Reports: June trailer orders reflect seasonal shifts, policy pressures

Preliminary data from commercial vehicle analysts FTR and ACT show a typical cool-down following stronger spring figures, though the counts and metrics vary slightly between the two firms.
July 20, 2026
3 min read
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Key Highlights

  • Preliminary net trailer orders dropped 35% month-over-month in June to 13,500 units, according to ACT Research, reflecting a traditional summer cool-down after stronger spring numbers.
  • FTR Intel pegged June net orders at 14,474 units, marking a 14% increase year-over-year that remained 8% above the 10-year June average.
  • FTR says Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, alongside pending trade actions on van-type trailers, are driving up equipment costs and influencing sourcing strategies.
  • ACT notes that while rising freight rates support carrier confidence, lingering challenges regarding downtime, maintenance costs, and pent-up demand continue to shape purchasing decisions.
Jason McDaniel | Bulk Transporter
Commercial fleets continue to balance equipment replacement strategies with ongoing economic and supply chain considerations as the commercial vehicle industry navigates shifting market cycles.

Commercial fleets continue to balance equipment replacement strategies with ongoing economic and supply chain considerations as the commercial vehicle industry navigates shifting market cycles.

ACT Research pegged preliminary net trailer orders for June at 13,500 units. This represents a 35% decrease month-over-month (down about 7,300 units from May) and a roughly 9% decline compared to June 2025. With seasonal adjustments, the month's volume stands at 19,200 units.

“After several months with net orders behaving counter to historical patterns, the seasonal slowing of orders arrived with the June data,” Jennifer McNealy, ACT director of CV market research and publications, said in a news release. “Typically, March starts the seasonal slowing of orders, as fleets have made their decisions for current-year needs and OEMs start to build down the backlog.

“June traditionally marks the third-weakest order month of the annual order cycle. That said, this year’s cycle has been anything but ordinary: the order upticks that should have started in September or October of last year didn’t actually begin until December. The atypical strength in orders in April and May reflects improving trucking fundamentals, buttressed by rising freight rates.”

McNealy also pointed out that ongoing caution dictates fleet decision-making, noting that while rates are rising, carriers continue to balance pent-up demand against the risks of higher maintenance costs and downtime.

ACT Research
ACT Research reported that preliminary net trailer orders for June fell 35% month-over-month to 13,500 units, marking a 9% decline compared to June 2025.

ACT Research reported that preliminary net trailer orders for June fell 35% month-over-month to 13,500 units, marking a 9% decline compared to June 2025.

FTR spotlights solid demand

Meanwhile, FTR Intel reported June net orders at 14,474 units. While down 28% from May, FTR's data showed a 14% increase year-over-year and tracking 8% above the 10-year June average.

FTR Intel
According to FTR, U.S. heavy-duty trailer net orders cooled in June to 14,474 units, marking a 28% decrease month-over-month that reflects a typical seasonal slowdown for the summer. Despite the monthly pullback, demand remained solid—surpassing June 2025 figures by 14% and tracking 8% above the 10-year June average.

According to FTR, U.S. heavy-duty trailer net orders cooled in June to 14,474 units, marking a 28% decrease month-over-month that reflects a typical seasonal slowdown for the summer. Despite the monthly pullback, demand remained solid—surpassing June 2025 figures by 14% and tracking 8% above the 10-year June average.

The firm noted that refrigerated vans and flatbeds led year-over-year growth, whereas dry van demand dipped following several solid months. June production rose 6% month-over-month to 17,633 units, though manufacturers maintained a cautious approach to keep output aligned with demand.

“Cost pressure on the trailer market continues to mount from Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff changes in April and announced or pending antidumping and countervailing duties actions on van-type trailers and subassemblies,” reported Dan Moyer, FTR senior analyst for commercial vehicles. “As we noted last month, the May Producer Price Index for trailers indicated a sharp increase in prices. Although May’s index growth was revised slightly downward and June’s index was barely stronger than flat month over month, the recent jump in the PPI suggests that policy-related costs are very likely already reaching equipment prices.”

Moyer added that the primary risk from these policy shifts is that trailer sourcing may shift faster than domestic capacity can adjust, potentially tightening availability and extending lead times rather than generating organic new demand.

About the Author

Jason McDaniel
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Jason McDaniel

Jason McDaniel, based in the Houston TX area, has more than 20 years of experience as an award-winning journalist. He spent 15 writing and editing for daily newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, and began covering the commercial vehicle industry in 2018. He was named editor of Bulk Transporter and Refrigerated Transporter magazines in July 2020.

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