Crane bodies are a core part of the Texas and Louisiana oilfield and utility fleet world, and two of the strongest options we carry at Star Truck Equipment are RKI and STI. Both build factory crane-ready service bodies, but they take slightly different approaches. Here’s how they compare.
RKI vs STI Crane Body: Quick Comparison
| Feature | RKI Crane Body | STI Crane Body |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Location | Houston, TX | Waco, TX |
| Material Options | Steel and aluminum | Steel |
| Crane Integration | Factory crane-ready subframe | Factory crane-ready, reinforced subframe pre-mounted for Tiger Cranes |
| Chassis Compatibility | F-450 to F-650, Ram 4500-5500 | F-450 to F-650, Ram 4500-5500, medium duty |
| Best For | Houston-area fleets wanting aluminum weight savings | Oilfield/pipeline crews needing max durability |
| Local Availability | Star Truck Equipment, Wharton TX | Star Truck Equipment, Wharton TX |
| Price Range (installed, body only) | $10,000-$40,000+ | $12,000-$45,000+ |
RKI Crane Bodies: Houston-Built, Steel or Aluminum
RKI (Rawson-Koenig) is manufactured in Houston, TX, and offers both steel and aluminum crane body construction — a rare combination in this segment. That flexibility lets fleets choose maximum durability (steel) or maximum payload (aluminum) depending on their crane and load requirements.
RKI Strengths
- Material choice — Steel or aluminum crane body construction, a real advantage for payload-conscious fleets
- Houston-made — Short freight times to the Gulf Coast market
- Crane-ready design — Reinforced subframe for popular crane brands
- Local availability — Available at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX
RKI Considerations
- Aluminum crane bodies run at a premium vs steel
- Not as deep a lineup of lube/fuel service crane variants as STI
STI Crane Bodies: Built for Tiger Crane Integration
STI, based in Waco, TX, is purpose-built for oilfield and pipeline crane truck builds. STI crane bodies are pre-engineered with mounting pads and reinforced subframes specifically for Tiger Crane integration, which we install and service directly at our Wharton location.
STI Strengths
- Purpose-built for Tiger Crane — Factory-matched mounting for a clean, integrated build
- Oilfield-proven — Used daily across the Eagle Ford and Permian Basin
- Full body type lineup — Crane, mechanics, lube, and fuel service bodies under one roof
STI Considerations
- Steel construction only — no aluminum weight-savings option
- Best suited to chassis cabs (F-450+) — not fit for lighter trucks
Which Should You Choose?
Choose RKI If You:
- Want the option of an aluminum crane body for payload savings
- Are based in or near Houston
- Need flexibility in material construction
Choose STI If You:
- Are building a dedicated Tiger Crane integration
- Run heavy oilfield/pipeline operations that favor steel durability
- Also need lube or fuel service body configurations
Considering a crane truck build? See our full crane bodies lineup and our Tiger Crane vs Stellar comparison for the crane side of the build.
Talk to Our Team
Our team at Star Truck Equipment builds complete crane trucks — body, crane, and chassis — for oilfield, pipeline, and utility fleets across Texas and Louisiana.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss which crane body fits your fleet. Visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488.