-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EbF0CkzWDP40Z8UuggodBsC5kwJmWf72Zc+TgAh5LLs4FJtPj1syLk2i6o6ksXl1
 6l41IfYFPhCmOzmwO3NQ9A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001258618-10-000001.txt : 20100311
<SEC-HEADER>0001258618-10-000001.hdr.sgml : 20100311
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100311163528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001258618-10-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100309
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100311
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100311

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCGUIRE THOMAS R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001258615

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09511
		FILM NUMBER:		10674418

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000728303
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLIES & NEW PARTS [5013]
		IRS NUMBER:				942490990
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1982 ZANKER RD
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084368611

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1982 ZANKER RD
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95112

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COAST RV INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19880619
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-09</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000728303</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001258615</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCGUIRE THOMAS R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>350 WOODVIEW AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MORGAN HILL,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95037</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>521083</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These are restricted shares and were awarded pursuant to the Company's 2008 Equity Incentive Plan,  and will vest in three annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of the award, provided that the undersigned is still in the continuous service of the company on such anniversary dates.  In the event of a cessation of service prior to full vesting of the shares, the then uvnested shares will be subject to forfeiture and cancellation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Thomas R. McGuire</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----