Trailer orders surge in October

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Updated Nov 29, 2017

U.S. net trailer orders hit 33,600 units in October according to FTR, up 40 percent from August and 65 percent year-over-year.

While there have been some indications the dry van market is softening FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles Don Ake says orders in this segment were steady.

Trailer orders have now totaled 290,000 units over the past 12 months.

“There is good news on the vocational side,” Ake adds. “Flatbed demand continues to be sturdy as the housing and energy markets continue to prosper. Renewed energy activity is also helping tankers and lowbeds.”

Ake says demand may be off some from the levels of the last few years, but sales should remain at high volumes into early next year.

“Orders are expected to be healthy for the next two months as fleets complete placing orders for 2018 requirements,” he says. “The trailer market next year continues to look very positive.”

According to ACT Research, Class 8 truck orders reached a 35-month high of 36,033 units in October.