Used Semi Trailers is the prime internet resource for used semi trailer sales and trucking issues.

Today we put the spotlight on the recent announcement of a 25% increase in new semi trailer sales in February:

ACT Research Company is an industry monitoring service and they have reported that the sales of new commercial semi trailers demonstrated a 25% increase in the month of February over the prior month. February semi trailer sales came in at 21,990 according to ACT.

This sales achievement represents a 105% increase when compared to the February of last year (and when the economy was in the pit of the recession).

The numbers also demonstrate that the recovery of the new semi trailer market is broad ranging with all nine major trailer classification sectors demonstrating positive growth on the year-to-date basis for new net orders and for completed shipments. There was a 90% increase in dry van orders while shipments increased by nearly 225% – a massive number which is bringing some heart to an industry which was heavily battered and severely suffering one short year ago.

Year-to-date numbers for total net orders are up a massive 87% when compared to 2010. What is even more encouraging are the shipment results (which demonstrate actual work performed and is a truer sense of revenue growth) – shipments increased 116% when January and February 2011 are compared to the same two month period in 2010.

What are the implications for the trucking industry?

Trailer order wait times have increased, however this should come under control as trailer manufacturers’ ramp up hiring to assist in meeting burgeoning order books. The rate of increase in new trailer sales is also good news for the used semi trailer market as new equipment, is coming onto the market for the smaller carriers and operators (new semi trailers tend to be purchased by the bigger, national companies). The age of the used fleet has been increasing as national carriers postponed equipment replacement decisions and this led to a drying up in relatively new equipment making it onto the used market.

With the relative easing of budgetary restrictions within the industry and the economy at large, we can expect to see a flood of younger semi trailers making it to market. For those looking to sell on older equipment, now is a good time to make the decision as already rock-bottom pricing will be adversely affected further by the flood of used trailers coming to market. On the other hand, with truck freight orders also hitting records as we advance to the end of the first 2011 quarter, all of the equipment which is out there is being heavily utilized – either way, it makes for a very healthy semi trailer market all round.

Used truck and used semi trailer sales broke all time records in 2010, with more used commercial vehicle registrations than ever before.  Another first was that used commercial vehicle registrations broke through the 600,000 unit threshold, with over 672,000 trailers and rigs sold in 2010. Overall, used commercial equipment sales comprised 65% of the market (new truck sales accounting for 35% of the market).

This is not just about 2010 beating 2009 – the results demonstrate that the trucking industry ramped up for business in 2011.  Already, operators and carriers are experiencing extremely high demand for their services from shippers who would normally be enjoying a downtime period for the industry.  The winter months tend to be slow for truckers across the country, as consumers and retailers take stock of the heavy spending run up to the Christmas Holidays.

2011 is turning out very differently with retailers reporting excellent consumer sales results, which in turn is fueling business growth in every other sector of the economy.  The bottom line is that shipping clients are finding freight prices are rising in response to the excess demand, and the Shipping Conditions Index (SCI – maintained by FTR Research) has gone negative for the first time in a long time, and for this to happen in a February is practically unheard of.  The SCI demonstrates the state of the freight and logistics market from a shipper’s perspective.  If the index is positive, it means there is capacity to shift cargoes within the trucking industry, and that also means they can better negotiate pricing.  A negative index means there is not enough freight capacity to go around, which serves to create localized and generalized demand forcing prices higher.

In response to the excess shipping demand, operators from the smallest to the national carriers have been taking on new equipment to service business.  The restraining factor does not appear to be the availability of equipment, however; instead it is that there is an acute shortage of CDL qualified drivers.  In 2011, 200,000 new drivers are needed with a similar number in 2012 however these estimates, made in 2010, are looking increasingly shaky and on the low side.

2011 is set to be the year when the recovery really makes itself felt throughout the economy, however for the trucking industry business has been booming.  As one of the early industry indicators for the rest of the economy, demand for freight services is a good indicator for how the forward economy is going to perform in the short term. We can expect to see sales of used semi trailers and tractor units continue to rise this year, with the bulk of market supply coming from the fleet disposals of the larger carriers who deferred replacing equipment in 2010 in order to maintain cost control.

The outlook for the used truck market and the trucking industry generally is extremely positive for 2011.

Custom Big Trucks

When you’re buying a new truck, customizing it to fit your specific needs is almost always an option. Truckers have traditionally been able to customize their vehicles’ exteriors and interiors, making changing that will impose upgrades in safety, comfort, and performance. But Navistar is taking vehicle customization one step further by allowing truckers to make requests, expanding the options available for customization on Navistar trucks.

That’s right, if you’re like Tim, “The Tool Man”, Taylor, always looking for an engine with a double helping of power, or if you’re heart is set on a certain type of breaks, then you need to think about Navistar for your next truck purchase. Recently, the company has created a Custom Engineering group, which allows truckers to add features that you wouldn’t see every day to their custom big trucks. So far, the group has heard requests and helped change the options and upgrades available on trucks. Now, truckers can order Navistar products that are fitted with air disc breaks, electronics, and better interior design.

Of course, this next step in Navistar’s customer service is just an outgrowth of its already customer-based business. Traditionally, Navistar has taken customer’s comments to the next level, forming their products around customer interviews. Navistar has made sure to include the opinion of everyone who is affected by the products they produce—including fleet owners, truckers, and technicians. Now, Navistar has simply formalized the process though the implementation of the Custom Engineering Group.

But Navistar has not only applied its unique approach in its civilian products. Instead, its work on Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected-Vehicles for the U.S. military has also been the recipients of Navistar’s ability to be inventive and extraordinary.

So if Navistar’s progressive technology and business sense is good enough for the U.S. military, it’s a great deal for most truckers. And if you’re the kind of trucker who wants things your way, check with Navistar. Who knows? Your request might be standard on the company’s next line of  custom big trucks!

Truck For Sale Tampa

2004 Freightliner truck for sale in Tampa Florida. For all of your commercial truck needs in Tampa Florida, Contact Arrow Sales - 866-270-3939…14.0 L/475 Detroit Diesel 475 HP, 70 ” Raised Roof Integral Sleeper, 239″ wb, Aluminum Wheels, 12000 / EATON 40000 / EATON Axle, A/ride Suspension, Tires 22.5 LP, Transmission FULLER RTLC-16609E….531,769 miles…call

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Whether you’re looking for a shiny new truck, or something from a used market, buying a semi-truck is no easy task. In fact, next to buying a house, purchasing your own semi is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make—and it’s nothing to take lightly. Luckily, with technology bringing us closer than ever, buyers and sellers can now connect in regions across the world, giving everyone in the industry the best chance of being suited with the best deal.  

But even though the internet features photos of trucks for sale from Beijing to Timbuktu, some of the best values might be right under your nose. Whether you’re buying a semi-truck or antique patio furniture, probably the best way to get the most outstanding values is to buy privately—that is, find another person who’s selling what you’re buying. Because both parties don’t have to use the middleman—dealers, managers, corporations, etc.—the prices of goods sold privately tend to be lower.  

Finding someone selling a semi-truck privately used to be limited to looking in local newspaper classifieds, and you can imagine that the number of semi-trucks listed were very few, if any. Now, some of the world’s most popular websites—like Ebay and Craigslist—have special sections for vehicles, including semi-trucks. For instance, Ebay Motors features several semi listings. In addition to allowing you to search for semi’s in your own backyard (The site allows users to search via zip code or miles from a certain zip code.), classified sites like Ebay and Craigslist allow users to search listings from across the world. 

In addition to searching popular classified sites, industry specific sites allow users to search databases filled with trucks listed by private sellers. These sites, like truckertotrucker.com and buyatruck.net, allow buyers to search trucks and trucking accessories by keyword, in addition to several advanced search options, depending on the site. Because these sites include only items related to the trucking industry, they are more efficient than popular classified sites, while still allowing buyers to get the deals offered by private sellers.  

Though buying privately can shave hundreds and even thousands of dollars off a semi-truck’s sticker, the value isn’t available without risk. Because buying privately requires completing a sale transaction through a person, not a company, it is up to the buyer to do all research regarding the legal state of the vehicle, its condition, and all insurance needed to move it from point A to point B. If you find the product sitting in your driveway is not what you just shelled out thousands to purchase, about the only resource left to you is litigation, which costs both time and money. But for those who feel confident doing their own research, buying privately, especially with all the internet databases available, is one way to get some great deals.  

But for those who aren’t risk takers, or those who prefer to deal with a company or want a brand new truck, buying through a dealer might be best. But thanks to the internet, doing research about your purchase has become even easier, putting the deal with the dealer in your hands. Many websites, like Kelly Blue Book, allow buyers to assess the real value of used and new vehicles, and manufacturer websites often give detailed descriptions and photos of their semi-trucks, so buyers can discern the difference between the features on the model they’re looking at and the model that comes straight from the manufacturer. Websites like truckpaper.com allow researchers to search for different truck dealers by geographical location, and Edmunds.com reviews dealerships in various locations.  

So whether you’re going to take the plunge and buy privately, or you’re going to head to the nearest dealership, if you’re armed with research and the ability to be firm, buying a semi-truck doesn’t have to be a nightmare.