September trailer orders remained at record levels in September, according to ACT Research and FTR. September trailers orders were 56,000 units, which exceeded the previous monthly record by 10,000 trailers, according to FTR. ACT estimates September orders to be 58,200 units, and that annual orders are up by about 50% compared to 2017.

“Fleets reached a never-before-seen trailer order level in September. OEMs booked over 58k trailers last month, shattering the previous record level of just over 47k orders which was set in October of 2014. That was more than 50% better than August orders and 135% better than this point last year,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of CV transportation analysis and research. Seasonally adjusted, September volume was just under 64k, generating a SAAR of almost 760k units.

“The fleets have ordered an enormous amount of Class 8 trucks for 2019 and now are ordering the trailers to go with them,” said Don Ake, FTR’s vice president of commercial vehicles. “They want to reserve build slots throughout next year, so they can have equipment ready for what is anticipated to remain a vibrant freight market. This is the equivalent of tickets going on sale for a wildly popular concert and quickly selling out. Some dry van OEMs are largely booked up for 2019.”

The strong September numbers come on the heels of record August and July trailer orders.