If you’re shopping for a crane body for your service truck, two names come up constantly: STI (Service Trucks International) and Autocrane. Both are established brands in the work truck industry, but they serve different priorities and budgets. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we work with Texas and Louisiana contractors, oilfield operators, and fleet managers every week — and this question comes up all the time. Here’s our honest breakdown.
What Is a Crane Body?
A crane body — sometimes called a crane service body — combines a fully enclosed storage compartment (for tools, parts, and equipment) with a truck-mounted hydraulic crane. These units are mounted on medium-duty trucks like the Ford F-550, Ram 5500, or Chevy Silverado 5500HD, and are essential for industries that need to lift, move, or place heavy loads in the field.
Learn more about the basics in our crane bodies for sale page, or read our complete crane truck body guide for Texas.
STI Crane Bodies: Built for the Job Site
STI (Service Trucks International) manufactures integrated crane body units designed to give you maximum storage and lifting capability in one purpose-built package. Key features include:
- All-steel construction — rugged and durable for daily field use
- Integrated crane mounting — the crane and body are engineered together for weight distribution and structural integrity
- Customizable compartment layouts — shelving, drawers, and door configurations tailored to your trade
- Available with lube/fuel service options — making STI popular in oilfield and fleet maintenance applications
- Multiple crane tonnage options — configurations from light-duty to heavy commercial lifting capacity
STI units are especially popular with oilfield service companies, utility contractors, and fleet maintenance operations across Texas and Louisiana. If your crew needs a complete, ready-to-work rig — body and crane together — STI is a strong choice.
Autocrane: Crane-First Engineering
Autocrane (now part of the IMT family under Truck Craft) takes a different approach: they build the crane first, and the body is designed around it. Autocrane has been in the business for over 50 years and is well-respected in the industry for crane performance and reliability.
Autocrane strengths include:
- Industry-leading crane engineering — many longtime users swear by Autocrane’s lift performance and rotation smoothness
- Wide range of crane models — from 3,000 lb capacities up to 18,000 lb and beyond
- Remote control options — wireless remotes and enhanced control systems
- Strong dealer/service network — parts and support widely available
However, Autocrane can carry a premium price tag — and if you’re equipping a fleet, cost adds up quickly across multiple units.
STI vs. Autocrane: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | STI Crane Body | Autocrane |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | All-steel, integrated body + crane | Crane-first; body varies by upfitter |
| Customization | High — layout, storage, lube/fuel add-ons | Crane config; body less flexible |
| Crane Capacity | Multiple tonnage options | Wide range, up to 18,000+ lb |
| Best For | Oilfield, fleet maintenance, utility, construction | Heavy lifting, long-term single-unit investment |
| Price Point | Competitive, fleet-friendly | Premium |
| Availability | Available at Star Truck Equipment | Available through select dealers |
Which Is Right for Your Operation?
Choose STI if:
- You need a complete, integrated crane + body unit ready for the field
- You operate in oilfield, fleet maintenance, or utility work
- You’re equipping multiple trucks and need cost efficiency
- You want customizable storage with lube or fuel service options built in
Consider Autocrane if:
- Your application demands very heavy lift capacity (12,000+ lb)
- You’re making a long-term investment in a single specialized unit
- Crane performance is the absolute top priority over storage flexibility
For most Texas and Louisiana contractors and fleet operators, STI delivers the best overall value — especially when you need multiple units or want integrated lube/fuel capability.
Also worth exploring: Tiger Cranes — another excellent truck-mounted crane option we carry at Star Truck Equipment.
Talk to the Experts at Star Truck Equipment
We stock and install STI crane bodies and other leading brands at our facility in Wharton, TX, serving customers across Texas and Louisiana. Whether you’re outfitting one truck or an entire fleet, our team can help you spec the right crane body for your application and budget.
📞 Call us at (979) 532-1486 or browse our service and crane body inventory online. We’re ready to help you get the right rig for the job.
