Used Heavy Trucks Inventory Falls Sharply
Used heavy-duty truck, semi-trailer, and medium-duty truck inventory declined year-over-year in October, while semi-trailer auction values climbed.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Trucks
Inventory of used heavy-duty trucks, semi-trailers, and medium-duty trucks fell year-over-year in October 2026, with sharper declines in these categories than in other equipment markets. Auction values for used semi-trailers rose 3.18% month-over-month and 19.64% year-over-year.
Why it matters
Shrinking supply of used heavy trucks and rising trailer values point to tighter conditions for buyers and fleet operators seeking secondhand equipment. Demand for lower-mileage units remains strong, and those units are performing well compared to higher-mileage trucks.
Used semi-trailer auction values rose 3.18% month-over-month and 19.64% year-over-year in October, led by dry van and refrigerated trailers. Inventory of high-horsepower used tractors fell 12% from the prior year, extending a 17-month decline.
The players
Sandhills Global
Sandhills Global is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based company that operates used equipment marketplaces including TruckPaper.com, TractorHouse.com, and MachineryTrader.com.
The details
Market reports based on October data for used trucks and equipment listed on TruckPaper.com, TractorHouse.com, and MachineryTrader.com show inventory dropping below year-ago levels in every market except aerial lifts and forklifts. The Sandhills Equipment Value Index, which uses auction and retail data for equipment in active use, tracks these values.
Timeline
October 2026: Inventory declines and semi-trailer auction value increases recorded.
November 6, 2026: Sandhills Global released the October market reports.
Roadmap
The Sandhills Equipment Value Index tracks used equipment values using auction and retail data for model-year equipment in active use. October's semi-trailer value gains and continued tractor inventory decline extend the trends this index has been recording across the used heavy-equipment market.
Buyers seeking used heavy-duty trucks or semi-trailers across the United States may face fewer listings and higher prices for dry van and refrigerated trailers. Fleet operators should expect firmer values when selling or buying lower-mileage units.
The takeaway
Used heavy-equipment buyers should watch both inventory levels and trailer auction values, since supply tightness and rising prices appear to be occurring together. Comparing lower-mileage units against higher-mileage options may help determine where value is holding.
Further reading
Explore more on the Trucks section for related used-market coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
