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                            COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC
                (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                              THOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
                   (NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT,
                            IF OTHER THAN REGISTRANT)

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                              THOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
        419 WEST PIKE STREET, JACKSON CENTER, OHIO 45334 (937) 596 - 6849






             VIA FACSIMILE



             May 3, 2000

             Fellow Coachmen Stockholders:

             Yesterday,  I.S.S.,  the nation's leading voting advisory  service,
             dealt  Coachmen a major defeat by  recommending  shareholders  vote
             AGAINST  its Board of  Directors.  We sent a press  release  to you
             concerning I.S.S.'s statement.

             Also in its statement I.S.S.  characterized  Coachmen's performance
             as "substandard."

             On April  27,  2000,  Coachmen  announced  that its  first  quarter
             earnings would be 25(cent)-26(cent)per  share, a 40% drop from last
             year's first  quarter.  As of today,  Coachmen has still not issued
             its complete results for the quarter. Unusual?

             Thor  continues to urge Coachmen  shareholders  to vote to WITHHOLD
             ALL NOMINEES for directors, and vote AGAINST the 2000 Omnibus Stock
             Incentive  Program.  If you wish to change a vote you have  already
             made, please call D.F. King & Co., toll-free at 1-888-242-8149.

             Sincerely,





             Wade F. B. Thompson
             Chairman