Pattern of stolen teardrops in 2015?

[Woodbutcher]

Some people have made a removable tongue. Or simply make the coupler removable. Makes it hard to tow away.

[blentz]

I'm in the planning stages and the thought of a auto type alarm had crossed my mind. 12v with a remote to activate. The GPS tagger is a good idea too.

[elcam84]

I'm in the planning stages and the thought of a auto type alarm had crossed my mind. 12v with a remote to activate. The GPS tagger is a good idea too.

I think the GPS unit is the best thing to do. Not too familiar with them but if you can set an alarm with it that sends you a text etc any time it moves that would be perfect.

I'm still planing my build too. Been so on and off for years now...

[S. Heisley]

Most the home built ones don't seem to get stolen.

[lrrowe]

That is interesting Cindy. And I have yet to see in this forum any reports of modified CT's being taken either. Maybe they have been and I missed them. Does this suggest that just maybe we DIY'rs have less to worry about?

[tony.latham]

I worked law enforcement for most of my adult life. I can't believe the type of miscreant that steals a teardrop has any clue whether or not it came from a factory or is a well built DIY –nor does he care– it's about what how easy it is to snatch and how much he can get for it. Most thefts are done by dopers and there's a reason it's called dope.

Tony

[S. Heisley]

I still think something is going on....somebody is buying these stolen trailers and I suspect that it is not someone local to this country. Here is a video of some larger, manufactured trailers that were stolen this weekend. I'm thinking that it is probably happening elsewhere, too....:

http://www.krcrtv.com/burglar-steals-th ... t/37075686

[deleted]

When the Alaska Teardrop was stolen it was mentioned there is also the possibility that some are used as cookhouses for meth labs. They use them then burn them out when they're done to destroy any evidence. Parked out in the woods a lone camper/RV wouldn't look that out of place even if someone did see it.

Though it's possible an organized effort is being made (since many have disappeared from coastal states) I do agree with Tony it seems more likely a crime of opportunity. If it were a ring I'd expect to see news stories that certain types of trailers are disappearing in higher numbers in concentrated areas.

[S. Heisley]

When the Alaska Teardrop was stolen it was mentioned there is also the possibility that some are used as cookhouses for meth labs. They use them then burn them out when they're done to destroy any evidence. Parked out in the woods a lone camper/RV wouldn't look that out of place even if someone did see it.

Though it's possible an organized effort is being made (since many have disappeared from coastal states) I do agree with Tony it seems more likely a crime of opportunity. If it were a ring I'd expect to see news stories that certain types of trailers are disappearing in higher numbers in concentrated areas.

That's a thought, Stacie. I would think that a teardrop would make a near perfect meth or honey oil "factory". It might also work for those growing illegal marijuana in the woods...better than a tent!

[Cosmo]

Its apparent anything can be stolen but the loss can be less impacting with adequate insurance and
(at least for me) insurance reduces worry. I am guessing any insurance is better than none for some of us.

I checked my State Farm policy and for $55 a year (about 15 cents a day) they will give me the depreciated value of my trailer. This is called “Stated Value” insurance. If I paid $100 and at the time of the accident the adjuster said the trailer is worth $50 then I get $50. This never made sense to me because I will never be able to collect the $100 insurance I paid for due to deprecation.

Progressive insurance seems to really understand the RV/Trailer owners needs.
They offered me 2 types of insurance.

1) For about $170 a year (under 47 cents a day) Progressive will give me replacement value for 5 years. That means if I paid $100 for the trailer but after 4 years it would cost me $150 to replace it – they will pay me $150. After 5 years they will pay me my original purchase price $100. With this policy the funds must go to replacing the trailer. You cannot use the money in some other way.

2) With an “Agreed value” insurance policy Progressive and and I agree on the value of the trial now and if it is stolen or destroyed I will be paid the agreed value for as long as I keep renewing the policy. No depreciation. This policy costs about$10 more than the one above (49 cents a day). In this policy the insurance company pays you with a check and you can do what you want with the money. This may be a good solution for a builder who wants insurance.

The above covers theft non motor vehicle accidents and motor vehicle accidents. Progressive was the only insurance company I spoke to that understood what I need and was willing to deliver a quote in minuets. I cancelled my State Farm insurance and went with Progressive.


Cosmo

[rowerwet]

Locks stop the honest, no wheels stops all but the most dedicated.
A guy near here stores his burro on jack stands and nothing else for this reason.

[elcam84]

Its apparent anything can be stolen but the loss can be less impacting with adequate insurance and
(at least for me) insurance reduces worry. I am guessing any insurance is better than none for some of us.

I checked my State Farm policy and for $55 a year (about 15 cents a day) they will give me the depreciated value of my trailer. This is called “Stated Value” insurance. If I paid $100 and at the time of the accident the adjuster said the trailer is worth $50 then I get $50. This never made sense to me because I will never be able to collect the $100 insurance I paid for due to deprecation.

Progressive insurance seems to really understand the RV/Trailer owners needs.
They offered me 2 types of insurance.

1) For about $170 a year (under 47 cents a day) Progressive will give me replacement value for 5 years. That means if I paid $100 for the trailer but after 4 years it would cost me $150 to replace it – they will pay me $150. After 5 years they will pay me my original purchase price $100. With this policy the funds must go to replacing the trailer. You cannot use the money in some other way.

2) With an “Agreed value” insurance policy Progressive and and I agree on the value of the trial now and if it is stolen or destroyed I will be paid the agreed value for as long as I keep renewing the policy. No depreciation. This policy costs about$10 more than the one above (49 cents a day). In this policy the insurance company pays you with a check and you can do what you want with the money. This may be a good solution for a builder who wants insurance.

The above covers theft non motor vehicle accidents and motor vehicle accidents. Progressive was the only insurance company I spoke to that understood what I need and was willing to deliver a quote in minuets. I cancelled my State Farm insurance and went with Progressive.


Cosmo

Good info on the insurance. Had SF forever and the one time I needed them they said since it was the other guys fault you're on your own and let us know how it goes. Never again after that.

A friend has his pop up camper insured for $75 a year and for total loss it's a percentage of replacement cost. Can't remember what company it is right now.

[Bill n Robi]

We also have Progressive on our TD. Had State Farm on the house, when checking coverage, the Progressive policy was a bit more expensive but really comprehensive.

As far as a market for stolen vehicles... I can look out my front room window and see Tijuana. Almost every week there is a report of construction equipment stolen, boxed up and sent south, no inspection of stuff going that way.. A few weeks ago my neighbor's pickup was taken right off the street just a few blocks from the South SD Police station, the officer said it was probably in Mexico within an hour.

That being said, I have never seen a report of a stolen TD down here and lots of people stop to look at ours as they say they have never seen one before. I have been asked if I am going to head down the coast with it, not ever going to happen, doubt it would come back with me.

[Graniterich]

I have mine insured for 5000 with usaa, costs nine dollars every six months. Cheap piece of mind.

[halfdome, Danny]

That being said, I have never seen a report of a stolen TD down here and lots of people stop to look at ours as they say they have never seen one before. I have been asked if I am going to head down the coast with it, not ever going to happen, doubt it would come back with me.

Awhile back there was a Camp Inn, reported here on TNTTT, that was stolen from Chula Vista Or National City.
From what I remember it was put in the alley while landscapers were working on the yard and it disappeared.

Danny