We did contact the Airstream Customer Service. They were as sympathetic as possible, but don't have any kind of database to track these thefts. They were the ones who suggested we post a message on this forum and their Airstreamer forum.
For those interested, Lojack is $695 installed. They come to your home to do it, so no travel or pick-up/delivery issues. It cannot be transferred to another unit as it is permanently identified to the VIN of the vehicle on which it is first installed.
I checked Formost. They do not currently offer a reduced premium for units with Lojack.
We have been using storage facilities for our business merchandise for almost 10 years now. The first was just a fenced storage lot, which not only made us nervous because it didn't feel safe, but had a huge fire from someone storing dirty paint rags that caught fire, and burned down the building next to ours! The next storage facility had a live-on-site manager, but twice a month they'd have auctions of abandoned storage units, and so on those days the gates were open all day and strangers were wandering around - not good. The latest facility we use is fenced, the managers live on site, and they don't hold public auctions. It feels very safe and secure, and the managers see everything that comes and goes, as do their dogs who patrol the yard. I would not feel worried about leaving my AS there if I had to, except worrying about strangers parking next to it and scratching it up, like happened to KYGirl. So be careful and choosy about your storage facility, because there's lots of different types.
I like the lojac idea. I'd be crazy if anyone took my little trailer.
So, rjreed, I hate to ask but was it insured, and was it covered? It's tough times like this that we find out if our insurance really works or not.
Yes, it was insured. Since it was stolen last week, the insurance company waits about 3 to 4 weeks to see if it's going to turn up. We'll have to wait and see what happens with the coverage. We understand from talking to the Airstream Customer Service folks, that insurance companies will try to use NADA values which are out of touch with Airstream market values.......they don't understand the Airstream product.
...and I feel safe about it. I know that a trailer is easier to cart away, and I'll say that you must feel violated for this to have happened. Drive on and keep your chin up...this too shall pass.
At the risk of being insensitive, since I don't know the particulars very well, have you considered the owners (if not you) of this private storage area? One never knows who their true friends are, truly, the heart is evil. Sorry if this is too close to reality.
I am fairly new to the AS world and was wondering do they have an alarm system for Travel Trailers, Motorhomes that works on the same concept as cars i.e. once touched, moved emits a piercing alarm? We are in the beginning stages of restoring our "gem" that we have waited so long for and rj, my heart truly goes out to you and your family...so many memories and great times are attached to our homes away from home. We owned a houseboat for four years, moored in a Marina, and thieves tried to break into the sliding glass door, (which had a deadbolt lock)damaging the door frame so we installed a deck alarm that measured the weight on the deck and could distinquish between animal weight and human weight, sounding an incredible alarm. Staying a step ahead of the criminal mind is tough!
RJ, I will notify the authorities here in the East Texas area and will be on the lookout personally. Hwy 59 South to Houston goes right through Lufkin. It looks like "America's Most Wanted" is alive and well on Airstream Forum.
RJ-
So very sorry to hear about the Safari...we will be keeping a look out for her up here in Maryland, Delaware and PA. I will pray that it turns up and get the word out to fellow airstreamers we know who aren't a part of this forum (shame on them anyway!). Good luck.
I will keep an eye out for it here in case they brought it up north to Canada. And if I find it I will send your trailer back in one piece and the thieves back in several!!!
Man, that is a true horror story. I am real sorry to hear it. That is one of the greatest fears of all- much worse than losing a car. It's more like your entire house being removed and stolen. Keep us posted as to how it turns out. Sounds like the forum members will be out looking.
__________________ "It's the journey."
NorCal Fall Rally, Jackson Rancheria, October 10-12
Plan on rallying with us.
Bummer. Sorry for your loss. I will keep an eye out for one heading down the interstates here. As you know, Airstreamers notice everything silver that moves or hides in the bushes. I rarely see any on the move, so yours should be easy to spot with a white spare tire cover.
__________________
1972 27' Overlander 72 Overlander Jack Pad--- A notebook used by Jack Nicholson in the Shining to keep track of how much work he had done on his Airstream. "All work and no polishing makes Jack's Airstream a dull trailer"
rjreed
Wishing you well in the recovery of your stolen unit.
Here I was thinking, for the last several yrs, "Our unit is safe and sound because of it's stored location." Your loss puts a whole new light on matters.
I'm gonna look into the lojack idea..That could be the cheapest price for peace of mind..by far..
We'll keep an eye out in the NE area for you..
Since the factory doesn't keep or maintain a list, maybe we could get "WBCCI" to keep a running list in each magazine issue, at least until the unit is recovered~!!..
ciao
Regarding NADA values and insurance, one of the reason I am chosing Foremost to insurance my Bambi is because of their replacement cost coverage. For the first 10 years, if anything happens, they will replace it with a new one, no matter how much the cost of a new one has increased.
When I was shopping used AS, lenders would only lend against the NADA value which was WAY below what units were selling like hotcakes for.
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