Missing Camper Trailer - Help!

Submitted: Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 at 22:57
ThreadID: 72586 Views:6149 Replies:11 FollowUps:6
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Hey Folks

A few years ago, my camper trailer was stolen from a secure car park in a Brisbane apartment complex. I went to the police, who were of no use in tracking it down, so I'm at my wits end trying to recover it.

So, as it wasn't insured at the time since it was being stored securely (stupid, stupid me), I ended up out of pocket a few grand which, not only really irritated me greatly, but pretty much ruined a holiday I had been planning. I had thought that all the security precautions I took chaining it up, let alone being in a supposed secure building, would get me by. But, clearly someone had his heart set on it, as the theft was certainly a planned event, and not just opportunistic.

Now, the camper was built by yours truly, as a custom job. It's a one off. There is NOT another camper like this in existence. It took me months, and thousands of dollars, and I have to say even a few years later, I'm still fuming over it. It was in perfect condition when stolen.

So, I'm hoping the forum users could help me out by keeping an eye out for it, and lettimg me know if you see it. There is a reward being offered for it's return in good condition.

Has a few special features:
Steel gal box section frame with checker plate aluminium sides and panels
Plastic hatches, as used in marine, to access storage on both sides
Pump-type water tap on top of the passenger aluminium side panel
Other info as per pics

If you see it, please get as much info as you can, and let me know. Obviously, whomever stole it likely changed the rego plates, but there is no other camper like this out there. If you see it, it's it.

Appreciate all the help
Scotty





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Reply By: Member - Rob - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 06:45

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 06:45
Rocko
Heading out again next week we will keep an eye out. Should stand out.
Sorry for your loss!
Morto
AnswerID: 384867

Reply By: guzzi - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 06:47

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 06:47
Sorry to hear this, it is unique, must be the landrover owner in you :).
Mate does it still have the WA rego or did you change it over to QLD?
If so what is the QLD rego?
Does it have a VIN number?
The only other suggestions I can think of is alert QLD transport and keep your eyes on the trading post and ebay.

I hope you get it back.

Pete
AnswerID: 384868

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 07:24

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 07:24
Heya Pete and Morto
Yeah, closet landie owner ;) Although that v8 was a horrible beastie.
I'd say the rego has been changed, as likely has the VIN. Unhappily, isn't that haed for a homebuilt.
Been watching eBay and Trading post on and off for the past couple years, but can't do it indefinately.
Scotty
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FollowupID: 652655

Reply By: Member - Wamuranman - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 07:50

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 07:50
Sorry about the loss - I know the forumites will keep an eye out for it in their travels.
But I have a question - you say it was stolen a few YEARS ago - have you posted this request on here before? After so many years it could be anywhere and most likely been modified to disguise it by now? The greatest chance of recovery probably would have been immediately after it was taken before anything could be done to it.
Just wondering... thats all.

Cheers - and best of luck in its recovery. Hope someone sees it somewhere.
AnswerID: 384873

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:47

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:47
Well, wasn't on the forum then ;)
So thought, what the heck...never know.
It's tough luck, but you never know what someone might see out there, so I thought I had nothing to lose. So, posted away ;)
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FollowupID: 652697

Reply By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 08:07

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 08:07
Hey Scotty, that's rotten!

I have printed your pics and will keep them in the glovebox.

If I spot it, how do we contact you?


Cheers
Allan

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 384877

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:47

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:47
Cool, Allan
Mobi is 0412376684
rocko72(at)optusnet.com.au
Ta's
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FollowupID: 652698

Reply By: DIO - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 10:03

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 10:03
Firstly, sorry to hear of your loss.
You say you went to Police, but they were of no use in tracking it down, did they take a Police Report re the Illegal Use/Theft of the trailer? If not then insist that they do so and then provide the Police Report number so that if anyone should happen to come across it then reporting same to Police (in any State) will/should result in an expedient response and apprehension of offender(s)..
By the way, when you say they were of no use, what exactly did you mean? Did you expect that they would drop everything and hit the roads? Sorry but that's not how it works. If as you say the matter was reported to them and a report taken then your trailer rego (like all other stolen vehicles) would go into a register that Police can use to identify such vehicles. Not much different than any other property that is stolen etc. I suggest that you consider contacting ACA or one of those so called 'current affair' programs in the hope that they might do a segment on your trailer as a 'human interest' bit. You know, custom built, unique, only one like it in the world, family devastated, children broken hearted that family holidays can no longer take place, sick grandmother, old dog, chickens not laying, etc etc.
Have you considered placing a half page (or similar) ad in newspapers, or flyers, forwarding such info to Caravan Parks around the country, at local transport (bus/train etc) stops, Caravan, Camper Trailer magazines etc. Have you considered offering a reward for information leadig to recovery of property. There are many things that you can do that will assist Police, who are frequently under-staffed and resourced. Good luck with your searching.
AnswerID: 384884

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:53

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:53
I'm afraid I've become a bit of a pessimist as to the usefulness of the Ipswich Police force.
Police report filed. Never any followup. No, didn't expect them to drop anything, certainly. However, when you offer to provide a picture of a stolen item, and the response is "If you like", then I tend to be a bit underwhelmed at the response. Local papers were notified, including pics in Courier Mail. I posted on a couple of forums around, although after this time, I honeslt don't remember which. A reward was offered. So, really tried, but c'est la vie.
Then again, I had a large banner stolen from the front of my shop building recently. Reported, never heard back. However, I followed it up with one of the fellas from the local city security camera mob, who track the town. It was caught on surveillance camera, and the police had seen the footage, which was unfortunately to blurry to identify who stole it. Regardless, it would have been nice to receive any sort of followup on it.
But again, I'm a pessimist.
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FollowupID: 652700

Reply By: Mal58 - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:36

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 12:36
Hi Scotty,
I know how you feel. We had a locked camper trailer stolen from our driveway in 2000. It was just weeks before we were due to go away on long service for 8 weeks.

Fortunately, we did have ours insured and we did manage to get a replacement in time.

I still keep an eye out for it though, but after 9 years it's certainly long gone.

I understand your comments about the police too.

The police weren't interested in coming to our house and looking over the evidence (remains of chain etc).

Like us, it's probably best to put it down to experience and move on and enjoy what life has to offer.
AnswerID: 384909

Follow Up By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:55

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:55
Know what you mean ;)
Honestly, I'm over it....moved on, etc. Have a new setup now.
But I thought, always worth a try ;)
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FollowupID: 652702

Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 at 15:45

Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 at 15:45
If it was only secured by a chain & padlock & not behind locked gates or in a shed, then you were lucky to get paid by the insurer.
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FollowupID: 653027

Reply By: Member - Bushpig - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 13:49

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 13:49
Also go to www.campertrailers.org and tell them to post details for you.
Cheers Jack
AnswerID: 384923

Reply By: PhilZD30Patrol - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 15:15

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 15:15
Hi

Sorry to hear about your lose.

I heard from my best mate that his brother had a camping trailer stolen from his house just west of Ipswich QLD.

The trailer was well secured but the "low life" of this world managed to pinch it anyway.

I just hope that, when people are buying 2nd hand trailers and caravans, they be a bit suspicious especially if it is cheap or the sales pitch doesn't seem genuine.

I will keep an eye out but sadly I don't think it is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack.

Cheers
Phil


AnswerID: 384929

Reply By: Rocko Wallaby - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:58

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 16:58
Actually, what was really disturbing about it, was the security they had to get past to nick it.
I had a trailer cop in the ball. Another trailer lock (one of those U shaped ones) on the tongue. Both wheels were wired with seriously heavy chain to the axles, and also to a metal post in the garage. It was in a keyed security garage, which supposedly had survellance cameras which we subsequently found didn't work), and was only acessible by around 20 units.
Just goes to show, if someone wants something bad enough, you have no hope of stopping them.
AnswerID: 384942

Reply By: Member - Tony & Julie (FNQ) - Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 17:26

Monday, Sep 28, 2009 at 17:26
One of a kind like that should not be hard to find, having enough people see the pictures is the problem.

Have not seen it up our way in FNQ, but will be keeping a closer eye out on trailers now.

Hope it is found and the bathplugs get what they need. Cheers Tony
AnswerID: 384947

Reply By: PradOz - Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 at 14:41

Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 at 14:41
Sorry to hear of your loss. I also pity the poor bloke the low life has probably sold it to if you ever find it. He has probably paid for it in cold hard cash and think all is legit.

Why not stick a photo up on every notice board you ever walk past with reward offered written on it. You need people to be able to see what it looks like and being unique you should have more luck. You never know who would see your wanted signs and maybe your luck will change.
AnswerID: 385325

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