Commercial trailer order inched up in May against a solid April and more than doubled the weak totals recorded in 2025, ACT Research and FTR reported this week.
ACT states its preliminary May total was 20,700 units, up 1,300 units and 7% from April and an impressive 237% ahead of May 2025. FTR estimates a similar total, pegging May 2026 at 20,189 units, up 249% year-over year. FTR says the month towers over the market’s 10-year rolling average of 11,649 units, and indicates better-than-seasonal momentum into late spring. ACT adds its seasonal adjustment moves the month’s volume to 36,700 units.
Jennifer McNealy, director of CV market research and publications at ACT Research, says the strong month is a welcome sign for trailer dealers and OEMs as a sequential drop is typically expected in May, which “traditionally marks the second weakest order month of the annual order cycle.”
She adds, “This year’s cycle initially looked like it had been delayed a few months, as the order upticks that should have started in September or October of last year didn’t actually begin until December, but now may be buttressed by the rising freight rates. Regardless of the timing, the order upticks certainly are welcome, but caution remains a strategy for some trailer purchasers.”
[RELATED: Wabash adds to Canadian dealer network]
On a segment basis, FTR reports dry van trailers led the strength, but other key trailer types were strong as well, and almost all logged improved orders from a year earlier.
“Given accelerating freight rates and rising carrier confidence, we raised the question for the last two months about whether more high-side surprising order intake months would happen, or whether traditional Q2 order weakness would prevail, as fleet decision-makers continue to hesitate about placing trailer orders while accelerating Class 8 tractor purchases instead in 2026,” McNealy says. “Based on the May data, we now know there was at least one more month of improved order intake in the pipeline, but it remains to be seen how the final month of Q2, as well as how Q3, will unfold.”
FTR’s Dan Moyer, senior analyst of commercial vehicles, also notes the strong month doesn’t ensure the market is in recovery.
“Despite the stronger May order intake, the market still does not appear to be entering a broad-based upcycle, especially with seasonally slower order months approaching,” he says. “Rather than widespread capacity expansion, demand remains concentrated in replacement activity, fleet-specific needs, and dry van normalization with support from solid flatbed demand.”
Moyer also points to challenges that could exist on the horizon for both production and sales.
FTR reports trailer builds declined 6% month over month in May to 16,553 units and were down 1% year over year, showing trailer manufacturers remain cautious despite improved orders. Production for the year to date was essentially flat at 79,482 units year over year as net orders continued to outpace build.
“Cost pressures are building and are reflected in May’s sharp increase in the already-elevated Producer Price Index for truck trailers and chassis,” Moyer says. “A recent change in how Section 232 tariffs are applied means higher overall tariffs on trailers, and upcoming antidumping/countervailing duty exposure for van-type trailers and subassemblies could add more costs on top of Section 232 tariffs.
He concludes, “This situation may create opportunities for domestic manufacturers and suppliers, but those opportunities also could tighten build slots, extend lead times, and strain the supply of components or labor. The result could be firmer domestic pricing and less consistent order flow even without a broad increase in underlying trailer demand.”
