The workbench compartment on a service body gets used every single day, and how you outfit it changes what a
crew can actually do in the field. Two of the most requested workbench options are a mounted vise for on-the-spot
fabrication and repair, and a pull-out tool tray for fast access to the tools used constantly on a route. At
Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build workbench
compartments into service bodies from
CM and
RKI for fleets and owner-operators across Texas
and Louisiana, and we can spec either option — or both — on a new build.
What a Vise Mount Adds
A bench-mounted vise turns the workbench compartment into a real fabrication station. Crews can cut, bend,
clamp, and hold pipe, brackets, hose ends, and fittings without hauling parts back to the shop or improvising a
clamp on a tailgate. This is the setup that pays off for welders, pipefitters, oilfield service crews, and
equipment mechanics who need to modify or repair a part on location rather than schedule a second trip. The
tradeoff is that a permanently mounted vise takes up bench space and adds weight that stays on the truck whether
it’s used that day or not.
What a Tool Tray Adds
A pull-out tool tray is built for speed and organization rather than fabrication. Sliding trays keep hand
tools, fasteners, and small parts visible and within reach instead of buried in a stacked toolbox, which cuts
down on wasted time on service and maintenance routes where a tech is in and out of the truck dozens of times a
day. Trays are lighter than a vise setup and can be added in multiple compartments, but they don’t give a crew
any way to actually shape or repair a part in the field.
Which Setup Fits Your Trade?
- Welders, pipefitters, and fabrication crews — a vise mount is close to essential for field repairs
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical service techs — a tool tray speeds up the dozens of daily stops on a route
- Oilfield and heavy equipment mechanics — both, since field repairs and fast tool access both come up constantly
- Utility and municipal crews — a tray in the main compartment, with a vise reserved for the shop truck
- Owner-operators outfitting one truck — a compact vise mount usually covers more use cases than a tray alone
Most service bodies have room for a vise mount in one compartment and tool trays in the others, so this isn’t
always an either-or decision. Browse our truck
accessories for workbench options, or ask about outfitting your next
service body or
flatbed order.
Get Your Truck Set Up Right
Star Truck Equipment builds and outfits truck bodies for fleets and owner-operators across Texas and Louisiana
from our shop in Wharton, TX. Call us at (979) 532-1486 or browse our
service bodies and
truck accessories to get started.
