Preliminary net trailer orders for September totaled approximately 21,500 units, up 47% from August and up an impressive 84% year over year, according to a report from FTR Transportation Intelligence.  

Orders met expectations and support the FTR forecast of another strong commercial trailer market in 2018.  Trailer orders have now totaled 275,000 units over the past twelve months, much in line with 2017 production numbers.

“This is great news for the trailer market in 2018,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles. “When fleets begin ordering more trailers in September, it indicates the market should be robust the following year. 

“We expect ordering activity to accelerate in October and stay elevated throughout Q4.  Production rates should stay at higher levels, rolling right into 2018.

“Freight expansion early next year will severely strain industry capacity, and fleets will need to add trailers to handle the added loads,” he continued. “Both the manufacturing and consumer sectors of the economy are healthy right now, and this should lead to increased demand for most trailer segments.  Things look very positive for trailers right now.”

More information about the report and FTR’s research are here. Follow on Twitter @ftrintel, or call (888) 988-1699 Ext. 1.