Draft:Donald Raymond "Don" Boles

Donald Raymond "Don" Boles (1918–2009) was an American inventor, engineer, developer and entrepreneur noted as one of the pioneer manufacturers of the aluminum travel trailer. He and his wife Jeanette Goodwin Boles founded Boles Manufacturing in 1946 in Burbank, California, building the "Boles Aero" line of travel trailers. The company built and sold over 18,000 trailers over a 34 year span prior to the Boles' retirement in 1980. Boles Aero aluminum travel trailers were central to the post-war recreational vehicle culture, the quintessential "canned ham" trailer of the mid-century American highway.

Early years

Don was born on May 18, 1918 in North Hollywood, California. His family moved to Burbank and he attended Burbank High School, where he met his future wife, Mary Jeanette Goodwin. The couple married a month after graduation in 1936.

With the country in the depths of the Great Depression Don enrolled in a government sponsored tool and die apprenticeship program at Lockheed Corporation. Working at Lockheed aircraft in Burbank from 1939 to 1942, he learned the basics of aluminum aircraft construction and put his inventive nature to work, designing and building tools that streamlined Lockheed's aluminum part manufacturing processes. Don completed the apprenticeship program in 1943 and enlisted in the Navy. Stationed at Norman, Oklahoma, he could not find suitable housing for his wife and three children so he purchased a used 27 foot travel trailer. The Boles family lived in the trailer for the duration of the war.

Released from the Navy after V-J Day, Don and his family enjoyed a cross country vacation towing the trailer home to California. Upon arrival they parked it in the driveway with a "For Sale" sign and were surprised when the trailer sold immediately for a profit. Several more hopeful buyers arrived after the sale and Don realized there was solid demand for travel trailers among the local war weary population. Inspired, he began designing a sturdy travel trailer with a riveted aluminum monocoque construction, based upon his aircraft experience at Lockheed.

The birth of Boles Manufacturing

From 1946 to 1952 Boles Manufacturing identified individual trailers with data plates such as this.

An original 1949 14ft model Boles Aero, later sold as a "Monterey". Boles described models by the length of the trailer body. This "14ft" model was actually 16ft long overall.

Don began building his first trailer in the family's single car garage, using money borrowed from his father. The tiny garage dictated that the first trailer had to be less than 10 feet in length. Aware that growth demanded a more suitable manufacturing facility, he purchased a commercial property in Burbank and began construction of a small factory while continuing to work in his garage. He parked the first trailer on the street outside his incomplete factory with a "For Sale" sign and once again the first customer to see it purchased it for the asking price of $675. Subsequent trailers sold just as rapidly. One of the company's initial orders came from a friend who wanted 10 trailers built to a 12 foot long design. The order had to wait until the factory was complete due to the size limitations of Boles' small garage.

For a brief period while the first factory was under construction one of Don's friends joined him in the business, which they named "B and R Manufacturing", using the name "Roadrunner" for the trailers. However, the friend backed out as start up costs mounted. Don re-assumed full control, changed the name to "Boles Manufacturing", and renamed the trailer the "Boles Aero". His wife Jeanette served as Vice President and secretary.

Late 1940's to 1950's: travel trailers in high demand

1949 Boles Aero brochure cover art

1953 Boles Aero Brochure cover art

The immediate postwar period saw explosive growth in travel related industries and several new manufacturers of travel trailers sprang up in Southern California. With the factory complete, Boles Aero production accelerated quickly as word got out that the trailers were well made and very functional. By the end of 1946 over 300 trailers had been sold. Don was able to quit his day job and focus on Boles Manufacturing.

By 1947 Boles Manufacturing produced four different model trailers in 10ft, 12ft, 14ft, and 16ft lengths. Originally Douglas Fir paneling was used on the interiors, but this gave way to Birch as production continued in 1948. Boles soon expanded the line to include wider "park" models that were intended to be semi-permanent homes in trailer parks vs. road friendly travel trailers.

As each year passed trailer models with longer and longer body designs were added. By 1952 he discontinued the 10ft model. That same year they began naming the trailers after California towns, the 12ft "Malibu", 14ft "Monterey", 16ft "Mira Mar", and the 18ft "Montecito". Boles was one of the first trailer manufacturers to provide a service facility at the Burbank factory.

Early trailers had two manufacturer data plates. One plate was mounted adjacent to the entry door, while a second data plate was located on the rear of the trailer, just above the license plate. The trailer's individual serial number was stamped on these data plates until 1952, after which the trailer model name was added in its place. From 1952 the serial numbers are found stamped on the frame.

By the late 50's models up to 35 feet long were being produced. Boles resisted the urge to increase profit margins by reducing build quality, setting an industry standard for solid construction.

1960's: Industry and civic leader

By the 1960's Boles Aero was one of the top trailer brands on the West Coast, with production and sales facilities in Burbank, California and Elkhart, Indiana. They continued to evolve their design, treating the exterior panels of later trailers with gold anodizing to give them both a distinctive look and robust corrosion protection.

Don Boles helped start an annual consumer rally and trailer show at Dodger stadium in the late 1950's and early 60's and became active in the Trailer Coach Association, serving on the board of directors for many years. Several of his designs became industry standards, including flush vent covers for heaters and furnaces and recessed water fillers.

During the Vietnam War Boles built lightweight mobile photo, medical, and dental labs that could be shipped overseas by large cargo aircraft.

In addition to his role as head of Boles Manufacturing, Don served in many civic capacities for the city of Burbank and the chamber of commerce.

1970's and retirement

Strong sales of Boles Aero trailers continued throughout the 1970's, but never reached the levels of competitors such as Airstream. Don and Jeanette were content to remain a niche provider of quality trailers. They decided to retire in 1980 and closed the business after 34 years in operation, with over 18,000 trailers sold.

Private life

Don was an avid private pilot and deep sea fisherman. He flew a Cessna 195 out of Burbank airport for many years and designed and built his own boat at his trailer facility. He and Jeanette had a self sustaining Mexican retreat in Baja California with a clever water storage system that he designed. Jeanette was an amateur artist who enjoyed painting. The couple loved to entertain guests and their house was always the center of a busy social schedule.

Resurgence in popularity

Remembered as a high quality brand with much lower sales volumes than other aluminum trailers of the day, Boles Aero owners began to meet at brand specific trailer rallies in the 1990's and early 2000's. Don and Jeanette Boles attended these events frequently, happy to answer questions and share manufacturing details from old business records. These records remain with the Boles family. Don was elected to the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2005.

Death and legacy

Don Boles died at age 90 in 2009. Jeanette followed him in 2011. Their trailers continue to command high resale values well into the 21st century.