COLUMBUS, Ind. — Preliminary net trailer order number continue to surprise in April at 19,400 units, according to ACT Research.
“A sequential drop in net orders is typically expected, as April traditionally marks the second consecutive month of ‘weakest’ months of the annual order cycle,” said Jennifer McNealy, director CV market research & publications, ACT. “That said, this year’s cycle seems to have been delayed a few months, as the order upticks that should have started in September or October of last year didn’t actually happen until December. Regardless of the timing, the order upticks certainly are welcome.”
Small Jump from March
While April orders were up only about 600 units from March’s 18,800-unit level, a 3% month-to-month increase, they vaulted over the tepid showing in April 2025, up 126% y/y. Seasonal adjustment (SA) at this point in the annual order cycle takes the month’s volume to 26,800 units. Final April 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 last month 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.
She noted that, based on the April data, there was at least one more month of improved order intake in the pipeline, but it remains to be seen how the final two months of Q2 will unfold.
“Additionally, concern is mounting about how quickly trailer OEMs will build down the relatively still-thin backlog, particularly given concerns about the level of activity in the key freight-generating economic sectors that drive transportation demand and high petroleum prices that weigh on purchasing decisions for both consumers and fleets,” McNealy said.
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.
