Charles Lindbergh helped usher in modern America with his solo flight from New York to Paris in the single engine The Spirit of St Louis. Elinor , a famous aviator in her own right, said, "It's hard to describe the impact Lindbergh had on people. Even the first walk on the moon doesn't come close. The twenties was such an innocent time, and people were still so religious—I think they felt like this man was sent by God to do this." As a result, America swelled with pride and the airline industry took off.
Interestingly, there is another piece of Americana that began with Charles Lindbergh and The Spirit of Saint Louis. The Superintendent of Construction of that infamous plane was Hawley Bowlus. Bowlus took what he learned in aircraft building techniques and created the world's first aluminum travel trailer in 1934, which Airstream imitated and made it into the American icon we see today. "The first aluminum riveted travel trailer weighed in at 1,100 pounds and was considered revolutionary for its advanced engineering, even boasting an intercom system to connect the driver with Road Chief riders," said Geneva Long, Bowlus Road Chief CEO. For 3 years, Bowlus produced about eighty travel trailers. Wally Byam, founder of Airstream, was one of the salesmen for these trailers. Bowlus returned to the aircraft industry in 1937 and Byam built the Airstream Clipper in 1936.
Even though these trailers were only made for a few years, they were built to last. "Over half of the original Bowlus Road Chiefs built in the 1930s are still around today, often held in private collections," Long said.
In 1934, Hawley Bowlus completed the construction on his first aluminum riveted travel trailer. [Photo/Bowlus Road Chief]
Now, they are back in production. And they are more sophisticated, innovating and elegant than ever. "The company was never acquired by a third party, just simply closed so there was no complicated issues in reviving the brand," Long said, "And we promise to stay true to our design DNA with a philosophy that reflects our passion for adventure and innovation paired with our deep love of America."
After taking a 3000 mile road trip with her family in a 1947 Tatra automobile, they went looking for a travel trailer. According to the website they "acquired a vintage 1935 Road Chief sitting forlornly in a field in Washington. The Road Chief had served as the headquarters of a local club and was in need of a complete overhaul. An extensive frame-up restoration of the Road Chief was celebrated with a cross-country adventure. It was no surprise that this adventure inspired the dream to design and build a modern day Road Chief with a user focused experience. Soon after, the contemporary Bowlus Road Chief was born."
They currently sell two models. The Endless Highway is 26', 4000 lbs. and costs $185,000. It has innovated technology, such as a private Wi-Fi network, the most powerful lithium iron phosphate power system available for off grid living, and luxuries like a teak-finished shower and heated floors. The 24' On The Road model is 3200 lbs. and costs $137,000. Similar features accompany On The Road in a slightly smaller format. Both are lightweight compared to similarly sized travel trailers and can be towed by SUVs, small trucks and even some cars.
In each model, quality and craftsmanship is apparent in everything. Long said, "We obsess over the finer points. The Bowlus Road Chief is so functionally and aesthetically pleasing that all are still in the hands of their original owners. Handcrafting a Bowlus Road Chief in Oxnard, CA, is a time-intensive process. The shell is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with over 5,000 flawlessly placed rivets. Likewise, the interior is crafted from real birch, stainless steel, and aluminum. Luxury fabrics and linens are chosen to enhance the character of the Road Chief."
So how do owners feel about it? Many say that it is unfair to compare the trailer to others, as its quality and elegance is unmatched. One user testified that the Road Chief is an event. "It is a state of mind. It is itself a destination that cannot be plotted on any map. It moves the spirit. It conjures thoughts of flying on board the classic luxury airliners of the 50s, riding the California Zephyr in streamlined luxury, or sailing the Atlantic in a stateroom appointed to please and pamper."
Long said that owners include “tech entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts, celebrities, successful small business owners and Fortune 500 c-suite executives, professionals and board members.”
The revival of a legend in the travel trailer market takes camping to a new level. Be sure to visit Long’s entertaining blog, which provides tips on utilizing the Road Chiefs to their full potential, as well as trip ideas. With an emphasis on sustainability, class and quality, the trailers are set to make a lasting impact on traveling with style.