RKI Platform Body vs Stake Body: Which Truck Body Fits Your Hauling Needs?

If your crew hauls equipment, pallets, pipe, or bulk materials, choosing the right truck body matters just as much as choosing the right truck. Two common options are the platform body and the stake body — both offer an open deck for hauling, but they’re built with different priorities in mind. Here’s how RKI platform and stake bodies compare, so you can pick the right one for your operation.

Platform Body: Maximum Flexibility

A platform body is essentially a flat, open deck with minimal sides — sometimes just a low rail or none at all. It’s built for maximum flexibility when loading and unloading with a forklift, crane, or hand truck. Contractors, equipment rental companies, and delivery fleets like platform bodies because there’s nothing blocking side access. If your cargo comes in irregular shapes and sizes, or you’re constantly loading/unloading from the sides, a platform body keeps things simple.

Stake Body: Built-In Containment

A stake body adds removable stake pockets and side rails or panels around the perimeter of the deck. That containment is the whole point — it keeps loose materials, lumber, pipe, and stacked cargo from sliding off during transport. Stake bodies are a favorite for landscaping crews, lumber yards, and anyone hauling materials that need to be corralled rather than strapped flat. The stakes and panels are removable, so you can still get platform-style flexibility when you need it.

Weight, Cost, and Maintenance

Platform bodies tend to be lighter and slightly cheaper since there’s less structure to build. Stake bodies add a bit of weight and cost with the side rail and stake pocket system, but that investment pays off any time you’re hauling loose or stacked material that would otherwise need extra strapping and a lot more time securing.

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose a platform body if you need open side access for forklift or crane loading and your cargo doesn’t need containment.
• Choose a stake body if you regularly haul loose materials, lumber, pipe, or landscaping supplies that need to stay contained on the deck.

We stock both configurations from RKI, along with comparable options from CM and Norstar. See more on our service and utility body pages.

Talk to Star Truck Equipment

Not sure which body fits your fleet’s hauling needs? Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX stocks platform and stake bodies from RKI and other top brands, and can help you spec the right setup for your trucks. We serve contractors and fleets across Texas and Louisiana.

Call Star Truck Equipment at (979) 532-1486 or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488.