For the month of October, FTR reported U.S. net trailer orders at 46,267, an all-time record high, beating the previous record by 9%. According to the research firm, trailer orders have now totaled 327,000 the past 12 months. FTR suggested that expected tight production capacity at trailer OEMs in 2015 encouraged early order activity.

“While OEMs did go out and solicit orders for delivery through the middle of 2015, impacting October activity, it is still very encouraging to see these large numbers, because it indicates fleets are positive about business conditions next year,” said Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles. “Dry van, refrigerated van and flatbed orders were tremendously high. Much of the October order total is pull-forward activity, to get orders into the backlog for delivery in 2015. OEMs can now better plan production, and fleets have their build slots reserved well in advance.”