Help! Hi Lo stolen

My father loaned our 1991 Hi Lo to a friend going through a divorce. (He also has the manual in case he needed to repair anything) well, we were told he sold it then to only be told he gave it away. WE HAVE THE TITLE. I am now having to take him to court. But I do not have the manual so I do not know all the specs that are on the Hi Lo to get an estimated value. Does anyone know of a website I can check the Vin number or where I can get an exact manual because the title only says body style CT . I cannot find any info anywhere and where I do like the floorplan is totally different than what ours is please somebody out there help me

Welcome to the Forum!

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. The Hi-Lo library, on the Hi-Lo main page, has listings of manuals for certain years that were contributed by members. Go down through the list to see if there is a manual close to your model, the manuals were very generic.

There are brochures here also that may be of help, maybe more:
https://www.hilotrailer.com/home/then

Also, try the NADA Guides, for pricing:https://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/1991/Hi-Lo

The title should have the VIN.

Sorry for your troubles

I hope you get a favorable decision in the court system. No shortage of folks with no morals that will take stolen items. Last year while we were on vacation our neighbor broke in to our shed and stole $2,000 worth of lawn equipment. The police refuse to do anything about this even though I have witnesses. No consiquence so the crack addicts will get away with stealing. We have seriously beefed up our home security.

Small claims court

Dealing with people like this is always hard. I would file your loss in small claims court. I would list the husband AND wife if they were not divorced yet. Divorce does make people think differently and we think we are helping someone then we get taken advantage of.
Anyways I would file the value at close to $10k, you will never get a trailer in the condition of YOURS!
You then will have to file for a judgement so you can put a lien on their home and attach wages, get tax refunds etc. Having a lawyer will speed up the process and ensure you get all the papers filed as needed. Laws in every state are different not to mention the changes counties can make. If you cant afford a lawyer go talk to one, you can usually get a free consultation.
Good luck

were there even many or any options?
They all have the basics: AC, Fridge, Heater, Water heater, battery charger/converter, fans, double propane bottles.

Cops are there to protect and to make money, it is not their business, apparently, to solve your problems, take criminal to court. $2,000 or over is a felony.

The options were everything that you have put into it.
I find it odd that the police did nothing if he admitted to them that he took it from you and gave it to someone else.
The loop hole that they may be using is that you willingly gave it to him without having any agreement ( written or oral) of when it must be returned, what he can or cant do with it (give it away) etc.
I will try to get my wife to give me her insite on this tomorrow. She has a degree in cival litigation and was a paralegal some time ago. She can usually predict the outcome and may be able to prepare you for what will be asked and expected of you if you want to be compensated for your loss. I hope I can come back with some good news for you. The legal system is far from being just and as honorable as they want us to believe. This is why she didnt continue working for law firms

1 thought, be sure it is reported stolen so they can not get a lost title for it.
I would contact motor vehicals in person.

marininn said:

were there even many or any options?
They all have the basics: AC, Fridge, Heater, Water heater, battery charger/converter, fans, double propane bottles.

Cops are there to protect and to make money, it is not their business, apparently, to solve your problems, take criminal to court. $2,000 or over is a felony.

Click to expand...

I have an 1999 24'. For me to replace the stock version or this in my area I would expect to pay 8-10k. My unit has been converted into a Vardo aka Gypsy Wagon. So with upgrades my unit is worth double the stock version. If I claim it as stolen I would normally only get blue book value, probably 4-5k if I'm lucky.
I am insured at a higher rate but if I was not I could only get the lowest amount from an insurance company but I could still sue someone for full replacement value plus transportation fees and any court costs. (in most areas)
So if you are from LA and can only find one for sale in NY this could add up to a large amount of money.

Use the NADA guides. Courts generally will accept those without question as that is what banks and dealers use as a baseline. Any improvements will up the value as would pristine condition, etc.... Don't forget the value of anything that was in the trailer when it was loaned. The NADA value is the base empty trailer.

Also what is the insurance coverage valuation you held? Those are often higher than the raw book value. The court would accept that as valuation also especially if you have a "replacement value" policy.

Also I do hope you filed a stolen report with your local police. They can enter the trailer into the national computer. Some agencies will criminally prosecute the offender for you, but even if they will not, you should be able to contact your county prosecutor for assistance and even take a local warrant yourself (If you did not file criminal charges YOU SHOULD). Those are "must do" items to help your civil case for the monetary value. I don't know Texas statutes, but in Georgia that would be a felony "theft by conversion" charge. Here it would not matter that it was "loaned", the premise of a loaned item is it will be returned, not converted to the property of the thief and sold. Most states have similar laws.

Don't let the "loaned it to a friend" part cloud your judgement. They guy is clearly NOT A FRIEND and is just a low life thief. Actions have consequences, so hold him accountable.

I say all of this as a 42 year law enforcement officer......

Agree with the above poster.

In my case with small claims court. The party I was suing didn't even show up for court. This person took $ from us to rent equipment to trim a tree. I had receits for this with his signature. I won my case in court and he has 20 yrs. to pay. Haven't seen a dime. When you win your case your filing fee is reimbursed as part of your settlement. Now I have to pay more $ so they can guarantee his wages.