Bowlus was the first all aluminum travel trailer designed by Hawley Bowlus in 1934.  The trailer is an ultra-light one weighing only about 1100 lbs.  It is made of panels of riveted alclad aluminum that is screwed to a galvanized steel tubing that is acetylene welded together.  This constuction method was very similar to the way aircraft were constructed.

The trailer is insulted and trimmed in birch plywood.  The galley which is just inside the door at the front came standard with a sink, icebox, water tank, stove.  The central area on the left has a couch that converts to a bed and on the other side a table and two chairs that also converts to a second bed.  Then there is a clothes closet on the left side and a chest of drawers made out of aluminum on the right.  The door to the clothes closet opens to give the rear bedroom privacy. At the back is a bedroom with a V bed and a small cabinet at the very rear.   It's 19 feet long and 7ft 6" outside and inside it's 6'1" since I can stand up in it.   About 200 were built of which mine is number 149.

I am currently restoring my Bowlus back to original, all the new side panels have been riveted in and the windows are now back to the oval shape.  Next is bending the ash struts to install the inside paneling.

I've modified the Bowlus to put in a small bathroom much like the larger Bowlus DeLuxe Road Chief.

The toilet goes into the closet and and top of the cupboards is a small sink.  I've added a new doors, one that shields the bathroom from the rear sleeping quarters.  I've also added a leaf in the table so that you can have more than two people eat at once.

I have modified the 120V electrical systems to add more outlets and add a fuse box.  This will enble the use of a water heater when pluged into a 120V outlet.

The 12V system has also been changed to include alot more lights and the incorporation of two deep cycle batteries.  This system also powers the fridge, toilet water pump and the fresh water pump

Links on Bowlus Trailers

Raul Blacksten Bowlus Road Chief page

Gar Williams Bowlus Trailer Web Site