Trailer Growth Slowed In 2005, Data Shows

he number of freight-hauling trailers and container chassis put into service fell sharply in September, affecting the increase for the year’s first nine months to a nearly-flat 0.8%, according to data from R.L. Polk & Co.

Industry analysts and officials attributed the drop to a continued slowdown in sales and better utilization of existing equipment. Trailer registrations jumped 18.5% through all of 2004.

New registrations fell 20.9% to 12,149 units in September compared with September 2004, Polk said. Through the first nine months of the year, registrations of dry van and refrigerated trailers, flatbed, tank trailers, container chassis and auto transporters totaled 151,977, an increase of 1,209 units from a year ago.