Preliminary net trailer orders in October were 5,700 units higher than September’s 11,300 level, a 51% month-to-month increase, according to ACT Research's State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers. At 17,100 units booked in October, order intake was 3% above last October’s level. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle lowers the monthly tally to about 12,600 units. Final October results will be available later this month. This preliminary market estimate is typically within ±5% of the final order tally.

“Sequentially, October’s higher net order intake was expected, as it is usually one of the strongest order months in the annual cycle initiated at the end of Q3 when the industry begins opening next year’s orderboards,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “October’s tally brings the year-to-date net order total to 138.3k units, or 17% more net orders than were accepted through year-to-date October 2024.”

McNealy added, “Looking forward, concern continues that moderating economic activity, ongoing weak for-hire carrier profitability, and ambiguous governmental policy, especially around the EPA low-NOx rule, remain as challenges to stronger trailer demand. However, pent-up demand is building, and fleets eventually will need to divert capex to trailing equipment purchases deferred over the past few years.”

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. It is accompanied by a database that gives historical information from 1996 to the present, as well as a ready-to-use graph packet, to allow organizations in the trailer production supply chain, and those following the investment value of trailers, trailer OEMs and suppliers to better understand the market.