Based on the latest month-to-month and year-over-year numbers, analysts at ACT Research Co., are optimistic that the increases indicate a tightening of truck capacity, which will lead to increasing freight rates and profitability for fleets. That in turn will boost demand for new trucks and trailers. In February, commercial trailer net orders hit their highest mark in two years, and dry van orders recorded triple-digit increases in month-to-month and year-over-year numbers. Reefers, which performed better in the recession, posted a 45 percent year-over-year increase in orders.

February commercial trailer net orders were up 168 percent from February 2009 and were at their highest level in two years. Dry van orders were strong, posting triple-digit increases on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis, according to ACT Research Co., which noted widespread improvement with year-over-year growth in seven of the nine trailer segments.

Reefer van orders, which generally performed the best during the recession, posted a year-over-year gain of 45 percent. The improved orders pushed total trailer backlogs to the highest level in 17 months, which will support a gradual increase in production rates.

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