SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                         Date of Report: April 17, 2000

                      CHASE MANHATTAN RV OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                             (Issuer of Securities)

                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                             (Sponsor of the Trust)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      United States                    333-32263                22-2382028
- ----------------------------    ------------------------    --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)    (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)

                  802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware       19801
                  -----------------------------------------       ----------
                  (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 575-5033

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                             (Sponsor of the Trust)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      New York                         333-32236                13-4994650
- ----------------------------    ------------------------    --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)    (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)

                  270 Park Avenue, New York, New York             10017
                  ----------------------------------------        ----------
                  (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 270-6000


Item 5. Other Events:

      Chase Manhattan RV Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 10 classes of Asset
Backed Notes and one class of Asset Backed Certificates. The notes and
certificates are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
dated as of October 1, 1997, as amended. The parties to the Sale and Servicing
Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as a seller, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as seller, and The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as
servicer.

      On April 17, 2000, CIT, as servicer, distributed monthly interest to the
holders of the notes and certificates. CIT furnished a copy of monthly reports
for each class of notes and certificates as required by the Sale and Servicing
Agreement. Copies of the monthly reports are being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this
Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 7(c). Exhibits

            Exhibits          Description
            ----------        ---------------

            20.1               Monthly  Report with  respect to the April
                               17, 2000 distribution


                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: April 26, 2000

                                        THE CIT GROUP/SALES FINANCING, INC.,
                                        as Servicer


                                        By: /s/ Frank Garcia
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Frank Garcia
                                            Title: Vice President


                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.       Description
- -----------       -----------
20.1              Monthly Report with respect to the April 17, 2000 distribution