After trailer orders skyrocketed in September, it was safe to say the trailer production backlog would do the same. And it has.
ACT Research reported Friday a 29% month-over-month increase in industry backlogs. The backlog-to-build (BL/BU) ratio jumped 90bps month over month to 5.9 months, signaling a notable commitment of production slots well into 2027.
“What a difference a year makes,” says Jennifer McNealy, director of CV market research and publications at ACT Research. “Last year, the trailer market was in ‘stay afloat’ mode, but today, we’re seeing a perfect storm of order activity. Customers are moving quickly to get ahead of tariff-driven price increases, carriers are enjoying improved profitability, and pent-up replacement demand is being addressed.
She adds, “With a tighter driver supply and supportive freight rates, fleets now have both the willingness and ability to purchase equipment, leading to a strengthening demand environment where backlogs are rising at a pace not seen since the last upcycle.”
