempt to, liquid ammonia is used and only complete cooling units can be used for repairs. If your fridge does cool on one of the power sources that confirms the cooling unit is functioning and to repair the power source is easy affordable. If you do confirm the fridge is not working then the cooling unit is at fault and not worth repairing. I list some options in the “Appliances & Propane System” section in http://www.boler.ca/2020/12/11/boler-faqs/