Roofing contractors have one of the most demanding truck setups in the trades. You’re hauling tools, fasteners, caulk guns, nail guns, tarps, safety gear, and sometimes compressors — all while running between job sites across Texas and Louisiana every single day. The right service body can be the difference between a smooth operation and a frustrating, inefficient day on the roof.
Why Roofing Contractors Need a Proper Service Body
A stock pickup bed works when you’re starting out, but once your roofing business grows, you’ll find yourself digging through piles of equipment to find the right tool. A service body organizes everything with individual lockable compartments, meaning you can put your caulk guns in one drawer, your nail gun bags in another, and your flashing tools in a dedicated slot. No more losing time searching for gear — everything has a home.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we upfit work trucks for roofing contractors across Texas and Louisiana. Here’s what we recommend for a well-built roofing service truck.
Best Service Body Options for Roofers
STI (Service Trucks International) Service Bodies
STI service bodies are one of the top choices for professional tradespeople, including roofers. STI builds their bodies with high-strength steel and powder-coat finishes that hold up to Texas heat, UV exposure, and the constant loading and unloading that comes with daily roofing work. Their compartment layouts are fully configurable — you can spec out exactly the drawer sizes and door configurations that match your tool inventory.
STI also offers crane body options if you’re doing commercial roofing and need to lift heavy materials. Their STI service bodies are available in multiple lengths and can be fitted to Ford F-450, F-550, Ram 4500, Ram 5500, and other chassis cab trucks.
CM Service Bodies
CM Truck Beds are another solid choice for roofing contractors. CM’s service body line offers excellent value for the price, with durable construction and practical compartment layouts. If you’re running a fleet of roofing trucks, CM service bodies give you a consistent, reliable setup at a price point that makes sense for multi-truck operations.
Norstar Service Bodies
Norstar builds their service bodies with heavy-duty steel and a focus on working trades like roofing, HVAC, and plumbing. Their bodies are well-suited for Texas weather — built to resist the kind of heat and moisture that causes cheaper service bodies to rust and deteriorate. If you need a no-nonsense work truck body that will last 10+ years in South Texas humidity, Norstar is worth a serious look.
What Truck Should Roofers Use?
For most roofing operations, a Ford F-450 or F-550 gives you the payload capacity and cab-to-axle length to run a full-size service body without overloading the rear axle. Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 are equally capable and popular in Texas. If you’re running lighter residential roofing jobs, a Ford F-350 DRW or Ram 3500 DRW with a mid-size service body can get the job done at lower cost.
The key measurement to know is your cab-to-axle (CA) length — this determines what size service body will fit your truck. We help roofers figure out the right fit every day at our Wharton, TX location. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through the options for your specific truck.
Key Features Roofing Contractors Should Look For
- Multiple lockable compartments — Keeps tools secure and organized between job sites
- Powder-coat finish — Resists rust and UV damage in hot Texas and Louisiana summers
- High payload rating — You’ll be loading shingles, compressors, and equipment regularly
- Folding ladder rack or utility rack option — Essential for roofing crews carrying ladders and material
- Top-open compartments — Makes loading and unloading bulky items easier on the job
- Gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch prep — If you’re towing a trailer with additional materials or equipment
Serving Roofing Contractors Across Texas and Louisiana
Star Truck Equipment is located in Wharton, TX — centrally positioned to serve roofing contractors in Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and all across South and Central Texas. We also serve customers coming from Louisiana, including the Baton Rouge and Lake Charles markets.
We carry service bodies from STI, CM, Norstar, and other top brands in stock and ready to install. Our team handles the full upfit — body installation, wiring, lighting, ladder racks, and more — so your truck comes out ready to work.
Ready to Upfit Your Roofing Truck?
If you’re a roofing contractor looking to build a better work truck, we’d love to help. Whether you need one service body for a single truck or a fleet of upfits, Star Truck Equipment has the experience and inventory to get you set up right.
📞 Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your roofing truck setup, or stop by our shop at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. We work with roofing contractors across Texas and Louisiana and are happy to answer questions about service body sizing, truck compatibility, and pricing.
Browse our service body inventory online, or check out our crane bodies if you’re doing commercial roofing work that requires material lifts.
