FAIRPLEX RV SHOW OFFERS BUYERS A CHANCE TO DRIVE A BARGAIN.

Byline: Mike Rappaport Staff Writer

POMONA - Some post-holiday shoppers are finding toys of the extra-large variety at the Fairplex, lining up to find bargains at the Giant L.A. RV Show in what has been ``a surprisingly good year.''

``Our sales are very close to where they were last year,'' General Manager Dick Torres said. ``That's good, because if you look at the whole country, particularly the East Coast and the Midwest, RV sales are down 20 (percent) to 25 percent.''

That's not all that surprising. With this year's downturn in the national economy, big-ticket luxury items such as recreational vehicles would figure to be hard hit.

But some of the problem factors actually have helped sales. The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have more people thinking about traveling inside the country by some method other than airplanes, and the slower economy has lowered interest rates and gas prices.

``That has helped us a lot,'' Torres said. ``Gas prices are very low and interest rates are the lowest they've been in more than 20 years. We've also got a lot of baby boomers who are getting closer to retirement age and they're looking at RVs.''

That's one demographic trend that has the industry looking ahead to a strong 2002.

``Long trends point to substantial market growth,'' said David Humphreys, president of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. ``The RV industry has good reason to feel confident. With inventories at their lowest levels in years, RV dealers have already begun replenishing them to catch up with the expected heightened demand.

``This positive sign indicates the RV industry will bounce back and enter an era of long-term growth.''

That's one reason Torres brought 300 vehicles - an estimated $20 million worth of inventory - to Fairplex. Giant RV sold 100 vehicles in six days last year and hopes to do even better this time around.

``I don't want to be too optimistic,'' Torres said. ``I would just like to do better than last year.''

Spectators at the show have examined vehicles with varying degrees of interest.

Steve and Loris Holst of Upland already own an RV. Loris said they might move up to a bigger one at some point but were looking primarily to see what improvements they could make to their own vehicle.

``My husband is very handy'' she said. ``He can put in a lot of things if we decide we like them.''

Dave and Karen Littlejohn of Upland were shopping more actively along with children Christopher and Kelsey.

``We have a tent trailer now,'' Dave said. ``We'd like to move up to a 24-foot trailer. Anything bigger than that probably wouldn't be practical.''

The Littlejohns said they have had their trailer for 13 years and have used it quite a bit.

``We'd like to have more space,'' Dave said. ``And it would be nice to have a heater, a refrigerator and a bathroom.''

Added Karen: ``The bathroom would be a big plus.''

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Giant L.A. RV Show

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Jan. 6 (Closed Jan. 2)

WHERE: Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, Pomona

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Although recreational vehicle sales in the U.S. are down nearly 25 percent on the East Coast and in the Midwest, sales on the West Coast are very close to where they were last year.

(2) Kelsey Littlejohn and her father, Dave, check out a recreational vehicle while attending the Giant L.A. RV Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. The RV show runs through Jan. 6.

Tommi Cahill/Special to the Daily News

Box:

AT A GLANCE (see text)