[KeithO]

I paid a local marina a fee to allow me to park my race car trailer where they also rent spaces for people to keep their boat trailers. On the way home from work, I dropped by to get some parts out of my storage box and the trailer was gone.

No one with any authority was there so I left my name and number and plan to follow up with a phone call tomorrow morning.

Just how SOL am I? I am assuming that the people that rented me the spot will wash their hands of this.

This will break the bank. I can't cover this, a HANS, a helmut, a new seat plus all of the normal offseason stuff. People suck.

[00 Trans Ram]

Don't write off the rental company so fast. You'd be surprised just how much liability they can be at, regardless of if you signed a waiver. For instance, you ever been to one of those pools that says, "Swim at own risk"? Did you know that if something happens that they can still be liable?

My point is that you need to fight like hell to have the rental company pay for everything. You signed a rental agreement with them. The trailer was on their property. That makes it their responsibility (to a point). Go up the chain of command at the company until you get someone to give you what you want. If you get to the CEO, and still don't get it, tell them you'll have your attorney call them. Then, see about getting an attorney. It could be too expensive, but maybe not. Oftimes they will work on a contingency basis, where they get some percentage of the winnings. That means you won't get all your money back, but you may not have to pay, either.

One thing you should do now is get proof of the stuff in your trailer. Receipts are golden. Credit card statements are pretty good. Photos of the trailer are platinum. Think about any pictures that may have the trailer in the background. If you bought something (your seat, for instance) with cash, and have no way of proving it was in the trailer, it'll be tough to get reimbursed for it. Also, sworn statements from people who saw what was in the trailer can help (wife, fellow racer, etc.).

Also, call the company that sold you the hitch lock. They may have a policy that reimburses you if the trailer is stolen.