Shiny, silver, stolen: Seen this Airstream, taken near Alki? – FOUND!

ORIGINAL OCTOBER 19TH REPORT: Last time we published a photo of a stolen trailer, a WSB reader found it. Maybe that’ll happen this time too – given how conspicuous this particular trailer would be. The photo is from Esther, and it’s her vintage 28-foot Airstream, stolen from her driveway in the Alki area sometime after midnight last night/early today, possibly around 12:30 am, when neighbors heard some noises. “It’s a 1972 Land Yacht, with a high $ and sentimental value.” Call 911 if you think you’ve seen it; refer to SPD incident # 17-388291.

UPDATE: Found, thanks to commenter Michael‘s photo!

Eagle eyes October 19, 2017 (3:34 pm)

Oh no!! That’s my Dream to have one!! Just wonder if the owner tell/share air steam license plate? I could look out as I passed one today this morning and not sure if that’s right size.. I’m drooling to have one!!

Michael Copeland October 19, 2017 (4:53 pm)

This morning I woke up to an airstream that looked just like this one abandoned in the alleyway off 55th Ave SW. police were on scene and waited for a tow truck to come…it was towed away.

Esther October 19, 2017 (7:32 pm)

Hi Michael,

this morning we checked to see if it was impounded, but there were no records of it being towed. Just called Lincoln Towing and although they couldn’t confirm registration, it is the right year and length, and I am hoping it’s the one. Who takes a 28 ft trailer for a two block joyride??

Fingers crossed, everyone. I’m going to the tow lot tomorrow morning to check it out! Thank you for thinking to take this picture.
- CH October 19, 2017 (11:27 pm)
  
  Esther, the photo provided above (great photo by the way – by Michael Copeland), it looks like the tow truck says “Lang” on the side of it in red letter font…maybe that’s why Lincoln doesn’t have record of it. Your trailer could be at Lang towing company’s tow yard in Seattle. Unless they are partnered with Lincoln then my comment doesn’t help at all. Thought it could help though…Hope it is your trailer, good luck! :)
- GW October 20, 2017 (7:35 am)
  
  I just confirmed my initial suspicions by walking outside and taking a peek. There is an air stream trailer at the Lang lot down by my place of work. The lot is located on the corner of 5th Ave S and S Portland St. Just across the street from Swift Tool and The Gear Works.
- KB October 20, 2017 (8:33 am)
  
  Did you find it at the Lang tow lot? Hope so!!!

teacher/mom October 19, 2017 (5:09 pm)

Spouse saw one like this behind an old tow truck heading south by Don Armeni, but it was between 9:00 and 9:30 this morning.

Just Wondering October 19, 2017 (6:26 pm)

So did they find it? There can’t be a lot of Airstreams on the loose in West Seattle!

Gene October 19, 2017 (6:47 pm)

Has anyone checked out the Harbor Ave free RV/Trailer Park?

Sorry for the sarcasm- sure hope this classic beauty is found.

NorthofAdmiral October 20, 2017 (9:29 am)

I counted as many as 16 parked along Harbor Ave the week before last. That’s a new high score. Typically there are between 9 to 12 of them, when I do my near daily count.

No Airstreams have made appearances yet.

GW October 20, 2017 (7:18 am)

It might be down here at the Lang Lot just by my work. Corner of 5th Ave S and S Portland St. I believe I saw one sitting in the lot as I left work yesterday and thought it seemed odd for that lot.

Chris P. October 20, 2017 (8:30 am)

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your loss. I work with Airstream. When you have a moment, please send a private message on the Airstream Facebook page with your VIN so we can mark it as stolen. This will help it be identified if it’s taken to an Airstream dealer for service.

Thanks,

Chris

Pamela October 20, 2017 (12:16 pm)

I have posted on the RV sites on Facebook – trying to get more exposure for you. Sure hope it’s only a few blocks away and is back!

NorthofAdmiral October 20, 2017 (12:54 pm)

Hopefully Lang has the trailer. Sadly it will likely cost Esther $500 to get it back though.

The city once towed my boat trailer away while I was out for a day of boating (apparently parking it next to the tow vehicle, but disconnected, is not legal). I only did that so others would have more room to park.

At any rate, that cost me $200 to get it out of impound and only after much “negotiation”.

WSB October 20, 2017 (3:29 pm)

Esther e-mailed to say it WAS her trailer, found thanks to Michael! I hope to write a separate followup later – but making note here in case I don’t get a chance to. She explained that the plates had been switched and that’s why it hadn’t been matched to her report, yet. – TR
- Michael Copeland October 20, 2017 (9:20 pm)
  
  Great news! Why on earth someone would go through the trouble to steal this, change the plates, and then abandon it is beyond me.
  - Northofadmiral October 20, 2017 (11:34 pm)
    
    Well attempting to steal a trailer that may have a hitch lock means trying to take it by tow chains. That won’t get you too far unless you have a tow truck that can lift the tongue. They likely got it down the alley a bit until they realized it wouldn’t track and ditched it.
    
    I hate thieves. With a passion
    - Chuck Jacobs October 22, 2017 (10:42 am)
      
      Hitch locks are very easy to break or cut off. More likely is that the thieves were using a too large ball for the hitch. Older trailers tended to use smaller hitch balls than are common now. If you use a too large hitch ball, it will pop off whenever you go over a bump.

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