BLOOMINGTON, IN – Net trailer orders soared in September according to analysts at FTR Transportation Intelligence.

The group reported 21,500 units were ordered last month, up 47% from August and a whopping 84% over the same month in 2016.

The jump in orders met FTR’s expectations, with the analyst group forecasting a continued strong trailer market for 2018.

Trailer orders have now totaled 275,000 units over the past twelve months, much in line with 2017 production numbers.

Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, says he expects the orders to accelerate in October and stay elevated through the last quarter of 2017. Production levels should stay high right into next year as well, to accommodate the rise in orders.

“When fleets begin ordering more trailers in September, it indicates the market should be robust the following year,” said Ake.

Ake says both the manufacturing and consumer sectors of the economy are healthy right now, and the increased need for capacity should lead to increased demand for most trailer segments. 

“Things look very positive for trailers right now.”