International HV Series: The Heavy-Duty Vocational Platform for Truck Body Upfits
While Ford, Ram, and Chevy dominate the light-to-medium duty market, International’s HV Series occupies a unique space: Class 6 and Class 7 conventional cab trucks purpose-built for heavy vocational upfitting. If your operation needs a crane body, service body, or mechanics truck that can handle payloads beyond what a 1-ton chassis cab can support, the International HV deserves serious consideration.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we upfit International HV trucks for oilfield operators, utility companies, and construction fleets throughout Texas and Louisiana.
International HV Series Overview
| Spec | HV507 (Class 6) | HV607 (Class 7) |
|---|---|---|
| GVWR | 25,500–33,000 lbs | 33,001–52,000 lbs |
| Engine | International A26 diesel (450–500 hp) | International A26 diesel (450–500 hp) |
| Transmission | Allison 3000/4000 series auto | Allison 3000/4000 series auto |
| Frame | Heat-treated alloy steel | Heat-treated alloy steel |
| Body Mount | Upfitter-ready subframe provisions | Upfitter-ready subframe provisions |
Cab-to-Axle (CA) Options
The HV Series is available in multiple CA configurations that make it highly versatile for truck body upfitting:
- 96″ CA — supports 10–11 ft service bodies or flatbeds
- 120″ CA — supports 11–12 ft bodies, common for crane bodies
- 144″ CA — supports 12–14 ft mechanics trucks and lube bodies
- 168″ CA and longer — specialized configurations for lube/fuel service trucks
The longer CA options make the HV Series ideal for crane bodies where additional wheelbase improves stability under load — a critical consideration when operating a truck-mounted crane.
Best Applications for the International HV
Crane Bodies
The HV’s Class 6/7 GVWR and robust frame make it one of the best platforms for large crane body upfits. A 144″ CA HV607 with a Tiger Crane in the 5–8 ton range is a common configuration for Texas utility and oilfield operators. The Allison automatic handles PTO-driven hydraulics smoothly, and the conventional cab provides good forward visibility for crane positioning on tight job sites.
Service Bodies
For fleets running heavy tool loadouts — telecom line crews, electrical utilities, pipeline contractors — the HV supports large service bodies from STI, CM, and RKI in 11-foot and 12-foot configurations with extended compartment packages. These setups carry significantly more than a 1-ton chassis cab can legally haul.
Mechanics Trucks and Lube Bodies
STI mechanics trucks and lube service bodies are a natural fit for the HV Series. The longer wheelbase options accommodate full lube/fuel body configurations with air compressors, reel systems, and generator mounts. This is the go-to platform for oilfield preventive maintenance trucks in West Texas and the Gulf Coast.
Flatbeds
For contractors needing a heavy-duty flatbed with legal payload well above a 1-ton’s limit, the HV with a 12-foot or 14-foot flatbed from Bedrock or CM is a capable platform. The added GVWR headroom means you’re not constantly worrying about overloading on heavy construction material deliveries.
Recommended Body Brands for International HV
- STI — Service bodies, mechanics trucks, crane bodies (heavy-duty grade, ideal for Class 6/7)
- CM — Service bodies and flatbeds with flexible sizing
- RKI (Rawson-Koenig, Houston TX) — Service and crane body options, locally manufactured
- Bedrock — Heavy-duty flatbeds for construction and oilfield
- Tiger Cranes — Truck-mounted cranes in 3–10 ton range
Upfit Your International HV at Star Truck Equipment
Star Truck Equipment has the expertise to spec and install the right truck body on your International HV chassis. We work with Class 6 and 7 trucks regularly for Texas and Louisiana fleets in oilfield, utilities, construction, and municipal operations.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your International HV upfit. Located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 — serving Houston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, and all of South Texas.
Explore options: Crane Bodies | Service Bodies | Flatbeds