COLUMBUS, Ind. – If you’re feeling confident about freight growth and have been thinking of expanding carrying capacity, you may be waiting a while for new trailers.

Commercial trailer backlogs surpassed the 100,000 level in April, closing out the month at 101,244 units, noted ACT Research in its latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report.

ACT says that the industry backlog is a staggering 141-percent above levels at this time last year, while build was nearly double the rates in April 2010.

While the backlog grew during the month, net orders posted a 30 percent decline from the previous month.

"The 30 percent decline in April net orders follows extremely strong industry performance in March. Additionally, the industry’s normal order pattern actually calls for a strong first quarter followed by a mid-year lull," said Frank Maly, director CV Transportation Analysis and Research. "April net orders were the start of that seasonally anticipated lull."