COLUMBUS, Ind. – On the heels of a similar trend in heavy-duty truck sales, trailer orders fell slightly in July from the previous month, although sales were still much higher than last year.

A typical seasonal dip is being blamed for a 9-percent decrease from June trailer orders, reports ACT Research in its latest trailer report, but the 10,688 trailers ordered is still 74 percent more than in the same month last year.

Dry van trailers, the largest segment of commercial trailers, were up 134 percent year-over-year.

As well, backlogged orders increased foe the first time in over two years.

ACT states that first half of 2010 has been the best consecutive 6-month streak for trailer orders since the period ending February 2008.

"While the decline from June to July may appear disappointing, the overall direction of the commercial trailer sector continues to improve," said Kenny Vieth, partner and senior analyst with ACT Research.

However, he noted that the gains are coming off a very weak 2009 and, like the commercial truck sector, net orders have yet to reach normal replacement levels.