February net U.S. trailer orders of 26,414 units fell nearly 16 percent from January, but rose almost 88 percent compared to February of 2020. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 28,300 units were down 14 percent versus January, but 74 percent better than the previous February, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report.

“Although it seems many OEMs are fully committed for dry vans and reefers this year, negotiations with fleets continue,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research. “While orders will continue to be booked, without meaningful increases in production rates, backlogs will remain extended.”

Maly concluded, “Although not official, the backlog-to-build ratio points to a defacto opening of 2022 orderboards by several OEMs, although one has publicly indicated that they are pausing further order acceptance in the short-term.”

ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current US trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations, net orders, and factory shipments.