Reading Truck Service Body Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to outfitting a work truck, few decisions are more important than choosing the right service body. Whether you're in construction, electrical work, HVAC, or general contracting, your truck is your mobile workspace—and the service body is its foundation.

That's why investing in a Reading Truck service body is one of the smartest moves a professional can make. Known for their durability, innovative design, and customizability, Reading Truck service bodies are built to perform and engineered to last.

But with so many great options, how do you choose the right one for your specific needs? This guide walks you through four excellent models—the Classic II aluminum service body, Classic II steel service body, SL service body, and the mechanic service body—highlighting the features and benefits that make each one a top contender.

Classic II Aluminum Service Body: Lightweight Strength and Superior Efficiency

The Classic II aluminum service body from Reading Truck is all about delivering high performance with minimal weight. If fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance are top priorities, this body is a clear winner.

Designed with heavy-gauge aluminum and a fully undercoated aluminum understructure, this body offers an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio. You'll get more payload capacity while using less fuel—a huge benefit for any business.

A great feature of the Classic II aluminum body is the heavy-duty aluminum compartment doors. These double-panel doors are not only lightweight but are built to handle daily use without warping or weakening. The seamless wheelhouse panels add to the durability, helping to prevent corrosion caused by dirt and road salt collecting in crevices. When you're working in unpredictable weather or harsh environments, this level of corrosion resistance is critical.

Reading Truck service body users will also appreciate thoughtful design touches, like hidden hinges for added security and a cleaner look, nitrogen gas strut door holders for smooth and safe operation, and the slam-action tailgate with a stainless-steel handle. These aren't just luxury features—they help boost productivity and are designed to keep your team efficient and your tools safe.

Add in pooched bumpers for better traction and stainless steel rotary locks compatible with Reading's Latch-Matic® remote locking system, and you've got a Reading Truck service body that combines sleek design with hardworking functionality. If you're looking for longevity, ease of maintenance, and operational savings, the Classic II aluminum body is a strong choice.

Classic II Steel Service Body: Rugged Durability for Demanding Jobs

If your work environment puts equipment to the test, the Classic II steel service body is built for you. Constructed from premium A60 galvannealed steel, this Reading Truck service body is designed to endure the rigors of the job site. Its scratch- and corrosion-resistant surface makes it ideal for trades that require heavy-duty hauling and tool storage in tough conditions.

What sets this model apart is the combination of ruggedness and smart design. The Classic II steel body includes LED lights for improved visibility and safety, even in low-light or poor weather conditions. The galvanized shelving offers 2" dividers for organizing small parts and tools, which helps you reduce time spent searching for gear while increasing job site productivity.

Like its aluminum sibling, the Classic II steel body includes hidden hinges, slam-action tailgate, and stainless steel rotary locks with gasketed handles. The seamless wheelhouse panels keep grime and road debris from accumulating, which reduces maintenance costs and extends the service life of the body.

This Reading Truck service body is ideal for professionals who need a tough-as-nails solution without sacrificing organization or security. If you're working in construction, public utilities, or other heavy-duty industries, the Classic II steel service body offers unbeatable durability and a professional appearance.

SL Service Body: The Best Value in Tough, Reliable Performance

The SL service body delivers exceptional bang for your buck, combining Reading's renowned quality with a long list of standard features. This is the Reading Truck service body for folks who want durability, style, and functionality without breaking the bank.

This particular service body is built from A60 galvannealed steel and finished with a high-gloss polyester powder coat. In other words, the SL is engineered to resist rust, chemicals, and UV damage over years of use.

One of the highlights of the SL is its heavy-duty compartment doors. These 18-gauge double-panel doors are internally braced to resist deflection, which means reliable operation and long-term durability. The slam-action tailgate (which is standard on this model), makes it easy to access the cargo area quickly—perfect for fast-paced job sites.

Another signature feature is the Aluma-Fill® cup, which protects the truck body during refueling. This all-aluminum dish is more durable than plastic fuel surrounds and helps maintain the SL’s clean, professional look. The recessed, frame-mounted bumper enhances rear access and allows for easy trailer hitch installation, too.

This Reading Truck service body is great for general contractors, electricians, and HVAC technicians who need a cost-effective, professional-grade solution. The SL gives you more truck body for your money—without compromising on quality or dependability.

Mechanic Service Body: Built for the Most Demanding Job Sites

For mechanics, utility technicians, and other specialists working in rugged environments, the Reading Truck mechanic service body is definitely a go-to solution. It’s not just a body—it’s a mobile workshop. With features like a heavy-duty ladder-frame understructure and reinforced horizontal cross-members, this model is engineered for the long haul.

Security and ease of access are core strengths of the mechanic body. It includes true 3-point locking to ensure your tools and equipment are secure, even in remote or high-theft areas. The flush-mount doors provide a clean surface for adding company branding, while also minimizing pry points that could be exploited by thieves.

The integrated tie-downs are flush with the cargo floor, providing an unobstructed bed surface while still allowing you to safely secure loads. Non-skid surface protection is another important feature, improving traction and reducing the risk of slip-and-fall injuries—a must-have on wet or oily job sites.

Interior dome lights, powered by energy-efficient LEDs, are mounted inside the compartments to provide visibility in dark environments. So, every inch of this Reading Truck service body is optimized for field service pros who require the highest level of reliability and usability. If you demand rugged performance, secure storage, and all-weather functionality, the mechanic service body is the best tool for the job.

Choosing the Right Reading Truck Service Body for Your Needs

As discussed in this guide, each Reading Truck service body is purpose-built for different challenges and industries. When choosing your ideal Reading Truck service body, consider factors like payload capacity, fuel economy, security features, storage organization, and work environment. Don’t just look at the price—consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, fuel savings, and durability.

Of course, we’re here to help you make these kinds of decisions! The experts in our vehicle upfit department will work with you to identify the specific type of service body, features, and options that best fit your situation. And if a Reading Truck bed isn’t the right fit, we’ll help you find one that is.

No matter your trade, there’s a Reading Truck service body designed to help you work smarter and safer. With industry-leading build quality and thoughtful design features, Reading Truck continues to set the standard in work truck solutions.

So take your time, get in touch with us to discuss your options, and invest in the service body that fits your needs best—because when your truck works harder, you can too! We put BTR (pronounced better) in our name for a reason—we’ll help you find a better solution for your business needs that makes your job simpler and more efficient. Who doesn’t want that?!

Stop by our facility just off I-20 in Abilene or call 888-323-5902 to get the process started.