When you’re outfitting a service truck with a crane body in Texas or Louisiana, two names come up often: STI (Service Trucks International) and Stellar Industries. Both build heavy-duty crane bodies designed for serious commercial use — but they take different approaches. Here’s a straightforward comparison to help you make the right call.

Brand Overviews

STI (Service Trucks International) is a North American manufacturer known for complete mechanics trucks, crane bodies, lube trucks, and fuel service bodies. STI builds crane bodies specifically engineered to integrate with their broader service truck lineup — so everything from the compartment layout to the crane mount is designed as a system. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry STI and can configure crane body packages for Ford, Ram, and Chevy chassis.

Stellar Industries is an Iowa-based manufacturer that produces cranes, hooklift systems, and service bodies. Stellar has a strong reputation for their truck-mounted cranes (the T-series and TM-series), and they offer matching service bodies designed to pair with their cranes. Dealers typically sell the crane and body as a bundled package.

Crane Body Construction & Compartments

STI crane bodies are built with heavy-gauge steel and offer deep, lockable compartments on both sides of the body. Layouts typically include full-depth drawers, swing-out trays, and dedicated crane mounts with reinforced subframes. The compartment design prioritizes tool organization — mechanics and service technicians get designated space for every category of gear.

Stellar’s crane bodies are also steel-constructed, but their primary focus is often the crane itself — the bodies tend to be functional platforms for the crane with utility-focused compartmentalization. If your primary need is crane capacity with basic storage, Stellar’s approach works well. If you need a full-featured rolling workshop, STI’s body depth and layout have an edge.

Crane Options & Capacities

This is where the two brands differ most. Stellar is widely known for its crane lineup, particularly the T-series (6,000–18,000 ft-lb) and TM-series articulating cranes. They offer a broad range of reach and lift combinations, and their cranes are used extensively in construction and utility work.

STI pairs its bodies with multiple crane options — including Tiger Cranes, which we also carry at Star Truck Equipment. Tiger Cranes offer comparable lift ratings and have a growing reputation in the Texas and Louisiana oilfield and heavy-service markets. The advantage of pairing an STI body with a Tiger Crane is that both are selected and installed by your local dealer as a coordinated package — you’re not just bolting on components.

Applications: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose STI if:

• You run a full-service mechanics truck and need organized tool storage alongside crane capability
• You want a system-built solution (body, crane, crane mount, subframe) from one coordinated source
• You’re in oilfield, heavy construction, or municipal fleet work in Texas or Louisiana where you need max daily productivity
• You want local dealer support for installation and warranty in South/Central Texas

Stellar may fit if:

• Your main requirement is crane capacity and your body storage needs are modest
• You prefer a dedicated crane manufacturer with a wide dealer network
• You’re buying from a fleet upfitter that already has a preferred Stellar dealer relationship

Texas & Louisiana Availability

For buyers in Texas and Louisiana, the availability and support structure matters as much as the specs. Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX stocks and installs STI service and crane bodies and has direct access to Tiger Crane packages. We serve the entire Gulf Coast corridor — from Houston to Beaumont, Victoria to Corpus Christi, and into Louisiana markets including Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.

Stellar is available through various distributors, but local install support can vary depending on your region. If you’re comparing dealers and need someone who will walk you through the spec process, install on-site, and stand behind the work, we’re here to help.

Bottom Line

Both STI and Stellar build quality equipment for working professionals. The real difference comes down to what your truck needs to do every day. If you want a complete mechanics/crane truck system that’s ready to run when it leaves the shop, STI paired with Tiger Cranes is a hard combination to beat in this part of the country.

Ready to spec out a crane body package? Call Star Truck Equipment at (979) 532-1486 or stop by our location at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. We’ll help you match the right body and crane to your chassis and your work. You can also browse our crane bodies inventory and service bodies online.