Note 8 - Segment Reporting Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	$ 42,030	$ 60,656	$ 146,484	$ 138,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	263	282	707	790
Operating income (loss)	(5,991)	1,658	(12,598)	(3,468)
Segment Assets	70,011	86,856	70,011	86,856
Capital Expenditures	119	6	885	248
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member] | Utilimaster [Member]
Revenues	45,526	44,739	138,596	148,350
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member] | Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member]
Revenues	8,711	7,730	23,371	18,829
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	54,237	52,469	161,967	167,179
Depreciation and amortization expense	928	1,121	2,732	3,357
Operating income (loss)	4,064	1,845	10,006	6,124
Segment Assets	83,945	69,806	83,945	69,806
Capital Expenditures	200	178	706	548
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member] | Motorhome Chassis [Member]
Revenues	32,367	23,370	75,431	62,953
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member] | Other Specialty Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	2,388	2,536	10,829	6,732
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member] | Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member]
Revenues	5,550	5,208	15,056	12,413
Specialty Chassis and Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	40,305	31,114	101,316	82,098
Depreciation and amortization expense	105	94	299	575
Operating income (loss)	2,776	2,930	5,733	4,989
Segment Assets	23,820	22,982	23,820	22,982
Capital Expenditures	260	149	577	316
Other Segments [Member]
Depreciation and amortization expense	576	609	1,709	1,802
Operating income (loss)	(1,307)	(2,166)	(5,612)	(6,889)
Segment Assets	70,709	71,239	70,709	71,239
Capital Expenditures	549	369	1,435	1,457
Emergency Response Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	42,030	60,656	146,484	138,716
Utilimaster [Member]
Revenues			138,596	148,350
Delivery And Service Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	45,526	44,739
Motorhome Chassis [Member]
Revenues	32,367	23,370	75,431	62,953
Other Specialty Vehicles [Member]
Revenues	2,388	2,536	10,829	6,732
Aftermarket Parts and Assemblies [Member]
Revenues	14,261	12,938	38,427	31,242
Revenues	136,572	144,239	409,767	387,993
Depreciation and amortization expense	1,872	2,106	5,447	6,524
Operating income (loss)	(458)	4,267	(2,471)	756
Segment Assets	248,485	250,883	248,485	250,883
Capital Expenditures	$ 1,128	$ 702	$ 3,603	$ 2,569