Best Truck Beds for the 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD — Flatbeds, Service Bodies & Crane Bodies

The 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a top choice for serious truck owners who need the versatility of a heavy-duty pickup with the payload and towing capacity to support a commercial truck body. With a GVWR up to 14,000 lbs (DRW), available cab & chassis configuration, and strong aftermarket body fitment options, the Sierra 3500HD is a regular at our installation bay at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX.

2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD Key Specs for Truck Body Buyers

  • Max Payload (DRW Cab & Chassis): Up to 7,442 lbs
  • Max Payload (SRW Pickup): Up to 4,543 lbs
  • GVWR: Up to 14,000 lbs (DRW)
  • Max Towing: Up to 36,000 lbs (5th wheel/gooseneck)
  • Cab Configurations: Regular Cab, Double Cab, Crew Cab
  • Chassis Options: Pickup or Cab & Chassis

Cab-to-Axle (CA) Measurements — Sierra 3500HD

CA is the most important measurement when selecting your truck body. For the Sierra 3500HD:

  • Regular Cab Cab & Chassis — CA 84″ or 108″
  • Crew Cab Cab & Chassis — CA 60″ or 84″
  • Regular Cab Pickup (Long Box) — Approx. 60–64″ CA after bed removal
  • Crew Cab Pickup — Approx. 54–58″ CA after bed removal

If you’re purchasing a Sierra 3500HD specifically for a truck body, we recommend ordering the cab & chassis trim — it gives you a longer CA and saves the cost of removing a factory bed.

SRW vs DRW — Important Decision for 3500HD Buyers

The Sierra 3500HD is available in both SRW and DRW configurations, and this choice significantly impacts which truck bodies you can fit:

  • SRW (Single Rear Wheel): Typical flatbed width 82–84″. Easier to maneuver. Recommended for lighter duty applications — ranching, contractor work, lighter flatbeds.
  • DRW (Dual Rear Wheel): Typical flatbed width 94–96″. More stability under heavy loads. Required for crane bodies, heavy service bodies, and some manufacturer warranties on commercial bodies. Higher towing and payload capacity.

For most commercial truck body applications, we recommend the DRW Sierra 3500HD. The extra width provides better stability and allows you to use the full selection of commercial-grade bodies.

Best Flatbed Bodies for the 2024 Sierra 3500HD

  • Bedrock Flatbeds — Premium powder-coat steel flatbeds in 8, 8.5, and 9 ft lengths. The Bedrock Diamond is a top seller for Sierra 3500HD DRW builds. Available with full gooseneck/5th wheel prep, cab guard, and rear toolboxes.
  • CM Truck Beds — CM’s Platform Pro, RD, and SK series cover the full range of Sierra 3500HD applications — from basic steel flatbeds to feature-rich contractor builds. CM is the most popular flatbed brand in Texas.
  • Norstar Flatbeds — Norstar SD and SM flatbeds are built tough for Texas conditions. Available in SRW and DRW widths. Clean lines and solid construction throughout.
  • Bradford Built Flatbeds — A favorite of Texas ranchers and fence builders. Bradford Built uses high-tensile steel and delivers a long-lasting, low-maintenance flatbed.
  • Pronghorn Flatbeds — Excellent value for utility and agricultural applications. Available in DRW width for the 3500HD platform.

Service Bodies for the 2024 Sierra 3500HD

The Sierra 3500HD’s payload capacity makes it a great base for a full-size service body:

  • CM Service Bodies — Available in aluminum and steel. Fits both SRW and DRW 3500HD cab & chassis configurations well.
  • Norstar Service Bodies — Deep compartment service bodies with aluminum doors. Available in DRW-width configurations for the Sierra 3500HD.
  • RKI Service Bodies — Modular aluminum designs popular with electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors.

Crane Bodies for the Sierra 3500HD

The Sierra 3500HD DRW cab & chassis is a capable base for a crane body with a smaller truck-mounted crane:

  • STI Crane Bodies — STI builds crane bodies designed for both medium-duty and heavy-duty chassis. On a Sierra 3500HD, you’ll typically run a shorter (8–10 ft) crane body with a 3–5 ton crane. Perfect for lighter utility crane applications.

Hay Beds for the Sierra 3500HD

Texas ranchers love the Sierra 3500HD for hay hauling. A DRW 3500HD can comfortably carry 3–4 round bales with the right hay bed. Both Bedrock and CM offer hay beds in 8 and 8.5 ft widths (DRW) that pair perfectly with the Sierra 3500HD.

Installation at Star Truck Equipment — Wharton, TX

Located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 — about 60 miles from Houston. We regularly outfit Sierra 3500HD trucks with flatbeds, service bodies, crane bodies, and hay beds. Our team handles factory bed removal, frame mounting, electrical wiring, and final inspection. Same-day or next-day installation in most cases.

Get Your Sierra 3500HD Outfitted

Call (979) 532-1486 to discuss your application, check our current inventory, and schedule your installation. Whether you’re a contractor, rancher, or fleet manager, we’ll find the right body for your 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD.