When you’re shopping for a service truck body in Texas or Louisiana, two names come up often in oilfield, construction, and utility markets: STI (Service Trucks International) and Hyde. Both build serious work truck bodies designed for demanding jobs — but they take different approaches. This guide breaks down the real differences so you can make the right call for your operation.
A Quick Look at Both Brands
STI (Service Trucks International) is one of the most respected names in specialty service truck bodies. Based in the U.S., STI builds everything from mechanics trucks and lube trucks to fuel service bodies and crane bodies. Their units are known for modular compartment layouts, heavy-duty steel construction, and a reputation for holding up in high-cycle work environments — exactly what oilfield and construction crews need.
Hyde manufactures a range of truck-mounted cranes and service body products. Hyde cranes are often specified for utility and telecom applications. Their products are generally solid performers, but they’re typically designed for lighter-duty commercial work compared to STI’s industrial-grade lineup.
Service Body Construction: STI vs Hyde
When you open up an STI service body, you notice it right away: heavy-gauge steel, reinforced door hinges, smooth compartment interiors, and serious attention to weatherproofing. STI builds their bodies for tradespeople who work in all conditions — summer heat in Texas, Louisiana humidity, and dusty oilfield environments.
Hyde service bodies are well-built for their intended applications, but contractors who’ve run both often note that STI compartments handle higher workloads and abuse over time. If you’re running a 10-hour day pulling tools and parts constantly, the difference in build quality starts to show over a 3–5 year ownership window.
Crane Integration: Does It Matter Which Brand You Choose?
This is where the comparison gets interesting. Many contractors pair their service bodies with truck-mounted cranes — either from the same manufacturer or a separate crane brand like Tiger Cranes.
STI builds crane body configurations specifically designed for crane integration, with reinforced subframes, crane pedestals, and outrigger mounting points engineered into the body itself. This matters a lot when you’re lifting 5,000–12,000 lbs regularly.
Hyde cranes are a known product line in their own right (see our full crane comparison guide), but when it comes to the service body package as a whole — body + crane integration + long-term durability — STI’s integrated approach gives them an edge for heavy-duty buyers.
Which Applications Each Brand Fits Best
Choose STI If:
- You’re in oilfield service, pipeline, or construction
- Your crew runs the truck hard every day — multiple service calls, constant compartment access
- You need a fully integrated crane body with a heavy subframe
- You want a body that holds resale value and can outlast the truck itself
- You need custom configurations — lube trucks, fuel service bodies, mechanics trucks
Hyde May Work If:
- You’re doing lighter-duty utility or telecom work
- You need a truck-mounted crane for occasional lifts rather than daily heavy-duty cycles
- Your budget is tighter and the workload is more moderate
What About Pricing?
STI service truck bodies are a premium product — you’ll pay more upfront than a lighter-duty alternative. But contractors who’ve been in the business for a while will tell you: the cost-per-year calculus often favors STI when you factor in downtime costs, repair frequency, and how long the body lasts before needing replacement.
If you’re quoting a new service truck package and STI is in the budget, it’s usually the smarter long-term investment for high-utilization work trucks.
What Star Truck Equipment Recommends
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we work with contractors across Texas and Louisiana every week helping them spec the right service truck body for their operation. We carry STI service truck bodies and can help you match the right configuration — mechanics truck, lube truck, crane body, or custom — to your truck and your workflow.
We also carry Tiger Cranes for customers who need a truck-mounted crane paired with their service body. Whether you’re building out one truck or upfitting an entire fleet, we can put together a complete package.
Not sure which direction makes the most sense for your operation? Give us a call at (979) 532-1486 or stop by our location at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX. We’ll walk you through the options and help you make the best call for your budget and your work.
You can also browse our full lineup of service bodies for sale and crane bodies for sale online.
