The trailer order market continued to sputter in August.
ACT Research reported Tuesday its preliminary order total for August was nearly unchanged from July, rising from 8,800 to 9,000 units. FTR’s August estimate was weaker at 7,261 units. Both numbers show the market continues to stagnate amid economic headwinds.
“Sequentially, higher August net order intake was expected, as the annual cycle begins to move toward stronger order months at the end of Q3 when the industry begins opening next year’s order boards,” says Jennifer McNealy, director of CV market research and publications at ACT Research. “August’s tally brings the year-to-date net order total to 109,800 units, about 23% better than the same eight-month order intake of 2024.”
ACT states its August total was 17% above 2024, with a seasonal adjustment upward to 11,500 units. FTR’s total was down 4% from July but up 3% from August 2024. The company adds that despite the slight annual gain, orders remain well below the 10-year August average of 17,568 as freight weakness, tariff pressures and pricing uncertainty continue to weigh on demand.
For the full 2025 order season (September 2024 to August 2025), FTR reports net orders totaled 188,519 units, down 5% year over year. For 2025 to date, however, net orders are up 28% year over year at 110,080 units, averaging just over 13,750 per month. FTR reports this strength reflects backloaded orders following the November 2024 election, which inflated activity in the first quarter of the year.
With a new order season looming, the firms say overall market strength remains muted.
“With builds continuing to outpace new orders, OEMs face mounting pressure to balance production against a thinning pipeline. Unless order activity strengthens with the opening of 2026 order boards, the industry may confront additional headwinds heading into next year,” says Dan Moyer, FTR senior analyst, commercial vehicles.
[RELATED: Used truck pricing stumbles in August, ACT reports]
“Looking forward, concern continues that moderating economic activity, ongoing weak for-hire carrier profitability, and ambiguous policy shifts remain as challenges to stronger trailer demand,” adds McNealy. “Ongoing near-term uncertainty is why ACT’s expectations for subdued build and lackluster order intake levels during 2025 remain intact. Simply put, there isn’t enough impetus in the current hesitant environment to support a more robust outlook.”
Moyer elaborates.
“For trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, tariffs are producing costs, tighter margins, and increased risk of consolidation. Larger, integrated players are more resilient, while smaller firms are vulnerable. Many fleets are delaying replacements, relying more on used trailers and curbing expansion,” he says. “The 2026 order season may start later than September for some OEMs with subdued bookings as policy uncertainty and structurally higher costs weigh on demand.”
ACT and FTR also had varied thoughts on order cancelations Tuesday.
McNealy says preliminary data shows “cancel rates remain elevated, albeit at a tamer level in August, at around 1.9% of the backlog, compared to the 4.2% of backlog reported in June.”
FTR reports cancelations eased to 16% of gross orders, down from May’s peak (39%) but still slightly above long-term norms, keeping order activity suppressed.
