Trailer net orders in July, at more than 20,300 units, declined 27% from the outlier 27,900-unit June pace, but still did rise 7% on a year-over-year basis, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co.

“While total net orders were off 27% m/m, the majority of that decline was dry van related, a response to the unusually strong dry van volume in June,” said Frank Maly, the director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT. “Dry vans and flatbeds drove most of the slight jump in cancellations that occurred in July, with the flatbed shift reported to be the response to dealers bringing their inventories more in line with current demand.”

Maly noted that some pressure in vocational trailers is likely over the next few months, as the full impact of the recent energy price declines is yet to be seen.

Maly concluded, “Our view that 2015 will be the best trailer market since the late 1990s remains unchanged.”