When Texas and Louisiana contractors start shopping for service bodies, two names come up constantly: STI (Service Trucks International) and Reading Truck. Both are well-respected manufacturers with decades of experience building truck bodies for working professionals. But they serve different customers, different chassis types, and different job sites.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry STI service bodies and install them across Texas and Louisiana. Here’s an honest breakdown of how STI compares to Reading — so you can make the right call before you spend $5,000 to $25,000+ on a truck upfit.
Company Backgrounds
STI — Service Trucks International is headquartered in Waco, TX. They specialize in heavy-duty service truck bodies, mechanics trucks, crane bodies, lube trucks, and fuel service bodies. STI builds for the hardest-working trucks in oilfield, construction, utilities, and industrial maintenance. Their products are designed from the start to carry cranes, compressors, welding rigs, and lube systems — not just basic hand tools.
Reading Truck is based in Pennsylvania and operates 26+ production and upfitting locations nationwide. They produce a wide variety of truck bodies including service bodies, crane bodies, platform bodies, landscape bodies, and utility bodies. Reading serves municipal fleets, national contractors, and utility companies across the country.
STI vs Reading: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | STI | Reading Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Waco, TX | Reading, PA |
| Primary Focus | Heavy-duty service, crane, mechanics, lube trucks | Service, platform, utility, crane, landscape bodies |
| Chassis Compatibility | F-450 through F-550, Ram 4500/5500, chassis cabs | F-250 through F-550, Ram 2500–5500, medium duty |
| Crane-Ready Bodies | Yes — factory-integrated mounting points | Yes — crane body models available |
| Mechanics Trucks | Yes — full mechanics truck packages | Limited — mostly service body only |
| Lube & Fuel Bodies | Yes — STI specialty | Not a core offering |
| Construction Material | Heavy-gauge steel | Steel; some aluminum options |
| National Distribution | Regional — Texas/South focus | Broad national dealer network |
| Municipal/Fleet Use | Industrial contractors, oilfield, utilities | Yes — strong municipal and fleet presence |
| Best Fit | Oilfield, pipeline, heavy construction, crane work | General contractors, municipal, medium commercial |
STI Service Bodies: Built for Texas-Grade Hard Work
STI’s service body lineup covers a wide range of configurations: standard service bodies, combination service/crane bodies, lube truck bodies, and full mechanics truck packages. Every body is built with heavy contractors and oilfield operators in mind — people who need their truck to work 10–14 hours a day in demanding conditions.
What separates STI from many competitors is their integration capability. An STI crane body is designed to work alongside Tiger Cranes and other truck-mounted crane systems from the factory. You’re not retrofitting a standard service body — you’re getting a body built to handle crane weight, center of gravity, and hydraulic line routing from the start.
STI also builds lube and fuel service bodies — a product line Reading doesn’t specialize in. For oilfield service companies, pipeline contractors, and heavy equipment maintenance fleets, this is a significant advantage.
Best chassis pairings for STI service bodies:
- Ford F-450/F-550 — most common pairing for service/crane combo builds
- Ram 4500/5500 — chassis cab fitment, popular in oilfield
- Ford F-350 DRW — lighter service body configurations for tradespeople
Reading Truck Service Bodies: Broad Reach, Broad Range
Reading Truck’s strength is variety and national reach. They build service bodies ranging from light-duty units for half-ton pickups all the way up to heavy-duty crane-ready configurations on chassis cabs. Their dealer network spans the country — which is a major advantage for national fleet managers who need consistent specs across multiple regions.
Reading also manufactures platform bodies, landscape bodies, and utility bodies, making them a strong choice for municipalities and fleet operators who want one manufacturer for multiple body types. Their service bodies are well-regarded for quality and they have a long track record with national utility companies and telecom contractors.
However, Reading’s national focus means their regional Texas and Louisiana support is thinner than a Texas-based dealer network can offer. For buyers in the Gulf Coast, Eagle Ford Shale, or Permian Basin regions, parts availability, local upfitting expertise, and service turnaround times matter — and that’s where a Texas-focused dealer like Star Truck Equipment can make a real difference.
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Choose STI If You:
- Work in oilfield, pipeline, heavy construction, or industrial maintenance
- Need a crane-ready service body (STI + Tiger Crane pairing is hard to beat)
- Operate a lube truck or fuel service vehicle
- Want a full mechanics truck package built for chassis cabs
- Buy or upfit trucks in Texas or Louisiana and want local dealer support
- Need a heavy-duty body rated for F-450/F-550 or Ram 4500/5500 chassis cabs
Consider Reading If You:
- Manage a national fleet and need consistent specs across multiple states
- Need municipal or government fleet configurations
- Want multiple body types (service, platform, landscape) from a single manufacturer
- Are looking at light or medium service bodies for half-ton to 3/4-ton pickups
- Have a Reading-authorized upfitter nearby with existing relationships
Other Service Body Brands Worth Considering
STI and Reading aren’t your only options. At Star Truck Equipment, we also carry:
- RKI (Rawson-Koenig) — Houston-made, crane-ready, oilfield-proven service and crane bodies
- CM Truck Beds — Service bodies (SB, SSB, SBF) for pickup trucks and light chassis cabs
- SpaceKap — Lightweight fiberglass enclosed caps for SRW pickups
If you’re comparing STI against other brands, see also:
- STI vs Knapheide Service Bodies
- STI vs Maintainer Service Bodies
- STI vs NAP Service Truck Bodies
- CM vs STI Service Bodies
- RKI vs Norstar Service Bodies
Ready to Order a Service Body in Texas or Louisiana?
Star Truck Equipment is located in Wharton, TX — centrally positioned to serve buyers across Houston, the Gulf Coast, South Texas, and Louisiana. We carry STI service bodies, crane bodies, mechanics trucks, and lube truck configurations, along with RKI, CM, and other leading brands.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to talk through your build, get a quote, or schedule an installation. We’ll help you find the right service body for your chassis, your job, and your budget — whether you’re outfitting one truck or a whole fleet.
Browse our service bodies for sale, crane bodies, and STI service bodies online, or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488.
