Class 8 same dealer used truck sales volumes slipped slightly in June, falling 3% month-over-month, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

“Channel analysis shows that both the auction and retail market segments saw declines, while the wholesale market improved,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “The decline was not totally unexpected, given the stronger than anticipated sales in May.”

Some dealers are reporting that used truck sales have improved, but all agree they could be better. “The industry continues to struggle with more used late model aerodynamic sleeper trucks available than buyers,” said Tam. “As a result of the excess inventory pressure, prices are still falling for these vehicles,” he concluded.

Total trailer production surpassed 27,000 June, capitalizing on one of the longer work schedules of the year.

“Eight of 10 trailer categories had higher production month over month,” said Frank Maly, director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT. “Flatbeds posted the best sequential gain.”

A jump in build rates, combined with a seasonally expected easing in backlogs, resulted in June closing with a 4.6-month build-to-backlog ratio for the total industry.

“Dry vans have the longest commitment at just over five months, pushing their orderboard horizon to early December,” said Maly. “We would expect total industry BL/BU to continue to ease through September, before accelerating in response to the upcoming fall order season.”