Bloomington, IN - FTR reports preliminary May U.S. trailer orders at 21,200 continuing the traditional seasonal drop in orders, albeit at still strong levels. Trailer orders have now totaled 335,000 units for the past twelve months. If OEM’s could build all the orders being placed, 2018 would easily be a record year. However, supplier constraints on key components and fabrications are holding back production. Even so, production is robust and still expected to set a record.

Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial vehicles, commented, “At twenty-one thousand plus, this is still an impressive order total for May. In 2015, May was the weakest order month and this May’s number is 30% higher than that. There is a chance that May could be the lowest month this year if fleets start ordering for 2019 early. Some OEMs are booked solid for 2018 and are soliciting orders for next year.”

“The capacity crunch continues and there are reports of trailer shortages by shippers. The supply chain is getting plugged up and some full trailers are sitting at warehouses for days, waiting to be unloaded. These trailers are in effect pulled out of service in these regions causing temporary availability issues. Shipments are being delayed in many markets and more trailers are needed to keep the freight moving.”

For more than two decades, FTR has been the thought leader in freight transportation forecasting in North America. The company’s national award-winning forecasters collect and analyze all data likely to impact freight movement, issuing consistently reliable reports for trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation, as well as providing demand analysis for commercial vehicle and railcar. FTR’s forecasting and specially designed reports have resulted in advanced planning and cost-savings for companies throughout the transportation sector.