Trailer orders fall again in July

U.S. trailer net orders in July fell 24 percent from last month, but were up 13 percent year-over-year, according to the latest figures from freight transportation analyst FTR.    U.S. trailer net orders in July fell 24 percent to 20,400 units compared to June, according to the latest figures from freight transportation analyst FTR.
   The orders, nearly identical to May 2015 figures, represent a 13 percent increase from July 2014. In the past twelve months, U.S. trailer orders have annualized to about 335,000 units.
   “The month-over-month decline was particularly impacted by a drop in dry van orders following some large fleet orders placed in June,” said FTR. “Although lower, dry van orders in July were still good on a seasonal basis, and refrigerated van orders exceeded expectations again.”
   FTR noted indications that production in the flatbed and tanker trailer segments is slowing, while refrigerated vans and dump trailers remain robust and dry vans remain steady. Overall trailer builds fell 1 percent compared with June.
   “We have indications that the market is peaking, but there is no evidence that it is going to drop significantly next year,” Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, said in a statement. “It looks like a soft landing in general. However, certain trailer segments are being hard hit by the pullback in the energy industry and weaker manufacturing.”