As fiber broadband build-out accelerates across Texas and Louisiana, fiber optic installation crews need work trucks that can carry cable reels, splicing enclosures, fusion splicers, conduit, and hand tools — all organized for a full day of route stops. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we outfit trucks for fiber installation contractors, telecom subcontractors, and municipal broadband crews across the region.
What Fiber Optic Crews Need in a Truck Body
Fiber installation work spans splicing at a pedestal, pulling cable through conduit, aerial attachment on poles, and underground boring support. That variety means different crews need different body configurations — some need enclosed, climate-protected storage for delicate splicing equipment, while others need open flatbed space for reels and conduit bundles.
Service Bodies for Splicing Techs
- RKI Service Bodies: Houston-manufactured, heavy-gauge steel compartments that keep fusion splicers, OTDR test equipment, and connector kits organized and protected from Texas weather. $4,500–$8,500 installed.
- CM SB/SSB Service Bodies: Budget-friendly compartment storage for smaller install crews and subcontractor trucks. $3,500–$6,500 installed.
- SpaceKap Van Cap: Fully enclosed fiberglass cap — ideal for protecting sensitive splicing equipment and electronics from dust, rain, and heat while keeping the truck lighter than a steel service body. $2,800–$5,500 installed.
Flatbeds for Reel and Conduit Hauling
Crews handling underground conduit installs or aerial cable pulls often run an open flatbed to carry cable reels, conduit bundles, and pulling equipment, paired with a gooseneck hitch for towing a trailer-mounted reel trailer or boring machine. Good options:
- CM RD or SK Flatbeds: Clean 7’–9′ steel flatbeds, with the SK model adding skirted toolbox storage for smaller hand tools and connector supplies. $2,200–$4,000 installed.
- Bedrock Granite 9G: Premium heavy-duty steel flatbed with a crosshatch deck for secure reel positioning and traction while loading. $3,500–$5,500 installed.
Aerial Attachment Crews
Crews doing pole-line aerial fiber attachment often benefit from an aerial lift-ready service body — see our guide to truck bodies for aerial lift and bucket truck operators for details on reinforced bodies suited to boom-mounted equipment.
Chassis Guide for Fiber Optic Install Trucks
| Work Type | Recommended Chassis | Best Body |
|---|---|---|
| Splicing tech / residential drops | Ford F-250 SRW or Ram 2500 | CM SB or SpaceKap |
| Commercial install crew | Ford F-350/450 or Ram 3500/4500 | RKI service body |
| Underground conduit / reel hauling | Ford F-350/450 DRW or Ram 3500/4500 | CM RD or Bedrock flatbed |
| Aerial pole-line attachment | Ford F-450/550 or Ram 4500/5500 | STI reinforced service body |
Serving the Texas & Louisiana Fiber Build-Out
Star Truck Equipment is located in Wharton, TX, and works with fiber installation contractors, telecom subcontractors, and rural broadband crews across the Houston metro, Gulf Coast, Victoria, San Antonio, and Austin corridors, as well as customers throughout Louisiana. Our powder-coat finishes are built to handle daily route work in Texas heat and Gulf humidity.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to talk through your crew’s truck needs, or stop by our Wharton location to see current inventory and configuration options.