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                                                                EXHIBIT 99.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Coachmen Industries,
Inc. (the "Company") for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report") I,
Claire C. Skinner, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, based on my knowledge:

         (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
             15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
             material respects, the financial condition and results of
             operations of the Company as of and for the period(s) covered in
             the Report.


                          By:  /s/ Claire C. Skinner
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Claire C. Skinner
                               Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Date:  May 14, 2003