Joint Venture - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total investment	$ 1,739	$ 2,741
Percentage of ownership	50.00%
Share of earnings for investment	198	267	217
Dividends received in equity method	1,200
Net sales	3,084,660	2,755,508	2,276,557
Cruise America
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net sales	30,785	26,872	27,859
Cat Joint Venture Llc
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Sales between affiliated parties	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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