Winter RV Shows Feature Dazzling New Products, Amenities

    RESTON, Va., Jan. 10 As ice, snow and frigid temperatures
take hold throughout much of the nation this winter, millions of Americans are
happily turning their thoughts to vacation planning by attending a recreation
vehicle (RV) show.
    With a busy January-through-April schedule of RV shows nationwide,
shoppers can see the latest models at exhibit halls in their area, including
mind-boggling advances in new technologies and features available.  Today's
RVs -- motorhomes, travel trailers, folding camping trailers and truck campers
-- incorporate a wide array of creature comforts, gadgets and gizmos that
offer consumers a hassle-free, enjoyable alternative to other forms of travel.
    Current RV owners agree that attending a show helped them make a buying
decision.  According to a recent owner survey conducted by Robert Hitlin &
Associates, 53 percent believe an RV show played an "important" or "very
important" role in their buying decision.  Sixty percent plan to visit another
local show this year.
    RV shoppers are finding a wide array of features in today's units that
provide all the comforts of home, such as fully equipped kitchens and baths,
queen-sized beds, computer work stations, central heat and air conditioning,
and state-of-the-art communications and entertainment technology.
    Popular entertainment options include surround-sound stereo CD players
with individual headphones, VCRs, video game systems and satellite dishes.
Other high-tech gadgets gaining popularity with RVers are hydraulic levelers,
back-up cameras, web TV, global positioning systems, automatic powered awnings
and even vibrating seats to help keep RV drivers alert.
    For those who want to bring their all-terrain vehicles, jet skis or
motorcycles along on trips, today's RV fleet includes vehicles with built-in
"garages," some with hydraulic lifts for easy loading.  And for the growing
number of families owning sport utility vehicles or minivans, there's a new
lighter class of RVs for easy towing.
    One of the features that showgoers continue to find most fascinating is
the slideout room.  With the touch of a button, this "slideout" feature can
expand the living, dining, sleeping or kitchen area by as much as three-and-a-
half feet each for almost twice the floor space when the vehicle is parked.
Many new models have multiple slideout options.
    "When it comes to comfort, convenience and fun, there's no better way to
travel than by RV -- especially for families," said David J. Humphreys,
president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).  "RVs are
loaded with all sorts of amenities that take the stress out of family trips
and literally make 'getting there' half the fun.  The first step for RV
shoppers is to find the right unit for them, and many have discovered the best
way is by attending an RV show.  All sizes, types and floorplans from numerous
RV manufacturers are right there in one place for easy comparison shopping."
    Internet users can find the latest RV show listings nationwide at
http://www.rvia.org/rvshows .  Show schedules and more detailed information,
such as publications, rental sources and clubs, can also be obtained by
writing RVIA, P.O. Box 2999, Dept. P, Reston, VA 20195.  A free 18-minute
"getting started" video full of RV shopping and travel tips from actual RVers,
accompanied by a detailed companion guide and list of local dealers and
campgrounds, is available by calling 1-888-Go RVing.  Web users can order
these and other publications online at http://www.rvia.org and
http://www.GoRVing.com , as well as access extensive information, news and
tips on RV travel.
    RVIA is the national association representing over 500 manufacturers and
component suppliers producing 95 percent of all RVs made in the U.S.