Opinion ID: 1953696
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Trial Court's Refusal to View the Motor Home.

Text: The trial court denied Autorama's request that the court view the Hylers' motor home. See Iowa R.Civ.P. 194. Rule 194 provides when a court deems it proper, the court may order a viewing of any real or personal property, or any place where a material fact occurred. Id. The fact finder is permitted to view physical property to assist it in better applying the testimony and understanding the evidence. See Goodell v. City of Clinton, 193 N.W.2d 91, 96 (Iowa 1971); Hampton v. Burrell, 236 Iowa 79, 91, 17 N.W.2d 110, 117 (1945). The decision to view is within the trial court's discretion. Humphrey v. Happy, 169 N.W.2d 565, 569 (Iowa 1969). Autorama asserts the only way the trial court could understand the issues was to view the motor home. We disagree. Thirty-nine photographs of the motor home were introduced into evidence. In addition, three expert witnesses testified with respect to the condition of the motor home. Many of the problems about which these witnesses and the Hylers testified had been repaired by the time of trial. Some of the defects allegedly remaining, such as defective welds and poor construction materials, would not have been easily observed by the judge simply looking at the vehicle. Thus, viewing the motor home would not necessarily have assisted the trial court in understanding the testimony; certainly, such a viewing was not essential. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to personally view the motor home.