Tree service is physically demanding work — and your work truck needs to match the intensity. Whether you’re a solo arborist running residential trimming jobs or a multi-crew commercial tree company handling storm cleanup and land clearing contracts, the right truck body keeps your operation running safely and efficiently. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build out trucks for tree service companies across Texas and Louisiana.
What Tree Service Trucks Need
Tree service work creates a unique set of truck body requirements. You’re carrying chainsaw fuel and bar oil, climbing ropes and harnesses, pruning saws, stump grinder attachments, first aid kits, and often a tow hitch setup for pulling the chipper trailer. Your truck body needs to handle vibration from job site roads, resist damage from wood chips and debris, and keep expensive gear locked up when the crew is working overhead.
Flatbed Truck Bodies for Tree Service
A flatbed is the most common choice for tree service trucks. The open deck accommodates chipper trailer hookups, chainsaws and pole saws, extension ladders, and miscellaneous equipment without the loading restrictions of a factory bed. Adding an underbody toolbox or headache rack maximizes storage without reducing deck space.
- CM RD Flatbed: The industry workhorse. Steel construction, 7’–9′ lengths, SRW and DRW versions available. Paired with a gooseneck hitch for chipper trailer towing, the CM RD is a proven platform for tree service crews. Pricing from $2,200–$3,800 installed.
- Norstar SM/SD Flatbeds: Texas-made (Clarksville, TX), mid-tier pricing, solid build for general tree work. The SM fits SRW pickups for smaller residential crews; the SD is the DRW version for full commercial operations. Pricing from $2,400–$4,200 installed.
- Pronghorn Flatbeds: Value-tier option for newer companies managing startup costs. Solid steel construction, straightforward installation, a good entry-level platform for building out your first commercial work truck. Pricing from $2,000–$3,200 installed.
- NXG Flatbeds: Another budget-friendly option with good contractor-duty construction. Popular with tree crews running multiple trucks and watching per-unit cost. Pricing from $1,900–$3,000 installed.
Service Bodies for Tree Service Companies
Larger tree companies often benefit from a service body on their supervisor or lead truck. Lockable compartments keep small engine parts, saw chains, climbing hardware, first aid supplies, and paperwork organized and secure. A service body also raises the professional profile of your operation — especially if you’re pursuing commercial contracts with municipalities, utilities, or property management companies.
- CM SB Service Body: Affordable entry into organized compartment storage. Available on F-250 through F-450. Multiple compartment sizes, powder-coat finish, straightforward installation. $3,500–$5,500 installed.
- RKI Service Bodies: Houston-made, heavy-gauge steel compartment bodies. Suitable for lead trucks on larger commercial tree operations. $4,500–$8,500 installed.
- SpaceKap Service Cap: An enclosed fiberglass cap for F-250/F-350 pickups. 300–500 lbs lighter than a steel service body, keeps climbing ropes and gear dry, and protects tools from Texas heat and Gulf Coast humidity. Good option for arborists who want enclosed storage without a full chassis cab. $2,800–$5,500 installed.
Recommended Accessories
Tree service trucks benefit from a few targeted accessories beyond the base body:
- Headache rack: Protects the cab glass from ladder and pole saw damage during loading
- Underbody toolboxes: Maximize storage on flatbed builds without consuming deck space
- Gooseneck hitch: Essential for towing your chipper trailer on an F-350/450/550 DRW
- Side-mount chainsaw holders: Keep saws accessible and out of the bed
Chassis Selection for Tree Service Trucks
| Use Case | Recommended Chassis | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Solo arborist / light residential | Ford F-250 SRW or Ram 2500 SRW | CM SM or Norstar SM flatbed |
| Standard crew truck + chipper trailer | Ford F-350 DRW or Ram 3500 DRW | CM RD or Norstar SD flatbed |
| Commercial / municipal tree work | Ford F-450/550 or Ram 4500/5500 | CM RS/ER or Bedrock heavy flatbed |
| Supervisor / parts truck | Ford F-350/450 or Ram 3500/4500 | CM SB or RKI service body |
Serving Tree Service Companies in Texas and Louisiana
Star Truck Equipment is located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX — centrally located for tree service companies operating across the Houston metro, Gulf Coast, Victoria, San Antonio, and Austin markets. We also serve Louisiana tree service operators who need truck bodies built to handle the heat, humidity, and storm-season demand that defines Gulf South markets. All bodies come with powder-coat finishes designed for long-term durability in humid climates.
Ready to build out your next work truck? Call us at (979) 532-1486 and we’ll walk you through the options. From a solo arborist’s first flatbed to a full commercial fleet build-out, we’ve got the brands and installation expertise to get it done right.