In April, expect the highest demand for equipment to be in southern states as seasonal demand moves out of the Midwest, according to the current CCJ Equipment Demand Index. The index, based on equipment searches performed by TransCore customers, shows the top 15 states in terms of demand for trucks in the spot market in the three most common equipment types: dry vans, flatbeds and refrigerated units. The index is intended to help fleet operators identify the most promising opportunities for backhaul and spot-market freight in the month after its publication.
Over the past few years, Texas has occupied the top position for April van demand and, for two consecutive years, the nation’s No. 1 spot for flatbed searches. Demand for refrigerated equipment was greatest in Florida over the past three years.
In Tennessee, April demand for vans remained relatively steady the past three years but flatbeds and refrigerated equipment saw considerable fluctuation. Flatbed demand decreased while refrigerated equipment climbed from No. 22 to No. 5.
