This latest Bowlus to surface and become "public" as a result of the website has some rather interesting modifications.

The most notable modification is the square windows which make a lot of sense in a wet climate. The original rounded windows are not well sealed and I am sure a number of the Bowlus Road Chief trailers suffered serious damage as a result of water leaking in through the bottom of the original windows. If you look at the interior pictures, it appears that the woodwork was made or modified to match the square windows. The exterior pictures show the half round insert in the skin where the "original" I would guess that there is a possibility that the square windows were factory installations. I have heard conversation in the past suggesting that that may, in fact, be a factory modification. I simply do not know enough to say for sure.

The second "probable" modification is the large round window in the entrance door. Some of the Bowlus trailers left the factory with a smaller round window that was centered a bit lower on the door. It certainly is a possibility that this particular trailer left the factory with the window as now installed.

The rear bumper is also somewhat beefed up and made completely different from what the trailers had originally. Many of the original bumpers that I have seen have had damage which doesn't surprise me for the material was rather soft electrical conduit pipe. The entire trailer frame is made from conduit which surprised me when I discovered that it wasn't aircraft tubing. Since the trailers were made in a glider factory, I assumed incorrectly that the tubing was either 1020 or 4130 aircraft steel. I didn't see any taillights. Originally they were from a 1934 Ford. The original wheels were 1935 Ford 16" wires. It is interesting to note from one of the pictures that the owner, Dan, has the original wheel well covers. Some of the trailers currently on the road are missing those covers.

It also appears from one of the pictures that the opening vents, or skylight covers, have small windows inserted in them. The early trailers did not have that feature and I like it enough that I am adding that to my trailer.

Gar