mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 5, 2014 9:29:11 GMT -8
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 5, 2014 9:53:55 GMT -8
I'd be "in jail", if I ever found someone with a stolen trailer from me. Shoot, and then ask questions.
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Post by vikx on Oct 5, 2014 21:07:34 GMT -8
I'd be "in jail", if I ever found someone with a stolen trailer from me. Shoot, and then ask questions. Me too. So where do you think these trailers are going? Mexico? Overseas? I heard they found the last one but it's in a publication I don't receive. |
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Oct 6, 2014 3:11:25 GMT -8
This one was stolen from a Doubletree Hotel parking lot in WA; truck and trailer was stolen. The trailer was abandoned in a neighborhood and eventually recovered by its owner thanks to a FB post and sighting. No mention of the truck being recovered.  |
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 6, 2014 3:25:29 GMT -8
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nccamper
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1962 Forester- 1956 Shasta
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Post by nccamper on Oct 6, 2014 5:31:49 GMT -8
I bought a lock when we got our first camper but never used it. I grew up in NY and still, to this day, assume people are out to steal anything that isn't bolted down. My wife grew up in WA and trusts everyone. She says the lock is overkill. Now I'm not sure. Let's face it, it takes 2 minutes to hook up and go if you're not packing up. That's an easy haul...as they used to say in the hood. And they didn't mean easy tow! |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 6, 2014 9:09:48 GMT -8
I'd be "in jail", if I ever found someone with a stolen trailer from me. Shoot, and then ask questions. Me too. So where do you think these trailers are going? Mexico? Overseas? I heard they found the last one but it's in a publication I don't receive. Just a guess........but I don't think they actually want the trailer's, it's "what might be inside" that has their attention. It's just more convenient to take the whole enchilada, and go through it in a safer place.
On the race car, and hot rod forums, you will find many reports of stolen "enclosed" trailers. Many have restored vehicles, Hot Rod's, Motorcycle's, Tools, etc. stored inside. It seems like I read about a trailer being stolen from some part of the country "every week" on the forums. Very sad!
As a former LoJack "licensed installer", this product is not the answer for our trailer recovery problem. It's only used in dense metro areas, and it works very well. They would not allow it to be installed on any off road vehicle like dirt bikes, and ATV's.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 6, 2014 9:13:35 GMT -8
I have a combination tongue lock. It's made of stainless steel and could probably be broken through in time but it's at least going to hold them up a bit. Maybe long enough to catch them in the act.
I believe they are going overseas. If they were going to Mexico you could spot them on the border cameras. Or just ask a guard. I mean how many people take a Vintage Trailer that has been completely restored across the border? And the fact that all of the trailers stolen so far will fit in shipping containers makes it an easy thing to hide. Probably going to Korea or Japan. The Asians pay big bucks for these. My friend Bob has sold a few trailers to a guy who ships them to Korea. He got WAY more for them than they were worth.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 6, 2014 9:58:12 GMT -8
Larry, if you drive just fifty, to a couple of hundred miles south of the Mexican border into Baja California you will see hundreds of 1950's era trailers parked every place along the ocean, the inland bay, and in the mountains. Granted, they are not restored, and many are in poor condition. It was a logical place for old trailers to be towed after they became "worthless", but still perfect for a surf shack, or a mountain cabin.
England is another hot spot for Vintage Trailer's. |
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Post by vikx on Oct 6, 2014 10:01:05 GMT -8
Maybe we should go on safari to Baja!
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 6, 2014 13:31:19 GMT -8
Larry, if you drive just fifty, to a couple of hundred miles south of the Mexican border into Baja California you will see hundreds of 1950's era trailers parked every place along the ocean, the inland bay, and in the mountains. Granted, they are not restored, and many are in poor condition. It was a logical place for old trailers to be towed after they became "worthless", but still perfect for a surf shack, or a mountain cabin.
England is another hot spot for Vintage Trailer's. I know John.... I said "restored" in my post. Korea is probably the most likely destination in my opinion for the reasons I mentioned. makes no difference really. Once they are on board the ship they are lost forever. You couldn't get me into mexico under gunpoint. I like my head attached to my shoulders thanks. I've lost 4 friends in mexico already. They have all been murdered and everything stolen from them. One friend was left for dead on the side of the road and she made it back to the US only because of a group called the Guardian Angles... I think that was their name. |
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coloradoan
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1959 Shasta Airflyte 16
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Post by coloradoan on Oct 6, 2014 19:50:31 GMT -8
I have this tongue lock, and also a hardened steel "pin" that slips through the coupler thingy, so the trailer can't be removed from the hitch. I hope these are enough to discourage thieves! |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Oct 6, 2014 20:01:17 GMT -8
I was thinking that an electric switch on the inside that activates the brakes while you are away from the trailer would work too. Just don't forget to turn them off before you leave LOL.
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soup
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Post by soup on Oct 7, 2014 3:23:00 GMT -8
Sadly just a deterrent not a prevention. Good news though is most thieves are lazy. If it's too much work to steal, they go on to the next one with no protection at all. |
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Oct 7, 2014 5:01:17 GMT -8
Sadly just a deterrent not a prevention. Good new though is most thieves are lazy. If it's too much work to steal, they go on to the next one with no protection at all. True. There usually is no "next one" in most campgrounds when it comes to vintage. Fortunately mine doesn't look as nice as many I've seen on this forum. You people have such nice campers, I'd steal them myself! |
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