For contractors, utility companies, and oilfield operators who need a crane body that combines rugged enclosed storage with a truck-mounted crane setup, RKI crane bodies are one of the most capable solutions on the market. Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX sells and installs RKI service and crane body configurations — call (979) 532-1486 to get a quote.

About RKI (Rawson-Koenig) Crane Bodies

RKI — short for Rawson-Koenig Inc. — is manufactured in Houston, TX, making it a hometown brand for South Texas buyers. RKI has built a reputation for premium aluminum and steel service bodies that hold up to serious commercial use. Their crane body configurations are popular with:

  • Oilfield service and workover companies
  • Electrical and utility contractors
  • Telecom and fiber installation crews
  • HVAC and mechanical contractors
  • Highway and infrastructure maintenance crews
  • Construction and rigging companies

RKI Crane Body Configurations

RKI service bodies configured for crane applications typically combine RKI’s enclosed aluminum or steel service body with a truck-mounted hydraulic crane. Common configurations include:

  • RKI Steel Service Body with Crane Mount — RKI’s heavy-duty steel service bodies feature reinforced crane mount pads integrated into the body structure, designed to handle the stress of continuous crane operation. Compartment layouts can be customized around the crane position.
  • RKI Aluminum Service Body with Crane — The lightweight aluminum option reduces overall truck payload, allowing for larger crane capacity within the truck’s GVW rating. RKI aluminum bodies use marine-grade extrusions and welded construction.
  • RKI Combo Service/Flatbed with Crane — For operators who need both open deck space and enclosed storage, RKI’s combo body puts a flat deck on one side and enclosed compartments on the other, with crane positioning in the center or rear.
  • RKI Platform Body with Crane Prep — Platform body configurations with pre-positioned crane mount locations and hydraulic line routing for customers who are sourcing cranes separately (Tiger, Autocrane, Stellar, etc.).

Crane Compatibility with RKI Bodies

RKI bodies can be crane-prepped to accommodate all major truck-mounted crane brands. At Star Truck Equipment, we specialize in complete crane truck builds. Compatible cranes for RKI body installs include:

  • Tiger Cranes — Popular Houston-area crane brand; excellent fit with RKI bodies for mid-size applications
  • Autocrane — Industry-standard knuckle boom cranes in 3-ton to 20+ ton capacities
  • Stellar Industries — Competitive knuckle boom and service cranes
  • Maintainer — Specialized service cranes for mechanics truck applications

We’ll help you select the right crane for your RKI body, your truck’s GVW rating, and your lift capacity requirements. See our dedicated crane bodies for sale page for more details on crane options.

RKI Crane Body Fitment

RKI crane bodies are built for 1-ton and medium-duty truck chassis:

  • Ford F-350/F-450/F-550 chassis cab — Most common platform for mid-size crane applications; CA lengths from 84″ to 120″ supported
  • Ram 3500/4500/5500 chassis cab — All CA lengths supported with custom RKI body sizing
  • Chevy Silverado 3500HD/4500HD/5500HD chassis cab — RKI configures for all Chevy medium-duty platforms

For larger crane applications (10+ ton cranes), medium-duty chassis (F-550, Ram 5500, Silverado 5500HD) are typically required for GVW compliance and stability.

RKI Crane Body Pricing

RKI crane body builds vary widely based on body type (steel vs. aluminum), size, crane selection, and hydraulic system. Budget starting at $18,000–$35,000+ for a complete RKI service body + crane package installed on your chassis. This is a specialty upfit — call us for a full quote based on your specific requirements.

Get a Quote on an RKI Crane Body in Texas

Star Truck Equipment is one of the Gulf Coast region’s leading crane truck upfitters. We’re located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 and serve contractors and companies throughout Houston, Corpus Christi, Victoria, San Antonio, and the entire Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast region.

Call (979) 532-1486 to discuss your RKI crane body project. Also explore our full RKI truck bodies lineup and compare with our STI crane bodies — both excellent options for professional crane truck builds.