FTR: October truck trailer orders surge 72%

Truck trailers orders reached 20,200 units in October, 72 percent over the previous month, but down 38 percent year-over-year, according to industry analyst FTR.    Truck trailers orders reached 20,200 units in October, 72 percent over the previous month, but down 38 percent year-over-year, according to industry analyst FTR.
   Trailer orders for the past 12 months reached 213,000 units.
   FTR warned, however, that based on the order rate and falling backlogs, production is forecast to drop “moderately” starting in November.
   “The trailer market is coming back in sync with the Class 8 markets. Large fleets are ordering trailers for replacements in 2017, but not at the level of previous years,” said Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles, in a statement.
   “The order rates in September and October indicate that trailer build will continue to fall at a moderate rate. November production will be somewhat weaker, and December will be impacted by extended shutdown days around the holidays. January builds should increase, but are dependent on orders staying stable in November and December,” he explained.