COLUMBUS, Ind. — Commercial trailer sales in the U.S. had a strong second quarter, but a slow June minimized the growth.

According to the latest report issued by ACT Research titled, “State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers” net orders for commercial trailers in the second quarter of 2009 were the strongest in a year, but June net orders were the softest month of the quarter and 23 percent below June 2008.

After a strong April, posting the highest monthly rate in a year, new orders decelerated through the quarter and closed down 11 percent to the prior year.

“With freight volumes and trucking profits soft, demand for trailers has dropped significantly,” said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research. “However, reefer van demand, which is generally about one-fifth of the dry van market, has surpassed dry van volumes in recent months and is offsetting some of the dry van weakness.”