Stolen Jayco Any Sugestions?

[dketter]

Hi everyone I'm new here actually just found the forum because I was doing some intense searching on the interwebz. As the title says I had my baby my 2005 Jayco Jay Feather 23B stolen Feb 7th between 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm in Tulsa OK. I've filed a police report, informed the insurance company, blasted facebook, local media, watching Craigslist and just about everything else that I can think of to do.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them and if so do you have any suggestions or advice what else if anything I can do to try and recover my camper. Maybe I'm a bit naive but I don't even know how they would do anything with it other than haul it out somewhere and strip it or something like that? How do you sell a stolen trailer without a title or who would really be interested in buying one? With most stolen cars they drive the hell out of them and then ditch them or strip them for parts. Sure there is a small number of them that are actually stolen retitled some way and resold I get that but you can't take a travel trailer out for a joy ride and I can't imagine a huge stolen camper trailer market. Maybe I'm wrong I don't know.

I am just tossing out any and all hail mary's that I can think of. I just want my camper back. Anyway again if anyone can give me some advice or tips to help recover it I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
Dave

[yooperfan]

I saw something (maybe a movie) where people buy a wrecked car cheap just for the VIN tags, then steal an identical car and replace the VIN tags with the ones from the wrecked car. Then they retitle it as a rebuild. I hope that doesn't happen to you with your camper. Keep watching for parts from your model for sale, in case it is being stripped. I can't see it being easy to actually use it on the road, as you said, so maybe someone plans to park it on private property where it won't need to be moved or need a plate. That's just a few ideas, none of which will be too comforting to hear. Keep us posted.

[RoyBraddy]

Sorry for your losses - I hear the druggies like the batteries, the propane tanks, and the small trailers for mobile meth labs...

I doubt if another camper stole your camper... I have found over the years that most campers really look out for each other...

Roy ken

[norty1]

Sorry for your loss. I would not be a fair judge of anyone up for theft. I think it will likely turn re registered as someone stated,maybe in the woods as a hunting lodge.
Sure would like to know some details that may prevent it happening.
Hope you can get it adjusted and
continue camping.

[Kave&Lucky]

Oh man sorry for your loss. Best of luck to you!

[Heady]

Welcome to JOF, wish it was under better circumstances. Good luck with your situation.

[mcfarmall]

Sorry about your loss. A buddy of mine had his PUP stolen from the storage yard a few years back. All he got was a check from the insurance company. All his families personal camping equipment was lost along with the trailer. What would really suck is if you were the guy buying a used camper and then find out it was stolen when you go to register it. You'd lose your money and the camper but hopefully the perp would get busted in the process.

[slabat]

That is horrible, I would be bummed. I hope you have good insurance but even then you have to replace everything. I know I have items that I received from my parents when we camped as kids that could not be replaced any longer. Not that they are valuable but just brings back great memories every time you use them. I don't know if there is a big black market on these things....I have never purchased used parts for a camper. I like to buy new if I need something because you never know how the other parts have been used. I hope you get it back and it is not trashed.

[John LLRV]

Just a suggestion.. you can call Jayco and let them know as well. They have to keep a registry of all the campers owners in case of recall. They may be able to flag the VIN as being stolen. That way, if it shows up some place for a new owner, or registration, they may be able to let you know.

[nevercominhome]

And if you do find them....




Like others have said, sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how livid I'd be in your shoes. Hope the situation is resolved for you soon.

[Jagiven]

I like the idea if of calling Jayco so they can flag it as stolen. Don’t know if they have a way to due such, but a great idea.

Keep an eye out on craigslist, but do a global search, as the perp may have driven it a fair distance to sell it. Here is what I entered in Google “jayco jayfeather 23b site www.craigslist.org”. One popped up in OH immediately. You may need to try a few different word combinations. Also any distinguishing marks, yours from another. If you are out and about looking for it as see one you think is yours, there is a hidden vin number under the unit. On my 2012, it is located curbside near the rear bumper, attached to the wood flooring. You have to be under the unit almost working on the black tank to see it. However it is fairly large, It is white would guess about 1” tall and 6-8” long. I bet most people do not know that that number is there. I found it when sealing up (mouse proofing) electrical ground penetrations.

I have heard of a few being stolen over the years but not many. More often I hear of cargo trailers disappearing. My HTT sits on the city street all summer when not in use. To help discourage it’s theft I have a really good quality tong lock, and two X-Chock type devices that can be paddle locked.

Best of luck.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum and also sorry for your loss. Looks like our members have provided some useful info as usual.

[greenenvy1]

Welcome to the forum. SUcks that your trailer was stolen but reality is someone is probably using it as a camp in the woods somewhere already. There is always a market for stolen items.....it's the sad reality. As mentioned above I hope your insurance covers your loss.

[dketter]

Thank you all for your responses. It was insured, though once deductible is applied I'm hoping the pay off will at least cover the existing note. I don't know quite yet how they determine the value. If they take the full MSRP then we're golden, if they take the average high end then we're probably about even, if they take the lower end value we'll be paying on a camper we don't have for a while.

It was almost fully packed. When we came back from our last NASCAR trip in October I pulled our grill and generator out so they wouldn't leak any fluids, but other than that left all our other gear inside. I guess the contents are covered under our homeowners policy from my understanding but that is a 2nd claim and a 2nd deductible that has to be met before they pay out on that portion. Some of the contents like one person said wasn't so the much a monetary value but more sentimental and also all those little things you slowly collect over the years that make your camper yours and makes it feel like home.

If it shows up on any craigslist or RV Trader or anything I can immediately identify it from 1 picture of the interior because it had had some work done and things put in it that no other stock 23B had in it but that only helps if it pops up for sale somewhere. Just a little tip from the police, the average tongue locks you would get at say a Lowes or Home Depot are only good for deterring a opportunist thief. The officer told me that if they have even a clue what they are doing they can remove one in less than 30 seconds. He suggested going with some type of wheel lock or boot type locking system that attaches to the wheel and or axles. He said even those are not 100% as nothing is really but he said that thieves will pass one of those by for one with a tongue lock or no lock at all. Anyway thanks again for the info I appreciate it.

[slabat]

I was wondering about the tongue type locks, but I think you are right if they want it bad enough nothing will keep them at bay.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by slabat

I was wondering about the tongue type locks, but I think you are right if they want it bad enough nothing will keep them at bay.

I agree.

I took an old 2 5/16" hitch ball, torched off the threads, and placed the ball my locked coupler. I use this type of coupler lock:

[Threebutchers]

I pull the emergency breakaway switch key and cable....with any luck, the trailer and get-away vehicle will catch fire from the burning brakes and skidding trailer tires. If it's going to be a loss, I'd rather it be a total loss

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[clubhouse]

I am very sorry to hear about your loss.

In my oppinion, you won't it back. All the stolen trailers I have heard of seem to be truned into a Meth lab, hunting camp, or some type of bunk house in the oil fields. I doubt this trailer ever sees a campgound again.

As for insurance, unless you have a specific valuation method identified in your policy you are entitled to "replacement value". That valuation is entirely up to the adjuster and adjusters are typically compasionate and don't try to screw the insured unless said insured is rude and unreasonable.

Secondly, some policies provide for contents on top of TT value, others don't. If your's doesn't you Homeowners or renters policy will cover lost contents. I suggest you start creating a list of contents that were in the trailer.

I am sorry for your loss -- and I wish you the best of luck.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by RoyBraddy

Sorry for your losses - I hear the druggies like the batteries, the propane tanks, and the small trailers for mobile meth labs...

I doubt if another camper stole your camper... I have found over the years that most campers really look out for each other...

Roy ken

I think you are right Roy.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I agree.

I took an old 2 5/16" hitch ball, torched off the threads, and placed the ball my locked coupler. I use this type of coupler lock:

Rustic Eagle, your locking method is one of those that takes less than a minute to bypass. A 4 foot bolt cutter, a cordless sawzall, a cordless angle grinder will do it quickly. Even a cordless drill with the right bit will have it in no time. A small portable oxy acetylene torch is quick too, with no sound.

Here is a picture similar to tongue lock to what I have. What makes it hard for me to unlock (key hole is on the underside) also makes it hard for the perp to drill it out.