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arodriguez60 · 09-29-2006, 12:49 PM

Hubby and I are going to look for an abandoned AS in Utah this weekend. It is in the middle of nowhere and appears abandoned. What would you do if it is indeed abandoned- rescue it or ?

**azflycaster** · 09-29-2006, 01:10 PM

I guess it depends on how you define abandoned. Just because it sits in the middle of nowere does not mean that someone does not legally own it. I am sure there is a process to claim abandoned property in every state. I would follow that proceedure. If you rescue the trailer and then put a bunch of time and money into it and then find out it was reported stolen, you would loose everything that you put into it. I do like the idea of an Airstrean Rescue Group, only be careful.

bobchevy89 · 09-29-2006, 01:14 PM

Try to locate the owner if there is a license plate on it.. could save quite a bit of embaressment or arrest for stealing private property..I have a trailer sitting on 10 acres in Tx .in the middle of noware. my tag is expired but since I own the land it's ok to leave it there..So check to find owner..

Bob

Jim Clark · 09-29-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

Hubby and I are going to look for an abandoned AS in Utah this weekend. It is in the middle of nowhere and appears abandoned. What would you do if it is indeed abandoned- rescue it or ?

A few people tried to claim “Abandoned” boats after Katrina, didn’t work out so well for them. Be sure you definition of “Abandoned” and the owner’s definition are the same. The land it is sitting on is owned by someone or entity.

The previous post about investing money in property is very true I do know of one case where a couple lost over 50K in restoration plus the cost of a boat due to a undisclosed lien on a sailboat.

Good Luck Jim

Jim Clark · 09-29-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobchevy89

Try to locate the owner if there is a license plate on it.. could save quite a bit of embaressment or arrest for stealing private property..I have a trailer sitting on 10 acres in Tx .in the middle of noware. my tag is expired but since I own the land it's ok to leave it there..So check to find owner..

Bob

Bob, and just where is that trailer ?

Jim

arodriguez60 · 09-29-2006, 01:26 PM

We plan to look for the owner via the area and the plates, hopefully we will find who it belongs to. It has the windows broken and a lot of trash in the area. We hope it will work out ok-will not take it though until we clear it.

Minnie's Mate · 09-29-2006, 01:33 PM

When I was in middle school I found a bicycle at a dumpster. It was missing several key parts. I took it home and canibalized an old bike I had for what I could and my dad took the bike to the local hardware store for repairs on the gears. A week or so later I got a call from the hardware store owner who said the owner of the bike had been in and had seen it in the shop and recognized it by some welds on it. I also got a call from the police. I explained where I found it and, being a small town and the fact that the police officer knew me and my family, there were no charges filed or anything. However, I was out the parts I had scavenged from my other bike.

arodriguez60 · 09-29-2006, 02:06 PM

Utah's DMV was helpful and will send us paper work that takes about 90 days. we have to get the VIN and or license number. we will go and scout around for the owner though as well-thanks for the help

CanoeStream · 09-29-2006, 02:46 PM

The VIN may be more of a sure thing. Yes, there is usually a VIN plate riveted somewhere at the front of trailer. I saw a '58 Overlander two days ago that really puzzled me about finding a VIN. Otherwise the VIN numbers are also embossed on the A-frame but frequently obstructed by WD gear hardware or other modifications up front.

Best of luck! Airstream archaeology rocks -- and I hear you've been charging up the digital ...

InsideOut · 09-29-2006, 02:51 PM

Any idea of the year, length and/or model? Could be a "sleeping beauty" in disquise! Not that that would change the advice posted here...it would just make for a more exciting story!

Shari

pinkflamingoes · 09-29-2006, 04:23 PM

Keep us posted...should be interesting!

yukionna · 09-29-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

Utah's DMV was helpful and will send us paper work that takes about 90 days. we have to get the VIN and or license number. we will go and scout around for the owner though as well-thanks for the help

Be careful you don't get shot! I'm serious. I looked at what I thought was an abandoned Flying Cloud sitting in the woods a few years back in Maine -- all windows broken and full of trash. Next thing I knew, this guy came out of nowhere screaming at me to get off his land. No amount of talking on our part could appease him. Apparently, the "trash" was his stuff as he was using the trailer for storage. He was frustrated with all the people he claimed came onto his property to make offers on his trailer that wasn't for sale. He finally told me to beat it or he would go back and get his gun to defend his property.

arodriguez60 · 10-06-2006, 10:25 AM

Well, the trip was interesting, we got to Moab about 12:30am and no rooms were available, who would think Moab was such a tourist place. So we catnapped in a rest area. The next am we found what we had thought was an AS, but it was an SOB with all ID plates removed and was in awful shape. Nice to know that it was not an AS. Although we were tired, we decided to go through Monument Valley on our way home, which was beautiful. Saw many AS though on way home, some we may want to ask owner if they are interested in parting with.Most looked neglected and unused. ot that we need another Baby, but sister in law bought an AS that needs most of it innerd's. If they get their's road worthy, that will be three family members to stream with---Tamara

bhayden · 10-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

Well, the trip was interesting, we got to Moab about 12:30am and no rooms were available, who would think Moab was such a tourist place. ---Tamara

Moutain Bike Mecca, especially in the Fall and early Spring! Can you say Slick Rock, I knew you could

-Bernie

pinkflamingoes · 10-06-2006, 11:30 AM

You satisfied your curiosity and ours, too!

CanoeStream · 10-06-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

Well, the trip was interesting, we got to Moab about 12:30am and no rooms were available, who would think Moab was such a tourist place.

Our daughter & some college friends drove from Minnesota all the way to Moab to rock climb -- almost a multinational mecca for that hobby. She later moved to Seattle and was looking at used Subaru Outbacks at a dealership -- every last one was a rental car from SE Utah. She had seen those back roads and said, "No way!"

Thanks for the interesting adventure report.

arodriguez60 · 10-06-2006, 11:56 AM

They had a land rover convention. It also has sky diving and river rafting. I travel alot in NM for my job, one would think I would get prior arrangments for a room--but now I know better. I have been trying to ID that trailer by looking for simular shapes, but nothing yet. The poor thing was ruined by bullet holes and weather, but was shaped like a bus, was approx. 23-25ft the bottom half was green with a silver top. It had two doors and the missing name plate looked like a square with a half moon on top.Just for the curious in me, I will keep looking.Maybe someday someone will rescue her from the desert-