Net orders of commercial trailers rose to 21,314 in November, a 23 percent increase over October's performance that was the strongest month in over two years. ACT Research Co. (ACT) also reported that November net orders were up 215 percent from the same month last year.


In the latest release of State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers, ACT noted the surge has been led by a strong rebound in dry van trailers, the largest segment of the commercial trailer fleet. Over the last three months, net orders for the dry van segment are up 217 percent compared to the same three months in 2009. On a year to date basis, all eight trailer types are up from 2009, although grain trailers and platform (flatbeds) are up only modestly.

"An appropriate description of 2010 trailer net orders would be 'in like a lamb, out like a lion'," said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst with ACT Research. "With rising trucker profits and deferred capital investment, the stage is set for healthy trailer demand in 2011. History shows that when the industry cycles, it is typically a two to three year process," added Vieth.

More info: ACT Research.