Every flatbed needs a way to secure cargo, and the deck edge is where that job gets done. Two of the most
common setups are stake pockets (square openings built into the frame rail that accept removable stake posts)
and a rub rail with tie-down anchors (a horizontal rail running the length of the bed with D-rings or spools
welded in). At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build
flatbed truck bodies with either setup — or
both — and the right choice depends on what you haul across Texas and Louisiana job sites.
What Stake Pockets Offer
Stake pockets are square, reinforced openings spaced along the flatbed’s outer rail that accept removable
stake posts, side boards, or a full set of cattle-panel sides. They let you build temporary walls to contain
loose material — mulch, gravel, hay, fencing supplies — without welding anything permanent to the deck. Pockets
also double as anchor points for ratchet straps and chains when posts aren’t installed, and because they’re
built into the frame itself, they hold up to years of loading and unloading without loosening.
What a Rub Rail with Tie-Downs Offers
A rub rail runs continuously along the bed’s edge and protects the sheet metal from scrapes when equipment,
pallets, or chains slide against it during loading. Built-in D-ring or spool tie-downs along the rail give you
anchor points anywhere along the bed length instead of at fixed pocket spacing, which is useful for securing
odd-shaped loads like pipe, lumber, or machinery that don’t line up with stake post positions. The rail also
adds a layer of protection to the flatbed’s structure itself, reducing dents and wear along the most-contacted
edge of the deck.
Which Setup Fits Your Load?
- Loose or bulk material (mulch, gravel, hay, fencing) — stake pockets let you build removable side walls
- Pipe, lumber, and irregular equipment loads — a rub rail’s continuous tie-down points anchor straps anywhere along the deck
- Frequent loading/unloading with forklifts or pallets — a rub rail protects the bed edge from scrape damage
- Ranch and ag work needing sides on demand — stake pockets support removable panel or board sides
- Mixed-duty fleets — many flatbeds are ordered with both stake pockets and a rub rail for maximum flexibility
Both options can be specified when your flatbed is built, and combining stake pockets with a rub rail is
common on multi-purpose work trucks that haul different loads week to week. Browse our
flatbed truck bodies or
truck accessories, or ask about the deck
configuration that fits what you haul.
Get Your Flatbed Set Up Right
Star Truck Equipment builds and outfits flatbeds and truck bodies for fleets and owner-operators across
Texas and Louisiana from our shop in Wharton, TX. Call us at (979) 532-1486 or browse our
flatbed truck bodies and
truck accessories to get started.
