ACT Research’s preliminary estimate for May net trailer orders is 17,850 units. Final May volume will be available later this month.

“Net orders were off approximately 14% month over month, but that was actually better than expected since historic order patterns call for decline in excess of 20% in May,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of CV transportation analysis and research. “The major May story is the continuation of the 2016/17 order season momentum. After a very slow start last fall, orders have been up [year-over-year] every month since December, with both April and May posting [year-over-year] gains of 25% or better.”

Preliminary information shows that dry vans were the major contributor to the solid May performance.

“Dry vans, while off month-over-month as history projects, were up almost 50% versus last year,” Maly said. “Flatbeds, dumps, and tanks also posted solid [year-over-year] results last month.”