Edgar Filing: WABASH NATIONAL CORP /DE

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 21, 2004

REGISTRATION NO. 333-119688

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------

AMENDMENT NO. 1

FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE 52-1375208
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)

1000 SAGAMORE PARKWAY SOUTH
LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47905
(765) 771-5300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)

---------------------

WILLIAM P. GREUBEL
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
1000 SAGAMORE PARKWAY SOUTH
LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47905
(765) 771-5300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)

COPIES TO:

MICHAEL J. SILVER ROBERT F. WALL
HOGAN & HARTSON L.L.P. WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
111 SOUTH CALVERT STREET, SUITE 1600 35 W. WACKER DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601-9703
(410) 659-2700 (312) 558-5600

---------------------

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

---------------------

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than the securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ ]

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] ____________

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] ____________

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

---------------------

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 21, 2004

PROSPECTUS

3,000,000 SHARES

(WNC LOGO)

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
----------------------

Wabash National Corporation is selling 3,000,000 shares of common stock.

Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"WNC." On October 19, 2004, the last sale price of our common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange was $24.71 per share.

INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THE
"RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 12 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

----------------------

PER SHARE TOTAL
--------- -----

Public offering price............................ $ $
Underwriting discount............................ $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Wabash............. $ $

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares
from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30
days from the date of this prospectus to cover overallotments.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about , 2004.

----------------------

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
BB&T CAPITAL MARKETS

----------------------

The date of this prospectus is , 2004.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
----

Summary..................................................... 1
Risk Factors................................................ 12
Forward Looking Statements.................................. 18
Use of Proceeds............................................. 19
Price Range of Our Common Stock............................. 20
Dividend Policy............................................. 20
Capitalization.............................................. 21
Dilution.................................................... 22
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data.............. 23
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation.................................. 25
Business.................................................... 43
Management.................................................. 50
Description of Capital Stock................................ 51
Underwriting................................................ 55
Legal Matters............................................... 57
Experts..................................................... 57
Incorporation by Reference.................................. 57
Additional Information...................................... 58
Index to Financial Statements............................... F-1

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not,
authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only
as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
----------------------

INDUSTRY AND OTHER INFORMATION

Unless we indicate otherwise, we base the information concerning the
transportation equipment industry contained in this prospectus on our general
knowledge of and expectations concerning the industry, our market positions and
market shares, which are based on estimates prepared by us using data from
various industry sources, and on assumptions we made based on such data and our
knowledge of the transportation equipment industry. We have not independently
verified data from industry sources. In addition, we believe that data regarding
the transportation equipment industry and our market positions within such
industry provide general guidance but are inherently imprecise. Further, our
estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on
various factors, including those discussed in the "Risk Factors" section
beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

SUMMARY

This summary contains basic information about us. It does not contain all
of the information that is important to your investment decision. To fully
understand this offering, you should read the following summary together with
the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus, including
under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," our consolidated financial statements and
the notes thereto, and the other information incorporated by reference into this
prospectus as described below under "Incorporation by Reference."

The terms "Wabash," "the Company," "we," "our," and "us" refer to Wabash
National Corporation and its subsidiaries unless the context suggests otherwise.
The term "you" refers to a prospective investor.

OUR BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

We market our transportation equipment under the Wabash(R), DuraPlate(R),
DuraPlateHD(R), FreightPro(R), ArcticLite(R) and RoadRailer(R) trademarks
directly to customers, through independent dealers and through our factory-owned
retail branch network. Our proprietary DuraPlate(R) composite truck trailer,
which we introduced in 1996, has achieved widespread acceptance by our
customers. In 2003, sales of our DuraPlate(R) trailers represented approximately
80% of our total trailers shipped. We are also a competitive producer of
standardized products, and are seeking to become a low-cost producer within our
industry. We are also a competitive producer of standard dry, refrigerated and
intermodal vans.

CORE STRENGTHS

We believe that the following strengths differentiate us from our
competitors and position us for success within our markets:

- LONG-TERM CORE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS. We are the exclusive
provider of trailers to a significant number of top-tier trucking
companies, generating a consistent revenue base that has helped to
sustain us as one of the market leaders.

- INNOVATIVE PRODUCT OFFERINGS. Our DuraPlate(R) proprietary
technology provides what we believe to be a superior trailer to our
customers and commands premium pricing. A DuraPlate(R) trailer is a
composite plate trailer constructed with material containing a high
density polyethylene core bonded between a high-strength steel
skin. We believe that the competitive advantages of our
DuraPlate(R) trailers over standard trailers include the following:

- operate three to five years longer;

- less costly to maintain; and

- higher trade-in values.

We have also successfully introduced innovations in our refrigerated
trailers and other product lines. For example, we introduced the
DuraPlate(R) HD trailer and the FreightPro(R) sheet and post trailer
in 2003.

- SIGNIFICANT MARKET SHARE AND BRAND RECOGNITION. We have been one
of the two largest manufacturers of trailers in North America in
each of the last ten years, with one of the most widely recognized
brands in the industry.

- EXTENSIVE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK. Our twenty-six factory-owned
retail branch locations and twenty-eight independent dealers extend
our sales network throughout North America, diversifying our
factory direct sales and supporting our national service contracts.

- COMMITTED FOCUS ON OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. Safety, quality,
on-time delivery, productivity and cost reduction are the core
elements of our program of continuous improvement. We received the
2003 U.S. Senate Productivity Award for the State of Indiana for
the significant cost savings and productivity we achieved in the
prior two years.

- TECHNOLOGY. We are recognized by the trucking industry as being a
leader in developing technology to reduce trailer maintenance.

- CORPORATE CULTURE. We benefit from a value driven management team
and dedicated union-free workforce.

STRATEGY

We are committed to an operating strategy that seeks to deliver
profitability throughout industry cycles by executing on the core elements of
our strategic plan:

- CORPORATE FOCUS. We intend to continue our transition from an
organization focused on unit volume and revenue to one focused on
earnings and cash flow.

- PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION. We intend to continue to provide
differentiated products that generate enhanced profit margins.

- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS. We are focused on continuing to reduce
our cost structure by adhering to continuous improvement and lean
manufacturing initiatives.

- CORE CUSTOMERS. We intend to maintain and enhance our
long-standing customer partnerships and create new revenue
opportunities by offering tailored transportation solutions.

- CUSTOMER DIVERSIFICATION. We intend to continue to expand and
diversify our customer base by focusing on middle market carriers
with trailer fleets ranging from 250 to 5,000 units.

- TRAILER PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS. We are working on the
development of a DuraPlate(R) trailer that minimizes maintenance
for ten years.

- STRENGTHEN BALANCE SHEET. We intend to continue reducing our debt
to enhance financial flexibility and enable us to capitalize on
future market opportunities.

INDUSTRY

Freight transportation in the United States, according to the American
Trucking Association (ATA), was estimated to be a $702 billion industry in 2003.
ATA estimates that approximately 69% of all freight tonnage is carried by trucks
at some point during its shipment, accounting for approximately 87% of freight
industry revenue in the United States. Trailer demand is a direct function of
the amount of freight to be transported. To monitor the state of the industry,
we evaluate a number of indicators related to trailer manufacturing and the
transportation industry. Information is obtained from sources such as A.C.T.
Research Co., LLC (ACT), ATA, Cass Logistics, and Eno Transportation Foundation.
Recent trends we have observed include the following:

- IMPROVEMENT IN THE NUMBER OF UNITS SHIPPED. After reaching a high
of over 300,000 units shipped in 1999, shipments by the U.S.
trailer industry declined to approximately 140,000 units in each of
2001 and 2002. Unit shipments were approximately 183,000 in
2

2003. ACT estimates that 2004 and 2005 shipments will be approximately 230,000
units and 277,000 units, respectively. We expect, however, that the level of
industry shipments in 2005 will be somewhat lower than ACT's estimate: between
250,000 units and 260,000 units.

- INCREASING AGE OF MOTOR CARRIER TRAILER FLEETS. During the
three-year period ending December 31, 2003, the average age of
trailer fleets increased from approximately 44 months to 55 months.
We believe this increase resulted in part from deferred purchases
by many motor carriers. This trend suggests to us that there may be
pent-up replacement demand for trailers.

- INCREASING RATE OF NEW TRAILER ORDERS. Quarterly industry order
placements were in the range of 10,000 units to 15,000 units per
month during each of the six quarters ended December 31, 2003. For
the first quarter of 2004, the industry monthly order placement
rate averaged over 20,000 units. For the second quarter of 2004,
the industry monthly order placement rate averaged 19,000 units, a
22% increase over the same period in 2003.

- OTHER DEVELOPMENTS. Other developments and our view of their
potential impact on the industry include:

- New federal emission standards that come into effect in 2007
could result in improved demand for trailers in 2005 and part
of 2006, as motor carriers may focus their capital spending on
tractors in advance of the regulations taking effect. A similar
pattern occurred in advance of the October 2002 enactment of
new emission standards.

- Technology advances in trailer tracking and route management
implemented by motor carriers have increased trailer
utilization and lowered trailer-to-tractor ratios and could
result in reduced trailer demand.

- New federal hours-of-service rules became effective January 4,
2004. We initially believed that these rules would negatively
impact driver productivity and that this could result in
increased demand for trailers. These rules were recently
vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals. However, due to
Congressional action in early October, the regulation remains
temporarily in effect. To date, we believe that there has been
a limited amount of increased business as a result of the
regulation. If the regulation is permanently suspended, there
is the potential for cancellation of refrigerator units and
some increase of trade-ins that could affect used trailer
prices.
----------------------

Wabash National Corporation is a Delaware corporation incorporated in
1991 and is the successor by merger to a Maryland corporation organized in 1985.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1000 Sagamore Parkway South,
Lafayette, Indiana 47905 and our telephone number at that address is (765)
771-5300. Our website is located at www.wabashnational.com. The information on
our website is not part of this prospectus.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

On October 20, 2004, we announced financial results for the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 2004. Our net sales for the third quarter of
2004 were $277 million compared to $215 million for the same period in 2003. Net
income for the 2004 third quarter was $20 million, or $0.62 per share, compared
to a loss of $30 million, or $1.16 per share, for the same period in 2003. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2004, net sales were $754 million, compared
to $668 million for the same period in 2003. Net income for the first nine
months of 2004 totaled approximately $45 million, or $1.42 per share, compared
to a net loss of approximately $55 million, or $2.19 per share, for the same
period in 2003. Sales for the three and nine month periods in 2003 included $18
million and $59 million, respectively, of sales associated with certain assets
of our trailer rental and leasing and wholesale aftermarket parts distribution
businesses which were sold in September 2003. Results for the third quarter of
2003 also included a $19 million debt extinguishment charge of $0.74 per share.

Some significant highlights for the third quarter of 2004 were:

- Quote and order patterns continued to register year over year gains
during the seasonally slow summer period of the year and into the
fourth quarter. Fleet utilization levels remain high, suggesting
continued demand for both growth and replacement equipment. Backlog
at September 30, 2004 amounted to $283 million.

- New trailer unit sales amounted to 13,700 units and 37,500 units
for the three and nine month periods of 2004, respectively,
compared to 9,900 and 29,700 units for the comparable 2003 periods.

- Our retail and distribution segment achieved profitability in the
quarter for the first time since the third quarter of 2000.

- Manufacturing productivity continued to show improvement but was
somewhat adversely affected due to product mix and supply chain
constraints in the quarter. Key raw material price and availability
issues were accentuated by an unanticipated sharp jump in steel
pricing midway through the quarter which we were unable to pass
through to our customers in a timely manner. Nevertheless, we are
comfortable that our supply chain will be able to support continued
growth in the manufacturing segment.

- Working capital in the quarter increased as we adjusted inventory
levels in response to the supply chain constraints.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------ -----------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Net sales................................................... $277,243 $215,450 $753,739 $668,189
Cost of sales............................................... 240,321 198,438 657,060 603,366
Loss on asset impairment.................................... -- -- -- 28,500
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit.............................................. 36,922 17,012 96,679 36,323
General and administrative expenses......................... 10,389 11,792 31,073 32,318
Selling expenses............................................ 3,775 4,627 11,401 15,555
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from operations............................. 22,758 593 54,205 (11,550)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense.......................................... (2,944) (8,746) (8,610) (27,630)
Foreign exchange gains and losses, net.................... 486 (271) (59) 5,318
Loss on debt extinguishment............................... -- (18,940) -- (18,940)
Other, net................................................ 414 (2,277) 798 (2,677)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes......................... 20,714 (29,641) 46,334 (55,479)
Income tax provision........................................ 420 -- 919 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)......................................... 20,294 (29,641) 45,415 (55,479)
Preferred stock dividends................................... -- 264 -- 792
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders......... $ 20,294 $(29,905) $ 45,415 $(56,271)
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income (loss) per share........................... $ 0.74 $ (1.16) $ 1.67 $ (2.19)
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income (loss) per share......................... $ 0.62 $ (1.16) $ 1.42 $ (2.19)
======== ======== ======== ========
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)......................................... $ 20,294 $(29,641) $ 45,415 $(55,479)
Foreign currency translation adjustment................... 1,143 (208) 321 236
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net comprehensive income (loss)............................. $ 21,437 $(29,849) $ 45,736 $(55,243)
======== ======== ======== ========

RETAIL &
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION ELIMINATIONS TOTAL
------------- ------------ ------------ -----

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2004
Net sales.............................................. $240,371 $ 61,721 $(24,849) $277,243
Income (loss) from operations.......................... $ 20,599 $ 509 $ 1,650 $ 22,758
2003
Net sales.............................................. $152,800 $ 68,622 $ (5,972) $215,450
Income (loss) from operations.......................... $ 2,387 $ (1,815) $ 21 $ 593
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2004
Net sales.............................................. $656,406 $180,448 $(83,115) $753,739
Income (loss) from operations.......................... $ 56,402 $ (1,547) $ (650) $ 54,205
2003
Net sales.............................................. $486,940 $222,353 $(41,104) $668,189
Income (loss) from operations.......................... $ 21,202 $(33,072) $ 320 $(11,550)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------ -----------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders..... $20,294 $(29,905) $45,415 $(56,271)
======= ======== ======= ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding.............. 27,314 25,802 27,150 25,721
======= ======== ======= ========
Basic earnings (loss) per share......................... $ 0.74 $ (1.16) $ 1.67 $ (2.19)
======= ======== ======= ========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders..... $20,294 $(29,905) $45,415 $(56,271)
After-tax equivalent of interest on convertible notes... 1,210 -- 3,618 --
------- -------- ------- --------
Diluted net income (loss) applicable to common
stockholders.......................................... $21,504 $(29,905) $49,033 $(56,271)
======= ======== ======= ========
Weighted average common shares outstanding.............. 27,314 25,802 27,150 25,721
Dilutive stock options.................................. 721 -- 870 --
Convertible notes equivalent shares..................... 6,510 -- 6,510 --
------- -------- ------- --------
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding...... 34,545 25,802 34,530 25,721
======= ======== ======= ========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share....................... $ 0.62 $ (1.16) $ 1.42 $ (2.19)
======= ======== ======= ========

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
2004 2003
------------- ------------
UNAUDITED
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 14,832 $ 12,552
Accounts receivable, net.................................. 134,041 66,641
Current portion of finance contracts...................... 2,680 4,727
Inventories............................................... 113,120 84,996
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 7,400 10,249
-------- --------
Total current assets.................................. 272,073 179,165
Property, plant and equipment, net.......................... 125,893 130,594
Equipment leased to others, net............................. 15,354 21,187
Finance contracts, net of current portion................... 3,785 6,155
Goodwill, net............................................... 36,063 36,045
Other assets................................................ 16,589 23,890
-------- --------
$469,757 $397,036
======== ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... $ 8,729 $ 7,337
Accounts payable.......................................... 89,348 68,437
Other accrued liabilities................................. 53,341 61,421
-------- --------
Total current liabilities............................. 151,418 137,195
Long-term debt, net of current maturities................... 234,234 219,979
Other noncurrent liabilities and contingencies.............. 9,476 17,700
Stockholders' equity........................................ 74,629 22,162
-------- --------
$469,757 $397,036
======== ========

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------
2004 2003
---- ----
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)......................................... $ 45,415 $ (55,479)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................... 14,745 19,115
Net (gain) loss on the sale of assets................... (405) 652
Provision for losses on accounts receivable and finance
contracts.............................................. (30) 1,011
Cash used for restructuring activities.................. (2,993) (229)
Trailer valuation charges............................... 415 2,261
Loss on debt extinguishment............................. -- 18,940
Loss on asset impairment................................ -- 28,500
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable................................... (67,370) (53,771)
Inventories........................................... (26,989) 22,732
Refundable income taxes............................... 72 921
Prepaid expenses and other............................ 1,202 4,328
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. 15,844 7,630
Other, net............................................ 1,145 1,526
--------- ---------
Net cash used in operating activities.............. (18,949) (1,863)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures...................................... (5,760) (3,747)
Proceeds from asset sales................................. -- 53,479
Proceeds from sale of leased equipment and finance
contracts............................................... -- 5,305
Principal payments received on finance contracts.......... 4,039 5,969
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment... 2,116 1,762
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by investing activities.......... 395 62,768
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of bank term loan and revolving
credit facility......................................... -- 135,309
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes........ -- 125,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options................... 5,187 1,687
Borrowings under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities.............................................. 534,916 109,618
Payments under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities.............................................. (511,999) (109,618)
Payments under long-term debt and capital lease
obligations............................................. (7,270) (344,322)
Preferred stock dividends................................. -- (1,584)
Debt issuance costs....................................... -- (10,077)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used) in financing
activities........................................ 20,834 (93,987)
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........ 2,280 (33,082)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 12,552 35,659
--------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $ 14,832 $ 2,577
========= =========

THE OFFERING

Common stock we are offering..... 3,000,000 shares

Shares outstanding after this
offering......................... 30,350,725 shares

Use of proceeds.................. We estimate that our net proceeds from the
offering, without exercise of the
over-allotment option, will be
approximately $69.9 million. We intend to
use all of the net proceeds of this
offering to repay a portion of our
outstanding secured bank indebtedness. See
"Use of Proceeds."

NYSE Symbol...................... WNC

Risk factors..................... See "Risk Factors" and the other
information included and incorporated by
reference in this prospectus for a
discussion of factors you should carefully
consider before deciding to invest in
shares of our common stock.

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering
is based on 27,350,725 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2004, and does not
include as of that date:

- 1,493,929 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options granted under our stock option plans at a
weighted average exercise price of $13.54 per share;

- 1,934,305 shares available for issuance or future grant under our
2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and our 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan; and

- 6,510,416 shares issuable upon the conversion of our $125,000,000
principal amount of 3 1/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2008 at a
conversion price of $19.20 per share, which is equal to a
conversion rate of 52.0833 shares of common stock per $1,000
principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment.

Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this prospectus
assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option to
purchase an additional 450,000 shares of common stock.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

The following table sets forth summary consolidated and audited financial
and unaudited operating data for each of the five years in the period ended
December 31, 2003, and unaudited financial and operating data for the six months
ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The summary audited financial data for the years
ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 are derived from our audited financial
statements, and the historical financial data for the six-month periods ended
June 30, 2004 and 2003 are derived from our unaudited interim financial
statements. Our audited financial statements for the three years ended December
31, 2003 and our unaudited interim financial statements for the six-month
periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The information shown in the table below may not be indicative of our
future results. You should read the information below together with our
consolidated financial statements and the related notes and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included elsewhere in this prospectus.

SIX MONTHS ENDED,
JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
-------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
--------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS, INDUSTRY BUILD, MARKET SHARE AND EMPLOYEE COUNTS)

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Net sales.................... $ 476.5 $ 452.7 $ 887.9 $ 819.5 $ 863.4 $1,332.2 $1,454.6
Cost of sales................ 416.7 404.9 810.7 777.1(1) 972.1(2) 1,216.2(3) 1,322.9
Loss on asset impairment..... -- 28.5 28.5 2.0 10.5 -- --
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit (loss).......... 59.8 19.3 48.7 40.4 (119.2) 116.0 131.7
Selling, general and
administrative............. 28.4 31.4 57.7 77.4 82.3 55.9 50.8
Restructuring................ -- -- -- 1.8 37.9 36.3 --
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from
operations................. 31.4 (12.1) (9.0) (38.8) (239.4) 23.8 80.9
Interest expense............. (5.7) (18.9) (30.2) (30.9) (21.3) (19.7) (12.7)
Loss on debt
extinguishment............. -- -- (19.8) (1.3) -- -- --
Other income (expense),
net........................ (0.1) 5.2 1.8 (0.5) (14.3) (15.1) (3.5)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income
taxes...................... 25.6 (25.8) (57.2) (71.5) (275.0) (11.0) 64.7
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes............... 0.5 -- -- (15.3) (42.8) (4.3) 25.9
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)............ $ 25.1 $ (25.8) $ (57.2) $ (56.2) $ (232.2) $ (6.7) $ 38.8
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted EPS.................. $ 0.80 $ (1.03) $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.17) $ (0.38) $ 1.59
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
CASH FLOW DATA:
Depreciation and
amortization............... 9.9 13.3 23.8 28.6 32.1 30.1 21.8
Capital expenditures......... (3.9) (3.5) (6.5) (5.7) (5.9) (60.3) (68.1)
EBITDA(4).................... $ 41.2 $ 6.4 $ (3.2) $ (12.0) $ (221.6) $ 38.8 $ 99.2
PRODUCT LINE SALES DATA:
New trailers................. $ 414.5 $ 337.4 $ 690.5 $ 563.5 $ 614.3 $1,080.0 $1,202.8
Used trailers................ 26.5 36.8 64.8 92.3 73.3 74.7 89.5
Parts........................ 19.3 49.9 81.7 99.4 103.7 109.8 99.3
Other........................ 16.2 28.6 50.9 64.3 72.1 67.7 63.0
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total........................ $ 476.5 $ 452.7 $ 887.9 $ 819.5 $ 863.4 $1,332.2 $1,454.6
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
North American trailer
industry build(5).......... 113,127 88,086 182,666 139,658 140,084 270,817 305,869
North American trailer market
share...................... 20.5% 21.3% 19.8% 19.4% 22.6% 24.5% 22.8%
Backlog...................... $ 330.0 $ 226.0 $ 200.0 $ 208.0 $ 142.0 $ 700.0 $1,100.0
Employees.................... 3,400 3,600 3,300 3,600 3,500 5,200 5,600

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.............. $ 65.4 $ (65.4) $ 42.0 $ 55.1 $ 111.3 $ 270.7 $ 228.8
Total equipment leased to
others and finance......... 23.4 89.7 32.1 132.9 160.1 108.5 130.6
Total assets................. 420.4 533.5 397.0 565.6 692.5 781.6 791.3
Total debt................... 212.8 289.8 227.3 282.0 334.7 238.3 167.9
Capital lease obligations.... -- 47.7 -- 64.9 77.3 -- --
Stockholders' equity......... 51.0 49.1 22.2 74.0 131.0 367.2 379.4

------------

(1) Includes used trailer valuation charges of $5.4 million and loss
contingencies and equipment impairment charges of $4.8 million.

(2) Includes used trailer inventory valuation charges of $62.1 million, a
restructuring related charge of $3.7 million, and loss contingencies and
impairment charges of $37.9 million related to our leasing operations.

(3) Includes a $4.5 million charge related to our restructuring activities.

(4) We use EBITDA, income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense,
depreciation and amortization, as an internal measure of performance and
believe it is a useful and commonly used measure of financial performance in
addition to income (loss) before taxes and other profitability measures
under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). EBITDA is not a
measure of performance under GAAP. EBITDA should not be construed as an
alternative to operating income and income (loss) before taxes as an
indicator of our operations in accordance with GAAP, nor is EBITDA an
alternative to cash flow from operating activities in accordance with GAAP.
Our definition of EBITDA can differ from that of other companies. The
following table reconciles net income, the most comparable measure under
GAAP, to EBITDA for the periods indicated:

SIX MONTHS
ENDED, JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------- -----------------------------------------
2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ----- -----
(IN MILLIONS)

Net income (loss)........................ $25.1 $(25.8) $(57.2) $(56.2) $(232.2) $(6.7) $38.8
Add (subtract):..........................
Provision (benefit) for income taxes... 0.5 -- -- (15.3) (42.8) (4.3) 25.9
Interest expense....................... 5.7 18.9 30.2 30.9 21.3 19.7 12.7
Depreciation and amortization.......... 9.9 13.3 23.8 28.6 32.1 30.1 21.8
----- ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- -----
EBITDA................................... $41.2 $ 6.4 $ (3.2) $(12.0) $(221.6) $38.8 $99.2
===== ====== ====== ====== ======= ===== =====

(5) U.S. trailer industry build data represent new trailer production for the
trailer industry as a whole within North America and were derived from
information from A.C.T. Research Company, L.L.C.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to
other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus
before making an investment decision. Realization of any of the following risks
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash
flows and results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS, STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

WE HAVE GENERATED SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN RECENT PERIODS.

We incurred significant net losses during the last three years. While in
the first nine months of 2004, ended September 30, 2004, we reported net income
of $45.4 million, we have reported net losses of $232.2 million, $56.2 million
and $57.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003,
respectively. Our ability to achieve and sustain profitability in the future
will depend on the successful continued implementation of measures to reduce
costs and achieve sales goals. While we have taken steps to lower operating
costs and reduce interest expense, and have seen our sales improve in recent
periods, we cannot assure you that our cost-reduction measures will be
successful, sales will be sustained or increased or that we will achieve a
sustained return to profitability.

OUR INVENTORIES ARE NOT MANAGED BY PERPETUAL INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS.

The systems and processes we use to manage and value our inventories
require significant manual intervention and the verification of actual
quantities requires physical inventories, which we take several times a year.
Breakdowns of these systems and processes, and errors in inventory estimates
derived from these systems and processes, could go undetected until the next
physical inventory and adversely affect our operations and financial results.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO NEW CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROLS REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS, AND OUR COSTS RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH, OR OUR FAILURE TO COMPLY
WITH, EXISTING AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

We face new corporate governance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, as well as new rules and regulations subsequently adopted by the
SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the NYSE. These laws,
rules and regulations continue to evolve and may become increasingly stringent
in the future. In particular, we will be required to include management and
auditor reports on internal controls as part of our annual report for the year
ended December 31, 2004 pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We
are in the process of evaluating our control structure to help ensure that we
will be able to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to fully comply with these laws, rules and
regulations that address corporate governance, internal control reporting and
similar matters. Our failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations
may materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and the
value of our securities.

AN ADVERSE CHANGE IN OUR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS OR IN THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF
OUR CUSTOMERS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

We have corporate partnering relationships with a number of customers
where we supply the requirements of these customers. We do not have binding
agreements with these customers. Our success is dependent, to a significant
extent, upon the continued strength of these relationships and the growth of our
corporate partners. We often are unable to predict the level of demand for our
products from these partners, or the timing of their orders. In addition, the
same economic conditions that adversely affect us also often adversely affect
our customers. As some of our customers are highly leveraged and have limited
access to capital, their continued existence may be uncertain. One of our
customers, Grupo Transportation Marititma Mexicana SA (TMM), which is located in
Mexico, has been experiencing financial difficulties
12

and on August 5, 2004, announced that it had completed the restructuring of its
existing debt agreements. Payments from TMM to us are currently behind schedule.
The customer owes us $7.4 million as of September 30, 2004 secured by highly
specialized RoadRailer(R) equipment, which due to the nature of the equipment,
has a minimal recovery value. The loss of a significant customer or unexpected
delays in product purchases could adversely affect our business and results of
operations.

OUR TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS MAY NOT ACHIEVE MARKET ACCEPTANCE, WHICH COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION.

We continue to introduce new products, such as the DuraPlate(R) HD and
the Freight-Pro(R) trailer. We cannot assure you that these or other new
products or technologies will achieve sustained market acceptance. In addition,
new technologies or products that our competitors introduce may render our
products obsolete or uncompetitive. We have taken steps to protect our
proprietary rights in our new products. However, the steps we have taken to
protect them may not be sufficient or may not be enforced by a court of law. If
we are unable to protect our proprietary rights, other parties may attempt to
copy or otherwise obtain or use our products or technology. If competitors are
able to use our technology, our ability to compete effectively could be harmed.

WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS OF RAW MATERIALS; AN INCREASE IN THE PRICE
OF RAW MATERIALS OR THE INABILITY TO OBTAIN RAW MATERIALS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

We currently rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain key
components in the manufacturing of truck trailers, such as tires, landing gear,
axles and specialty steel coil used in DuraPlate(R) panels. From time to time,
there have been and may in the future continue to be shortages of supplies of
raw materials or our suppliers may place us on allocation, which would have an
adverse impact on our ability to meet demand for our products. Raw material
shortages and allocations may result in inefficient operations and a build-up of
inventory, which can negatively affect our working capital position. In
addition, if the price of raw materials were to increase and we were unable to
increase our selling prices or reduce our operating costs to offset the price
increases, our operating margins would be adversely affected. The loss of any of
our suppliers or their inability to meet our price, quality, quantity and
delivery requirements could have a significant impact on our results of
operations.

DISRUPTION OF OUR MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS OR MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.

We manufacture our products at two trailer manufacturing facilities in
Lafayette, Indiana, and one hardwood floor facility in Harrison, Arkansas. Our
primary manufacturing facility accounts for approximately 85% of our
manufacturing output. An unexpected disruption in our production at either of
these facilities or in our management information systems for any length of time
would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.

THE LOSS OF KEY PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Many of our executive officers, including our CEO William P. Greubel and
COO Richard J. Giromini, are critical to the management and direction of our
business. Our future success depends, in large part, on our ability to retain
these officers and other capable management personnel. The unexpected loss of
the services of any of our key personnel could have an adverse effect on the
operation of our business, as we may be unable to find suitable management to
replace departing executives on a timely basis.

THE INABILITY TO REALIZE ADDITIONAL COSTS SAVINGS COULD WEAKEN OUR COMPETITIVE
POSITION.

If we are unable to continue to successfully implement our program of
cost reduction and continuous improvement, we may not realize additional
anticipated cost savings, which could weaken our competitive position.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.

We are subject to currency exchange rate risk related to sales through
our factory-owned retail distribution centers in Canada. For the six months
ended June 30, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, currency exchange rate
fluctuations had an unfavorable impact of $0.4 million and a favorable impact of
$5.3 million, respectively, on our results of operations. We cannot assure you
that future currency exchange rate fluctuations will not have an adverse affect
on our results of operations equivalent to or more severe than that for the six
months ended June 30, 2004.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS

OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.

We are currently highly leveraged and have substantial debt in relation
to our stockholders' equity. As of September 30, 2004, we had an aggregate of
$243 million of outstanding indebtedness. Although this offering is intended to
reduce our debt, we will continue to have substantial debt after applying the
proceeds from this offering.

Our high level of debt could have important consequences to our
investors, including:

- we may not be able to secure additional funds for working capital,
capital expenditures, debt service requirements or general
corporate purposes;

- we will need to use a portion of our cash flow from operations to
pay principal of and interest on our debt, which will reduce the
amount of funds available to us for other purposes;

- we may be more highly leveraged than our competitors, which could
put us at a competitive disadvantage; and

- we may not be able to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions,
which may make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in the
general economic conditions of our business.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS IN OUR DEBT INSTRUMENTS COULD LIMIT OUR FINANCIAL AND
OPERATING FLEXIBILITY AND SUBJECT US TO OTHER RISKS.

The agreements governing our indebtedness include certain covenants that
restrict, among other things, our ability to:

- incur additional debt;

- pay dividends on our equity or repurchase our equity;

- make certain investments;

- create certain liens; and

- consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our
assets.

Our ability to comply with such agreements may be affected by events
beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry
conditions. In addition, upon the occurrence of an event of default under our
debt agreements, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding
under our debt agreements, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due
and payable.

RISKS PARTICULAR TO THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH WE OPERATE

OUR BUSINESS IS HIGHLY CYCLICAL, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SALES AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The truck trailer manufacturing industry historically has been and is
expected to continue to be cyclical, as well as affected by overall economic
conditions. New trailer production for the trailer industry as a whole was
approximately 140,000 in both 2001 and 2002 and approximately 183,000 in 2003.
Customers historically have replaced trailers in cycles that run from five to
twelve years, depending on service and trailer type. Poor economic conditions
can adversely affect demand for new trailers and in the past have led to an
overall aging of trailer fleets beyond this typical replacement cycle.
Customers' buying patterns can also reflect regulatory changes, such as the new
federal hours-of-service rules and anticipated 2007 federal emissions standards.
Our business is likely to continue to be highly cyclical based on current and
expected economic conditions and regulatory factors.

SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH WE OPERATE MAY RESULT IN OUR
COMPETITORS OFFERING NEW OR BETTER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OR LOWER PRICES, WHICH
COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CUSTOMERS AND A DECREASE IN OUR REVENUES.

The truck trailer manufacturing industry is highly competitive. We
compete with other manufacturers of varying sizes, some of which may have
greater financial resources than we do. Barriers to entry in the standard truck
trailer manufacturing industry are low. As a result, it is possible that
additional competitors could enter the market at any time. In the recent past,
the manufacturing over-capacity and high leverage of some of our competitors,
along with the bankruptcies and financial stresses that affected the industry,
contributed to significant pricing pressures.

If we are unable to compete successfully with other trailer
manufacturers, we could lose customers and our revenues may decline. In
addition, competitive pressures in the industry may affect the market prices of
our new and used equipment, which, in turn, may adversely affect our sales
margins and results of operations.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE GOVERNMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, AND OUR COSTS
RELATED TO COMPLIANCE WITH, OR OUR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH, EXISTING OR FUTURE
LAWS AND REGULATIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.

The length, height, width, maximum weight capacity and other
specifications of truck trailers are regulated by individual states. The Federal
government also regulates certain truck trailer safety features, such as lamps,
reflective devices, tires, air-brake systems and rear-impact guards. Changes or
anticipation of changes in these regulations can have a material impact on our
financial results, as our customers may defer purchasing decisions and we may
have to reengineer products. In addition, we are subject to various
environmental laws and regulations dealing with the transportation, storage,
presence, use, disposal and handling of hazardous materials, discharge of storm
water and underground fuel storage tanks and may be subject to liability
associated with operations of prior owners of acquired property. On September
28, 2004, we entered a plea to two misdemeanor violations of the federal Clean
Water Act and agreed to pay a $400,000 fine pursuant to a plea agreement
resulting from a federal environmental investigation into our former Huntsville,
Tennessee facility. If we are found to be in violation of applicable laws or
regulations in the future, it could have an adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Our costs of complying with these
or any other current or future environmental regulations may be significant. In
addition, if we fail to comply with existing or future laws and regulations, we
may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions.

A DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF USED TRAILERS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.

General economic and industry conditions, as well as the supply of used
trailers, influence the value of used trailers. As part of our normal business
practices, we maintain used trailer inventories and have entered into finance
contracts secured by used trailers, as well as residual guarantees and purchase

commitments for used trailers. Declines in the market value for used trailers or
the need to dispose of excess inventories has had, and could in the future have,
an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.

PRODUCT LIABILITY AND OTHER CLAIMS.

As a manufacturer of products widely used in commerce, we are subject to
regular product liability claims as well as warranty and similar claims alleging
defective products. From time to time claims may involve material amounts and
novel legal theories, and any insurance we carry may prove inadequate to
insulate us from material liabilities for these claims.

RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK

OUR COMMON STOCK HAS EXPERIENCED, AND MAY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE, PRICE
VOLATILITY AND A LOW TRADING VOLUME.

The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be
subject to large fluctuations. Our common stock price may increase or decrease
in response to a number of events and factors, including:

- trends in our industry and the markets in which we operate;

- changes in the market price of the products we sell;

- the introduction of new technologies or products by us or our
competitors;

- changes in expectations as to our future financial performance,
including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;

- operating results that vary from the expectations of securities
analysts and investors;

- announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts,
acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, financings or
capital commitments;

- changes in laws and regulations; and

- general economic and competitive conditions.

This volatility may adversely affect the prices of our common stock
regardless of our operating performance. The price of our common stock also may
be adversely affected by the amount of common stock issuable upon conversion of
our 3 1/4% convertible senior notes due 2008. Assuming $125 million in aggregate
principal amount of these notes are converted at a conversion price of $19.20,
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding would increase by
approximately 6.5 million, or approximately 21.5%, after giving effect to this
offering.

In addition, our common stock has experienced low trading volume in the
past.

WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ABLE TO PAY CASH DIVIDENDS.

Since December 2001, we have not declared or paid cash or other dividends
on our common stock. In addition, the terms of our existing debt agreements
prohibit the payment of cash dividends on our common stock.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, OUR FORMER AUDITORS, AUDITED CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION
INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. IN THE EVENT SUCH FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS LATER
DETERMINED TO CONTAIN FALSE STATEMENTS, YOU MAY BE UNABLE TO RECOVER DAMAGES
FROM ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP.

Arthur Andersen LLP completed its audit of our financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2001, and issued its report with respect to such
financial statements dated April 12, 2002.

On March 14, 2002, Arthur Andersen was indicted on, and on June 15, 2002 Arthur
Andersen was convicted of, federal obstruction of justice charges arising from
the U.S. Government's investigation of Enron Corporation.

On May 30, 2002, we dismissed Arthur Andersen as our independent auditors
and we appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year
2002. We had no disagreements with Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting
principle or practice, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or
procedure. Arthur Andersen audited the financial statements that we include in
this prospectus as of December 31, 2001 and for the year ending December 31,
2001, and a copy of their report thereon is included in this prospectus.
However, we have not obtained the written consent of Arthur Andersen to include
their report in this prospectus after reasonable efforts.

Arthur Andersen has stopped conducting business before the SEC and has
limited assets available to satisfy the claims of creditors. As a result, and
because we have not obtained Arthur Andersen's consent to the inclusion of their
audit report in this prospectus, you may be limited in your ability to recover
damages from Arthur Andersen under federal or state law if it is later
determined that there are false statements contained in this prospectus relating
to or contained in financial data audited by Arthur Andersen.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements may include the
words "may," "will," "estimate," "intend," "continue," "believe," "expect,"
"plan" or "anticipate" and other similar words. Our "forward-looking statements"
include statements regarding:

- our business plans;

- completion of contemplated asset dispositions;

- our expected revenues, income or loss and capital expenditures;

- plans for future operations;

- financing needs, plans and liquidity;

- our ability to achieve sustained profitability;

- reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships;

- shortages of raw materials;

- availability of capital;

- dependence on industry trends;

- the outcome of any pending litigation;

- export sales and new markets;

- acceptance of new technology and products; and

- government regulation, as well as assumptions relating to the
foregoing.

Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our
forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ
materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements.
Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any
forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent
risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in this prospectus. Each
forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus reflects our management's view only as of the date on which that
forward-looking statement was made. We undertake no obligation to update
forward-looking statements or publicly release the result of any revisions to
them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our expectations are described in the section of this prospectus
entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 12. We urge you to carefully review
that section for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our
common stock.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately
$69.9 million (approximately $80.5 million if the underwriters exercise their
overallotment option in full), at an assumed public offering price of $24.71 per
share, after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and our
estimated offering expenses. We intend to use all of the net proceeds of this
offering to repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness.

We intend to repay in full the balance of our secured bank term loan,
which as of September 30, 2004 had an outstanding balance of $31.7 million. This
loan, which matures on September 23, 2006, has a variable interest rate based on
the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 275 basis points, or the agent
bank's prime rate plus 75 basis points. At September 30, 2004, the weighted
average interest rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was 4.32%.

We intend to use the balance of the net proceeds, approximately $38.2
million, to pay down outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit
facility, under which as of September 30, 2004 we had $83.3 million outstanding
and additional borrowing capacity of $65.1 million. The revolving credit
facility is secured by inventory and accounts receivable and the amount
available to borrow varies in relation to the balances of those accounts. The
revolving credit facility, which is due on September 23, 2006, bears interest at
LIBOR plus 250 basis points, or the agent bank's prime rate plus 50 basis
points. We also pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility at a
rate of 37.5 basis points per annum. At September 30, 2004, the weighted average
interest rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 was 4.43%.

If the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full, we
expect to receive additional net proceeds of approximately $10.6 million, all of
which we intend to use to pay down an additional portion of the outstanding
indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

PRICE RANGE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "WNC." The following tables sets forth for the periods indicated the
high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Tape:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 HIGH LOW
---------------------------- ------ ------

First quarter............................................... $12.15 $ 7.16
Second quarter.............................................. 11.19 7.55
Third quarter............................................... 9.94 4.16
Fourth quarter.............................................. 8.50 3.55

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 HIGH LOW
---------------------------- ------ ------

First quarter............................................... $ 9.12 $ 4.95
Second quarter.............................................. 15.11 6.08
Third quarter............................................... 19.75 13.78
Fourth quarter.............................................. 30.39 15.97

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004 HIGH LOW
---------------------------- ------ ------

First quarter............................................... $30.73 $22.16
Second quarter.............................................. 29.53 22.00
Third quarter............................................... 30.91 24.90
Fourth quarter (through October 19, 2004)................... 28.55 24.36

As of October 18, 2004, there were 884 holders of record of our common
stock. On October 19, 2004, the last sale price reported on the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Tape for our common stock was $24.71 per share.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We do not currently pay cash dividends on our common stock. Our current
debt agreements have restrictive covenants that prohibit us from paying
dividends on our common stock.

We paid a regular quarterly cash dividend from 1992 until December 2001,
when the Board of Directors suspended our payment of a common stock dividend.
There are no assurances that any dividend will be paid in the future as any
future payment of dividends depends on future earnings, capital availability and
financial conditions.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table shows as of September 30, 2004, our cash, short-term
debt, long-term debt and capitalization:

- on an actual basis;

- on an as adjusted basis to give effect to our sale of 3,000,000
shares of common stock in this offering and application of the
proceeds therefrom, at an assumed public offering price of $24.71
per share, after deducting the underwriting discount and
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

This table does not reflect transactions and other events that have
occurred since September 30, 2004.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2004
--------------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED(1)
------------ -----------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND
PER SHARE DATA)

Cash and cash equivalents................................... $ 14,832 $ 14,832
========= ========
Debt
Current maturities
Term loan.............................................. 6,729 --
Other.................................................. 2,000 2,000
--------- --------
8,729 2,000
--------- --------
Long-term debt
Term loan.............................................. 24,959 --
Revolving credit facility.............................. 83,275 45,039
Convertible notes...................................... 125,000 125,000
Other.................................................. 1,000 1,000
--------- --------
234,234 171,039
--------- --------
Total debt........................................... 242,963 173,039
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 24,700,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued or outstanding, actual or
as adjusted........................................... -- --
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01
par value; 300,000 shares authorized; no shares issued
and outstanding, actual or as adjusted................ -- --
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares
authorized; 27,350,725 shares issued and outstanding,
actual; and 30,350,725 shares issued and outstanding,
as adjusted........................................... 274 304
Additional paid-in capital............................. 249,408 319,302
Retained deficit....................................... (175,087) (175,720)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss................... 1,313 1,313
Treasury stock, at cost; 59,600 shares of common
stock................................................. (1,279) (1,279)
--------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................... 74,629 143,920
--------- --------
Total capitalization.............................. $ 317,592 $316,959
========= ========

------------

(1) As a result of the application of the net proceeds to repay indebtedness
prior to its scheduled maturity, we expect to incur a non-cash charge to
earnings of approximately $633 in our fourth fiscal quarter of 2004, for
early extinguishment of long-term debt.

DILUTION

The net tangible book value of our common stock on September 30, 2004 was
approximately $28.3 million, or $1.04 per share. Net tangible book value per
share is equal to the amount of our total tangible assets, less total
liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding.
Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between
the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of common stock in this
offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock
immediately afterwards. After giving effect to our sale of the 3,000,000 shares
of common stock we are offering at an assumed public offering price of $24.71
per share, and after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and
estimated offering expenses, our net tangible book value at September 30, 2004
would have been approximately $98.3 million, or $3.24 per share. This represents
an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $2.20 per share to existing
stockholders and an immediate dilution of $21.47 per share to new investors
purchasing shares of common stock in this offering. The following table
illustrates this dilution:

Assumed public offering price per share..................... $24.71
Net tangible book value per share as of September 30,
2004............................................... $1.04
Increase per share attributable to new investors...... $2.20
Net tangible book value per share after this offering....... $ 3.24
Dilution per share to new investors......................... $21.47

The foregoing table does not take into effect further dilution to new
investors that could occur upon the exercise of outstanding options having a per
share exercise price less than the offering price per share in the offering. As
of September 30, 2004, there were 1,393,179 shares of our common stock issuable
upon exercise of outstanding options granted under our stock option plans that
had an exercise price less than the offering price per share in this offering
with a weighted average exercise price of $12.43 per share.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial and other
data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2003, and
unaudited financial and operating data for the six months ended June 30, 2004
and 2003. The summary audited financial data for the years ended December 31,
2003, 2002 and 2001 are derived from our audited financial statements, and the
historical financial data for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
are derived from our unaudited interim financial statements. Our audited
financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements for these
periods are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

SIX MONTHS ENDED,
JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS, INDUSTRY BUILD, MARKET SHARE AND EMPLOYEE COUNTS)

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:
Net sales..................... $ 476.5 $ 452.7 $ 887.9 $ 819.5 $ 863.4 $1,332.2 $1,454.6
Cost of sales................. 416.7 404.9 810.7 777.1(1) 972.1(2) 1,216.2(3) 1,322.9
Loss on asset impairment...... -- 28.5 28.5 2.0 10.5 -- --
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit (loss)........... 59.8 19.3 48.7 40.4 (119.2) 116.0 131.7
Selling, general and
administrative.............. 28.4 31.4 57.7 77.4 82.3 55.9 50.8
Restructuring................. -- -- -- 1.8 37.9 36.3 --
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from
operations.................. 31.4 (12.1) (9.0) (38.8) (239.4) 23.8 80.9
Interest expense.............. (5.7) (18.9) (30.2) (30.9) (21.3) (19.7) (12.7)
Loss on debt extinguishment... -- -- (19.8) (1.3) -- -- --
Other income (expense), net... (0.1) 5.2 1.8 (0.5) (14.3) (15.1) (3.5)
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income
taxes....................... 25.6 (25.8) (57.2) (71.5) (275.0) (11.0) 64.7
Provision (benefit) for income
taxes....................... 0.5 -- -- (15.3) (42.8) (4.3) 25.9
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)............. $ 25.1 $ (25.8) $ (57.2) $ (56.2) $ (232.2) $ (6.7) $ 38.8
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted EPS................... $ 0.80 $ (1.03) $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.17) $ (0.38) $ 1.59
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
CASH FLOW DATA:
Depreciation and
amortization................ 9.9 13.3 23.8 28.6 32.1 30.1 21.8
Capital expenditures.......... (3.9) (3.5) (6.5) (5.7) (5.9) (60.3) (68.1)
EBITDA(4)..................... $ 41.2 $ 6.4 $ (3.2) $ (12.0) $ (221.6) $ 38.8 $ 99.2
PRODUCT LINE SALES DATA:
New trailers.................. $ 414.5 $ 337.4 $ 690.5 $ 563.5 $ 614.3 $1,080.0 $1,202.8
Used trailers................. 26.5 36.8 64.8 92.3 73.3 74.7 89.5
Parts......................... 19.3 49.9 81.7 99.4 103.7 109.8 99.3
Other......................... 16.2 28.6 50.9 64.3 72.1 67.7 63.0
-------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total......................... $ 476.5 $ 452.7 $ 887.9 $ 819.5 $ 863.4 $1,332.2 $1,454.6

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
North American trailer
industry build(5)........... 113,127 88,086 182,666 139,658 140,084 270,817 305,869
North American trailer market
share....................... 20.5% 21.3% 19.8% 19.4% 22.6% 24.5% 22.8%
Backlog....................... $ 330.0 $ 226.0 $ 200.0 $ 208.0 $ 142.0 $ 700.0 $1,100.0
Employees..................... 3,400 3,600 3,300 3,600 3,500 5,200 5,600
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital............... $ 65.4 $(65.4) $ 42.0 $ 55.1 $ 111.3 $ 270.7 $ 228.8
Total equipment leased to
others and finance.......... 23.4 89.7 32.1 132.9 160.1 108.5 130.6
Total assets.................. 420.4 533.5 397.0 565.6 692.5 781.6 791.3
Total debt.................... 212.8 289.8 227.3 282.0 334.7 238.3 167.9
Capital lease obligations..... -- 47.7 -- 64.9 77.3 -- --
Stockholders' equity.......... 51.0 49.1 22.2 74.0 131.0 367.2 379.4

------------

(1) Includes used trailer valuation charges of $5.4 million and loss
contingencies and equipment impairment charges of $4.8 million.

(3) Includes a $4.5 million charge related to our restructuring activities.

Net income (loss)....................... $25.1 $(25.8) $(57.2) $(56.2) $(232.2) $(6.7) $38.8
Add (subtract):.........................
Provision (benefit) for income
taxes............................... 0.5 -- -- (15.3) (42.8) (4.3) 25.9
Interest expense...................... 5.7 18.9 30.2 30.9 21.3 19.7 12.7
Depreciation and amortization......... 9.9 13.3 23.8 28.6 32.1 30.1 21.8
----- ------ ------ ------ ------- ----- -----
EBITDA.................................. $41.2 $ 6.4 $ (3.2) $(12.0) $(221.6) $38.8 $99.2
===== ====== ====== ====== ======= ===== =====

(5) U.S. trailer industry build data represent new trailer production for the
trailer industry as a whole within North America and were derived from
information from A.C.T. Research Company, L.L.C.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations ("MD&A") describes the matters that we consider to be
important to understanding the results of our operations for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2003, our quarterly results for the six
months ended June 30, 2004, and our capital resources and liquidity as of June
30, 2004. Our discussion begins with our assessment of the condition of the
North American trailer industry along with a summary of the actions we have
taken to reposition Wabash. We then analyze the results of our operations for
the three years ended December 31, 2003, including the trends in the overall
business and our operations segments, followed by a discussion of our results of
operations for the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to our results for
the comparable period in the prior year. We follow this discussion with an
analysis of our cash flows and liquidity for the six months ended June 30, 2004,
as well as our contractual commitments as of December 31, 2003. We then provide
a review of the critical accounting judgments and estimates that we have made
that we believe are most important to an understanding of our MD&A and our
consolidated financial statements. These are the critical accounting policies
that affect the recognition and measurement of our transactions and the balances
in our consolidated financial statements. We conclude our MD&A with information
on recent accounting pronouncements which we adopted during 2003 and the first
six months of June 2004, as well as those not yet adopted that are expected to
have an impact on our financial accounting practices.

Wabash has two reportable segments: manufacturing and retail and
distribution. The manufacturing segment produces trailers which are sold to
customers who purchase trailers directly or through independent dealers and to
the retail and distribution segment. The retail and distribution segment
includes the sale of new and used trailers, as well as the sale of aftermarket
parts and service through its retail branch network.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The North American trailer industry rebounded in 2003, and the rebound
continued into the second quarter of 2004, after three consecutive years of
declining demand for new trailer units. Prior to 2003, the trucking industry,
confronting an economic downturn, dramatic increases in fuel, insurance, labor
and EPA compliance costs and weak capitalization, reduced trailer purchases from
a high of approximately 306,000 in 1999 to approximately 140,000 units in each
of 2001 and 2002, a 54% decline in demand. Demand recovered to approximately
183,000 units in 2003, which as an annual rate approximates the industry
replacement rate, and is expected to increase to approximately 230,000 units in
2004 according to ACT estimates. During the three years ended December 31, 2003,
our market share of new trailers declined from 23% in 2001 to 20% in 2003.

In response to the significant industry deterioration in prior years, we
implemented a comprehensive plan to scale our operations to meet demand and to
survive. Actions included:

- changed senior management;

- rationalized manufacturing capacity -- closing two plants;

- reduced manufacturing cost structure through continuous improvement
initiatives that focused on safety, quality, productivity, and
product and process standardization;

- reduced used trailer inventories -- from approximately $110 million
or 11,500 units as of September 2000 to $12 million or 2,200 units
as of December 31, 2003;

- resolved legacy trade practices -- reducing open trade commitments
to approximately $6 million as of December 31, 2003;

- divested our European operations;

- rationalized retail and distribution capacity -- closing 12
locations; and

- improved working capital management.

These actions set the stage for the following actions that occurred in
2003:

- selling certain assets of our rental and leasing business and our
wholesale parts business, former branch properties and a large
portion of our finance portfolio -- proceeds totaling approximately
$75 million used to reduce on and off balance sheet debt;

- refinancing our debt through the sale of $125 million of 3.25%
senior unsecured convertible notes and the completion of a
three-year $222 million bank facility -- extended required
repayment terms and significantly reducing interest rates;

- continuing the streamlining of the retail and distribution
organization -- closing 12 additional locations; and

- achieving manufacturing margins exceeding those attained in 1999,
the recent high point of the production cycle.

Charges totaling approximately $51 million in 2003 were incurred in
connection with those initiatives.

We believe that we are well positioned to participate in improving
general and trucking industry conditions. We expect to participate in the
continued industry growth because our core customers are among the largest
participants in the trucking industry, our DuraPlate(R) trailer continues to
have increased market acceptance and penetration and we are expanding our
presence into the middle market carriers -- approximately 1,250 carriers with
fleet sizes ranging from 250 to 5,000 units.

As a result of our continuous improvement initiatives, we have reduced
our total cost of producing a trailer and effectively increased production
capacity. Additionally, we have become much more efficient in the use of working
capital. In recent months, we have experienced significant price volatility in
our principal raw materials, steel, aluminum and timber, and we expect this
trend of rising material prices will continue in the near term. Recently, steel
prices have been particularly difficult for a number of reasons, including steel
imports to Asia, and the weakened U.S. dollar and higher transportation costs
have made foreign steel more expensive than domestic steel, thereby reducing the
supply of imports to meet market demand although at a more moderate pace than
experienced in the first six months of the year. Because of these conditions,
obtaining steel is currently challenging, but our long-term relationships with
suppliers have been advantageous. In response to these increases, on March 9,
2004 we implemented price increases on new trailers ranging from 4.5% to 6%, as
contract terms allow. We continue to pass on raw material increases as
competitive conditions allow. While we have experienced some nominal order
cancellations and postponements, we do not anticipate any significant impact on
our overall market share.

OPERATING PERFORMANCE

We measure our operating performance in four key areas: Safety, Quality,
Productivity and Cost Reduction. Our objective, be better tomorrow than we are
today, is simple, straightforward and easily understood by all our associates.

- Safety. As of June 30, 2004, we had achieved a four-fold
improvement in the total reportable incident rate since June 2002.
We believe improved safety translates into higher labor
productivity and lower costs as a result of less time missed due to
injuries.

- Quality. We measure our quality performance in terms of:

- First pass yield: Our first pass yield metrics have registered
improvement despite increasingly more stringent requirements.
First pass yield averaged 54% in 2002; 66% in 2003; and 85%
through September 2004.

- On Time Delivery: In the third quarter of 2003, we attained
100% schedule attainment and continue to operate at that rate
through September 2004.

- Warranty: We measure, among other things, the number and
severity of warranty claims. While improvements are being noted
and we are encouraged by the results, a longer term perspective
is required before declaring success.

- Productivity. We measure productivity on many fronts. Some key
indicators include production line speed, man-hours per trailer and
inventory levels. Improvements in these areas translate into:

- Increased availability capacity which we estimated to be over
75,000 units annually based on a three-shift, five-day work
week.

- Reduced work in process inventory, which as of December 31,
2003 was $4 million as compared to $14 million at the beginning
of that year.

- Increased inventory turnover, which at December 31, 2003 was
approximately nine turns per year compared to approximately six
turns in 2002.

- Cost Reduction. During 2002, we introduced our continuous
improvement initiative (CI). As of September 30, 2004, over 300 CI
events have been completed. We believe CI is a way of life.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

To monitor the state of the industry, we evaluate a number of indicators
related to trailer manufacturing and the transportation industry. Information is
obtained from sources such as A.C.T. Research Co., LLC (ACT), American Trucking
Association (ATA), Cass Logistics, and Eno Transportation Foundation. Recent
trends we have observed include the following:

- Improvement in the Number of Units Shipped. After reaching a high
of over 300,000 units shipped in 1999, shipments by the U.S.
trailer industry declined to approximately 140,000 units in each of
2001 and 2002. Unit shipments were approximately 183,000 in 2003.
ACT estimates that 2004 and 2005 shipments will be approximately
230,000 units and 277,000 units, respectively. We expect, however,
that the level of industry shipments in 2005 will be somewhat lower
than ACT's estimate: between 250,000 units and 260,000 units.

- Increasing Age of Motor Carrier Trailer Fleets. During the
three-year period ending December 31, 2003, the average age of
trailer fleets increased from approximately 44 months to 55 months.
We believe this increase resulted in part from deferred purchases
by many motor carriers. This trend suggests to us that there may be
pent-up replacement demand for trailers.

- Increasing Rate of New Trailer Orders. Quarterly industry order
placements were in the range of 10,000 units to 15,000 units per
month during each of the six quarters ended December 31, 2003. For
the first quarter of 2004, the industry monthly order placement
rate averaged over 20,000 units. For the second quarter of 2004,
the industry monthly order placement rate averaged 19,000 units, a
22% increase over the same period in 2003.

- Other Developments. Other developments and our view of their
potential impact on the industry include:

ANNUAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of
net sales for the periods indicated:

PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
----- ----- -----

Net sales............................................ 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales........................................ 91.3 94.8(1) 112.6(2)
Loss on asset impairment............................. 3.2 0.3 1.2
----- ----- -----
Gross profit (loss)................................ 5.5 4.9 (13.8)
General and administrative expense................... 4.2 6.6 6.6
Selling expense...................................... 2.3 2.8 2.9
Restructuring charge................................. -- 0.2 4.4
----- ----- -----
Loss from operations............................... (1.0) (4.7) (27.7)
Interest expense..................................... (3.4) (3.8) (2.5)
Trade receivables facility costs..................... (0.1) (0.5) (0.3)
Foreign exchange losses, net......................... 0.6 -- (0.2)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate......... -- -- (0.9)
Restructuring charge................................. -- -- (0.2)
Loss on extinguishment............................... (2.2) (0.2) --
Other income (expense), net.......................... (0.3) 0.5 (0.1)
----- ----- -----
Loss before income taxes........................... (6.4) (8.7) (31.9)
Income tax benefit................................... -- (1.8) (5.0)
----- ----- -----
Net loss........................................... (6.4)% (6.9)% (26.9)%

------------

(1) Includes used trailer valuation charges of $5.4 million and $2.8 million for
loss contingencies.

(2) Includes used trailer inventory valuation charges of $62.1 million (7.2%), a
restructuring related charge of $3.7 million (0.4%), and loss contingencies
related to our leasing operations of $27.4 million (3.2%).

2003 COMPARED TO 2002

NET SALES

Net sales improved 8% from 2002. Based upon ACT data, the first quarter
of 2002 is believed to have been the low point of the industry downturn that
began in 2000. By business segment, net external sales and related units sold
were as follows (dollars in millions):

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002 % CHANGE
------- ------- --------

Net Sales by segment:
Manufacturing.................................. $ 620.1 $ 492.3 26%
Retail and Distribution........................ 267.8 327.3 (18)
------- ------- ---
Total............................................ $ 887.9 $ 819.6 8%
======= ======= ===
New trailer units:
Manufacturing.................................. 36,900 30,900 19%
Retail and Distribution........................ 4,100 3,600 14
------- ------- ---
Total............................................ 41,000 34,500 19%
------- ------- ---
Used trailer units............................... 11,700 17,600 (34)%
======= ======= ===

The manufacturing segment's sales improvement was driven by demand for new
trailers and improved product mix. Average selling price increased 4.7%
primarily due to product mix: for example, we sold approximately 5,000 fewer
lower priced containers and chassis in 2003 compared to 2002.

The decrease in the retail and distribution segment's net sales reflects:

- used trailer sales decline of $27.5 million as unit sales fell 34%
due to completing the disposition of excess inventories during 2002
and the impact of closing certain locations;

- the sale of certain assets of the aftermarket parts distribution
business and the trailer rental and leasing business in September
2003 primarily accounts for $27.7 million of the sales decline;

- branch parts and services sales decline of $8.7 million primarily
due to closing full service branches; offset by

- new trailer sales increase of $4.4 million due to a 19% increase in
equivalent store units sold, offset partially by the impact of
closing certain locations.

GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)

Gross profit as a percent of sales was 8.7% for 2003 compared to 5.2% in
2002, before asset impairment charges of $28.5 million and $2.0 million in 2003
and 2002, respectively. The 2003 asset impairment charge was taken on certain
assets of the rental and leasing and aftermarket parts businesses. A summary of
gross profit by segment follows (in millions):

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
2003 2002 $ CHANGE
------ ----- --------

Gross Profit by segment:
Manufacturing...................................... $ 59.1 $20.8 $ 38.3
Retail and Distribution............................ (10.9) 19.7 (30.6)
Eliminations....................................... 0.5 0.0 0.5
------ ----- ------
Total Gross Profit................................... $ 48.7 $40.5 $ 8.2
====== ===== ======

The manufacturing segment's gross profit increased due to higher volumes
and improved product mix, coupled with realizing cost savings driven by our
continuous improvement initiatives. The segment's 2003 gross profit percentage
of 9.5% exceeded the 8.9% attained in 1999, the most recent production cycle
peak.

The retail and distribution segment's gross profit for 2003 was
negatively impacted by the $28.5 million asset impairment charge and $3.9
million in trailer valuation charges. Gross profit for 2002 was negatively
impacted by $4.8 million in loss contingencies and asset impairment charges
related to equipment held for lease and $5.4 million in used trailer valuation
charges. Additionally, the lower gross profit resulted from lower margins on
used trailer sales and the impact of selling certain assets of the rental and
leasing and aftermarket parts businesses in September 2003. New trailers margins
held steady in relation to 2002.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses decreased $16.5 million to $37.4
million for 2003, compared to $53.9 million for the same period in 2002. The
2003 expense included $2.6 million in debt restructuring costs, $0.9 million
related to the branch closings, offset in part by a $0.8 million recovery of VAT
taxes. The 2002 expense included $10.6 million in bad debt expense mainly
related to the finance and leasing businesses, $2.2 million in severance
accruals, $1.9 million in write-downs related to the disposition of Wabash's
airplane and $1.2 million in debt restructuring costs.

SELLING EXPENSES

Selling expenses decreased $3.2 million to $20.3 million in 2003,
compared to $23.5 million in 2002. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of
retail branch closings and the September 2003 sale of certain assets of our
trailer rental and leasing and aftermarket parts businesses.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest expense totaled $30.2 million for 2003, a decrease of $0.7
million from the prior year. Through the first three quarters of 2003, interest
expense exceeded that of 2002 due to higher interest rates and increased
amortization of debt costs resulting from debt restructurings in 2002 and 2003.
The debt refinancing and assets sales during the second half of 2003 resulted in
lower interest rates and average borrowings, respectively.

Trade receivables facility costs declined as 2002 included $3.3 million
in facility restructuring costs.

Foreign exchange gains and losses, net were gains of $5.3 million for
2003, primarily occurring in the first six months of the year reflecting a
strengthening of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar.

Loss on debt extinguishment of $19.8 million in 2003 primarily represents
the additional costs associated with the early extinguishment of our senior
series notes and bank debt.

Other, net for 2003 was a net expense of $2.5 million compared to a net
income of $3.5 million for the same period in 2002. The 2003 period included a
$3.2 million loss on the sale of a large portion of our finance portfolio, $1.3
million charge for the settlement of a legacy RoadRailer(R) transaction and a
$0.8 million loss on the sale of certain assets, offset in part by gains of $2.9
million on the sale of closed branch properties. The 2002 period included gains
on the sale of closed branch properties.

INCOME TAXES

Wabash recorded no income tax benefit in 2003 due to uncertainties
surrounding the realizability of benefits associated with NOLs. The 2002 benefit
recorded represents an additional realizable federal NOL carry-back claim filed
and received under the provisions of the Job Creation and Worker Assistance

Act of 2002, which revised the permitted carry-back period for NOLs generated
during 2001 from two years to five years.

2002 COMPARED TO 2001

Net loss for 2002 was $56.2 million compared to $232.2 million in 2001.
This improvement reflects a leveling off of new trailer sales and the impact on
2001 restructuring charges and losses related to used trailers.

NET SALES

Wabash finished 2002 with consolidated net sales of approximately $819.6
million compared to $863.4 million in 2001. This decrease was the result of
lower net sales in both the manufacturing and retail and distribution segments.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
2002 2001 % CHANGE
------- ------- ---------
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)

Net Sales by segment:
Manufacturing.................................... $492.3 $518.2 (5)%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 327.3 345.2 (5)%
------ ------
Total.............................................. $819.6 $863.4 (5)%
====== ======
New trailer units:
Manufacturing.................................... 30,900 31,000 (0)%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 3,600 6,100 (41)%
------ ------
Total.............................................. 34,500 37,100 (7)%
------ ------
Used trailer units................................. 17,600 11,500 53%
====== ======

The manufacturing segment's net external sales decreased $25.9 million in
2002 compared to 2001 primarily driven by a 4.8% decrease in the average selling
price per new trailer sold from approximately $16,700 in 2001 to approximately
$15,900 in 2002, reflecting a product mix that included approximately 7,400
units of lower priced containers and chassis. The selling price per unit in 2002
for non-container units was approximately $16,900.

The retail and distribution segment's net external sales decreased $17.9
million in 2002 compared to 2001. This decrease was primarily driven by a 41.0%
decrease in new units. The decrease in new units sold reflects market conditions
and our focus on reducing used trailer inventories. This decrease was partially
offset by increases in used units sold and the selling price per new unit
(approximately $21,900 in 2002 versus $16,800 in 2001). Our emphasis on reducing
used trailer inventory resulted in a 17.5% decrease in revenues per unit from
approximately $6,300 in 2001 to $5,200 in 2002. The total number of branch
locations as of December 31, 2002 was 39 as compared to 47 as of December 31,
2001.

GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)

Wabash finished 2002 with gross profit (loss) as a percent of sales of
4.9% on a consolidated basis as compared to (13.8%) in 2001. As discussed below,
both of our segments contributed to this increase.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
2002 2001 $ CHANGE
------ -------- ---------
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)

Gross Profit (Loss) by Segment:
Manufacturing..................................... $20.8 $ (73.9) $ 94.7
Retail and Distribution........................... 19.7 (47.6) 67.3
Eliminations...................................... 0.0 2.3 (2.3)
----- ------- ------
Total Gross Profit (Loss)........................... $40.5 $(119.2) $159.7
===== ======= ======

The manufacturing segment's gross profit (loss) increased primarily as a
result of the following factors:

- decrease of 19% in material costs per unit resulting from product
mix including containers and continuous improvement initiatives
introduced in the second half of 2002;

- new and used trailer inventory valuation adjustments of $65.1
million in 2001 compared to $2.7 million in 2002; and

- the impact of inventory write-downs related to our 2001
restructuring actions of approximately $3.7 million; partially
offset by

- lower revenues per unit, as discussed previously; and

- higher labor costs resulting from temporary labor, time spent on
training and continuous improvement initiatives.

The retail and distribution segment's gross profit (loss) increased
primarily as a result of the following factors:

- impairment of equipment held for lease along with certain loss
contingencies recognized related to its leasing activities totaling
$4.8 million and $37.9 million in 2002 and 2001, respectively;

- improved used trailers margins, which were 6.4% in 2002 compared to
(15.0%) in 2001;

- improved margins from our parts distribution business; and

- new trailer and aftermarket parts inventory valuation adjustments
of approximately $3.5 million in 2001; partially offset by

- declines in new trailer and parts and service gross profit, in part
due to fewer locations in 2002; and

- used trailer inventory adjustments of $5.4 million in 2002.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

General and administrative expenses decreased $3.1 million to $53.9 million
in 2002, compared to $57.0 million in 2001. This decrease was primarily due to a
reduction of $10.3 million in bad debt expense representing improved collection
efforts and significant write-offs taken in 2001. The decrease in bad debt
expense was offset in part by increases of $3.6 million in professional fees and
$3.0 million in severance related to branch closings and former corporate
employees.

RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE

Restructuring expenses decreased $36.1 million to $1.8 million in 2002,
compared to $37.9 million in 2001. The 2002 expense represented additional fair
market value adjustments to closed manufacturing locations which are held for
sale related to 2000 and 2001 restructuring actions. The 2001 expense primarily
related to asset write-downs for the Scott County, Tennessee and Fort Madison,
Iowa manufacturing facilities and Montebello, California parts distribution
center taken as part of the 2001 restructuring.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest expense totaled $30.9 million and $21.3 million for the years
ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. This increase was primarily due
to higher interest rates on our senior notes and bank debt resulting from the
debt restructuring in April 2002, interest on capital leases that were entered
into during the fourth quarter of 2001 and significantly higher amortization
from deferred debt costs in connection with the debt restructuring, offset in
part by reduced overall borrowings in 2002.

Trade receivables facility costs related to our accounts receivable
securitization facility, increased to $4.1 million in 2002 from $2.2 million in
2001 primarily as a result of $3.3 million in costs incurred with restructuring
the facility in April 2002, offset in part by an absence of borrowings under the
restructured facility from April to December 2002.

Foreign currency transaction loss, net was $1.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001.

Loss on debt extinguishment of $1.3 million in 2002 represents fees and
the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs associated with the April 2002
debt restructuring.

Other, net was income of $3.5 million in 2002 compared to expense of $1.1
million in 2001. The increase primarily includes gains on sales of closed branch
locations.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax benefit for 2002 and 2001 was $15.3 million and $42.9 million,
respectively. The effective tax rate was 21.4% and 15.6% for 2002 and 2001,
respectively. For 2002, the benefit recorded primarily represents an additional
realizable federal net operating loss (NOL) carry-back claim filed and received
under the provisions of the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002,
which revised the permitted carry-back period for NOLs generated during 2001
from two years to five years. In 2002, the effective rate differed from the U.S.
federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the recognition of a valuation
allowance against deferred tax assets that we determined were more likely than
not to be realized before expiration.

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of
net sales for the periods indicated:

PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES
---------------------------------
THREE MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, ENDED JUNE 30,
--------------- ---------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
------ ------ ------ ------

Net sales....................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales................................... 85.6 89.3 87.5 89.4
Loss on asset impairment........................ -- 12.4 -- 6.3
----- ----- ----- -----
Gross profit (loss)........................... 14.4 (1.7) 12.5 4.3
General and administrative expense.............. 4.0 3.8 4.3 4.5
Selling expense................................. 1.5 2.6 1.6 2.5
----- ----- ----- -----
Income (loss) from operations................. 8.9 (8.1) 6.6 (2.7)
Interest expense................................ 1.1 4.7 1.2 4.1
Foreign exchange gains and losses, net.......... 0.2 (1.2) 0.1 (1.2)
Other, net...................................... 0.2 0.2 (0.1) 0.1
----- ----- ----- -----
Income (loss) before income taxes............... 7.4 (11.8) 5.4 (5.7)
Income tax provision.......................... 0.2 -- 0.1 --
----- ----- ----- -----
Net income (loss)............................... 7.2% (11.8)% 5.3% (5.7)%
===== ===== ===== =====

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

NET SALES

Net sales increased $24.7 million from the second quarter 2003, which
included $21.0 million of sales associated with certain assets of our trailer
rental and leasing and aftermarket parts distribution businesses which were sold
in September 2003 (2003 Asset Sales). By business segment, net external sales
and related units sold were as follows:

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
-----------------------------
2004 2003 % CHANGE
------- ------- ---------
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)

Net Sales by Segment:
Manufacturing.................................... $195.7 $155.1 26%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 59.2 75.1 (21)%
------ ------
Total.............................................. $254.9 $230.2 11%
====== ======
New Trailer Units:
Manufacturing.................................... 11,100 9,200 21%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 1,600 1,000 60%
------ ------
Total.............................................. 12,700 10,200 25%
------ ------
Used Trailer Units................................. 1,900 3,300 (42)%
====== ======

Improving conditions in both the overall economy and the transportation
industry drove a 21% increase in unit volume in the manufacturing segment.
Average selling prices rose above the prior year period as material price
increases were passed along to the end users.

Second quarter 2004 sales in the retail and distribution segment were
lower than the prior year period which included $21.0 million of sales
associated with the aforementioned 2003 Assets Sales. A $12.1 million increase
in new trailer sales caused by a 60% increase in units was offset by reductions
in used trailer and parts sales. The decrease in used trailer sales results from
constrained used equipment availability, as transportation companies retain
equipment to meet requirements. The closing of four full service branches during
2003 resulted in slightly lower parts and service sales.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit as a percent of sales was 14.4% compared to (1.7%) in the
second quarter of 2003, which included a $28.5 million asset impairment charge
taken on certain assets of our rental and leasing and aftermarket parts assets.
As discussed below, both of our segments contributed as follows (in millions):

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
---------------------------
2004 2003 $ CHANGE
------ ------ ---------

Gross Profit by Segment:
Manufacturing....................................... $33.8 $18.2 $15.6
Retail and Distribution............................. 5.1 (22.3) 27.4
Eliminations........................................ (2.3) 0.3 (2.6)
----- ----- -----
Total Gross Profit.................................... $36.6 $(3.8) $40.4
===== ===== =====

The increase in the manufacturing segment's gross profit primarily
resulted from: increased volume, $7.0 million; improved labor and overhead
utilization, $6.0 million, reflecting the benefits of continuous improvement
initiatives, reductions in cycle times, cost controls and a reduction in
warranty costs. Raw material cost increases were essentially offset by increases
in selling prices.

Second quarter gross profit in the retail and distribution segment was
higher than the prior year which included a $28.5 million asset impairment
charge and $3.2 million of profit associated with the 2003 Asset Sales. The 2004
period includes $1.1 million of profit related to RoadRailer(R) bogies from our
finance and leasing business.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses increased $1.4 million from the prior
year. The 2004 period included $0.9 million in higher employee related costs and
$0.6 million in increased technology costs. The 2003 period included a $1.4
million charge related to debt refinancing and benefited from a $1.0 million
recovery of taxes.

SELLING EXPENSES

Selling expense decreased $2.1 million to $3.9 million, compared to $6.0
million in the prior year due to the impact of the 2003 Asset Sales and the
closing of 12 branch locations during the third quarter of 2003.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest expense totaled $2.8 million for the quarter; a decrease of $8.0
million from the prior year period due to lower effective interest rates
resulting from the debt refinancings completed in the third quarter of 2003 and
reduced average borrowings.

We incurred a foreign exchange loss of $0.4 million in 2004 compared to a
gain of $2.7 million in 2003, reflecting the parity of the US dollar compared to
the Canadian dollar in 2004 versus a significant weakening of the US dollar
relative to the Canadian dollar in the 2003 period.

INCOME TAXES

We recognized income tax provision of $0.5 million related to Federal and
State alternative minimum tax in the second quarter of 2004. No ordinary income
tax provision was recognized in 2004 due to the utilization of net operating
loss (NOL) carryforwards. No income tax provision was recognized in 2003.
Because of uncertainty related to the realizability of NOLs in excess of those
utilized, a full valuation allowance continues to be recorded against the
related deferred tax assets at June 30, 2004.

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

NET SALES

Net sales increased $23.8 million compared to the 2003 period. The six
months ended June 30, 2003 included $40.9 million of sales associated with the
2003 Asset Sales. By business segment, net sales and related units sold were as
follows:

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
-----------------------------
2004 2003 % CHANGE
------- ------- ---------
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)

Net Sales by Segment:
Manufacturing.................................... $359.7 $299.6 20%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 116.8 153.1 (24)%
------ ------
Total.............................................. $476.5 $452.7 5%
====== ======
New Trailer Units:
Manufacturing.................................... 20,900 17,700 18%
Retail and Distribution.......................... 3,100 2,100 48%
------ ------
Total.............................................. 24,000 19,800 21%
------ ------
Used Trailer Units................................. 3,800 6,800 (44)%
====== ======

Improving conditions in both the overall economy and the transportation
industry drove an 18% increase in unit volume in the manufacturing segment. To
meet production requirements, we have increased headcount by approximately 500.
Average selling prices were increased in an attempt to recoup increases in raw
materials.

The 2004 sales in the retail and distribution segment were lower than the
prior year period which included $40.9 million of sales associated with the
aforementioned Assets Sales. A $19.5 million increase in new trailer sales
caused by a 48% increase in units was offset by reductions in used trailer and
parts sales. The decrease in used trailer sales results from constrained used
equipment availability, as transportation companies retain equipment to meet
requirements.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit as a percent of sales was 12.5% compared to 4.3% for same
period in 2003, which included a $28.5 million asset impairment charge taken on
certain assets of our rental and leasing and aftermarket parts assets. As
discussed below, both of our segments contributed as follows (in millions):

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
---------------------------
2004 2003 $ CHANGE
------ ------ ---------

Gross Profit by Segment:
Manufacturing....................................... $54.0 $34.7 $19.3
Retail and Distribution............................. 8.1 (15.7) 23.8
Eliminations........................................ (2.3) 0.3 (2.6)
----- ----- -----
Total Gross Profit.................................... $59.8 $19.3 $40.5
===== ===== =====

The manufacturing segment's gross profit as a percentage of sales was
15.0% in 2004, a 3.4 percentage point increase from the prior year period.
Average per trailer raw material costs, including the effects of product mix,
increased approximately 4% from the prior period due to increases in our key raw
materials -- principally steel and wood, which we were able to partially offset
through selling price increases. The shortfall from rising material costs was
more than offset by the impact of higher volumes, the continued improvement in
our labor and overhead utilization and a reduction in warranty expense.

The 2004 gross profit in the retail and distribution segment was higher
than the prior year. The first six months of 2003 included a $28.5 million asset
impairment charge and $7.2 million of gross profit associated with the 2003
Asset Sales. The 2004 period includes $1.1 million of profit related to
RoadRailer(R) bogies from our finance and leasing business.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

General and administrative expenses were comparable with the prior year.
The 2004 period included $1.8 million in higher employee related costs and $1.4
million in increased technology costs. The 2003 period included $3.1 million in
debt refinancing costs and $0.9 million in bad debt reserves related to our
finance and leasing business, reduced in part by the recovery of $1.0 million in
taxes.

SELLING EXPENSE

Selling expense decreased $3.3 million to $7.6 million, compared to $10.9
million in the prior year due to the impact of the 2003 Asset Sales and the
closing of 12 branch locations during the third quarter of 2003.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest expense totaled $5.7 million for the six months; a decrease of
$13.2 million from the prior year period due to lower effective interest rates
resulting from the debt refinancings completed in the third quarter of 2003 and
reduced average borrowings.

We incurred a foreign exchange loss of $0.5 million in 2004 compared to a
gain of $5.6 million in 2003, reflecting the parity of the US dollar compared to
the Canadian dollar in 2004 versus a significant weakening of the US dollar
relative to the Canadian dollar in the 2003 period.

Other, net, for the six months ended June 30, 2004 includes gains on the
sale of closed branch properties.

INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized income tax provision of $0.5 million related to
Federal and State alternative minimum tax in the second quarter of 2004. No
ordinary tax provision was recognized in 2004 due to the utilization of net
operating loss (NOL) carryforwards. No income tax expense was recognized in
2003. Because of uncertainty related to the realizability of NOLs in excess of
those utilized, a full valuation allowance continues to be recorded against the
related deferred tax assets at June 30, 2004.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Our capital structure is primarily supported by debt as a result of the
significant losses incurred during the years 2000 through 2003. Due to our
financial and operational restructuring and the significant improvements in
manufacturing made over the last several years, we were able to stabilize our
financial footing. Our objective is to generate operating cash flows sufficient
to satisfy normal requirements for working capital and capital expenditures and
to better balance the mix of debt and equity in our capital structure.

CASH FLOW FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

Cash provided by operating activities amounted to $4.1 million, an
improvement of $29.0 million from the prior year period. The improvement is
primarily attributable to a $15.3 million increase in cash flows from net income
(adjusted for non-cash items) coupled with improved working capital management
as follows:

- Accounts receivables increased $28.0 million compared to $52.1
million in the second quarter of 2003. Days sales outstanding, a
measure of working capital efficiency that measures the amount of
time a receivable is outstanding, was 35 days at June 30, 2004, a
decrease of three days over the prior year period.

- Inventory increased $23.4 million from the prior year period. This
increase is reflective of the increased production levels and the
timing of customer pick-ups. Inventory turns, a commonly used
measure of working capital efficiency that measures how quickly
inventory turns, improved to approximately eight times, a 40%
improvement from the prior year.

- Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased approximately
$15.2 million, in line with increased production as well as our no
longer being subjected to vendor payment term restrictions that
were in place in 2003.

Investing activities provided $0.4 million, a decrease of $7.1 million
from the prior year period resulting primarily from our withdrawal from leasing
and rental operations.

Financing activities used $11.3 million during the period, $9.4 million
in paydowns under its revolving credit facilities, and debt payments of $5.1
million, including $1.7 million from proceeds on the sale of closed branch
properties, offset by $3.2 million from stock options exercised.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital spending has amounted to $3.9 million thus far in 2004 and is
anticipated to be approximately $10 million for the full year. Spending is
focused on productivity improvement and capacity maintenance.

OUTLOOK

As of June 30, 2004, our liquidity position, cash on hand and available
borrowing capacity amounted to approximately $72 million and debt and lease
obligations, both on and off the balance sheet, amounted to approximately $223
million (including $10 million off-balance sheet). We expect that in 2004, we
will be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund working
capital and capital spending requirements and to further reduce indebtedness.
However, it is possible that we may not generate sufficient cash flow or secure
additional funds for these purposes. Because we must use a portion of our cash
from operations to pay our debt service obligations, our high level of debt
means we have less funds available for working capital, capital spending
requirements and other purposes than we would otherwise have. Further, we may be
more highly leveraged than our competitors, which would be a competitive
disadvantage in the event of a downturn in the general economic condition of our
business.

BACKLOG

Orders that have been confirmed by the customer in writing and can be
produced during the next 18 months are included in backlog. Orders that comprise
the backlog may be subject to changes in quantities, delivery, specifications
and terms. Our backlog of orders was approximately $330 million at June 30, 2004
compared to $190 million at March 31, 2004 and $200 million at December 31,
2003. The March backlog was impacted by the removal of orders totaling
approximately $100 million which were required to be reaffirmed with customers
due to our mid-March price increase announcement. We expect to complete the
majority of our existing backlog orders within the next 12 months.

CUSTOMER CREDIT RISK

We sublease certain highly specialized RoadRailer(R) equipment to Grupo
Transportation Marititma Mexicana SA (TMM), who is experiencing financial
difficulties. On August 5, 2004, TMM completed the restructuring of its existing
debt agreements. Customer payments, which have historically been timely, are
currently behind schedule. The customer owes us $7.8 million as of June 30, 2004
secured by highly specialized RoadRailer(R) equipment, which due to the nature
of the equipment, has a minimal recovery value.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

A summary of payments of our contractual obligations and commercial
commitments, both on and off balance sheet, as of December 31, 2003, are as
follows:

$ MILLIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 THEREAFTER TOTAL
---------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---------- -----

DEBT (excluding interest):
Senior Convertible Notes.......... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $125.0 $ -- $125.0
Bank Revolver..................... -- -- 60.3 -- -- -- 60.3
Bank Term Loan.................... 5.1 6.7 25.0 -- -- -- 36.8
Other Notes Payable............... 2.3 2.3 0.6 -- -- -- 5.2
----- ----- ------ ---- ------ ---- ------
TOTAL DEBT..................... $ 7.4 $ 9.0 $ 85.9 $ -- $125.0 $ -- $227.3
===== ===== ====== ==== ====== ==== ======
OTHER:
Currency Forward Contracts.......... $ 3.9 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 3.9
Operating Leases.................... 6.1 3.8 3.1 1.9 1.5 0.1 16.5
----- ----- ------ ---- ------ ---- ------
TOTAL OTHER.................... $10.0 $ 3.8 $ 3.1 $1.9 $ 1.5 $0.1 $ 20.4
===== ===== ====== ==== ====== ==== ======
OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS:
Letters of Credit................... $ 7.0 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 7.0
Purchase Commitments................ 20.4 15.0 15.0 -- -- -- 50.4
Residual Guarantees................. 5.3 5.0 9.7 5.0 -- -- 25.0
----- ----- ------ ---- ------ ---- ------
$32.7 $20.0 $ 24.7 $5.0 $ -- $ -- $ 82.4
===== ===== ====== ==== ====== ==== ======
TOTAL OBLIGATIONS.............. $50.1 $32.8 $113.7 $6.9 $126.5 $0.1 $330.1
===== ===== ====== ==== ====== ==== ======

Residual Guarantees represent purchase commitments related to certain new
and used trailer transactions as well as certain production equipment. We also
have purchase options of $78.0 million on the aforementioned trailers and
equipment. To the extent that the value of the underlying property is less than
the residual guarantee and the value is not expected to be recovered, we have
recorded a loss contingency.

Purchase Commitments primarily represent minimum purchase commitments
under a parts purchase agreement we entered into in connection with the sale of
certain assets of our aftermarket parts distribution business. We are required
to purchase $45 million in parts over the next three years with a minimum of $15
million per year. The purchase price for the parts will be at current market
prices, will not exceed business requirements and is subject to certain
performance requirements.

Operating leases represent the total future minimum lease payments for
off balance sheet debt.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

We had no off-balance sheet financing transactions in 2002, 2003 or 2004.
As of December 31, 2004, we have operating leases with future minimum lease
payments of $16.5 million.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Footnote
2 to our consolidated financial statements. Certain of our accounting policies
require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the
appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature,
these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These
judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts,
our evaluation of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers
and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate.

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:

- it requires us to make assumptions about matters that were
uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and

- changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have
selected would have had a material impact on our financial or
results of operations.

The table below presents information about the nature and rationale for
Wabash's critical accounting estimates:

NATURE OF ASSUMPTIONS/APPROACHES
BALANCE SHEET CAPTION CRITICAL ESTIMATE ITEM ESTIMATES REQUIRED USED KEY FACTORS
--------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ ---------------------- -----------

Accrued liabilities Warranty Estimating warranty We base our estimate Failure rates and
and other long- requires us to on historical trends estimated repair
term liabilities forecast the of units sold and costs
resolution of payment amounts,
existing claims and combined with our
expected future current understanding
claims on products of the status of
sold. existing claims,
recall campaigns and
discussions with our
customers.
Accounts Receivable Allowance for doubtful Estimating the We base our estimates Customer financial
-- allowance for accounts allowance for on historical condition
doubtful accounts doubtful accounts experience, the time
requires us to an account is
estimate the outstanding,
financial customer's financial
capability of condition and
customers to pay information from
for products. credit rating
services.
Inventory Lower of cost or We evaluate future Estimates are based on Market conditions
market write-downs demand for recent sales data,
products, market historical experience, Product type
conditions and external market
incentive programs. analysis and third
party appraisal
services.
Property, plant and Valuation of long- We are required We estimate cash flows Future production
equipment, goodwill lived assets and from time-to-time using internal budgets estimates
and other long-term investments to review the based on recent sales
assets recoverability of data, and independent Discount rate
certain of our trailer production
assets based on volume estimates. Asset carrying
projections of value
anticipated future
cash flows,
including future
profitability
assessments of
various product
lines.
Deferred income taxes Recoverability of We are required to We use historical and Tax law changes
deferred tax assets -- estimate whether projected future Variances in future
in particular, net recoverability of operating results, projected
operating loss carry- our deferred tax based upon our profitability,
forwards assets is more business plans, including by taxing
likely than not including a review of entity
based on forecasts the eligible carry-
of taxable forward period, tax
earnings. planning opportunities
and other relevant
considerations.

In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that
require estimation, but are not as critical as those discussed above. Changes in
estimates used in these and other items could have a significant effect on our
consolidated financial statements. The determination of the market value of new
and used trailers is subject to variation particularly in times of rapidly
changing market conditions. A 5% change in the valuation of our inventories
would be approximately $4 million.

OTHER

Inflation

We have historically been able to offset the impact of rising costs
through productivity improvements as well as selective price increases. As a
result, inflation has not had, and is not expected to have, a significant impact
on our business.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Variable Interest Entities

In 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN
46 defines a variable interest entity (VIE) as a corporation, partnership, trust
or any other legal structure that does not have equity investors with a
controlling financial interest or has equity investors that do not provide
sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. The
Company has evaluated its financial arrangements that had potential FIN 46
impact and determined that none of these arrangements are with a VIE and that
the adoption will have no impact on its consolidated results of operations,
financial position or liquidity.

Derivatives

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting (SFAS)
No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and
reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities under FASB Statement
No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, by
requiring contracts with similar characteristics to be accounted for comparably.
The adoption of SFAS No. 149, effective for contracts entered into or modified
after June 30, 2003, did not have any effect on financial position, results of
operations, or cash flow.

Financial Instruments

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. This
statement changes the accounting for certain financial instruments that, under
previous guidance, issuers could account for as equity. SFAS No. 150 may require
that those instruments be classified as liabilities. SFAS No. 150 is effective
for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and
otherwise is effective at the interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. We
currently have no such instruments.

BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

We are one of North America's leaders in designing, manufacturing and
marketing standard and customized truck trailers and related transportation
equipment. Founded in 1985 as a start-up, we grew to over $1.4 billion in sales
in 1999, and had approximately $900 million in sales in 2003. We believe our
success has been the result of our longstanding relationships with our core
customers, innovative product development, broad product line, large
distribution and service network and corporate culture. Our management team is
focused on becoming the low-cost producer in the truck trailer industry through
continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

We seek to identify and produce proprietary products that offer added
value to customers with the potential to generate higher profit margins than
those of standardized products. We believe that we have the engineering and
manufacturing capability to produce these products efficiently. Our proprietary
DuraPlate(R) composite truck trailer, which we introduced in 1996, has achieved
widespread acceptance by our customers. Since 2002, sales of our DuraPlate(R)
trailers represented approximately 80% of our total trailers shipped. We are
also a competitive producer of standardized products, and are seeking to become
a low-cost producer within our industry. We expect to continue a program of
product development and selective acquisitions of quality proprietary products
that further differentiate us from our competitors and increase profit
opportunities.

We market our transportation equipment under the Wabash(R), DuraPlate(R),
DuraPlateHD(R), FreightPro(R), ArcticLite(R), and RoadRailer(R) trademarks
directly to customers, through independent dealers and through our factory-owned
retail branch network. Our factory-direct marketing effort focuses on our
longstanding core customers that represent many of the largest companies in the
trucking industry, including Schneider National, Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport
Services, Inc., Swift Transportation Corporation, Werner Enterprises, Inc., U.S.
Xpress Enterprises, Inc., Heartland Express, Inc., Safeway, Inc., Crete Carrier
Corporation and Yellow Roadway, Inc. Our relationship with our core customers
has been central to our growth since inception. Our factory-owned retail branch
network provides additional opportunities to distribute our products and also
offers national service and support capabilities for our customers. The retail
sale of new and used trailers, aftermarket parts and maintenance service through
our retail branch network generally provides enhanced margin opportunities.

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1991 and are the successor by merger
to a Maryland corporation organized in 1985. We operate in two segments: (1)
manufacturing and (2) retail and distribution. Financial results by segment and
financial information regarding geographic areas and export sales are discussed
in detail within Footnote 18, Segment Reporting, of the accompanying
Consolidated Financial Statements. Additional information concerning us can be
found on our website at www.wabashnational.com. We make our electronic filings
with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports,
available on our website free of charge as soon as practicable after we file or
furnish them with the SEC. Information on our website is not part of this
prospectus.

CORE STRENGTHS

We believe that the following strengths differentiate us from our
competitors and position us for success within our markets:

- Long-Term Core Customer Relationships. We are the exclusive
provider of trailers to a significant number of top-tier trucking
companies, generating a consistent revenue base that has helped to
sustain us as one of the market leaders.

- Innovative Product Offerings. Our DuraPlate(R) proprietary
technology provides what we believe to be a superior trailer to our
customers and commands premium pricing. A DuraPlate(R) trailer is a
composite plate trailer constructed with material containing a high

density polyethylene core bonded between a high-strength steel skin. We believe
that the competitive advantages of our DuraPlate(R) trailers over standard
trailers include the following:

- operate three to five years longer;

- less costly to maintain; and

- higher trade-in values.

- Significant Market Share and Brand Recognition. We have been one
of the two largest manufacturers of trailers in North America in
each of the last ten years, with one of the most widely recognized
brands in the industry.

- Extensive Distribution Network. Our twenty-six factory-owned
retail branch locations and our twenty-eight independent dealers
extend our sales network throughout North America, diversifying our
factory direct sales and supporting our national service contracts.

- Committed Focus on Operational Excellence. Safety, quality,
on-time delivery, productivity and cost reduction are the core
elements of our program of continuous improvement. We received the
2003 U.S. Senate Productivity Award for the State of Indiana for
the significant cost savings and productivity we achieved in the
prior two years.

- Technology. We are recognized by the trucking industry as being a
leader in developing technology to reduce trailer maintenance.

- Corporate Culture. We benefit from a value driven management team
and dedicated union-free workforce.

STRATEGY

We are committed to an operating strategy that seeks to deliver
profitability throughout industry cycles by executing on the core elements of
our strategic plan:

- Corporate Focus. We intend to continue our transition from an
organization focused on unit volume and revenue to one focused on
earnings and cash flow.

- Product Differentiation. We intend to continue to provide
differentiated products that generate enhanced profit margins.

- Continuous Improvements. We are focused on continuing to reduce
our cost structure by adhering to continuous improvement and lean
manufacturing initiatives.

- Core Customers. We intend to maintain and enhance our
long-standing customer partnerships and create new revenue
opportunities by offering tailored transportation solutions.

- Customer Diversification. We intend to continue to expand and
diversify our customer base by focusing on middle market carriers
with trailer fleets ranging from 250 to 5,000 units.

- Trailer Performance Improvements. We are working on the
development of a DuraPlate(R) trailer that minimizes maintenance
for ten years.

- Strengthen Balance Sheet. We intend to continue reducing our debt
to enhance financial flexibility and enable us to capitalize on
future market opportunities.

INDUSTRY

Freight transportation in the United States, according to ATA, was
estimated to be a $702 billion industry in 2003 (the latest date such
information is available). ATA estimates that approximately 69% of all freight
tonnage is carried by truck at some point during its shipment, accounting for
approximately 87% of freight industry revenues. Trailer demand is a direct
function of the amount of freight to be transported. As the economy improves, it
is forecasted that truck carriers will need to expand their fleets, which
typically results in increased trailer orders. According to ACT, there are
approximately 2.8 million trailers in use today and the trailer replacement
demand is estimated at between 180,000 and 200,000 trailers per year.

In general, the trailer industry grew throughout the 1990's and peaked in
1999. A number of factors, including an economic downturn, fluctuations in fuel
prices, declining asset values, limited capital, record trucking company
failures and industry consolidation led to a historic reduction of 54% in
trailer purchases from 1999 to 2002. In early 2003, the trailer industry started
seeing signs of gradual improvement. From a net order standpoint, each month in
2003 saw an improvement over the same month in 2002. For the first eight months
of 2004, total trailer orders for the year were 28% higher than the same period
in 2003.

New truck emission regulations became effective on October 1, 2002,
resulting in cleaner, yet less fuel-efficient and costlier engines. As a
consequence, many trucking firms accelerated purchases of tractors prior to the
effective date of the regulation, significantly reducing the historical
trailer-to-tractor ratio of 1.5 to 1, to less than 1 to 1 during parts of 2002,
according to ACT. In 2003, the trailer-to-tractor ratio regained its historic
1.5 to 1 ratio, although it has declined slightly (1.4 to 1) in 2004. Additional
emission regulations are to become effective in 2007 and may result in improved
demand for trailers in 2005, and part of 2006. In January 2004, regulations
reducing driver hours (hours-of-service) for commercial motor vehicles that
carry property became effective, but uncertainty surrounding the long term legal
status of these regulations makes their effect on our industry unclear.

Wabash, Great Dane and Utility are generally viewed as the top three
trailer manufacturers and have accounted for greater than 50% of new trailer
market share in recent years. During the severe industry downturn in 2001 and
2002, a number of trailer manufacturers went out of business, resulting in
greater industry consolidation. Despite market concentration, price competition
is fierce and differentiation is primarily through superior products, customer
relationships, service availability and cost.

The following table sets forth new trailer shipments for us, our largest
competitors and for the trailer industry as a whole within North America:

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------

Wabash(1)........................... 36,000 27,000 32,000 66,000 70,000 61,000
Great Dane.......................... 41,000 33,000 22,000 47,000 58,000 51,000
Utility............................. 24,000 18,000 16,000 29,000 31,000 27,000
Stoughton........................... 9,900 10,000 6,000 15,000 15,000 12,000
Other principal producers........... 34,000 28,000 32,000 63,000 68,000 51,000
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total industry...................... 183,000 140,000 140,000 271,000 306,000 279,000

---------------

(1) Does not include approximately 1,300 and 6,000 intermodal containers in 2003
and 2002, respectively.

Sources: Individual manufacturer information, some of which is estimated,
provided by Southern Motor Cargo Magazine(C) 1999 (for 1998 data) and Trailer
Body Builders Magazine(C) 2003 (for 1999-2003 data). Industry totals provided by
Southern Motor Cargo Magazine(C) 1999 (for 1998 data) and A.C.T. Research
Company, L.L.C. (for 1999-2003 data).

PRODUCTS

Since our inception, we have expanded our product offerings from a single
truck trailer product to a broad line of trailer related transportation
equipment. Our manufacturing segment specializes in the development of
innovative proprietary products for our key markets. Manufacturing segment sales
represented approximately 70%, 60%, and 60% of consolidated net sales in 2003,
2002 and 2001, respectively. Our current transportation equipment products
include the following:

- DuraPlate(R) Trailers. DuraPlate(R) trailers utilize a proprietary
technology that consists of a composite plate wall for increased
durability and greater strength. Our DuraPlate(R) trailers include
our newly introduced DuraPlate(R) HD, a heavy duty version of our
regular DuraPlate(R) trailers.

- DuraPlate(R) Domestic Containers. DuraPlate(R) domestic containers
utilize a proprietary technology and consist of stackable
containers, carried either on flat cars or stacked two-high on
special "Double-Stack" railcars.

- Smooth Aluminum Trailers. Smooth aluminum trailers, commonly known
as "sheet and post" trailers, are the standard trailer product
purchased by the trucking industry. In 2003, we commercialized our
new FreightPro(R) trailer to increase our focus on sheet and post
trailers, which is the largest segment of the trailer market.

- Refrigerated Trailers. Refrigerated trailers have insulating foam
in the sidewalls and roof, which improves both the insulation
capabilities and durability of the trailers. Our refrigerated
trailers use our proprietary SolarGuard(R) technology, which we
believe enables customers to achieve lower costs through reduced
fuel consumption and reduced operating hours.

- Aluminum Plate Trailers. Aluminum plate trailers utilize thicker
and more durable sidewalls than standard trailers, which reduces
maintenance costs and extends the trailer's life.

- RoadRailer(R) Equipment. The RoadRailer(R) intermodal system is a
patented bimodal technology consisting of a truck trailer and
detachable rail "bogie" which permits a trailer to run both over
the highway and directly on railroad lines.

- Other. Our other transportation equipment includes container
chassis, soft-sided trailers and converter dollies.

Our retail and distribution segment focuses on the sale of new and used
trailers and providing parts and maintenance services as described below. In
September 2003, we sold certain assets of our rental and leasing business and
wholesale aftermarket parts business and in December 2003 we sold a large
portion of our finance portfolio.

- New transportation equipment produced by the manufacturing segment.
Additionally, we sell specialty trailers including tank trailers,
dump trailers and platform trailers produced by third parties.
Customers for this equipment typically purchase in smaller
quantities for local or regional transportation needs. The sale of
new transportation equipment through the retail branch network
represented approximately 9.4%, 9.6% and 11.9% of net sales during
2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

- Replacement parts and accessories and maintenance service both for
our own and competitors' trailers and related equipment. This
business is less cyclical than trailer sales and generally has
higher gross profit margins. Management expects that the sale of
aftermarket parts and maintenance service will be a growing part of
our product mix as the number and age of trailers in service
increases. Sales of these products and service represented
approximately 11%, 14% and 15% of net sales during 2003, 2002 and
2001, respectively.

- Used transportation equipment primarily taken in trade from our
customers upon the sale of new trailers. The ability to remarket
used equipment promotes new sales by permitting trade-in allowances
and offering customers an outlet for the disposal of used
equipment. The sale of used trailers represented approximately
7.3%, 11.3% and 8.5% of net sales during 2003, 2002 and 2001,
respectively.

MANUFACTURING FACILITIES

We own two trailer manufacturing facilities in Lafayette, Indiana and a
trailer floor manufacturing facility, 0.5 million sq. ft., in Harrison,
Arkansas. Our main facility, 1.2 million sq. ft., houses truck trailer and
composite material production, tool and die operations, research laboratories,
management offices and headquarters. The second Lafayette facility is 0.6
million sq. ft. We have the capacity to produce approximately 75,000 trailers
annually on a three-shift, five-day work week schedule.

RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES

Retail and distribution facilities include 19 sales and service branches
(three of which are leased), and seven locations that sell new and used trailers
(six of which are leased). Each branch facility consists of an office, parts
warehouse and service space, and each facility generally ranges in size from
20,000 to 50,000 square feet per facility. Nineteen branches are located in 13
states and seven branches are located in six Canadian provinces.

We own a 0.3 million sq. ft. distribution facility in Lafayette, Indiana
that is currently leased.

All of our owned properties are subject to security interests held by our
bank lenders.

CUSTOMERS

Our customer base includes many of the nation's largest truckload common
carriers, leasing companies, private fleet carriers, less-than-truckload (LTL)
common carriers, and package carriers. Our five largest customers accounted for
approximately 27%, 30% and 34% of our aggregate net sales in 2003, 2002 and
2001, respectively.

One customer, Schneider National, Inc., accounted for approximately 14%
of net sales in 2003. In 2002 and 2001, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
accounted for approximately 11% and 19% of net sales, respectively.
International sales, primarily to Canadian customers, accounted for
approximately 9% of net sales for each of the last three years. We have
established relationships as a supplier to many large customers in the
transportation industry, including the following:

- Truckload Carriers: Schneider National, Inc.; J.B. Hunt Transport
Services, Inc.; Swift Transportation Corporation; Werner
Enterprises, Inc.; Heartland Express, Inc.; Crete Carrier
Corporation; U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.; Knight Transportation,
Inc.; and Interstate Distributor Co.

- Leasing Companies: Transport International Pool, Inc.; Wells Fargo
Equipment Finance, Inc.; Xtra Lease, Inc.; and Transport Services,
Inc.

- Private Fleets: Safeway, Inc.; The Home Depot, Inc.; The Kroger
Co.; and Sysco Corporation.

- Less-Than-Truckload Carriers: Yellow Roadway, Inc.; Old Dominion
Freight Lines, Inc.; SAIA Motor Freightlines, Inc.; Fedex
Corporation; and Vitran Express, Inc.

Additionally, in 2003, we began to focus on growing and diversifying our
customer base by targeting middle market carriers with trailer fleets between
250 and 5,000 units. During the first nine months of 2004, we have added over
170 middle-market customers that have ordered approximately 4,000 trailers.

BACKLOG

Orders that have been confirmed by the customer in writing and can be
produced during the next 18 months are included in our backlog. Orders that
comprise backlog may be subject to changes in quantities, delivery,
specifications and terms. Our backlog of orders was approximately $200 million
and $208 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and was $283
million at September 30, 2004. We expect to complete the majority of our current
backlog orders during the next twelve months.

REGULATION

Truck trailer length, height, width, maximum weight capacity and other
specifications are regulated by individual states. The federal government also
regulates certain safety features incorporated in the design of truck trailers,
including regulations that require anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and that
define rear impact guard standards. Manufacturing operations are subject to
environmental laws enforced by federal, state and local agencies
See -- "Environmental Matters".

RAW MATERIALS

We utilize a variety of raw materials and components including steel,
polyethylene, aluminum, lumber, tires and suspensions, which we purchase from a
limited number of suppliers. Significant price fluctuations or shortages in raw
materials or finished components may adversely affect our results of operations.
See "Risk Factors." In 2003 and for the foreseeable future, we expect that the
raw materials used in the greatest quantity will be the steel, aluminum and
polyethylene used in our dry freight and refrigerated trailers. Price increases
in our principal raw materials, aluminum, steel, plastic and timber, occurred
during 2004 and are expected to continue into 2005. Our Harrison, Arkansas
laminated hardwood floor facility provides the majority of our requirements for
trailer floors.

PATENTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We hold or have applied for 66 patents in the United States on various
components and techniques utilized in our manufacture of truck trailers. In
addition, we hold or have applied for 91 patents in 12 foreign countries
including the European patent community. Our patents include our proprietary
DuraPlate(R) product, which we believe offers us a significant competitive
advantage.

We also hold or have applied for 32 trademarks in the United States as
well as 28 trademarks in foreign countries. These trademarks include the
Wabash(R) brand name as well as trademarks associated with our proprietary
products such as the DuraPlate(R) trailer and the RoadRailer(R) trailer.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Research and development expenses are charged to earnings as incurred and
were approximately $2 million in each of 2003, 2002 and 2001.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our facilities are subject to various environmental laws and regulations,
including those relating to air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling
and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and occupational safety and health.
Our operations and facilities have been and in the future may become the subject
of enforcement actions or proceedings for non-compliance with such laws or for
remediation of company-related releases of substances into the environment.
Resolution of such matters with regulators can result in commitments to
compliance abatement or remediation programs and in some cases the payment of
penalties. On September 28, 2004, we entered into a plea to misdemeanor
violations of the federal Clean Water Act and agreed to pay a $400,000 fine
pursuant to a plea agreement resulting from a federal environmental
investigation involving our former Huntsville, Tennessee manufacturing facility.

We believe that our facilities are in substantial compliance with
applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our facilities have incurred, and
will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and
48

other costs in complying with these laws and regulations in both the United
States and abroad. However, we currently do not anticipate that the future costs
of environmental compliance will have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition or results of operations.

EMPLOYEES

As of September 30, 2004, we had approximately 3,400 full time
associates, as compared to approximately 3,300 full-time associates as of
December 31, 2003. No full-time associates were under a labor union contract as
of September 30, 2004. We place a strong emphasis on employee relations through
educational programs and quality improvement teams. We believe our employee
relations are good.

MANAGEMENT

NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------

David C. Burdakin......................... 49 Director
William P. Greubel........................ 52 President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
John T. Hackett........................... 71 Chairman
Dr. Martin C. Jischke..................... 63 Director
Ludvik F. Koci............................ 67 Director
Stephanie K. Kushner...................... 49 Director
Rodney P. Ehrlich......................... 58 Senior Vice President -- Chief Technology
Officer
Richard J. Giromini....................... 50 Senior Vice President -- Chief Operating
Officer
Timothy J. Monahan........................ 52 Senior Vice President -- Human Resources
Robert J. Smith........................... 58 Senior Vice President -- Chief Financial
Officer
Brent Larson.............................. 39 Senior Vice President -- Sales and
Marketing

David C. Burdakin. Member -- Audit, Compensation, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Burdakin has been a director of ours since
February 2002. Mr. Burdakin has been President of HON Company, a manufacturer of
office furniture, since February 2000 and Executive Vice President of HNI Corp.
(formerly HON Industries), a diversified manufacturer, since February 2001.
Previously, Mr. Burdakin was President of the HON Group and has held a variety
of positions of increasing responsibility with HON since 1993.

William P. Greubel. Member -- Executive Committee. Mr. Greubel has been
our President and Chief Executive Officer and one of our directors since May
2002. Mr. Greubel was a Director and Chief Executive Officer of Accuride
Corporation, a manufacturer of wheels for trucks and trailers, from 1998 until
April 2002 and served as President of Accuride Corporation from 1994 to 1998.
Previously, Mr. Greubel was employed by AlliedSignal Corporation from 1974 to
1994 in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as
Vice President and General Manager of the Environmental Catalysts and
Engineering Plastics business units. Mr. Greubel has been a Board member of the
Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA) since 2002 and a board member of
the United Way of Lafayette since 2004.

John T. Hackett. Member -- Audit, Compensation, Executive, Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Hackett has been a director of ours
since November 1991 and Chairman of our Board of Directors since October 2001.
Mr. Hackett was Managing General Partner of CID Equity Partners, L.P., a private
investment partnership, from 1991 until his retirement in 2001. He previously
served as Vice President -- Finance and Administration of Indiana University
from 1988 to 1991 and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
director of Cummins Engine Corporation from 1964 to 1988.

Dr. Martin C. Jischke. Member -- Audit, Compensation, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees. Dr. Jischke has been a director of ours since
January 2002. Dr. Jischke has been President of Purdue University, West
Lafayette, Indiana, since August 2000. Previously, Dr. Jischke was president of
Iowa State University from 1991-2000, chancellor of the University of
Missouri -- Rolla from 1986-1991, and served in various capacities at the
University of Oklahoma between 1968 and 1986, including dean and interim
president. Dr. Jischke also serves as a director of Kerr-McGee Corporation and
an advisory director of Duke Realty Corporation.

Ludvik F. Koci. Member. Mr. Koci has been a director of ours since
December 1993. Mr. Koci was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Detroit
Diesel Corporation in Detroit, Michigan from 1997 until his retirement in 2002.
He had previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from December
1989 until 1997. Mr. Koci also serves on the Board of Directors of Penske
Corporation, Penske

Transportation Components LLC., VM Motori S.p.A., American Trucking Research
Institute, Mary's Children Family Center of Michigan and the Board of Regents of
Orchard Lake Schools, and of Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary.

Stephanie K. Kushner. Member -- Audit, Compensation, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Kushner has been a director of ours since
February 2004. Ms. Kushner is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Federal Signal Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of diverse industrial
products. Prior to joining Federal Signal, she was employed by FMC Corporation
for 14 years, most recently as Vice President and Treasurer. Before joining FMC,
she held various financial positions with AMOCO Corporation, Cyprus Minerals and
Homestake Mining Company.

Rodney P. Ehrlich. Mr. Rodney Ehrlich has been our Senior Vice
President -- Chief Technology Officer since January 2004. From 2001-2003, Mr.
Ehrlich was Senior Vice President -- Product Development. Mr. Ehrlich has been
in charge of our engineering operations since our founding.

Richard J. Giromini. Mr. Giromini has been our Senior Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer since joining us in July 2002. He also has served as
President and a Director of Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc. since January
2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Giromini was with Accuride Corporation, a
manufacturer of wheels for trucks and trailers, from April 1998 to July 2002,
where he served in capacities as Senior Vice President -- Technology and
Continuous Improvement, Senior Vice President and General Manager -- Light
Vehicle Operations, and President and CEO of AKW LP. Previously, Mr. Giromini
was employed by ITT Automotive, Inc. from 1996 to 1998 serving as the Director
of Manufacturing.

Brent Larson. Mr. Larson has been Senior Vice President -- Sales since
March 2003. From December 2001 until February 2003, Mr. Larson was our Vice
President -- Sales. Prior to that, Mr. Larson was Senior Vice President and
owner of a Canadian trailer distributorship, Breadner Trailers Ltd., for over 7
years. Prior to that, Mr. Larson was Account Executive, Large Accounts for IBM
Corporation for over 8 years.

Timothy J. Monahan. Mr. Monahan has been Senior Vice President -- Human
Resources since October 2003. Prior to that, Mr. Monahan was with Textron
Fastening Systems from 1999 to October 2003 where he served as Vice
President -- Human Resources. Previously, Mr. Monahan served as Vice
President -- Human Resources at Beloit Corporation. Mr. Monahan serves on the
board of directors of North American Tool Corporation.

Robert J. Smith. Mr. Smith was appointed Senior Vice President -- Chief
Financial Officer in October 2004, after serving as our Acting Chief Financial
Officer since June 2004, and our Vice President and Controller since joining us
in March 2003. Mr. Smith has over 25 years of senior financial experience
including serving as Director of Finance for KPMG Consulting Inc.; Vice
President and Controller for Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, and CFO for
various divisions of Olin Corporation. Mr. Smith began his career with KPMG LLP.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes 100,000,000 shares of capital
stock, 75,000,000 of which are designated as common stock and 25,000,000 of
which are designated as preferred stock. The following descriptions summarize
the material terms and provisions of our authorized and outstanding capital
stock. For the complete terms of our capital stock, please refer to our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws that are filed as exhibits to our
reports incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The General Corporation
Law of Delaware, as amended, may also affect the terms of our capital stock.

COMMON STOCK

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we have authority to issue
75,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share. At September
30, 2004, there were 27,350,725 shares of common

stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of that date, 1,493,929 shares of
common stock were issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding and
6,510,416 shares were issuable upon the conversion of our $125,000,000 principal
amount of 3 1/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2008 at a conversion price of
$19.20 per share. The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and
nonassessable.

VOTING RIGHTS

Each holder of common stock is entitled to attend all special and annual
meetings of the stockholders and to vote upon any matter, including, without
limitation, the election of directors. Holders of common stock are entitled to
one vote per share.

LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of Wabash,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of common stock and holders of any
class or series of stock entitled to participate with them, will be entitled to
participate in the distribution of any assets remaining after we have paid all
of our debts and liabilities and have paid, or set aside for payment, to the
holders of any class of stock having preference over the common stock in the
event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up, the full preferential amounts,
if any, to which they are entitled.

DIVIDENDS

Dividends may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of
stock entitled to participate therewith when and as declared by the board. Due
to restrictions under existing covenants in our debt agreements, we are not
permitted to pay dividends on our common stock without waiver of these
restrictions by our lenders.

OTHER RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS

The holders of common stock have no preemptive or subscription rights to
purchase additional securities issued by us, nor any rights to convert their
common stock into other securities of ours or to have their shares redeemed by
us. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by us. The rights, preferences
and privileges of common stockholders are subject to the rights of any series of
preferred stock that we may designate in the future. Our charter and bylaws do
not restrict the ability of a holder of common stock to transfer his or her
shares of common stock.

LISTING

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "WNC."

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is National City
Bank.

STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

In November 1995, our board adopted a Stockholders Rights Plan (the
"Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan is designed to deter any potential coercive or
unfair takeover tactics in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt. It is
not intended to prevent a takeover of Wabash on terms that are favorable and
fair to all stockholders and will not interfere with a merger approved by the
board of directors. Each right entitles stockholders to buy one one-thousandth
of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price
of $120.00. The rights will be exercisable only if a person or a group acquires
or announces a tender or exchange offer to acquire 20% or more of our common
stock or if we enter into other business combination transactions not approved
by the board of directors. In the event the rights become exercisable, the
Rights Plan allows for our stockholders to acquire stock of Wabash or the
surviving corporation, whether or not Wabash is the surviving corporation,
having a value

twice that of the exercise price of the rights. The rights will expire December
28, 2005 and are redeemable for $.01 per right by our board under certain
circumstances.

While we have adopted the Rights Plan, we have elected not to be subject
to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law Section 203 that
restricts business combinations with interested stockholders.

LIMITATIONS OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY

Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal
liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of directors' fiduciary duty of care. Although Delaware law
does not change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to limit
available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. Our
certificate of incorporation limits the liability of directors to us and our
stockholders to the full extent permitted by Delaware law. Specifically,
directors are not personally liable for monetary damages to us or our
stockholders for breach of the director's fiduciary duty as a director, except
for liability for:

- any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Wabash or its
stockholders;

- acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

- unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or
redemptions; and

- any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.

INDEMNIFICATION

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our bylaws provide for mandatory
indemnification of directors and officers against any expense, liability or loss
to which they may become subject, or which they may incur as a result of being
or having been a director or officer. In addition, we must advance or reimburse
directors and officers for expenses they incur in connection with indemnifiable
claims.

We also maintain directors' and officers' liability insurance.

PREFERRED STOCK

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board from time to time
and without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to
25,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to fix the
relative rights and preferences of the shares, including voting powers, dividend
rights, liquidation preferences, redemption rights and conversion privileges. As
of the date of this prospectus, we have classified 300,000 shares of our
preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in connection
with the establishment of our stockholder rights plan, as described above, and
we have issued rights that are in some cases exercisable for shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock. There are no shares of our Preferred Stock
outstanding on the date of this prospectus.

BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK

Our board is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series
and to fix and designate the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of
the preferred stock, including:

- dividend rights;

- conversion rights;

- voting rights;

- redemption rights and terms of redemption; and

- liquidation preferences.

Our board may fix the number of shares constituting any series and the
designations of these series. We have issued rights that are in some cases
exercisable for shares of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred
stock of each series will be fixed by a certificate of designations relating to
each series. The certificate of designations relating to each series will
specify the terms of the preferred stock, including:

- the maximum number of shares in the series and the distinctive
designation;

- the terms on which dividends will be paid, if any;

- the terms on which the shares may be redeemed, if at all;

- the liquidation preference, if any;

- the terms of any retirement or sinking fund for the purchase or
redemption of the shares of the series;

- the terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the series
will be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other
class or classes of capital stock;

- the voting rights, if any, on the shares of the series; and

- any or all other preferences and relative, participating,
operational or other special rights or qualifications, limitations
or restrictions of the shares.

Voting Rights. The General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that the
holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on
any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of that
preferred stock. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be
provided for in the applicable certificate of designations.

Other. Our issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying
or preventing a change in control. Our issuance of preferred stock could
decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the
holders of common stock or other preferred stock or could adversely affect the
rights and powers, including voting rights, of the holders of common stock or
other preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of
decreasing the market price of our common stock.

UNDERWRITING

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc. and BB&T Capital Markets, a division of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc., are
acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in a purchase agreement among us and the
underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the
underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the
number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.

NUMBER
UNDERWRITER OF SHARES
----------- ---------

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated...................................
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ...................................
BB&T Capital Markets, a division of Scott & Stringfellow,
Inc. .....................................................
---------
Total.......................................... 3,000,000
=========

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the purchase agreement,
the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the
shares sold under the purchase agreement if any of these shares are purchased.
If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase
commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase
agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the
underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as
and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by
their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions
contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of
officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to
withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or
in part.

COMMISSIONS AND DISCOUNTS

The representatives have advised us that they propose initially to offer
the shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in
excess of $ per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may
reallow, a discount not in excess of $ per share to other dealers. After the
offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting
discount and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no
exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option.

PER SHARE WITHOUT OPTION WITH OPTION
--------- -------------- -----------

Public offering price...................... $ $ $
Underwriting discount...................... $ $ $
Proceeds, before expenses, to Wabash....... $ $ $

The total expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting
discount, are estimated at $500,000 and are payable by us.

OVERALLOTMENT OPTION

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 450,000
additional shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount.
The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days
55

from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any overallotments. If the
underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions
contained in the purchase agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares
proportionate to that underwriter's initial amount reflected in the above table.

NO SALES OF SIMILAR SECURITIES

We and our executive officers and directors have agreed not to sell or
transfer any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into,
exchangeable for exercisable for, or repayable with shares of our common stock,
for 90 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the
written consent of Merrill Lynch, subject to customary exceptions. Specifically,
we and these other persons have agreed not to directly or indirectly:

- offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any common stock;

- sell any option or contract to purchase any common stock;

- purchase any option or contract to sell any common stock;

- grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any common
stock, except, with respect to us, shares of common stock issued or
options to purchase common stock granted pursuant to existing
employee benefit plans of ours referred to in this prospectus;

- lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any common stock; or

- enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or
in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any whether any
such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or
other securities, in cash or otherwise.

The lockup agreements described above may be released at any time as to
all or any portion of the shares subject to such agreements at the sole
discretion of Merrill Lynch. There are, however, currently no agreements between
Merrill Lynch and us or any of our executive officers or directors releasing any
party from these lockup agreements prior to the expiration of the 90-day
restricted period.

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "WNC."

PRICE STABILIZATION AND SHORT POSITIONS

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit
the underwriters from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the
representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the
common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

The underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open
market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and
purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the
sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to
purchase in the offering. "Covered" short sales are sales made in an amount not
greater than the over-allotment option described above. The underwriters may
close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to
purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In
determining the source of shares to close out the covered short position, the
underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available
for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may
purchase shares through the overallotment option. "Naked" short sales are any
sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any
naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short
position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that
there may be downward pressure on the price of the common shares in the open
market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the
offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of
shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the
completion of the offering.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters' purchases to
cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining
the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the
market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of our common stock may
be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or
prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions
described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither
we nor any of the representatives make any representation that the
representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions,
once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

ELECTRONIC OFFER, SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

Merrill Lynch will be facilitating Internet distribution for this
offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. Merrill Lynch
intends to allocate a limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage
customers. An electronic prospectus is available on the Internet Web site
maintained by Merrill Lynch. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the
information on the Merrill Lynch Web site is not part of this prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

Hogan & Hartson L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland will pass upon the validity
of the issuance of the common stock offered by this prospectus. Winston & Strawn
LLP, Chicago, Illinois will pass upon certain legal matters in connection with
this offering for the underwriters.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has
audited our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and
for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003, as set forth in
their report which is included in and incorporated by reference in the
prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. We've included and
incorporated by reference our financial statements in the prospectus and
elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's
report, given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001, and for
the year ended December 31, 2001, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as stated in their report included herein.

On May 30, 2002, we appointed Ernst & Young as our independent public
accountants to audit our financial statements for fiscal year 2002. The decision
to change auditors was not the result of any disagreement between Arthur
Andersen and us on any matter of accounting principle or practice, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure. For a discussion of certain
risks associated with Arthur Andersen's audit of our consolidated financial
statements, see the section of this prospectus entitled "Risk Factors -- Risks
Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock."

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We are incorporating information included in reports and other filings we
have made with the SEC by reference, which means that we are disclosing
important information to you by referring to those publicly filed documents
containing the information. The information that we incorporate by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and future information that we file
with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the
offering will automatically update and supersede the

information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents that
we have filed with the SEC that we list below:

- Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2003, as amended;

- Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
March 31, 2004;

- Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June
30, 2004;

- Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on June 21 and September 29,
as amended;

- The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A filed
on October 4, 1991, including any amendments or reports filed to
update such information; and

- All documents filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and
before the termination of the offering.

We will furnish without charge to each person to whom this prospectus is
delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of
the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus (not
including exhibits to the information that is incorporated by reference unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information
that this prospectus incorporates). You should direct any requests for copies to
Wabash National Corporation, 1000 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, Indiana
47905, Attention: Secretary, or by telephone to our Secretary at (765) 771-5300.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Because we are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, we file reports and other information with the SEC. Reports, registration
statements, proxy and information statements and other information that we have
filed can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained
by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may
obtain copies of this material from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at rates prescribed by the SEC. The
public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that is
filed electronically with the SEC. This web site can be accessed at
http://www.sec.gov.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act with respect to the securities offered under this prospectus.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration
statement, parts of which we have omitted, as allowed under the rules and
regulations of the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement for
further information with respect to us and our securities. Statements contained
in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily complete and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of each
contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Copies
of the registration statement, including exhibits, may be inspected without
charge at the SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C., and you may obtain
copies from this office upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAGE
----

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2004 and
December 31, 2003...................................... F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003...... F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003................ F-4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements...... F-5
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm... F-11
Reports of Independent Public Accountants................. F-12
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and
2002................................................... F-13
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001....................... F-14
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001........... F-15
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001....................... F-16
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-17

F-1

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2004 2003
-------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 5,645 $ 12,552
Accounts receivable, net.................................. 94,750 66,641
Current portion of finance contracts...................... 3,092 4,727
Inventories............................................... 107,608 84,996
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 8,300 10,249
-------- --------
Total current assets................................. 219,395 179,165
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net.......................... 127,342 130,594
EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS, net............................. 15,999 21,187
FINANCE CONTRACTS, net of current portion................... 4,349 6,155
GOODWILL, net............................................... 35,187 36,045
OTHER ASSETS................................................ 18,081 23,890
-------- --------
$420,353 $397,036
======== ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... $ 8,729 $ 7,337
Accounts payable.......................................... 88,036 68,437
Other accrued liabilities................................. 57,249 61,421
-------- --------
Total current liabilities............................ 154,014 137,195
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities................... 204,075 219,979
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENCIES.............. 11,278 17,700
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares
issued and outstanding................................. -- --
Common stock 75,000,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par
value, 27,158,991 and 26,849,257 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively.............................. 272 269
Additional paid-in capital................................ 247,204 242,682
Retained deficit.......................................... (195,381) (220,502)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 170 992
Treasury stock at cost, 59,600 common shares.............. (1,279) (1,279)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................... 50,986 22,162
-------- --------
$420,353 $397,036
======== ========

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-2

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
------------------ ----------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----
(UNAUDITED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NET SALES.......................................... $254,899 $230,231 $476,496 $452,739
COST OF SALES...................................... 218,264 205,586 416,739 404,928
LOSS ON ASSET IMPAIRMENT........................... -- 28,500 -- 28,500
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit (loss).............................. 36,635 (3,855) 59,757 19,311
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES................ 10,260 8,906 20,684 20,526
SELLING EXPENSES................................... 3,851 5,966 7,626 10,928
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) from operations.................... 22,524 (18,727) 31,447 (12,143)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense................................. (2,769) (10,794) (5,666) (18,884)
Foreign exchange gains and losses, net........... (405) 2,733 (545) 5,589
Other, net....................................... (589) (480) 384 (400)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes................ 18,761 (27,268) 25,620 (25,838)
INCOME TAX PROVISION............................... 499 -- 499 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)................................ 18,262 (27,268) 25,121 (25,838)
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS.......................... -- 264 -- 528
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS..................................... $ 18,262 $(27,532) $ 25,121 $(26,366)
======== ======== ======== ========
BASIC NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE.................. $ 0.67 $ (1.07) $ 0.93 $ (1.03)
======== ======== ======== ========
DILUTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE................ $ 0.56 $ (1.07) $ 0.80 $ (1.03)
======== ======== ======== ========
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss)................................ $ 18,262 $(27,268) $ 25,121 $(25,838)
Foreign currency translation adjustment.......... (593) 243 (822) 444
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS).................... $ 17,669 $(27,025) $ 24,299 $(25,394)
======== ======== ======== ========

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-3

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30,
----------------
2004 2003
---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)......................................... $ 25,121 $(25,838)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization.......................... 9,895 13,327
Net gain on the sale of assets......................... (473) (429)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable and finance
contracts............................................. (134) 940
Cash used for restructuring activities................. (889) (159)
Trailer valuation charges.............................. 169 2,057
Loss on asset impairment............................... -- 28,500
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable.................................. (27,975) (52,104)
Inventories.......................................... (20,530) 2,823
Refundable income taxes.............................. 71 886
Prepaid expenses and other........................... 303 3,792
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities............. 17,714 2,479
Other, net........................................... 798 (1,224)
--------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities...................................... 4,070 (24,950)
--------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures...................................... (3,936) (3,460)
Proceeds from sale of leased equipment and finance
contracts.............................................. -- 4,805
Principal payments received on finance contracts.......... 2,204 4,389
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment... 2,104 1,749
--------- --------
Net cash provided by investing activities......... 372 7,483
--------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options................... 3,163 756
Borrowings under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities............................................. 331,975 56,418
Payments under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities............................................. (341,399) (18,649)
Payments under long-term debt and capital lease
obligations............................................ (5,088) (48,571)
Debt issuance costs....................................... -- (1,531)
--------- --------
Net cash used in financing activities............. (11,349) (11,577)
--------- --------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS................... (6,907) (29,044)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD............ 12,552 35,659
--------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD.................. $ 5,645 $ 6,615
========= ========

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
F-4

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1. GENERAL

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Wabash National
Corporation (the Company) have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of
management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain
all material adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company,
its results of operations and cash flows. The condensed consolidated financial
statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
prospectus.

Certain items previously reported in specific condensed consolidated
financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the 2004
presentation.

During the period ended June 30, 2004, there were no accounting
pronouncements issued that would have an affect on the Company's financial
position, results of operations, or cash flow.

2. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2004 2003
-------- ------------

Raw material and components............................. $ 34,192 $24,189
Work in process......................................... 5,490 4,364
Finished goods.......................................... 48,819 38,198
After-market parts...................................... 5,869 5,953
Used trailers........................................... 13,238 12,292
-------- -------
$107,608 $84,996
======== =======

3. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

In connection with the Company's exit from manufacturing product for
export outside the North American market, international leasing and financing
activities and the consolidation of certain domestic operations in 2000, charges
totaling $48.2 million were recorded. To date, $45.2 million has been utilized.
The remaining balance at June 30, 2004 relates to the following (in thousands):

Equipment Guarantees........................................ $2,428
Financial Guarantees........................................ 514
Other Charges............................................... 91
------
$3,033

The Company anticipates substantially completing all activities related
to this restructuring plan by the end of 2004.

4. DEBT

The Company has $125 million of 3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes
(Convertible Notes) due August 1, 2008, which are convertible into approximately
6.5 million shares of the Company's stock. The notes have a conversion price of
$19.20 or a rate of 52.0833 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes.
Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1.

F-5

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The Company has an asset-based loan facility due September 23, 2006 (ABL
Facility) that includes a $33.4 million term loan and a $175 million revolver.
The revolver is secured by inventory and accounts receivable and the amount
available to borrow varies in relation to the balances of those accounts. As of
June 30, 2004, borrowing capacity and outstanding amounts under the revolver
amounted to $66.5 million and $50.9 million, respectively. Interest on the
revolver is at the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 250 basis points, or
the bank's prime rate plus 50 basis points. At June 30, 2004, the 30-day LIBOR
rate was 1.375%. The Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the
facility at a rate of 37.5 basis points per annum. At June 30, 2004, the
weighted average interest rate for the quarter was 4.82%. The revolver is due on
September 23, 2006.

The term loan is secured by the Company's property, plant and equipment.
Interest is variable, based on LIBOR plus 275 basis points, or the bank's prime
rate plus 75 basis points. At June 30, 2004, the weighted average interest rate
for the quarter was 4.03%. Quarterly principal payments of $1.7 million
commenced on January 1, 2004. Additionally, principal payments equal to the
preceding years excess cash flow are due by April 30, 2005 and 2006. Excess cash
flow is defined as 25% of the sum of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization and other allowed non-operating items), less
payments for: taxes, scheduled principal and interest payments, and unfinanced
capital expenditures, is required.

The ABL Facility agreement contains covenants that require, among other
things, minimum fixed charge coverage and maximum senior debt to EBITDA
coverage. Also, the agreement places limits on capital expenditures and
additional borrowings. As of June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance with
all loan covenants.

Scheduled maturities for the remainder of 2004 and future years are as
follows (in thousands):

2004........................................................ $ 4,364
2005........................................................ 8,729
2006........................................................ 74,711
2007........................................................ --
2008........................................................ 125,000
--------
212,804
Less: Current maturities.................................... (8,729)
--------
$204,075

5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

F-6

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

income per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation to
stock-based employee compensation.

THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
------------------ ----------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Reported net income (loss)............ $18,262 $(27,268) $25,121 $(25,838)
Pro forma stock-based compensation
expense (net of tax)................ (773) (643) (1,122) (1,102)
------- -------- ------- --------
Pro forma net income (loss)........... $17,489 $(27,911) $23,999 $(26,940)
======= ======== ======= ========
Basic earnings per share:
Reported net income (loss) per
share............................ $ 0.67 $ (1.07) $ 0.93 $ (1.03)
Pro forma stock-based compensation
expense (net of tax) per share... (0.03) (0.03) (0.04) (0.04)
------- -------- ------- --------
Pro forma net income (loss) per
share............................ $ 0.64 $ (1.10) $ 0.89 $ (1.07)
======= ======== ======= ========
Diluted earnings per share:
Reported net income (loss) per
share............................ $ 0.56 $ (1.07) $ 0.80 $ (1.03)
Pro forma stock-based compensation
expense (net of tax) per share... (0.02) (0.03) (0.04) (0.04)
------- -------- ------- --------
Pro forma net income (loss) per
share............................ $ 0.54 $ (1.10) $ 0.76 $ (1.07)
======= ======== ======= ========

6. CONTINGENCIES

A. LITIGATION

Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted
or asserted against the Company arising in the ordinary course of business,
including those pertaining to product liability, labor and health related
matters, successor liability, environmental and possible tax assessments. While
the amounts claimed could be substantial, the ultimate liability cannot now be
determined because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Therefore, it
is possible that results of operations or liquidity in a particular period could
be materially affected by certain contingencies. However, based on facts
currently available, management believes that the disposition of matters that
are currently pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Brazil Joint Venture

In March 2001, Bernard Krone Industria e Comercio de Maquinas Agricolas
Ltda. ("BK") filed suit against the Company in the Fourth Civil Court of
Curitiba in the State of Parana, Brazil. This action seeks recovery of damages
plus pain and suffering. Because of the bankruptcy of BK, this proceeding is now
pending before the Second Civil Court of Bankruptcies and Creditors
Reorganization of Curitiba, State of Parana (No. 232/99).

This case grows out of a joint venture agreement between BK and the
Company, which was generally intended to permit BK and the Company to market the
RoadRailer(R) trailer in Brazil and other areas of South America. When BK was
placed into the Brazilian equivalent of bankruptcy late in 2000, the joint
venture was dissolved. BK subsequently filed its lawsuit against the Company
alleging among other things that it was forced to terminate business with other
companies because of the exclusivity and

F-7

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

non-compete clauses purportedly found in the joint venture agreement. In its
complaint, BK asserts that it has been damaged by these alleged wrongs by the
Company in the approximate amount of $8.4 million.

The Company answered the complaint in May 2001, denying any wrongdoing.
The Company believes that the claims asserted against it by BK are without merit
and intends to defend itself vigorously against those claims. The Company
believes that the resolution of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse
effect on its financial position, liquidity or future results of operations;
however, at this early stage of the proceeding, no assurance can be given as to
the ultimate outcome of the case.

Environmental

In September 2003, the Company was noticed as a potentially responsible
party (PRP) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pertaining to
the Motorola 52nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona Superfund Site pursuant to the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. PRPs
include current and former owners and operators of facilities at which hazardous
substances were disposed of. EPA's allegation that the Company was a PRP arises
out of the operation of a former branch facility located approximately five
miles from the original site. The Company does not expect that these proceedings
will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.

7. NET INCOME PER SHARE

Per share results have been computed based on the average number of
common shares outstanding. The following table presents the number of
incremental weighted average shares used in computing diluted per share amounts
(in thousands, except per share amounts):

THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
------------------ ------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----

Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) applicable to
common stockholders.............. $18,262 $(27,532) $25,121 $(26,366)
======= ======== ======= ========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding...................... 27,145 25,705 27,067 25,680
======= ======== ======= ========
Basic income (loss) per share....... $ 0.67 $ (1.07) $ 0.93 $ (1.03)
======= ======== ======= ========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) applicable to
common stockholders.............. $18,262 $(27,532) $25,121 $(26,366)
After-tax equivalent of interest on
convertible notes................ 1,204 -- 2,408 --
------- -------- ------- --------
Diluted net income (loss) applicable
to common stockholders........... $19,466 $(27,532) $27,529 $(26,366)
======= ======== ======= ========

F-8

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
------------------ ------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----

Weighted average common shares
outstanding...................... 27,145 25,705 27,067 25,680
Dilutive stock options/shares....... 906 -- 946 --
Convertible notes equivalent
shares........................... 6,510 -- 6,510 --
------- -------- ------- --------
Diluted weighted average common
shares outstanding............... 34,561 25,705 34,523 25,680
======= ======== ======= ========
Diluted income (loss) per share..... $ 0.56 $ (1.07) $ 0.80 $ (1.03)
======= ======== ======= ========

The 2003 diluted weighted average shares outstanding excluded the
antidilutive effects of preferred stock convertible into 823,200 shares, and
174,000 shares and 89,600 shares of stock options for the three and six months,
respectively.

8. SEGMENTS

The Company has two reportable segments: manufacturing and retail and
distribution. The manufacturing segment produces and sells new trailers to the
retail and distribution segment or to customers who purchase trailers direct or
through independent dealers. The retail and distribution segment includes the
sale, leasing and financing of new and used trailers, as well as the sale of
after-market parts and service through its retail branch network. In addition,
the retail and distribution segment in 2003 included the sale of after-market
parts.

Reportable segment information is as follows (in thousands):

THREE MONTHS ENDED RETAIL AND CONSOLIDATED
JUNE 30, 2004 MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION ELIMINATIONS TOTALS
------------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Net Sales
External customers.......... $195,689 $ 59,210 $ -- $254,899
Intersegment sales.......... 32,150 1,975 (34,125) --
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total Net Sales............... $227,839 $ 61,185 $ (34,125) $254,899
======== ======== ========= ========
Income from operations........ $ 24,982 $ (141) $ (2,317) $ 22,524
Assets........................ $398,018 $186,401 $(164,066) $420,353

THREE MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2003
------------------

Net Sales
External.................... $155,095 $ 75,136 $ -- $230,231
Intersegment sales.......... 12,388 239 (12,627) --
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total Net Sales............... $167,483 $ 75,375 $ (12,627) $230,231
======== ======== ========= ========
Loss from operations.......... $ 10,592 $(29,595) $ 276 $(18,727)
Assets........................ $397,772 $301,020 $(165,273) $533,519

F-9

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

SIX MONTHS ENDED RETAIL AND CONSOLIDATED
JUNE 30, 2004 MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION ELIMINATIONS TOTALS
---------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------

Net Sales
External.................... $359,744 $116,752 $ -- $476,496
Intersegment sales.......... 56,291 1,975 (58,266) --
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total Net Sales............... $416,035 $118,727 $ (58,266) $476,496
======== ======== ========= ========
Income from operations........ $ 35,803 $ (2,056) $ (2,300) $ 31,447
Assets........................ $398,018 $186,401 $(164,066) $420,353

SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2003
----------------

Net Sales
External.................... $299,621 $153,118 $ -- $452,739
Intersegment sales.......... 34,519 613 (35,132) --
-------- -------- --------- --------
Total New Sales............... $334,140 $153,731 $ (35,132) $452,739
======== ======== ========= ========
Loss from operations.......... $ 18,815 $(31,257) $ 299 $(12,143)
Assets........................ $397,772 $301,020 $(165,273) $533,519

Product Information

The Company offers products primarily in three categories: new trailers,
used trailers and parts and service. Other sales include leasing revenues,
interest income from finance contracts and freight. The following table sets
forth the major product categories and their percentage of total net sales
(dollars in thousands):

THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
$ % $ % $ % $ %
- - - - - - - -

New Trailers......... 223,044 87.5 172,767 75.0 414,524 87.0 337,439 74.5
Used Trailers........ 13,206 5.2 17,131 7.4 26,478 5.6 36,759 8.1
Parts & Service...... 14,947 5.9 30,350 13.2 28,334 5.9 58,734 13.0
Other................ 3,702 1.4 9,983 4.4 7,160 1.5 19,807 4.4
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Total Net Sales...... 254,899 100.0 230,231 100.0 476,496 100.0 452,739 100.0
======= ===== ======= ===== ======= ===== ======= =====

F-10

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders of Wabash National Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wabash
National Corporation as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. The consolidated financial statements of Wabash National Corporation
for the year ended December 31, 2001, were audited by other auditors who have
ceased operations. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those
financial statements in their report dated April 12, 2002.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Wabash National Corporation as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two
years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana
February 5, 2004

F-11

This report is a copy of a report previously issued by Arthur Andersen LLP. The
report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen nor has Arthur Andersen LLP
provided a consent to the inclusion of its report in this prospectus.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareholders of Wabash National Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of WABASH
NATIONAL CORPORATION (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wabash
National Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana,
April 12, 2002.

F-12

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 12,552 $ 35,659
Accounts receivable, net.................................. 66,641 34,396
Current portion of finance contracts...................... 4,727 9,528
Inventories............................................... 84,996 134,872
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 10,249 18,299
--------- ---------
Total current assets................................. 179,165 232,754
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net.......................... 130,594 145,703
EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS, net............................. 21,187 100,837
FINANCE CONTRACTS, net of current portion................... 6,155 22,488
GOODWILL, net............................................... 36,045 34,652
OTHER ASSETS................................................ 23,890 29,135
--------- ---------
$ 397,036 $ 565,569
========= =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... $ 7,337 $ 42,961
Current maturities of capital lease obligations........... -- 12,860
Accounts payable.......................................... 68,437 60,457
Other accrued liabilities................................. 61,421 61,424
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities............................ 137,195 177,702
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities................... 219,979 239,043
LONG-TERM CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current
maturities................................................ -- 51,993
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENCIES.............. 17,700 22,847
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, 25 million shares authorized, 0 and
352,000 shares issued and outstanding with an aggregate
liquidation value of $0 and $17,600 respectively....... -- 3
Common stock, 75 million shares authorized, $0.01 par
value, 26,849,257 and 25,647,060 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively.............................. 269 257
Additional paid-in capital................................ 242,682 237,489
Retained deficit.......................................... (220,502) (162,222)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)............. 992 (264)
Treasury stock at cost, 59,600 common shares.............. (1,279) (1,279)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity........................... 22,162 73,984
--------- ---------
$ 397,036 $ 565,569
========= =========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.
F-13

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
AMOUNTS)

NET SALES................................................... $887,940 $819,568 $ 863,392
COST OF SALES............................................... 810,746 777,117 972,105
LOSS ON ASSET IMPAIRMENT.................................... 28,500 2,000 10,500
-------- -------- ---------
Gross profit (loss).................................... 48,694 40,451 (119,213)
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES......................... 37,383 53,897 56,955
SELLING EXPENSES............................................ 20,333 23,501 25,370
RESTRUCTURING CHARGE........................................ -- 1,813 37,864
-------- -------- ---------
Loss from operations................................... (9,022) (38,760) (239,402)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense.......................................... (30,162) (30,873) (21,292)
Trade receivables facility costs.......................... (1,022) (4,072) (2,228)
Foreign exchange gains and losses, net.................... 5,291 5 (1,706)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate.............. -- -- (7,668)
Restructuring charges..................................... -- -- (1,590)
Loss on debt extinguishment............................... (19,840) (1,314) --
Other, net................................................ (2,472) 3,546 (1,139)
-------- -------- ---------
Loss before income taxes.................................. (57,227) (71,468) (275,025)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT.......................................... -- (15,278) (42,857)
-------- -------- ---------
Net loss.................................................... $(57,227) $(56,190) $(232,168)
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS................................... 1,053 1,563 1,845
-------- -------- ---------
NET LOSS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS.................. $(58,280) $(57,753) $(234,013)
======== ======== =========
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE........................ $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.17)
======== ======== =========
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Net loss.................................................. $(57,227) $(56,190) $(232,168)
Foreign currency translation adjustment................... 1,256 42 (306)
-------- -------- ---------
NET COMPREHENSIVE LOSS...................................... $(55,971) $(56,148) $(232,474)
======== ======== =========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.
F-14

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

OTHER
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
--------------- ------------ PAID-IN EARNINGS INCOME TREASURY
SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL AMOUNT CAPITAL (DEFICIT) (LOSS) STOCK TOTAL
------ ------ ------- ------ ---------- --------- ------------- -------- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

BALANCES, December 31,
2000..................... 482,041 $ 5 23,002,490 $230 $236,660 $ 131,617 $ -- $(1,279) $ 367,233
Net loss for the year.... -- -- -- -- -- (232,168) -- -- (232,168)
Foreign currency
translation............ -- -- -- -- -- -- (306) -- (306)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock ($0.09 per
share)............... -- -- -- -- -- (2,073) -- -- (2,073)
Preferred stock........ -- -- -- -- -- (1,845) -- -- (1,845)
Common stock issued
under:
Employee stock purchase
plan................. -- -- 7,138 -- 70 -- -- -- 70
Employee stock bonus
plan................. -- -- 1,960 -- 27 -- -- -- 27
Outside directors'
plan................. -- -- 2,259 -- 47 -- -- -- 47
-------- --- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ----- ------- ---------
BALANCES, December 31,
2001..................... 482,041 $ 5 23,013,847 $230 $236,804 $(104,469) $(306) $(1,279) $ 130,985
Net loss for the year.... -- -- -- -- -- (56,190) -- -- (56,190)
Foreign currency
translation............ -- -- -- -- -- -- 42 -- 42
Preferred stock
dividends.............. -- -- -- -- -- (1,563) -- -- (1,563)
Preferred stock
conversion............. (130,041) (2) 2,589,687 26 334 -- -- -- 358
Common stock issued
under:
Employee stock purchase
plan................. -- -- 5,312 1 47 -- -- -- 48
Employee stock bonus
plan................. -- -- 10,300 -- 89 -- -- -- 89
Stock option plan...... -- -- 11,168 -- 82 -- -- -- 82
Outside directors'
plan................. -- -- 16,746 -- 133 -- -- -- 133
-------- --- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ----- ------- ---------
BALANCES, December 31,
2002..................... 352,000 $ 3 25,647,060 $257 $237,489 $(162,222) $(264) $(1,279) $ 73,984
Net loss for the year.... -- -- -- -- -- (57,227) -- -- (57,227)
Foreign currency
translation............ -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,256 -- 1,256
Preferred stock
dividends.............. -- -- -- -- -- (1,053) -- -- (1,053)
Preferred stock
conversion............. (352,000) (3) 823,256 8 (7) -- -- -- (2)
Restricted stock
amortization........... -- -- -- -- 225 -- -- -- 225
Common stock issued
under:
Employee stock bonus
plan................. -- -- 6,370 -- 74 -- -- -- 74
Stock option plan...... -- -- 360,114 4 4,800 -- -- -- 4,804
Outside directors'
plan................. -- -- 12,457 -- 101 -- -- -- 101
-------- --- ---------- ---- -------- --------- ----- ------- ---------
BALANCES, December 31,
2003..................... -- $-- 26,849,257 $269 $242,682 $(220,502) $ 992 $(1,279) $ 22,162
======== === ========== ==== ======== ========= ===== ======= =========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.
F-15

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss.................................................... $ (57,227) $ (56,190) $(232,168)
Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............................. 23,788 28,626 32,143
Net (gain) loss on the sale of assets..................... 723 (1,322) (504)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable and finance
contracts............................................... 474 9,773 20,959
Deferred income taxes..................................... -- -- (14,441)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate.............. -- -- 7,183
Cash used for restructuring activities.................... (3,372) (373) (6,988)
Restructuring and other related charges................... -- 1,813 41,067
Used trailer valuation charges............................ 2,562 5,443 62,134
Loss contingencies........................................ -- 2,831 27,400
Loss on debt extinguishment............................... 19,840 1,314 --
Loss on asset impairments................................. 28,500 2,000 10,500
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable..................................... (40,749) 19,695 1,790
Inventories............................................. 51,416 58,335 107,755
Refundable income taxes................................. 824 24,762 (20,121)
Prepaid expenses and other.............................. 5,009 (4,016) 3,863
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities................ 11,286 9,776 (34,443)
Other, net.............................................. (1,280) 1,815 261
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities..... 41,794 104,282 6,390
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures........................................ (6,518) (5,703) (5,899)
Additions to equipment leased to others..................... -- (9,792) (70,444)
Additions to finance contracts.............................. -- (7,718) (18,662)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired.......................... -- -- (6,336)
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate...................... -- -- (7,183)
Proceeds from Asset Sales................................... 53,479 -- --
Proceeds from sale of leased equipment and finance
contracts................................................. 15,189 5,337 60,556
Principal payments received on finance contracts............ 7,778 13,278 6,787
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment..... 6,861 16,617 426
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities..... 76,789 12,019 (40,755)
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of bank term loan and revolving
credit facility........................................... 135,309 80,402 --
Proceeds from convertible senior notes...................... 125,000 -- --
Proceeds from exercise of stock options..................... 4,804 351 144
Borrowings under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities................................................ 197,650 56,798 428,776
Payments under trade receivables and revolving credit
facilities................................................ (225,501) (146,491) (361,006)
Payments under long-term debt and capital lease
obligations............................................... (367,089) (78,589) (21,738)
Common stock dividends paid................................. -- -- (2,991)
Preferred stock dividends paid.............................. (1,584) (443) (1,879)
Debt issuance costs paid.................................... (10,279) (3,805) --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities..... (141,690) (91,777) 41,306
--------- --------- ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS........ (23,107) 24,524 6,941
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD............ 35,659 11,135 4,194
--------- --------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD.................. $ 12,552 $ 35,659 $ 11,135
========= ========= =========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest................................................ $ 21,774 $ 27,913 $ 20,230
Income taxes refunded, net.............................. $ (832) $ (38,153) $ (7,047)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.
F-16

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Wabash National Corporation (the Company) designs, manufactures and
markets standard and customized truck trailers and intermodal equipment under
the Wabash(R), FreightPro(R), Articlite(R) and RoadRailer(R) trademarks. The
Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc. (WNTC),
sells new and used trailers through its retail network and provides aftermarket
parts and maintenance service for the Company's and competitors' trailers and
related equipment.

After achieving the recent peak production of over 305,000 units in 1999,
the North American trucking industry suffered three years of declining
production bottoming at just under 140,000 units in 2002. As a result of these
conditions, the Company implemented a comprehensive plan to scale its operations
to meet demand and to survive.

Beginning in 2001 and continuing into 2002, the Company closed two of its
three trailer assembly facilities, conducted an employee layoff for the first
time in the Company's history, liquidated approximately $110 million of used
trailers under an aggressive liquidation plan, completed the divestiture of its
European operations, closed approximately 10 of its 49 factory-owned branch
locations, closed one of its two wood flooring facilities and closed one of two
parts distribution centers. As a result of these steps, the Company increased
its liquidity position (cash on hand and available borrowings under existing
credit facilities) from approximately $19 million as of September 30, 2001 to
approximately $78 million at the end of 2002. These actions also began to
improve the results from operations during 2002. The net losses incurred in both
2001 and 2002 resulted in the Company being in technical violation of financial
covenants with certain of its lenders on December 31, 2001 and on February 28,
2003. The Company received a waiver of the violation from its lenders and
subsequently amended its debt agreements to cure the violations.

In 2003, the truck trailer industry rebounded with production reaching
approximately 183,000 units. Buoyed by improving industry and general economic
conditions the Company continued its operational and financial turnaround by:

- selling certain assets of the rental and leasing and wholesale parts
businesses, former branch properties and a large portion of its finance
portfolios -- proceeds totaling approximately $75 million used to
reduce on and off balance sheet debt;

- refinancing the Company's debt through the sale of $125 million of
3.25% senior unsecured convertible notes and the completion of a $222
million bank facility -- extending required repayment terms and
significantly reducing interest rates; and

- continuing the streamlining of the retail and distribution
organization -- closing 12 locations.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a. Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries with the exception of ETZ,
which as discussed in Footnote 5 was divested in January 2002. Accordingly,
ETZ's operating results are included in Equity in Losses of Unconsolidated
Affiliate in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All significant
intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to
conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect
on net losses for the periods previously reported.

F-17

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

b. Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that directly affect the amounts
reported in its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.

c. Foreign Currency Accounting

The financial statements of the Company's Canadian subsidiary have been
translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) Statement No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. Assets and
liabilities have been translated using the exchange rate in effect at the
balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses have been translated using a
weighted-average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation
adjustments are recorded as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in
Stockholders' Equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency
transactions are included in Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses, net on the
Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded foreign
currency (gains) losses of ($5.3) million in 2003, $0 million in 2002 and $1.7
million in 2001.

As a result of a reevaluation of the retail and distribution business,
the Company concluded to close 12 locations, including two in Canada. In
addition, the review resulted in management designating $30 million CDN of
intercompany loans to its Canadian subsidiary as a permanent investment.
Accordingly, beginning July 1, 2003 gains and losses associated with the
permanent investment were charged to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2003, accumulated
gains of $0.9 million have been recorded related to this permanent investment.

d. Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of trailers and aftermarket
parts when the customer has made a fixed commitment to purchase the trailers for
a fixed or determinable price, collection is reasonably assured under the
Company's billing and credit terms and ownership and all risk of loss has been
transferred to the buyer, which is normally upon shipment or pick up by the
customer.

The Company recognizes revenue from direct finance leases based upon a
constant rate of return while revenue from operating leases is recognized on a
straight-line basis in an amount equal to the invoiced rentals.

e. Used Trailer Trade Commitments

The Company has commitments with certain customers to accept used
trailers on trade for new trailer purchases. These commitments arise in the
normal course of business related to future new trailer orders. The Company has
accepted trade-ins from customers of approximately $32.8 million, $40.5 million,
and $135.5 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. As of December 31, 2003
and 2002, the Company had approximately $6.1 million and $7.0 million,
respectively, of outstanding trade commitments with customers. The net
realizable value of these commitments was approximately $6.1 million and $6.4
million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company's policy is
to recognize losses related to these commitments, if any, at the time the new
trailer revenue is recognized.

f. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments, which are readily
convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less.
F-18

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

g. Accounts Receivable and Finance Contracts

Accounts receivable and finance contracts are shown net of allowance for
doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable primarily includes trade receivables. The
Company records and maintains a provision for doubtful accounts for customers
based upon a variety of factors including the Company's historical experience,
the length of time the account has been outstanding and the financial condition
of the customer. If the circumstances related to specific customers were to
change, the Company's estimates with respect to the collectibility of the
related accounts could be further adjusted. Provisions to the allowance for
doubtful accounts are charged to General and Administrative Expenses on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations. The activity in the allowance for
doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Balance at beginning of year.................... $ 16,217 $14,481 $ 3,745
Provision..................................... 474 9,773 20,959
Write-offs, net............................... (12,531) (8,037) (10,223)
-------- ------- --------
Balance at end of year.......................... $ 4,160 $16,217 $ 14,481
======== ======= ========

h. Inventories

Inventories are primarily stated at the lower of cost, determined on the
first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or market. The cost of manufactured inventory
includes raw material, labor and overhead. Inventories consist of the following
(in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----

Raw materials and components.............................. $24,189 $ 27,646
Work in progress.......................................... 4,364 14,447
Finished goods............................................ 38,198 55,523
Aftermarket parts......................................... 5,953 15,054
Used trailers............................................. 12,292 22,202
------- --------
$84,996 $134,872
======= ========

The Company continually reviews the valuation of the used trailer
inventory and writes down the value of individual units when the carrying value
exceeds the estimated market value. Write downs amounting to $2.6 million, $5.4
million and $62.1 million were charged to Cost of Sales on the Consolidated
Statement of Operations for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

i. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and
repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and expenditures that extend the
useful life of the asset are capitalized. Depreciation is recorded using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets.
Estimated useful lives are 33 years for buildings and building improvements and
range from three to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense
on property plant and equipment was $13.4 million, $14.7 million and $16.7
million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

F-19

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----

Land..................................................... $ 23,376 $ 25,059
Buildings and building improvements...................... 86,193 91,774
Machinery and equipment.................................. 114,498 112,796
Construction in progress................................. 3,059 3,108
-------- --------
227,126 232,737
Less -- accumulated depreciation......................... (96,532) (87,034)
-------- --------
$130,594 $145,703
======== ========

In the second quarter of 2003, as part of an evaluation of certain assets
of its aftermarket parts business, the Company recorded a loss on asset
impairment, which included $5.1 million for property, plant and equipment. See
Footnote 5 for further discussion of this impairment.

j. Equipment Leased to Others

Equipment leased to others at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $21.2
million and $100.8 million, net of accumulated depreciation of $8.9 million and
$11.2 million, respectively. Additions to equipment leased to others are
classified as investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The equipment leased to others is depreciated over the estimated life of the
equipment or the term of the underlying lease arrangement, not to exceed 15
years, with a 20% residual value or a residual value equal to the estimated
market value of the equipment at lease termination. Depreciation expense on
equipment leased to others, including capital lease assets, was $6.4 million,
$9.3 million and $9.6 million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

During the second quarter of 2003, the Company recorded an asset
impairment charge of approximately $22 million on certain assets of its trailer
leasing and rental business and later on September 19, 2003, completed the sale
of these assets, which were included in Equipment Leased to Others on the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Footnote 5 for further discussion of this
transaction.

k. Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, net of accumulated
amortization of $2.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

RETAIL AND
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION TOTAL
------------- ------------ -----

Balance as of January 1, 2002............... $18,357 $16,183 $34,540
Effects of foreign currency............... -- 112 112
------- ------- -------
Balance as of December 31, 2002............. $18,357 $16,295 $34,652
======= ======= =======
Effects of foreign currency............... -- 2,743 2,743
Asset Impairment.......................... -- (1,350) (1,350)
------- ------- -------
Balance as of December 31, 2003............. $18,357 $17,688 $36,045
======= ======= =======

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,
as of January 1, 2002. This standard changes the accounting for goodwill from an
amortization method to an

F-20

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

impairment-only approach and introduces a new model for determining impairment
charges. The new model involves the comparing of the carrying value of the
goodwill to its fair value. The Company estimates fair value based upon the
present value of future cash flows. In estimating the future cash flows, the
Company takes into consideration the overall and industry economic conditions
and trends, market risk of the Company and historical information. The Company
completed the initial transition impairment test as of January 1, 2002 and has
conducted annual impairment tests as of October 1, 2002 and 2003 and determined
that no impairment of goodwill existed. The Company tests goodwill for
impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or
circumstances change that could more likely than not reduce the fair value of a
reporting unit below its carrying amount. In the second quarter of 2003, as part
of an evaluation of certain assets of its aftermarket parts business, the
Company recorded a loss on asset impairment, which included $1.4 million of
goodwill related to its aftermarket parts business. See Footnote 5 for further
discussion of this impairment.

The following table presents, on a pro forma basis, net loss and loss per
share as if SFAS No. 142 had been in effect for all years presented (in
thousands, except for loss-per-share amounts).

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Reported net loss............................. $(57,227) $(56,190) $(232,168)
Goodwill amortization (net of tax)............ -- -- 1,124
-------- -------- ---------
Adjusted net loss............................. $(57,227) $(56,190) $(231,044)
======== ======== =========
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Reported net loss per share................. $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.17)
Goodwill amortization (net of tax) per
share.................................... -- -- 0.05
-------- -------- ---------
Adjusted net loss per share................. $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.12)
======== ======== =========

l. Other Assets

The Company has other intangible assets including patents and licenses,
non-compete agreements and technology costs which are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over periods ranging from two to 12 years. As of December
31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had gross intangible assets of $17.3 million
($4.3 million net of amortization) and $19.9 million ($6.0 million net of
amortization), respectively. Amortization expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 was
$1.8 million, $2.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and is estimated to
be $1.4 million, $0.9 million, $0.7 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million for
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.

The Company capitalizes the cost of computer software developed or
obtained for internal use in accordance with Statement of Position No. 98-1,
Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal
Use. Capitalized software is amortized using the straight-line method over three
to five years. As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had software costs,
net of amortization of $2.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively. Amortization
expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $3.0 million,
respectively.

m. Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No.
144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, whenever
facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be
recoverable. Specifically, this process involves comparing an asset's carrying
value to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows the asset is expected to
generate over its remaining

F-21

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

life. If this process were to result in the conclusion that the carrying value
of a long-lived asset would not be recoverable, a write-down of the asset to
fair value would be recorded through a charge to operations. Fair value is
determined based upon discounted cash flows or appraisals as appropriate.

n. Other Accrued Liabilities

The following table presents the major components of Other Accrued
Liabilities (in thousands):

YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----

Payroll and related taxes.................................. $12,980 $11,066
Warranty accruals.......................................... 10,614 12,587
Accrued taxes.............................................. 8,131 8,840
Self-insurance accruals.................................... 7,446 6,738
All other.................................................. 22,250 22,193
------- -------
$61,421 $61,424
======= =======

The following table presents the changes in certain significant accruals
included in Other Accrued Liabilities as follows (in thousands):

WARRANTY SELF-INSURANCE
ACCRUALS ACCRUALS
-------- --------------

Balance as of January 1, 2002........................... $11,313 $ 7,428
Accruals................................................ 7,951 19,767
Payments................................................ (6,677) (20,457)
------- --------
Balance as of December 31, 2002......................... $12,587 $ 6,738
Accruals................................................ 6,310 23,728
Payments................................................ (8,283) (23,020)
------- --------
Balance as of December 31, 2003......................... $10,614 $ 7,446
======= ========

The Company's warranty policy generally provides coverage for components
of the trailer the Company produces or assembles. Typically, the coverage period
is five years. The Company's policy is to accrue the estimated cost of warranty
coverage at the time of the sale.

The Company is self-insured up to specified limits for medical and
workers' compensation coverage. The self-insurance reserves have been recorded
to reflect the undiscounted estimated liabilities, including claims incurred but
not reported, as well as catastrophic claims as appropriate.

The Company recognizes a loss contingency for used trailer residual
commitments for the difference between the equipment's purchase price and its
fair market value when it becomes probable that the purchase price at the
guarantee date will exceed the equipment's fair market value at that date.

o. Income Taxes

The Company determines its provision or benefit for income taxes under
the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method measures the
expected tax impact at current enacted rates of future taxable income or
deductions resulting from differences in the tax and financial reporting basis
of assets and liabilities reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future
tax benefits of tax losses and

F-22

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

credit carryforwards are recognized as deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets
are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company concludes there
is uncertainty as to their realization.

p. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company follows APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
in accounting for its stock options and, accordingly, no compensation cost has
been recognized for stock options in the consolidated financial statements.
However, SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended
requires pro forma presentation as if compensation costs had been expensed under
the fair value method. For purposes of pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair
value of the options at the date of grant is amortized to expense over the
vesting period. Additional information regarding stock-based compensation is
included in Footnote 13. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss
and loss per share as if compensation expense had been recognized (in thousands,
except for loss-per-share amounts):

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Reported net loss............................. $(57,227) $(56,190) $(232,168)
Stock-based compensation expense (net of
tax)........................................ (2,445) (1,671) (1,871)
-------- -------- ---------
Adjusted net loss............................. $(59,672) $(57,861) $(234,039)
======== ======== =========
Basic and diluted loss per share:
Reported net loss per share................. $ (2.26) $ (2.43) $ (10.17)
Stock-based compensation expense (net of
tax) per share........................... (0.10) (0.07) (0.08)
-------- -------- ---------
Adjusted net loss per share................. $ (2.36) $ (2.50) $ (10.25)
======== ======== =========

q. New Accounting Pronouncements

Variable Interest Entities

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN
46 defines a variable interest entity (VIE) as a corporation, partnership, trust
or any other legal structure that does not have equity investors with a
controlling financial interest or has equity investors that do not provide
sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. The
Company has evaluated its financial arrangements that had potential FIN 46
impact and determined that none of these arrangements are with a VIE and that
the adoption has no impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial
position or liquidity.

Derivatives

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting (SFAS)
No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and
reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities under FASB Statement
No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, by
requiring contracts with similar characteristics to be accounted for comparably.
The adoption of SFAS No. 149, effective for contracts entered into or modified
after June 30, 2003, did not have a material effect on financial position,
results of operations, or cash flow.

F-23

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Financial Instruments

3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments,
requires disclosure of fair value information for certain financial instruments.
The differences between the carrying amounts and the estimated fair values,
using the methods and assumptions listed below, of the Company's financial
instruments at December 31, 2003, and 2002 were immaterial, with the exception
of the Senior Convertible Notes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. The
carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate fair
value.

Long-Term Debt. The fair value of long-term debt, including the current
portion, is estimated based on current quoted market prices for similar issues
or debt with the same maturities. The interest rates on the Company's bank
borrowings under its Bank Facility are adjusted regularly to reflect current
market rates. The estimated fair value of the Company's Senior Convertible
Notes, based on market quotes, is approximately $214 million compared to a
carrying value of $125 million as of December 31, 2003. The carrying values of
the remainder of the Company's long-term borrowings approximate fair value.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. As of December 31, 2003, the Company
has $3.9 million in outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that are not
in a material gain or loss position.

4. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

a. 2001 Restructuring Plan

In 2001, the Company recorded restructuring and other related charges
totaling $40.5 million primarily related to the closure of the Company's flatbed
trailer manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Tennessee, and its dry van
facility in Fort Madison, Iowa. In addition, the Company closed a parts
distribution facility in Montebello, California. In 2002, additional charges
totaling $1.6 million were recorded for asset impairment of the aforementioned
manufacturing facilities. The provisions were fully utilized by December 31,
2002. During 2003, the Company recorded an additional asset impairment charge of
$0.5 million on the Huntsville, Tennessee property which is included in Other,
net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company continues to pursue the disposal of the two manufacturing
facilities. The assets have an estimated fair market value of $4.2 million and
$4.7 million as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and are classified
in Prepaid Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depreciation
has been discontinued on the assets pending their disposal. In accordance with
SFAS No. 144, the Company continues to review the assets for potential
impairment and appropriate classification as assets held for sale.

b. 2000 Restructuring Plan

In December 2000, the Company recorded restructuring and other related
charges totaling $46.6 million, $40.8 million as a component of Income from
Operations and $5.8 million as Other Income
F-24

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(Expense), primarily related to the Company's exit from manufacturing products
for export to markets outside of North America, international leasing and
financing activities and the consolidation of certain domestic operations.

The Company continues to pursue the sale of the Sheridan, Arkansas
facility, which had a fair market value of $0.8 million at December 31, 2003 and
2002, and is classified in Prepaid Expenses and Other on the Consolidated
Balance Sheets. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the Company continues to review
the assets for potential impairment and appropriate classification as an asset
held for sale.

In January 2002, the Company completed its divestiture of ETZ, which
resulted in the Company increasing its restructuring reserve by $1.4 million to
recognize the assumption of certain financial guarantees.

Details of the restructuring charges and reserve for the 2000
Restructuring Plan are as follows (in thousands):

UTILIZED
ORIGINAL ADDITIONAL -------- BALANCE
PROVISION PROVISION 2000-2002 2003 12/31/03
--------- ---------- --------- ---- --------

Restructuring of
majority-owned operations:
Impairment of long-lived
assets.................. $20,819 $ 227 $(21,046) $ -- $ --
Loss related to equipment
guarantees.............. 8,592 -- (2,902) (3,179) 2,511
Write-down of other assets
& other charges......... 6,927 -- (5,941) (561) 425
------- ------ -------- ------- ------
36,338 227 (29,889) (3,740) 2,936
------- ------ -------- ------- ------
Restructuring of minority
interest operations:
ETZ equity interest........ 5,832 -- (5,832) -- --
Financial guarantees....... -- 1,381 (307) 159 1,233
------- ------ -------- ------- ------
5,832 1,381 (6,139) 159 1,233
------- ------ -------- ------- ------
Inventory write-down and
other charges.............. 4,480 -- (4,480) -- --
------- ------ -------- ------- ------
Total restructuring and other
related charges............ $46,650 $1,608 $(40,508) $(3,581) $4,169
======= ====== ======== ======= ======

The Company's total restructuring reserves were $4.2 million and $7.8
million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These reserves are included
in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During 2003,
the Company was required to fund $3.1 million of guarantees and has been
notified that an additional $1.2 million will be required in early 2004. The
Company anticipates that these reserves will be adequate to cover the remaining
charges to be incurred through 2004, which is the anticipated completion date
for this restructuring plan.

5. DIVESTITURES

a. ETZ

In January 2002, the Company completed the divestiture of its equity
interest in Europaische Trailerzug Beteiligungsgessellschaft mbH (ETZ). During
2001, the Company recognized approximately

F-25

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

$7.7 million for its share of ETZ losses which is recorded as Equity in Losses
of Unconsolidated Affiliate on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations.

b. Asset Sale

In September 2003, the Company completed the sale of a portion of its
trailer leasing and finance operations and a portion of its aftermarket parts
distribution operations for approximately $53.5 million in cash. The principal
assets sold consisted of tangible assets (i.e., accounts receivable, inventory
and equipment held for lease), relationships with a specific subset of the
Company's customers and a portion of the Company's Retail and Distribution
business. In accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal
of Long-Lived Assets, the Company has not reflected these sales as discontinued
operations as only a portion of a component was sold, the Company will continue
to generate cash flows from these components and the Company will continue to be
involved in the operations of the disposed assets through, among other things,
purchase and supply agreements. Net proceeds from the sale were used to repay a
portion of the Company's outstanding indebtedness. Loss on the disposition
amounted to $29.3 million, including a $28.5 million asset impairment charge
recorded in the second quarter of 2003 to recognize that estimated cash flows
were insufficient to support the carrying value. The additional $0.8 million
loss was derived as follows (in thousands):

Assets sold................................................. $52,801
Transaction costs........................................... 1,503
Less proceeds............................................... 53,479
-------
$ 825
=======

The pro forma impact of the asset sale is presented in Footnote 20.

c. Finance Portfolio Sale

In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company completed the sale of a large
portion of the remaining finance contracts in its finance portfolio. Proceeds
approximated $12.2 million and resulted in a charge of approximately $4.1
million, reflecting the Company's loss on the sale, including $0.9 million for
debt extinguishment charges.

6. PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

Per share results have been computed based on the average number of
common shares outstanding. The computation of basic and diluted loss per share
is determined using net loss applicable to common stockholders as the numerator
and the number of shares included in the denominator as follows (in thousands):

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Average shares outstanding basic..................... 25,778 23,791 23,006
Options............................................ -- -- --
Preferred Stock.................................... -- -- --
------ ------ ------
Average shares outstanding diluted................... 25,778 23,791 23,006
====== ====== ======

Average shares outstanding diluted exclude the antidilutive effects of
convertible preferred stock and redeemable stock options totaling approximately
1.1 million shares, 850,000 shares and 1.2 million shares in 2003, 2002 and
2001, respectively.

F-26

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Effective January 1, 2004, 6.5 million shares from the Convertible Notes
will be included in the calculation of diluted per share amounts having met the
criteria. See Footnote 11 for a discussion of the Convertible Notes.

7. EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS

The Company has equipment on lease under both short-term and long-term
lease arrangements with its customers. This equipment includes trailers
manufactured by the Company and used trailers acquired on trade. Equipment on
short-term lease represents lease contracts that are less than one year and
typically run month-to-month, while long-term leases have terms ranging from one
to five years in duration. Items being leased include both Company-owned
equipment, which is reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as
equipment that was sold by the Company and then simultaneously leased back to
the Company which are accounted for as operating leases.

a. Equipment On Balance Sheet

The Company's equipment leased to others, net was approximately $21.2
million and $100.8 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Impairment charges related to this equipment amounting to $22.0 million,
$2.0 million and $10.5 million were recorded in 2003, 2002 and 2001,
respectively. These charges were determined based upon the Company's estimate of
the equipment's fair value.

The future minimum lease payments to be received by the Company under
these lease transactions as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

RECEIPTS
--------

2004........................................................ $1,437
2005........................................................ 1,095
2006........................................................ 1,095
2007........................................................ 1,095
2008........................................................ 1,095
Thereafter.................................................. 1,275
------
$7,092
======

b. Equipment Off Balance Sheet

In certain situations, the Company sold equipment leased to others to
independent financial institutions and simultaneously leased the equipment back
under operating leases. All of this equipment had been subleased to customers
under long-term arrangements, typically five years. In December 2003, all
remaining sublease arrangements were sold to a third party as discussed further
in Footnote 5, and the residual leaseback obligations were paid off. Rental
payments made by the Company totaled $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $4.9 million
during 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

8. CAPITAL LEASES

In conjunction with the asset sale discussed in Footnote 5, the remaining
capital lease obligations were paid off. Assets recorded under capital lease
arrangements included in Equipment Leased to Others, net were $43.6 million in
2002 and none in 2003. Accumulated depreciation recorded on leased assets at
December 31, 2002 was $2.1 million. Depreciation expense recorded on leased
assets in 2003 and 2002 was $1.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

F-27

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

In April 2002, a sale and leaseback facility with an independent
financial institution related to its rental equipment was amended which resulted
in a new lease. Rent expense related to this lease was approximately $9.2
million in 2001. In accordance with SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, the new
lease was accounted for as a capital lease. The $23.0 million difference between
the unamortized lease value ($65.2 million) and the fair value of the leased
equipment ($42.2 million) was recorded as a charge to Cost of Sales in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001. As of
December 31, 2002, the Company had $36.1 million of equipment financed and $50.1
million under the capital lease obligation for this facility.

During the fourth quarter of 2002, sale and leaseback arrangements with
independent financial institutions related to certain of its other rental
equipment were amended, resulting in new leases. Rent expense related to these
leases was approximately $4.3 million in 2002 and $4.4 million in 2001. In
accordance with SFAS No. 13, the new leases have been accounted for as capital
leases with the unamortized lease value and the fair value of leased equipment
reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002. The $7.2
million difference between the unamortized lease value ($14.7 million) and the
fair value of the leased equipment ($7.5 million) was recorded as a charge to
Cost of Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with $4.4 million
being recorded as a loss contingency as of December 31, 2001, and the remaining
$2.8 million being recorded in 2002. The capital lease obligation of this
equipment was paid off in the fourth quarter of 2003.

During the second quarter of 2002, the decision was made to dispose of
the Company airplane which was accounted for as a capital lease in accordance
with SFAS No. 13. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, the capital lease asset was
written down to fair market value and reclassified, as an asset held for sale,
to Prepaid Expenses and Other in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adjustments to
reduce the fair value of the aircraft of $1.1 million and $0.8 million were
recognized in the second and third quarters of 2002, respectively, as charges to
General and Administrative Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The airplane was sold in December 2002, and the remaining lease liability of
$11.3 million was paid off.

9. OTHER LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

a. Equipment Financing

The Company has entered into agreements for the sale and leaseback of
certain production equipment at its manufacturing locations. As of December 31,
2003, the unamortized lease values related to these agreements are approximately
$11.9 million. Under these agreements, the initial lease terms expired during
2001. The Company elected to renew these agreements and anticipates renewing
them through their maximum lease terms (2004-2008). Future minimum lease
payments related to these arrangements are $4.2 million, $2.5 million, $2.3
million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008,
respectively. The end of term residual guarantees and purchase options are $2.4
million and $3.6 million, respectively. These agreements contain no financial
covenants; however, they do contain non-financial covenants including cross
default provisions which could be triggered if the Company is not in compliance
with covenants in other debt or leasing arrangements.

Total rent expense for these leases in 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $4.2
million, $4.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

F-28

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

b. Other Lease Commitments

The Company leases office space, manufacturing, warehouse and service
facilities and equipment under operating leases, the majority of which expire
through 2006. Future minimum lease payments required under these other lease
commitments as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

AMOUNTS
-------

2004........................................................ $1,930
2005........................................................ 1,376
2006........................................................ 789
2007........................................................ 378
2008........................................................ 146
Thereafter.................................................. 52
------
$4,671
======

Total rental expense under operating leases was $4.0 million, $5.4
million and $5.8 million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

10. FINANCE CONTRACTS

The Company previously provided financing for the sale of new and used
trailers to its customers. The Company no longer originates finance contracts.
The financing is principally structured in the form of finance leases, typically
for a five-year term.

Finance Contracts, as shown on the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets, are as follows (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----

Lease payments receivable.................................. $11,439 $34,817
Estimated residual value................................... 801 5,636
------- -------
12,240 40,453
Unearned finance charges................................... (1,479) (6,881)
------- -------
10,761 33,572
Other, net................................................. 121 (1,556)
------- -------
10,882 32,016
Less: current portion...................................... (4,727) (9,528)
------- -------
$ 6,155 $22,488
======= =======

Other, net at December 31, 2002 includes an asset of $0.9 million related
to the sale of certain finance contracts. In addition, other, net at December
31, 2002 included $2.5 million for loss contingencies on finance contracts
recorded as charges to General and Administrative Expenses on the Company's

F-29

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

Consolidated Statements of Operations. The future minimum lease payments to be
received from finance contracts as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (in
thousands):

AMOUNTS
-------

2004........................................................ $ 5,561
2005........................................................ 2,957
2006........................................................ 2,661
2007........................................................ 230
2008........................................................ 30
Thereafter.................................................. --
-------
$11,439
=======

11. DEBT

a. Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002
---- ----

Bank Revolver (due 2006)................................. $ 60,358 $ --
Bank Term Loan (due 2006)................................ 36,766 --
Senior Convertible Notes (due 2008)...................... 125,000 --
Other Notes Payable (3.0% -- 7.25%, due 2004-2006)....... 5,192 16,962
Bank Term Loan........................................... -- 75,273
Series A and C-I Senior Notes............................ -- 182,047
Make Whole and Deferral Fee Notes........................ -- 7,722
-------- --------
$227,316 $282,004
Less: Current maturities............................... (7,337) (42,961)
-------- --------
$219,979 $239,043
======== ========

b. Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2003, are as follows (in
thousands):

AMOUNTS
-------

2004........................................................ $ 7,337
2005........................................................ 9,031
2006........................................................ 85,948
2007........................................................ --
2008........................................................ 125,000
Thereafter.................................................. --
--------
$227,316
========

c. Debt Refinancing

On August 1, 2003, the Company completed the sale of $125 million of
3.25% five-year senior unsecured convertible notes (convertible notes), which
are currently convertible into approximately 6.5 million shares of the Company's
common stock. The Company used the net proceeds to repay a portion of its
outstanding indebtedness. The convertible notes have a conversion price of
$19.20 or a rate

F-30

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

of 52.0833 shares per $1,000 principal amount of note. The convertible notes
bear interest at 3.25% per annum payable semi-annually on February 1 and August
1. If not converted, the balance is due on August 1, 2008. Costs associated with
the transaction amounted to approximately $4.2 million and are being amortized
over the term of the convertible notes.

On September 23, 2003, the Company entered into a $222.1 million
three-year asset-based loan that includes a $47.1 million term loan (bank term
loan) and a $175 million revolver (bank revolver). The new financing replaced
the existing Trade Receivables Facility, Bank and Senior Series Notes.

The bank term loan is secured by the Company's property, plant and
equipment. The bank revolver is secured by inventory and accounts receivable and
the amount available to borrow varies in relation to the balances of those
accounts among other things, as defined in the agreements.

Interest on the bank term loan is variable, based on the London Interbank
Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 300 basis points, decreasing to 275 basis points after
six months, or the bank's alternative rate, as defined in the agreement.
Interest on the bank revolver is at LIBOR plus 275 basis points, decreasing to
250 basis points after six months or the bank's alternative rate, as defined in
the agreement. The Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the
facility at a rate of 37.5 basis points per annum. Costs associated with the
transaction amounted to approximately $4.4 million and are being amortized over
the term of the loan. All interest and fees are paid monthly. The rate in effect
at December 31, 2003 was 4.75% for the revolver and 5.00% for the term loan,
based on the bank's alternative rate.

The term loan requires a $5.0 million payment on January 1, 2004 and
quarterly principal payments of $1.7 million commencing on January 1, 2004, with
the balance due on September 23, 2006. The January 1, 2004 payments were made on
December 31, 2003. The revolver is due on September 23, 2006. Beginning in March
2005, excess cash flow, as defined, is required to be used to reduce term loan
indebtedness.

The debt refinancing resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of
approximately $18.9 million, including prepayment penalties, payment deferral
fees and the write-off of previously deferred debt costs.

d. Covenants

The bank term loan and revolver contain covenants that require, among
other things, minimum fixed charge coverage and maximum senior debt to EBITDA
coverage. Also, the agreement places limits on capital expenditures and
additional borrowings and prohibits the payment of dividends on its common
stock. As of December 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with its financial
covenants.

12. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

a. Capital Stock

On December 29, 2003, the Company converted its issued and outstanding
shares of Series B 6% Cumulative Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock
(Series B Stock) into approximately 823,300 shares, including 1,916 from accrued
and unpaid dividends, of the Company's common stock. The Series B Stock
converted into common stock at the rate of approximately 2.3 shares of common
stock for each full share of Series B Stock based on the conversion price of
$21.375.

In September 2002, the Company converted its Series C Preferred Stock,
along with accrued and unpaid dividends and applicable interest, into
approximately 2.6 million shares of the Company's common stock.

F-31

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company had 300,000 shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares authorized with no shares issued
and outstanding.

The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 25 million shares
of unclassified preferred stock and to fix dividends, voting and conversion
rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences and other rights and
restrictions.

b. Stockholders' Rights Plan

In November 1995, our Board of Directors adopted a Stockholders' Rights
Plan (the "Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan is designed to deter coercive or
unfair takeover tactics in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt. It is
not intended to prevent a takeover of Wabash on terms that are favorable and
fair to all stockholders and will not interfere with a merger approved by the
Board of Directors. Each right entitles stockholders to buy one one-thousandth
of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price
of $120. The rights will be exercisable only if a person or a group acquires or
announces a tender or exchange offer to acquire 20% or more of our Common Stock
or if we enter into other business combination transactions not approved by the
Board of Directors. In the event the rights become exercisable, the rights plan
allows for our stockholders to acquire stock of Wabash or the surviving
corporation, whether or not Wabash is the surviving corporation having a value
twice that of the exercise price of the rights. The rights will expire December
28, 2005 or are redeemable for $0.01 per right by our Board under certain
circumstances.

13. STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS

a. Stock Option and Stock Related Plans

The Company has stock incentive plans that provide for the issuance of
stock appreciation rights (SAR) and the granting of common stock options to
officers and other eligible employees.

SARs. During 2001, the Company adopted a SAR Plan giving eligible
participants the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of the fair
market value of one share of stock on the date of exercise over the exercise
price of the SAR as determined by the Company. All SARs granted expire ten years
after the date of grant.

The Company had granted 130,000 SARs in 2001 that were terminated in
2002. No SARs were granted by the Company in 2002 or 2003. During 2001 and 2002,
expense related to SARs was not material.

Restricted Stock. From time-to-time, the Company has granted to certain
key employees and outside directors shares of the Company's stock to be earned
over time. These shares are granted at par value and recorded at the market
price on the date of grant with an offsetting balance representing the unearned
portion. These grants have been made under the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The
grants generally vest over periods ranging from one to three years. As of
December 31, 2003, there were 55,467 shares of restricted stock grants
outstanding and not fully vested with an unearned balance of $0.3 million
included in additional paid-in-capital. In 2003, the Company recorded
amortization expense of $0.2 million related to restricted stock.

Stock Options. The Company has two non-qualified stock option plans (the
1992 and 2000 Stock Option Plans) which allow eligible employees to purchase
shares of common stock at a price not less than market price at the date of
grant. Under the terms of the Stock Option Plans, up to an aggregate of
3,750,000 shares are reserved for issuance, subject to adjustment for stock
dividends, recapitalizations and the like. Options granted to employees under
the Stock Option Plans generally become exercisable in annual installments over
three years for options granted under the 2000 Plan and five years for options

F-32

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

granted under the 1992 Plan. Options granted to non-employee directors of the
Company are fully vested on the date of grant and are exercisable six months
thereafter. All options granted expire ten years after the date of grant.

A summary of stock option activity and weighted-average exercise prices
for the periods indicated are as follows:

NUMBER OF WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE
--------- ----------------

Outstanding at December 31, 2000.................... 1,919,625 $19.59
Granted........................................... 89,500 9.47
Exercised......................................... -- --
Cancelled......................................... (231,400) 16.79
--------- ------
Outstanding at December 31, 2001.................... 1,777,725 19.39
Granted........................................... 375,000 10.01
Exercised......................................... (11,168) 7.38
Cancelled......................................... (294,981) 17.37
--------- ------
Outstanding at December 31, 2002.................... 1,846,576 17.93
Granted........................................... 953,250 8.46
Exercised......................................... (360,114) 13.34
Cancelled......................................... (563,360) 25.16
--------- ------
Outstanding at December 31, 2003.................... 1,876,352 $11.83
========= ======

The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding at December 31, 2003:

WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE
RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING EXERCISE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE
EXERCISE PRICES OUTSTANDING LIFE PRICE AT 12/31/03 PRICE
--------------- ----------- --------- -------- ----------- --------

$6.68 to $10.01 1,454,652 8.9 yrs. $ 8.63 85,069 $ 8.45
$10.02 to $13.35 4,500 7.4 yrs. $12.95 4,500 $12.95
$13.36 to $16.69 58,200 4.9 yrs. $15.35 58,200 $15.35
$16.70 to $20.03 32,150 3.0 yrs. $18.91 32,150 $18.91
$20.04 to $23.36 209,350 4.7 yrs. $21.77 163,700 $21.84
$26.70 to $30.04 85,000 3.3 yrs. $28.75 85,000 $28.75
$30.05 to $33.38 32,500 1.4 yrs. $33.38 32,500 $33.38

Using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, the estimated fair values
of options granted during 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $4.61, $5.67 and $5.20 per
option, respectively. Principal assumptions used in applying the Black-Scholes
model were as follows:

BLACK-SCHOLES MODEL ASSUMPTIONS 2003 2002 2001
------------------------------- ---- ---- ----

Risk-free interest rate............................. 4.02% 5.11% 5.07%
Expected volatility................................. 53.50% 49.40% 45.58%
Expected dividend yield............................. 1.30% 1.26% 1.26%
Expected term....................................... 10 yrs. 10 yrs. 10 yrs.

F-33

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

b. Other Stock Plans

The 1993 Employee Stock Purchase Plan enabled eligible employees of the
Company to purchase shares of the Company's $0.01 par value common stock.
Employees may contribute up to 15% of their eligible compensation toward the
semi-annual purchase of common stock. The purchase price is based on the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of purchase. No compensation
expense is recorded in connection with the plan. During 2002, 5,312 shares were
issued to employees at an average price of $8.88 per share. The plan was
discontinued effective December 31, 2002.

The Company has a Stock Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan"). Under the terms of
the Bonus Plan, common stock may be granted to employees under terms and
conditions as determined by the Board of Directors. During 2003 and 2002, 6,370
and 10,300 shares, respectively, were issued to employees at an average price of
$11.58 and $8.64, respectively. The expense associated with the grants is
recognized when the shares are granted and amounted to $74,000, $89,000 and
$27,000 in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2003 and 2002,
there were 460,010 and 466,380 shares, respectively, available for offering
under the Bonus Plan.

14. EMPLOYEE 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN

Substantially all of the Company's employees are eligible to participate
in a defined contribution plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The Plan provides for the Company to match, in cash, a
percentage of each employee's contributions up to certain limits. On January 1,
2003, Plan amendments went into effect that among other things increased the
potential Company matching contribution and changed the vesting period of those
contributions. The Plan was also amended to be a Safe Harbor Plan and thus
subject to those restrictions. The Company's matching contribution and related
expense for the plan was approximately $2.6 million, $1.0 million and $1.0
million for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

15. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Selected cash payments and non-cash activities were as follows (in
thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
------------
2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Non-cash transactions:
Capital lease obligation incurred................ $ -- $14,731 $77,363
Purchase option exercised related to equipment
guarantees.................................... 6,746 -- 13,825
Receivable Securitization Facility............... -- -- 17,700
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired:
Fair value of assets acquired................. -- -- 59,012
Liabilities assumed........................... -- -- (52,676)
------ ------- -------
Net cash paid............................... $ -- $ -- $(6,336)
====== ======= =======

F-34

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

16. INCOME TAXES

a. Income Tax (Benefit) Provision

The consolidated income tax (benefit) provision for 2003, 2002 and 2001
consists of the following components (in thousands):

2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Current:
U.S. Federal..................................... $ -- $(13,789) $(27,597)
Foreign.......................................... -- 979 (819)
State............................................ -- (2,468) --
Deferred........................................... -- -- (14,441)
----- -------- --------
Total consolidated provision (benefit)............. $ -- $(15,278) $(42,857)
===== ======== ========

The Company's effective tax rate differed from the U.S. Federal statutory
rate of 35% as follows:

2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

Pretax book loss.............................. $(57,227) $(71,468) $(275,025)
Federal tax benefit at 35% statutory rate... (20,029) (25,014) (96,259)
State and local income taxes................ (1,604) (554)
Foreign income taxes -- rate differential... -- (142)
Valuation allowance......................... 18,857 12,706 55,305
Other....................................... 1,172 (1,366) (1,207)
-------- -------- ---------
Total income tax expense/(benefit)............ $ -- $(15,278) $ (42,857)
======== ======== =========

b. Deferred Taxes

Deferred income taxes are primarily due to temporary differences between
financial and income tax reporting for the depreciation of property, plant and
equipment and equipment under lease, the recognition of income from assets under
finance leases, charges the Company recorded in 2003, 2002 and 2001 related to
the restructuring of certain operations, and tax credits and losses carried
forward.

The Company has a federal tax net operating loss carryforward of
approximately $250 million, which will expire beginning in 2022, if unused, and
which may be subject to other limitations under IRS rules. The Company has
various tax credit carryforwards which will expire beginning in 2013, if unused.
Under SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, deferred tax assets are reduced
by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely
than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized. The Company has determined that a valuation allowance is necessary
and, accordingly, has recorded a valuation allowance for all deferred tax assets
as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In future periods, the Company
will evaluate the income tax valuation allowance and adjust (reduce) the
allowance when management has determined that impairment to realizability of the
related deferred tax assets, or a portion thereof, has been removed.

F-35

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

The components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of
December 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows (in thousands):

2003 2002
---- ----

Deferred tax (assets):
Rentals on finance leases............................. $ -- $(22,998)
Leasing difference.................................... -- (11,989)
Operations restructuring.............................. (22,852) (26,799)
Tax credits and loss carryforwards.................... (104,814) (53,360)
Other................................................. (52,328) (85,280)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Book-tax basis differences -- property, plant and
equipment.......................................... 68,979 73,557
Earned finance charges on finance leases.............. -- 10,770
Other................................................. 24,147 48,088
--------- --------
Net deferred tax liability/(asset), before valuation
allowance............................................. $ (86,868) $(68,011)
--------- --------
Valuation allowance..................................... $ 86,868 $ 68,011
--------- --------
Net deferred tax asset.................................. $ -- $ --
========= ========

17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

a. Litigation

Brazil Joint Venture

The Company answered the complaint in May 2001, denying any wrongdoing.
The Company believes that the claims asserted against it by BK are without merit
and intends to defend itself vigorously

F-36

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

against those claims. The Company believes that the resolution of this lawsuit
will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, liquidity or
future results of operations; however, at this early stage of the proceeding, no
assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of the case.

Environmental

In October 2003, the Company reached a verbal agreement with federal
officials to resolve a federal environmental investigation related to its
Huntsville, Tennessee facility. The plea agreement includes payment of a $0.4
million fine and a plea to two misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act.
The parties expect to submit the agreement to the court for resolution in the
near future. The expected resolution of this matter does not have a material
impact on the Company's financial position, liquidity or future results of
operations.

b. Environmental

The Company generates and handles certain material, wastes and emissions
in the normal course of operations that are subject to various and evolving
federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.

The Company assesses its environmental liabilities on an on-going basis
by evaluating currently available facts, existing technology, presently enacted
laws and regulations as well as experience in past treatment and remediation
efforts. Based on these evaluations, the Company estimates a lower and upper
range for the treatment and remediation efforts and recognizes a liability for
such probable costs based on the information available at the time. As of
December 31, 2003, the Company was not aware of any of its branch or
manufacturing locations where remediation activities would be required in its
current state and usage and therefore has no reserves. The $0.9 million
environmental reserve at December 31, 2002 was related to sites disposed of in
2003.

c. Used Trailer Restoration Program

During 1999, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS related to
federal excise tax on certain used trailers restored by the Company during 1996
and 1997. The Company has continued the restoration program with the same
customer since 1997. The customer has indemnified the Company for any potential
excise tax assessed by the IRS for years subsequent to 1997. As a result, the
Company has recorded a liability and a corresponding receivable of approximately
$9.0 and $8.6 million in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. During 2001, the IRS completed its
federal excise tax audit of 1999 and 1998 resulting in an assessment of
approximately $5.4 million. The Company believes it is fully indemnified for
this liability and that the related receivable is fully collectible.

F-37

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

d. Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had standby letters of credit
totaling approximately $7.0 million issued in connection with workers
compensation claims and surety bonds.

e. Royalty Payments

The Company is obligated to make quarterly royalty payments in accordance
with a licensing agreement related to the development of the Company's composite
plate material used on its proprietary DuraPlate(R) trailer. The amount of the
payments varies with the production volume of usable material, but requires
minimum royalties of $0.5 million annually through 2005. Annual payments for the
last three years were approximately $1 million.

f. Used Trailer Residual Guarantees and Purchase Commitments

In connection with certain historical new trailer sale transactions, the
Company had entered into agreements to guarantee end-of-term residual value,
which contain an option to purchase the used equipment at a pre-determined
price. By policy, the Company no longer provides used trailer residual
guarantees.

Under these agreements, future payments which may be required as of
December 31, 2003 are as follows (in thousands):

PURCHASE OPTION GUARANTEE AMOUNT
--------------- ----------------

2004.......................................... $51,679 $ 4,465
2005.......................................... 22,758 4,976
2006.......................................... -- 9,680
2007.......................................... -- 3,527
Thereafter.................................... -- --
------- -------
$74,437 $22,648
======= =======

In relation to the guarantees, as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the
Company recorded loss contingencies of $1.4 million and $1.2 million,
respectively.

g. Purchase Commitments

As part of the sale of certain assets of our aftermarket parts business,
as discussed in Footnote 5, the Company entered into a parts purchase agreement
with the buyer that requires the Company to purchase $45 million in parts over
the next three years with a minimum of $15 million per year. The purchase price
for the parts will be at current market prices, will not exceed business
requirements and is subject to certain performance requirements.

18. SEGMENTS AND RELATED INFORMATION

a. Segment Reporting

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information, the Company has two reportable segments:
manufacturing and retail and distribution. The manufacturing segment produces
and sells new trailers to the retail and distribution segment or to customers
who purchase trailers direct or through independent dealers. The retail and
distribution segment includes the sale, leasing and financing of new and used
trailers, as well as the sale of aftermarket parts

F-38

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

and service through its retail branch network. In addition, the retail and
distribution segment includes the sale of aftermarket parts through Wabash
National Parts.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described
in the summary of significant accounting policies except that the Company
evaluates segment performance based on income from operations. The Company has
not allocated certain corporate related charges such as administrative costs,
interest and income taxes from the manufacturing segment to the Company's other
reportable segment. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers at
cost plus a specified mark-up. Reportable segment information is as follows (in
thousands):

RETAIL AND COMBINED CONSOLIDATED
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION SEGMENTS ELIMINATIONS TOTAL
------------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------

2003
Net sales
External customers........ $ 620,120 $267,820 $ 887,940 $ -- $ 887,940
Intersegment sales........ 52,172 878 53,050 (53,050) --
--------- -------- --------- --------- ---------
Total net sales.................. $ 672,292 $268,698 $ 940,990 $ (53,050) $ 887,940
========= ======== ========= ========= =========
Depreciation and amortization.... 13,843 9,945 23,788 -- 23,788
Loss from operations............. 27,828 (37,283) (9,455) 433 (9,022)
Reconciling items to net loss:
Interest income................ (406)
Interest expense............... 30,162
Foreign exchange gains and
losses, net................. (5,291)
Trade receivables facility
costs....................... 1,022
Loss on debt extinguishment.... 19,840
Other (income) expense......... 2,878
---------
Net loss......................... $ (57,227)
=========
Capital expenditures............. $ 5,672 $ 846 $ 6,518 $ -- $ 6,518
Assets........................... $ 370,325 $188,477 $ 558,802 $(161,766) $ 397,036

F-39

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

RETAIL AND COMBINED CONSOLIDATED
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION SEGMENTS ELIMINATIONS TOTAL
------------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------

2002
Net sales
External customers........ $ 492,267 $327,301 $ 819,568 $ -- $ 819,568
Intersegment sales........ 37,793 4,188 41,981 (41,981) --
--------- -------- --------- --------- ---------
Total net sales.................. $ 530,060 $331,489 $ 861,549 $ (41,981) $ 819,568
========= ======== ========= ========= =========
Depreciation and amortization.... 15,152 13,474 28,626 -- 28,626
Restructuring charge from
operations..................... 1,813 -- 1,813 -- 1,813
Loss from operations............. (16,566) (22,287) (38,853) 93 (38,760)
Reconciling items to net loss:
Interest income................ (282)
Interest expense............... 30,873
Foreign exchange gains and
losses, net................. (5)
Trade receivables facility
costs....................... 4,072
Loss on debt extinguishment.... 1,314
Other (income) expense......... (3,264)
Income tax benefit............. (15,278)
---------
Net loss......................... $ (56,190)
=========
Capital expenditures............. $ 4,514 $ 1,189 $ 5,703 $ -- $ 5,703
Assets........................... $ 387,263 $340,505 $ 727,768 $(162,199) $ 565,569

F-40

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

RETAIL AND COMBINED CONSOLIDATED
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION SEGMENTS ELIMINATIONS TOTAL
------------- ------------ -------- ------------ ------------

2001
Net sales
External customers........ $ 518,212 $345,180 $ 863,392 $ -- $ 863,392
Intersegment sales........ 61,854 2,427 64,281 (64,281) --
--------- -------- --------- --------- ---------
Total net sales.................. $ 580,066 $347,607 $ 927,673 $ (64,281) $ 863,392
========= ======== ========= ========= =========
Depreciation and amortization.... 18,191 13,952 32,143 -- 32,143
Restructuring charge from
operations..................... 37,493 371 37,864 -- 37,864
Loss from operations............. (148,727) (92,975) (241,702) 2,300 (239,402)
Reconciling items to net loss:
Interest income................ (349)
Interest expense............... 21,292
Equity in losses of
unconsolidated affiliate.... 7,668
Restructuring charges.......... 1,590
Foreign exchange gains and
losses, net................. 1,706
Trade receivables facility
costs....................... 2,228
Other (income) expense......... 1,488
Income tax benefit............. (42,857)
---------
Net loss......................... $(232,168)
=========
Capital expenditures............. $ 4,463 $ 1,436 $ 5,899 $ -- $ 5,899
Assets........................... $ 449,012 $348,155 $ 797,167 $(104,663) $ 692,504

b. Geographic Information

International sales, primarily to Canadian customers, accounted for
approximately 9% in each of the last three years.

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the amount reflected in property, plant
and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation related to the Company's Canadian
subsidiary was approximately $2.0 million.

c. Product Information

The Company offers products primarily in three general categories of new
trailers, used trailers and parts. Other sales include trailer service work
performed at branch locations, leasing revenues, interest income from finance
contracts and freight. The following table sets forth the major product category
sales and their percentage of consolidated net sales (dollars in thousands):

2003 2002 2001
---- ---- ----

New Trailers............ $690,465 77.8% $563,496 68.8% $614,363 71.2%
Used Trailers........... 64,843 7.3 92,317 11.3 73,287 8.5
Parts................... 81,710 9.2 99,447 12.1 103,694 12.0
Other................... 50,922 5.7 64,308 7.8 72,048 8.3
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total Sales............. $887,940 100.0% $819,568 100.0% $863,392 100.0%
======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====

F-41

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

d. Major Customers

The Company had one customer that represented 14% of consolidated net
sales in 2003, and another customer that represented 11% and 19% of consolidated
net sales in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company's consolidated net sales
in the aggregate to its five largest customers were 27%, 30% and 34% of its
consolidated net sales in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

19. CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of
operations for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001 (Dollars in thousands except per
share amounts).

FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
------- ------- ------- -------

2003
Net sales........................ $222,508 $230,231 $215,450 $ 219,751
Gross profit..................... 22,341 (4,811) 15,905 15,259
Net loss......................... 1,430 (27,268)(4) (29,641)(5) (1,748)(6)
Basic and diluted loss per
share(1)....................... $ 0.05 $ (1.07) $ (1.16) $ (0.08)
2002
Net sales........................ $161,952 $210,251 $241,474 $ 205,891
Gross profit..................... 39 6,227 21,731 12,454
Net loss......................... (14,589) (21,677) (8,319) (11,605)
Basic and diluted loss per
share(1)....................... $ (0.65) $ (0.96) $ (0.37) $ (0.46)
2001
Net sales........................ $242,629 $212,172 $241,945 $ 166,646
Gross loss....................... (1,743) (26) (32,733) (84,711)
Net loss......................... (17,730) (18,117) (61,373)(2) (134,948)(3)
Basic and diluted loss per
share(1)....................... $ (0.79) $ (0.81) $ (2.69) $ (5.88)

---------------

(1) Earnings (loss) per share are computed independently for each of the
quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share
may differ from annual earnings per share due to rounding.

(2) The third quarter 2001 results include restructuring and other related
charges of $40.5 million ($25.6 million, net of tax).

(3) The fourth quarter 2001 results include loss contingencies and impairment
charge related to the Company's leasing operations of $37.9 million and used
trailer inventory valuation of $18.6 million.

(4) The second quarter 2003 results include a $28.5 million loss on asset
impairment, as discussed in Footnote 5.

(5) The third quarter 2003 results include a $18.9 million loss on debt
extinguishment, related to its debt refinancing, as discussed in Footnote
11.

(6) The fourth quarter 2003 results includes a $4.1 million loss on the sale of
a large portion of the Company's finance contracts.

20. PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The Company has prepared the following Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Statement of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 to
illustrate the estimated effects of the sale (the "Asset Sale") of a portion of
its trailer leasing and finance operations and a portion of its aftermarket
parts distribution operations to Aurora Trailer Holdings, LLC and the
refinancing of its capital structure

F-42

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

through the sale of $125 million of 3.25% five-year senior unsecured convertible
notes and entering into a $222 million three-year asset-based loan arrangement
(the "Refinancing").

In accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets, the Company has not reflected the Asset Sale as discontinued
operations as only a portion of a component was sold, the Company will continue
to generate cash flows from these components and the Company will continue to be
involved in the operations of the disposed assets through, among other things,
purchase and supply agreements.

The Company believes the pro forma data to be useful in understanding the
operating results in view of the recently completed transactions. The Unaudited
Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations gives effect to the transactions,
described in Footnotes 5 and 11, as if they had occurred as of the beginning of
the year. The Pro Forma Financial Statement is based upon available information
and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The Company has
not attempted to allocate various costs and expenses, including indirect
factory-owned branch operating costs and selling, general and administrative
expenses to the pro-forma data as the costs are not separately identifiable. The
Pro Forma Financial Statement does not purport to represent what the Company's
results of operations or financial condition would actually have been had the
transactions in fact occurred on such dates or to project the Company's results
of operations or financial condition for any future period or date.

F-43

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR
THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

ADJUSTMENTS
-----------
HISTORICAL ASSET SALE REFINANCING PRO FORMA
---------- ---------- ----------- ---------
(UNAUDITED)
DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS

Net sales......................................... $887,940 $(58,904) $ -- $829,036
Cost of sales..................................... 810,746 (48,639) -- 762,107
Loss on asset impairment.......................... 28,500 (28,500) -- --
-------- -------- ------- --------
Gross profit...................................... 48,694 18,235 -- 66,929
General and administrative expenses............... 37,383 (1,498) (1,576) 34,309
Selling expenses.................................. 20,333 (1,920) -- 18,413
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income (loss) from operations..................... (9,022) 21,653 1,576 14,207
Other income (expense):
Interest expense................................ (30,162) 1,745 13,663 (14,754)
Trade receivable facility costs................. (1,022) -- 1,022 --
Foreign exchange gains and losses, net.......... 5,291 -- 5,291
Loss on debt extinguishment..................... (19,840) -- 18,940 (900)
Other, net...................................... (2,472) 853 (1,619)
-------- -------- ------- --------
Income (loss) before income taxes................. (57,227) 24,251 35,201 2,225
Income tax (benefit) expense...................... -- -- -- --
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net income (loss)................................. (57,227) 24,251 35,201 2,225
Preferred stock dividends......................... 1,053 1,053
-------- -------- ------- --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stockholders.................................... $(58,280) $ 24,251 $35,201 $ 1,172
======== ======== ======= ========
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share..... $ (2.26) $ 0.05
======== ========
Weighted average shares outstanding............... 25,778 25,778
======== ========

F-44

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3,000,000 SHARES

(WABASH NATIONAL LOGO)

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

COMMON STOCK

----------------------

PROSPECTUS

----------------------

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
BB&T CAPITAL MARKETS

, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth the various expenses to be paid by the
Company in connection with the distribution of the securities being registered
hereby. All the amounts are estimates, except the Commission registration fee.

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......... $ 12,264
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 150,000
Printing and engraving fees................................. 100,000
Accounting fees............................................. 150,000
Miscellaneous expenses, including New York Stock Exchange
listing fees.............................................. 87,736
--------
Total..................................................... $500,000
========

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors
and officers under some circumstances for liabilities incurred in connection
with their activities in such capacities (including reimbursement for expenses
incurred). Article Ninth of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides
that it will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by law and that directors shall not be liable for monetary damages to
the Company or its stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty, except to the
extent not permitted under Delaware General Corporation Law. In addition, the
Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that any director or officer who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any action or
proceeding by reason of his or her services to the Company will be indemnified
to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
------- -------------------

1.01 Form of Purchase Agreement (1)
4.01 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (2)
4.02 Shareholder Rights Agreement dated November 7, 1995 (3)
4.03 First Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement dated
October 21, 1998 (4)
4.05 Second Amendment to Shareholder Rights Agreement dated
December 18, 2000 (5)
5.01 Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (6)
23.01 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (7)
23.02 Consent of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (included in Exhibit
5.01) (6)
24.01 Powers of Attorney (1)

------------

(1) Previously filed.

(2) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's registration statement on
Form S-1 (No. 33-42810).

(3) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's registration statement on
Form 8-A filed December 7, 1995.

(4) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's Form 8-K filed on October
26, 1998.

(5) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's Amended Form 8-A filed
January 18, 2001.

(footnotes continued on following page)
II-1

(6) To be filed by amendment.

(7) Filed herewith.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of
prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time
it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a
form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Lafayette, State of Indiana, on October 20, 2004.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

By: /s/ WILLIAM P. GREUBEL
------------------------------------
William P. Greubel
President and Chief Executive
Officer

PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.

DATE SIGNATURE AND TITLE
---- -------------------

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ WILLIAM P. GREUBEL
-------------------------------------------------
William P. Greubel
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ ROBERT J. SMITH
-------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Smith
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ JOHN T. HACKETT*
-------------------------------------------------
John T. Hackett
Chairman of the Board of Directors

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ DAVID C. BURDAKIN*
-------------------------------------------------
David C. Burdakin
Director

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ DR. MARTIN C. JISCHKE*
-------------------------------------------------
Dr. Martin C. Jischke
Director

II-3

DATE SIGNATURE AND TITLE
---- -------------------

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ LUDVIK F. KOCI*
-------------------------------------------------
Ludvik F. Koci
Director

October 20, 2004 By: /s/ STEPHANIE K. KUSHNER*
-------------------------------------------------
Stephanie K. Kushner
Director

October 20, 2004 *By: /s/ WILLIAM P. GREUBEL
-------------------------------------------------
William P. Greubel
Attorney-in-fact

II-4

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
------- -------------------

------------

(1) Previously filed.

(2) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's registration statement on
Form S-1 (No. 33-42810).

(3) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's registration statement on
Form 8-A filed December 7, 1995.

(4) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's Form 8-K filed on October
26, 1998.

(5) Incorporated by reference from the registrant's Amended Form 8-A filed
January 18, 2001.

(6) To be filed by amendment.

(7) Filed herewith.