Exhibit 99.1

                                   THOR logo

      419 WEST PIKE STREET O P.O. BOX 629 O JACKSON CENTER, OHIO 45334-0629
                      PHONE 937-596-6849 O FAX 937-596-6539

                              N E W S R E L E A S E


Date:     February 2, 2004
Contact:  Wade F. B. Thompson or Peter B. Orthwein

            THOR ANNOUNCES RECORD SALES FOR SECOND QUARTER, 6 MONTHS
                         BACKLOG UP 83% TO RECORD LEVEL.

Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) announced today a record order backlog and
record preliminary sales for the second quarter and six months ended January 31,
2004.

Sales in the quarter were $426 million, up 29% from $330 million last year. RV
sales in the quarter were $374 million, up 35% from $276 million last year. Bus
sales in the quarter were $52 million, down 3% from $54 million last year.

Sales in the 6 months were $916 million, up 24% from $736 million last year. RV
sales in the 6 months were $806 million, up 28% from $628 million last year. Bus
sales in the 6 months were $110 million, up 2% from $108 million last year.

These results include Damon sales of $51 million in the quarter and $89 million
since its acquisition on September 2, 2003.

Total backlog on January 31, 2004 was $499 million, easily the highest in the
company's history and up 83% from $272 million last year. RV backlog on January
31, 2004, was $405 million, up 125% from $180 million last year. Bus backlog was
$94 million, up 2% from $92 million last year. Damon's backlog was $49 million
this year. Last year's figure excludes Damon.

"This record backlog together with high consumer confidence levels and low
interest rates bodes extremely well for the remainder of the year," said Wade F.
B. Thompson, Thor Chairman. Complete results are expected to be announced in
approximately 4 weeks.

Thor is the largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and the largest builder
of mid-size buses.

This release includes "forward looking statements" that involve uncertainties
and risks. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from
the Company's expectations. Factors which could cause materially different
results include, among others, the success of new product introductions, the
pace of acquisitions and cost structure improvements, competitive and general
economic conditions, and the other risks set forth in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.