Sandhills Global: Used Truck Inventories Down 20%, Continuing Trend

May 08, 2026, 07:10 AM

Filed Under: Economic Commentary

Related: Sandhills Equipment Value Index, Sandhills Global, Scott Lubischer

According to the latest Sandhills Global market reports, inventory levels of used trucks on TruckPaper.com and other Sandhills platforms are down over 20% compared to last year and is continuing a downward trend.

“Buyer sentiment remains positive despite increasing fuel prices,” says Truck Paper Manager Scott Lubischer. “However, if fuel prices fall, we’re sure to see a significant rise in sales. Some organizations have been able to delay upgrading their fleets, trucks and trailers will only last so long, and aging inventory will have to be replaced.”

The reports cover April data for used trucks, trailers, construction equipment and farm machinery on TruckPaper.com, MachineryTrader.com, TractorHouse.com, and other Sandhills platforms. For April, Sandhills added a new category to its catalog of monthly used farm equipment reports: used self-propelled forage harvesters.

The key metric in all of Sandhills’ market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions. The Sandhills EVI data include equipment available in auction and retail markets and model-year equipment actively in use. EVI spread measures the percentage difference between asking and auction values.

Market Report Details

Sandhills market reports highlight the most significant changes in Sandhills’ used heavy-duty truck, semi-trailer, farm machinery, and construction equipment markets. Key points from the current reports are listed below. Full reports are available upon request.

U.S. Used Heavy-Duty Trucks

Inventory levels in this market fell 4.77% month over month and 20.27% year over year in April and are trending down, a pattern that has persisted for five months. Used day cab trucks had the largest inventory changes, down 5.68% M/M and 25.12% Y/Y.

Asking values increased 0.46% M/M but decreased 2.8% Y/Y and are trending down, continuing a 5-month-long pattern. Used sleeper trucks led in M/M asking price changes with a 1.04% increase, while used day cab trucks had the largest Y/Y asking price change with a 4.45% drop.

Auction values remained unchanged M/M in April, decreased 1.56% Y/Y, and are trending sideways. Used day cab trucks had the largest auction value changes, up 0.24% M/M and down 1.91% Y/Y.

U.S. Used Semi-Trailers

Inventory levels of used semi-trailers fell 1.2% M/M and 25.61% Y/Y in April and are trending down. Inventory levels in this market have been trending down for nine months in a row. Used drop-deck trailers had the largest M/M inventory change with a 6.41% decrease, while used dry van trailers posted the largest Y/Y inventory change with a 28.15% drop.

Asking values ticked up 0.85% M/M and 1.78% Y/Y and are trending up. Used reefer trailers had the largest asking price changes, up 6.35% M/M and 9.69% Y/Y.

Auction values climbed 1.89% M/M and 4.23% Y/Y and are trending up. Used reefer trailers had the largest auction value changes, up 7.4% M/M and 17.23% Y/Y.

U.S. Used Medium-Duty Trucks

Inventory levels of used medium-duty trucks fell 2.1% M/M and 38.39% Y/Y in April and are trending down, a pattern that has persisted for eight consecutive months.