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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 xh2yoZAP0tVG3hsvhY2/6Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000021212-09-000001.txt : 20090105
<SEC-HEADER>0000021212-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090105161241
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000021212-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GEHL THOMAS P.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001433366

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07160
		FILM NUMBER:		09505268

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		574-825-5821

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 30
		CITY:			MIDDLEBURY
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46540

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COACHMEN INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021212
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR HOMES [3716]
		IRS NUMBER:				351101097
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 30
		STREET 2:		423 N MAIN STREET
		CITY:			MIDDLEBURY
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46540
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5748255821

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 30
		STREET 2:		423 N MAIN STREET
		CITY:			MIDDLEBURY
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46540
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021212</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COACHMEN INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001433366</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GEHL THOMAS P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 3300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ELKHART</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46515</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>394.4773</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.521</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>978.851</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired under the Coachmen Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of the current quarterly purchase</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Melanie A. DeMorrow as Attorney-In-Fact for Thomas P. Gehl</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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