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<CIK>0000924117
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<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
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<DESCRIPTION>DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 24, 2001

Commission File Number:     0-24354
                       ------------------------------------

                              DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                        58-2110729
------------------------                          ----------------------
(State of Incorporation)                              (IRS Employer
                                                  Identification Number)

       One Paces West, Suite 1700
         2727 Paces Ferry Road
            Atlanta, Georgia                              30339
----------------------------------------          ----------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (770) 438-9595
                                                     -------------------

<PAGE>   2

                              DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.

                                    FORM 8-K


ITEM 5.  Other Information

On January 24, 2001, Dorsey Trailers, Inc. issued the press release attached as
Exhibit 99.1 to this report.


ITEM 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

         (a)      Financial Statements.
                       None.

         (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information.
                       None.

         (c)      Exhibits.
                       99.1     Press Release


<PAGE>   3


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   DORSEY TRAILERS, INC.

Date:     January 24, 2001         By: /s/ Marilyn R. Marks
       --------------------           -------------------------------------
                                       Marilyn R. Marks
                                       Chairman of the Board of Directors
</TEXT>
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<TYPE>EX-99.1
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<FILENAME>g66588ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



For Immediate Release                                 Contact: Marilyn R. Marks
                                                                 (770) 438-9595


                      DORSEY TRAILERS ANNOUNCES EXPECTATION
                      OF NO VALUE AVAILABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS


ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January 24, 2001 - As previously announced, Dorsey Trailers,
Inc. (the "Company") filed a voluntary petition for Relief under the provisions
of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama,
Montgomery, Alabama (Bankruptcy Case No. 00-6792-WRS). Chapter 11 allows the
Company to remain debtor-in-possession of its assets and business while being
subject to the supervision and orders of the Bankruptcy Court for certain
transactions or actions. Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, the Company, as debtor
and debtor-in-possession, will continue to manage and operate the assets and
business, pending the confirmation of a plan of reorganization and subject to
the supervision and orders of the Bankruptcy Court.

As previously announced, the Company has entered into an exclusive agreement
with Equity Partners of Maryland ("EPI"), an enterprise specializing in
turnarounds, sales and refinancings, and liquidations of financially troubled
companies. Pursuant to the agreement, EPI shall assist the Company in
refinancing or efforts to seek a joint venture partner, sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of the Company's business as a going concern and/or some or all of the
Company's interest in the assets of the debtor's estate. This exclusive
agreement expires sixty days from its approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Marilyn R. Marks, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company issued the
following statement: "EPI has received numerous inquiries from interested
parties and is assisting the Company in exploring all possibilities for a sale
of part or all of its assets. Given the current market conditions of the truck
trailer industry, we believe that it is extremely unlikely that the Company will
be able to obtain the true market value of the assets. Accordingly, the proceeds
of a sale of the Company's assets after payment of secured creditors and
administrative claims would not be sufficient to satisfy the claims of the
Company's unsecured creditors. As such, it is probable that there will be
nothing available for distribution to the Company's stockholders."

Dorsey Trailers, Inc. was in the business of designing, manufacturing, and
marketing one of the broadest lines of high quality, customized truck trailers
through three plants located in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.


<PAGE>   2

Certain statements in this press release and statements by the Company in
reports to its stockholders and public filings, as well as, oral public
statements by Company representatives may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any forward-looking statements included herein have been included based upon
facts available to management as of the date of the statement. Any
forward-looking statement is, however, inherently subject to the uncertainty of
future events, whether economic, competitive or otherwise many of which are
beyond the control of the Company, or which may involve determinations, which
may be made by management in the future. There can, therefore be no assurances
that the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will
occur and actual events or results may vary materially from those included
herein.

Without limitation, the following are some of the factors which may affect
whether the events or results described in such forward-looking statements will
occur: whether there is an approved plan of reorganization in which the Company
continues as an ongoing operation, continued availability of credit from
vendors, and continued use of cash collateral by lender. Readers should review
and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release
and it reports to stockholders and reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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