Propane Fires Lead Insurance Claims
GMAC Insurance has compiled a list of the five most common damage claims filed by RV owners. Topping the list are refrigerator fires caused by leaking propane tanks. GMAC Insurance says it receives at least 400 of these claims per year. One problem, the company says, is that sports fans sometimes paint their tanks in team colors, and if the colors are dark that can increase absorption of the sun’s rays and cause tanks to overheat and explode. RVers are advised to refrain from painting their tanks, and to have propane tank lines and connections checked each year.

Other common damage claims come from hitting gas station overhangs, forgetting to retract steps and awnings, tire blowouts and animal infestation of stored RVs. The insurance company suggests that RVers post a sticky note to remind them of their RV’s height so they don’t hit overhangs or bridges, create a pre-trip checklist as a reminder to retract steps and awnings, check tire pressure regularly and replace tires at least every seven years regardless of mileage or wear, and start idle RVs once a week to scare away mice and squirrels.

Historic Vista House Reopens
Vista House, which has been closed for four years for a $3.2 million restoration, has reopened at Crown Point State Scenic Viewpoint on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

The popular clifftop viewpoint on historic Highway 30 east of Troutdale has been refurbished and an inclined walkway has been added to the exterior steps to provide barrier-free access to the upper level building. A mechanical lift between the upper and lower floors will be in place this fall. The house, built in 1916 as a scenic resting spot for travelers, contains a museum, gift shop and interpretive displays of points of interest in the gorge. Vista House will be open this summer from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except for occasional interruptions due to work on the lift. For information, call (800) 551-6949 or see.www.oregonstateparks.org/park_150.php.

Jayco Opens Idaho Plant
Jayco, Inc. has opened a western operations assembly facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, to manufacture Jay Flight travel trailers for sale in the western U. S. and Canada. Production is housed in a 154,000-square-foot facility. The plant opened with 35 employees and is expected to expand the number of workers to 80 by the end of this year.

Heavy Rains Aid Recreation
The California Department of Parks and Recreation reports that water levels at lakes and reservoirs throughout the state are high, and rivers are running higher and faster than last year, increasing opportunities for recreation and adding to the beauty of vacation areas.

Numerous reservoirs are near capacity at state recreation areas that offer boating, fishing, kayaking, water skiing and jet skiing. On the American River, rafting companies are now back in operation after being sidelined for a while because flows were too high and water temperatures too cold.

Nevada Raises Money for Tourism
The Nevada Commission on Tourism has created a new license plate that will put the commission’s “travel Nevada” message on the road and also raise money to promote tourism. The plate features an emerald green golf course framed by purple mountain peaks.

The plate will cost $61, with $25 going to support tourism-building projects in rural Nevada. The commission is awarding $1.6 million this year to support tourist activities in rural areas. A recent series of 146 grants included such allocations as $8,000 to promote the Lake Tahoe Jazz Festival, $30,000 to promote the trail system in Lincoln County, $10,000 for a Hummer rally in Elko and $7,500 to promote fishing at Pyramid Lake.

International Truck to Buy Workhorse Chassis

International Truck and Engine Corporation has signed an agreement to buy Workhorse Custom Chassis and Uptime Parts from GVW Holdings Corporation in an all-cash deal that is expected to close by the end of September. Terms were not announced.

Workhorse, located in Union City, Indiana, is a leading manufacturer of chassis for motorhomes and commercial step-van vehicles. It produced 18,000 chassis last year. Uptime Parts is a distribution network that supplies parts to commercial fleets and RV dealers. The companies had combined sales of about $480 million in 1984. International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar International Corporation and is a world leader in the production of diesel engines.

Park Models Increase Shipments
Consumer demand for park models—vacation homes placed at RV resorts and campgrounds—is continuing to grow, according to new figures from the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA), which represents park trailer manufacturers.

The association reported that manufacturers shipped 2,400 park models in the first three months of this year, a gain of 15 percent over the same period a year ago. And last year’s park model production was an all-time record, with shipments exceeding the 2003 total by 30 percent. “The recreational park trailer business has become one of the fastest growing segments of the RV industry, thanks to the rising cost of real estate and American’s seemingly insatiable demand for weekend retreats,” said William Garpow, RPTIA executive director. Most park models cost less than $50,000, with the average price being in the $35,000 range.

Hood Canal Bridge to Close
The Washington State Department of Transportation and its contractor, Kiewit-General or Poulsbo, have confirmed plans to close the Hood Canal Bridge on State Route 104 from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, to 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, and from 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, to 4 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25.

The closures will enable the contractor to replace the bridge approach spans that connect the floating bridge to land. The closures will have a major impact on traffic on the Olympic Peninsula. The bridge handles 20,000 trips on weekends. For information about alternate routes, see www.hoodcanalbridge.com or call (877) 595-4222.

Idaho Surveys Recreation
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has completed a survey to find out what kind of recreation activities people are undertaking. The top activity was walking, with more than 78 percent saying they had walked for exercise at least once in the past year. That was an 18 percent increase over a survey two years ago.

The other most popular activities, in order, were watching wildlife, swimming in natural water, hiking and fishing. The survey showed a sharp increase in outdoor photography, perhaps because of the popularity of digital cameras. Geocashing, where people use GPS devices to find hidden objects, also showed a surge of interest since two years ago, and so did ATV riding. Snowmobile use and skiing declined, although that may be due to poor snow conditions instead of indicating a trend.

Diesels, Hybrids Increase Share
By 2012, about 11 percent of new vehicles sold in the U.S. will by powered by hybrid electric or clean diesel engines, according to a new report by J.D. Power-LMC Automotive Forecasting Services. Hybrids and diesels accounted for less than 5 percent of the market this year.

The forecast estimates that the number of hybrid electric models will increase from 10 in 2005 to 44 by 2012 and the number of diesel models will grow from 14 to 26. Most of the new diesels will be pickup trucks, SUVs or luxury cars. The growth in hybrids is expected in SUVs and midsize cars.

Fleetwood Helps Child Abuse Agency
In a joint program with California’s Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and a county agency for child abuse prevention, Fleetwood RV has modified four motorhomes to serve as “Mobile Safe Havens” for children. The Jamboree Class C motorhomes will provide a place to put children in a non-traumatic environment while law enforcement or child protective services conducts investigations during an emergency response.

The motorhomes were made kid-friendly by replacing the rear double beds with additional dinettes and replacing the kitchen ranges and ovens with cribs and pens where small children can play safely. The units also were equipped with 20-inch color television sets and DVD/VCR players, and the lounge chairs were outfitted for child car seats.