COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary net trailer orders in May were 20,700 units, up only about 1,300 units from April’s 19,400-unit level, according to ACT Research.
“A sequential drop in net orders is typically expected, as May traditionally marks the second weakest order month of the annual order cycle,” said Jennifer McNealy, director CV market research & publications, ACT. “That said, this year’s cycle initially looked like it had been delayed a few months, as the order upticks that should have started in September or October of last year didn’t actually begin until December, but now may be buttressed by the rising freight rates. Regardless of the timing, the order upticks certainly are welcome, but caution remains a strategy for some trailer purchasers.”
A 7% month-to-month increase, the numbers vaulted over the tepid showing in May 2025, up 237% y/y. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle takes the month’s volume to 36,700 units. Final May trailer industry data will be available later this month. This preliminary order estimate is typically within ±5% of the final order tally.
“Given accelerating freight rates and rising carrier confidence, we raised the question for the last two months about whether more high-side surprising order intake months would happen, or whether traditional Q2 order weakness would prevail, as fleet decision-makers continue to hesitate about placing trailer orders while accelerating Class 8 tractor purchases instead in 2026,” McNealy said. “Based on the May data, we now know there was at least one more month of improved order intake in the pipeline, but it remains to be seen how the final month of Q2, as well as how Q3, will unfold.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
