If you run a utility operation in Texas or Louisiana, your crane choice can make or break your productivity on the job. Tiger Cranes have become one of the most trusted names in truck-mounted crane equipment — and for good reason. They’re built tough, spec’d wide, and backed by real dealer support.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry Tiger Cranes and help operators across the Gulf Coast region find the right model for their truck and their work. Here’s everything you need to know about Tiger Cranes for utility trucks before you buy.
What Is a Tiger Crane?
Tiger Cranes are truck-mounted articulating boom cranes designed for utility, oilfield, construction, and service truck applications. The brand is well-regarded for its compact designs, high reach-to-weight ratios, and durability under heavy use cycles. Tiger Cranes are an alternative to brands like Autocrane, Stellar, and Hyde — often preferred by buyers who want consistent performance at a competitive price point.
These units mount directly to a crane body or service body subframe, and they’re compatible with a wide range of trucks — from Ford F-550 and Ram 5500 chassis cabs to larger medium-duty platforms.
Tiger Crane Model Lineup: Key Specs
Tiger’s crane lineup covers a broad range of capacities and boom configurations. Here’s a breakdown of the core series commonly used on utility trucks:
Tiger TG Series — Light-Duty Utility Crane
The TG series is Tiger’s entry point for utility truck applications. Capacities in this range typically fall in the 3,000–6,000 lb range at short reach, making them well-suited for setting poles, handling cable reels, or moving equipment at a job site. These cranes have a compact footprint and mount neatly behind the cab on a service body or crane body platform.
- Capacity: Up to 6,000 lb at close reach
- Max boom reach: Varies by configuration; typically 16–22 feet horizontal
- Rotation: 360-degree continuous
- Common applications: Telecom, utility, HVAC
Tiger TM Series — Mid-Range Workhorse
The TM series hits the sweet spot for most utility and oilfield operators. These cranes handle heavier picks — think transformers, compressor units, and reel trailers — without requiring a massive truck platform.
- Capacity: 8,000–12,000 lb range at rated reach
- Boom sections: Telescoping multi-section boom for extended reach
- Stabilizer outriggers: Standard for stability under load
- Common truck platforms: Ford F-550, Ram 5500, Chevy Silverado 5500HD
Tiger TH Series — Heavy Utility and Oilfield
For operators who need serious lifting capacity without going to a full-size hydraulic crane truck, the TH series delivers. These are popular in oilfield service and heavy utility work across West Texas and South Texas.
- Capacity: Up to 20,000 lb and above depending on configuration
- Extended boom reach options available
- Remote radio control available
- Common applications: Oilfield service, pipeline, heavy utility
Which Truck Do Tiger Cranes Mount On?
Tiger Cranes are typically mounted on Class 4–6 chassis cabs. Common platforms include:
- Ford F-450 / F-550 — Popular for light-to-mid TG/TM crane bodies
- Ram 4500 / Ram 5500 — Competitive option with good cab-to-axle lengths
- Chevy Silverado 4500HD / 5500HD — Strong option especially for municipal and utility fleets
- Ford F-600 / F-650 — Medium-duty platform for heavier Tiger TH crane builds
When we configure a Tiger Crane build, we pay close attention to cab-to-axle (CA) measurements, GVWR, and axle ratings to make sure the truck can safely handle the crane weight plus payload.
Tiger Crane vs. Autocrane vs. Stellar
Buyers often ask us how Tiger stacks up against Autocrane and Stellar. The honest answer: all three make quality cranes, but they suit different buyers.
- Tiger Cranes tend to offer strong value-per-dollar and a compact design — good for operators who need reliability without overpaying for features they won’t use.
- Autocrane has a long track record in telecom and utility sectors. Their parts network is deep, which matters for fleet operators.
- Stellar is popular for higher-capacity crane-and-service-body combos, especially when paired with their own crane body platforms.
Not sure which is right for you? Give us a call — we’ll walk through your application, tonnage requirements, and truck platform so you can make a confident decision. You can also read our Tiger vs. Stellar comparison guide and our Autocrane vs. Stellar vs. Tiger breakdown for more detail.
Tiger Crane Installation at Star Truck Equipment
We install Tiger Cranes right here in Wharton, TX. Our team handles the full build — from selecting the right crane body to mounting, wiring, and testing the crane under load. We serve operators across the Texas Gulf Coast and into Louisiana, and we can arrange transport for customers who can’t make the drive to Wharton.
Our crane body inventory includes options from STI (Service Trucks International) and other manufacturers designed specifically for crane mounting applications. We’ll match the crane body to the crane model so everything fits clean and works the way it should.
Who Buys Tiger Cranes?
Our Tiger Crane customers come from a wide range of industries:
- Electric utilities and co-ops — pole setting, transformer swaps, line work
- Oilfield service companies — pipe handling, wellhead work, equipment moves
- Telecom contractors — tower climbs, equipment staging, cable reel handling
- Construction companies — material lifts, equipment placement
- County and municipal fleets — road department, water utilities, drainage
- Pipeline contractors — valve handling, pipe staging
Whether you’re in Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, or anywhere across South Texas or Louisiana, Tiger Cranes are a proven choice for utility truck builds that need to perform day in and day out.
Ready to Spec a Tiger Crane for Your Truck?
Star Truck Equipment is your Tiger Crane source in the Texas Gulf Coast region. We’re located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488, and we serve customers throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your application, get a quote, or schedule a build consultation. We’ll help you find the right Tiger Crane model and truck platform for the work you’re doing.
