If you’re outfitting a service truck for oilfield work in Texas or Louisiana, you’ve probably run across two names: RKI (Rawson-Koenig) and STI (Service Trucks International). Both make serious commercial service bodies built for demanding field environments — but they approach the job differently. This guide breaks down the key differences so you can make the right call for your fleet.
Who Makes RKI and STI?
RKI (Rawson-Koenig) is manufactured in Houston, TX — right in the heart of oilfield country. That’s not a coincidence. RKI was built for the energy sector, with heavy-gauge steel construction and a compartment layout designed for oilfield technicians who carry a lot of gear. Their service bodies are known for durable powder-coat finishes, reinforced doors, and deep, usable compartment space.
STI (Service Trucks International) takes a different approach — they build fully upfitted service trucks designed for mechanics, lube technicians, and crane operators in demanding field settings. STI rigs often come with integrated crane mounts, lube systems, and air compressors built into the body — making them popular for complete-solution oilfield service trucks. STI bodies tend to be more modular and configurable for complex service applications.
Service Body Construction: Head-to-Head
| Feature | RKI | STI |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material | Heavy-gauge steel | Steel (configurable) |
| Finish | Powder coat | Powder coat |
| Compartment Layout | Deep, organized storage | Modular / custom layout |
| Crane Ready | Available (crane-mount option) | Yes — common configuration |
| Lube System Integration | Upfitter partner | Built-in option available |
| Made In | Houston, TX | USA |
Oilfield-Specific Considerations
RKI for Oilfield
RKI service bodies are a natural fit for oilfield inventory trucks, parts runners, and field service techs who need organized, heavy-duty compartment storage. The deep compartment design lets you carry everything from fittings and valves to hand tools and power tools. RKI doors are built to handle repeated daily use in dusty, rough conditions — which is exactly what oilfield environments demand.
If you’re building a service truck that’s primarily storage and mobility — not a full crane or lube rig — RKI is an excellent, cost-effective choice. They’re also available in a range of cab-to-axle configurations for F-450, F-550, Ram 4500, and Ram 5500 chassis.
STI for Oilfield
STI shines when you need a complete work platform — not just storage. Their mechanics truck bodies, lube trucks, and crane body configurations are engineered for fleets that need everything in one rig. An STI mechanics truck, for example, can carry an air compressor, welder, lube system, crane, and parts storage all in one purpose-built package.
For oilfield fleets that need to do it all from one truck — diagnose, repair, lube, and lift — STI is hard to beat. The upfront investment is higher, but the efficiency gains on location are real.
Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s a simple way to decide:
- Buy RKI if you need a heavy-duty service body for organized field storage, parts transport, or a tool-carrying work truck. Great for techs who work from a truck but don’t need integrated equipment.
- Buy STI if you’re building a complete oilfield service rig — mechanics truck, lube truck, crane body, or fuel service body — where the body IS the work equipment, not just storage around it.
Many oilfield fleets actually run both: RKI bodies on field service trucks and STI rigs on their mechanics and lube trucks. That layered approach gives you the best of both worlds — cost-effective storage where you need it, and full-capability rigs where the work demands it.
See Both Brands at Star Truck Equipment
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry both RKI service bodies and STI service trucks — and we’ve helped oilfield fleets across Texas and Louisiana spec out exactly the right rig for their operation. Whether you need a single work truck or a fleet of service vehicles, we can help you match the body to the job.
We install bodies on customer-supplied chassis or can help you source a new Ford F-450/F-550 or Ram 4500/5500 chassis cab for the project. Our installation team is based in Wharton and serves the entire Texas Gulf Coast, South Texas, and Louisiana markets.
Ready to spec your oilfield service truck? Call us at (979) 532-1486 or contact us online to talk through your application. We’ll help you figure out whether RKI, STI, or another brand in our lineup is the right fit — and get you set up fast.
Also compare: RKI vs Bradford Built Service Bodies | STI vs Knapheide Service Bodies | CM vs STI Service Bodies
