Trailer Orders to Slow Down as Expected as Summer Rolls on

June trailer orders are expected to fall for the sixth month in a row as the equipment sector enters the traditionally slow summer months, according to a preliminary report from FTR.

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July 20, 2018

Trailer Orders to Slow Down as Expected as Summer Rolls on — Trailer orders are expected to fall for the sixth month in a row, according to the analysts at FTR.
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U.S. trailer orders are expected to fall for the sixth month in a row as the equipment sector enters the traditionally slow summer months, according to a preliminary report from FTR.

June trailer orders are expected to total around 18,600 units for the month for a total of around 335,000 units in the past 12 months. The dip was expected as the summer is typically a slow season for trailer orders.

“You can expect order rates to remain subdued for a couple of months,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles. “Fleets should begin placing substantial orders for 2019 beginning in September, a month earlier than normal, because production next year is expected to be hefty once again.”

According to FTR, trailer production has held up despite some late supplier deliveries and build rates are still at robust levels. There is a considerable backlog for orders at this point in the year and FTR says there is little need for fleets to place many new orders.

“The economy is healthy, freight growth is sturdy, and sales remain strong,” said Ake. “The market is performing according to traditional trends, albeit at record-setting levels.”