FTS: Trailer orders surge in November

Truck trailer orders reached 42,600 units in November 2017, an increase of 34 percent over the previous month and 19 percent year-over-year, according to industry analyst FTR.    U.S. trailer net orders in November totaled 42,600 units, a 34 percent jump from the previous month and a year-over-year increase of 19 percent, according to the latest figures from the freight transportation analyst FTR.
   The order volume for November will boost OEM backlogs which had looked to be weakening at the end of October, FTR said. Trailer order numbers for the past twelve months are now 295,000. 
   “November trailer orders are wonderful news for the industry and for the general economy,” FTR Vice President of Commercial Vehicles Don Ake said in a statement. “Fleets continue to anticipate the need for more trailers in 2018. Freight growth has been tremendous in Q4, and we forecast it to remain at least good through the first half of 2018. We can expect more use of drop-and-hook logistics in dry vans, refrigerated vans and flatbeds as trailer truck productivity is reduced and the driver shortage intensifies.”