ACT Research’s preliminary estimate for October 2018 net trailer orders is 55,250 units. Final October volume will be available later this month.

“After posting the highest monthly net order volume in history in September, the trailer industry continued at a breakneck pace in October. Our projection ranks October as the second-best net order month in history, up more than 70% year-over-year,” said Frank Maly, ACT’s director of CV Transportation Analysis & Research.

Seasonally adjusted, October net orders were almost 48k units. The trailer order season, which normally begins in October, has already been underway for several months so that higher seasonal impact reduces the adjusted results.

Year-to-date, fleets have ordered roughly 350,000 trailers.

Maly noted, “Through ten months, net orders are up 55% versus last year, strong evidence of the positive fleet outlook driving robust investment plans. The longevity of the current order cycle is evident with a review of recent history; six of the industry’s top ten order months have occurred since last November.”

While strength in dry vans continues to support overall industry results, the preliminary numbers point to last month’s reefer volume as the highest ever recorded.

ACT’s methodology generates a preliminary estimate of the market that should be within +/- 3% of the final order tally.