Eby Flatbeds vs Service Bodies: Which Truck Body is Right for You?
If you’re shopping for a new aluminum truck body and you’ve been looking at Eby, you’ve probably already noticed they make two very different types of work platforms, flatbeds and service bodies. Both are built from high-strength aluminum, both are made in the USA, and both are backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. But they’re designed for completely different jobs, and picking the wrong one can cost you time, money, and a lot of frustration on the jobsite.
At New England TruckMaster, we’re an authorized Eby dealer serving Connecticut and the greater New England region. We’ve helped a lot of contractors, tradespeople, and fleet operators work through this exact decision.
What Is an Eby Flatbed?
A flatbed truck body replaces your factory pickup bed with a wide-open aluminum platform. Eby’s flagship flatbed is the BIG COUNTRY, which has been a go-to choice for farms, construction sites, and anyone who regularly hauls oversized or awkward loads.
The Eby BIG COUNTRY is built around a heavy-duty aluminum sub-structure using 5” j-sills and 3” cross members, topped with a .140” diamond plate floor that can handle everything from pallets of cement to heavy equipment. It features a standard trap-door for a gooseneck hitch, so you can tow a livestock trailer, equipment trailer, or RV without losing any bed space, a big deal if towing is part of your regular workload.
If you want that same tough flatbed with built-in storage, Eby’s FREE COUNTRY takes the BIG COUNTRY platform to the next level. It adds integrated cabinets on both sides for tool storage, custom tie-down brackets, a gooseneck hitch trap door, integrated steps, and custom LED lighting. You get the open-deck versatility of a flatbed with the organized storage of a service body, all in one unit. It’s the flatbed for people who are tired of hauling a separate toolbox.
Eby flatbeds are available in sizes to fit Ford, GM, and Ram chassis, ranging from 7-foot short bed replacements for single rear wheel pickups all the way up to 11-foot configurations on 84” cab-and-chassis trucks.
Who the flatbed is best for:
- Farmers and ranchers who need to haul large or irregularly shaped cargo and tow trailers regularly
- Contractors moving lumber, pipe, concrete block, or machinery
- Landscapers and tree services hauling bulky equipment and debris
- Anyone who needs maximum deck space with no walls getting in the way
What Is an Eby Service Body?
A service body replaces your truck bed with a set of lockable cabinets on both sides of the truck, plus a rear working area or tailgate. Instead of an open platform, you get organized storage that you can lock and access from outside the vehicle. No climbing in the bed, no gear sliding around, no leaving tools at the shop because you couldn’t find them in the pile.
Ebay makes two service body options: the RENEGADE and the newer ADVANCE.
The RENEGADE is Eby’s core service body, built from custom extruded aluminum with a fully interlocking sub-structure. It’s lighter than a comparable steel body while still offering bigger cabinets and more storage volume than many competitors. The doors feature protected seals, stainless steel rotary latches, and wide handles built for use with gloves on. The flush-mounted tailgate has a heavy-duty steel slam latch, and the 49” x 99” rear load area includes corner tie-downs. You can add Eby’s E-Lock keyless remote entry system and LED cabinet lighting for upgraded security and visibility.
The ADVANCE is Eby’s newest service body and their most premium offering. The company describes it as setting a new benchmark for vocational professionals. It features a fully interlaced aluminum understructure, load space shelving above the cabinet network on both the curbside and streetside, and is engineered specifically for trades and fleet applications that demand secure storage, reduced vehicle weight, and long-term rust-free performance.
The RENEGADE is available in multiple lengths and widths for both single and dual rear wheel applications, with body weights starting around 640 lbs for the smallest configurations up to 1,182 lbs for the largest.
Who the service body is best for:
- Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and other tradespeople who need organized tool and parts storage every day
- Municipal fleets and utility workers who need a consistent, locked equipment setup
- Service technicians making multiple stops who can’t afford to dig through a chaotic bed to find a part
- Fleet managers who want uniformity across vehicles and reduced tool loss
The Question That Decides It: What Are You Carrying?
Here’s the simplest way to think about it: if your load is the work, get a flatbed. If your tools are the work, get a service body.
A concrete contractor pouring foundations needs to move rebar, bags of mix, and heavy forms from job to job, a flatbed handles that better than anything. A plumber running service calls all day needs to know exactly where every fitting, valve, and piece of copper is, and needs to lock it up between stops, that’s a service body.
Some operations genuinely need both. If you’re running a large crew with multiple trucks, it’s worth having a couple of flatbeds for material hauling and a couple of service bodies for the technicians. That’s a conversation we’re happy to have at our dealership.
A Note on New England Winters
If you’re operating in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, or Rhode Island, the aluminum construction of Eby bodies is a long-term cost decision. Steel truck bodies in New England get eaten alive by road salt. Eby’s all-aluminum construction is corrosion resistant by nature. You won’t be grinding rust and repainting every couple of years. That matters a lot when a truck body is a 10 to 15 year investment.
Ready to Order? We Can Help.
New England TruckMaster stocks Eby truck bodies and can order any configuration to fit your chassis. Whether you’re buying a bare chassis and need a body installed, or you already have a truck and want to replace the bed, we handle the whole process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eby Truck Bodies
Can I get an Eby body installed on my existing truck?
Yes. We install Eby truck bodies on both new chassis purchases and existing trucks. If you already own a truck and want to upgrade from your factory bed to an Eby flatbed or service body, we handle the full removal and installation process at our facility. We work with Ford, GM, and Ram platforms. Keep in mind that your truck’s existing bed configuration (short bed, long bed, single vs dual rear wheel) will determine which Eby models fit properly.
How long do Eby aluminum bodies last in New England?
With proper maintenance, an Eby aluminum truck body should last 15-20+ years, even in the harsh New England climate. Unlike steel bodies that rust from road salt exposure, Eby’s all-aluminum construction is naturally corrosion-resistant. You won’t be dealing with rust-through, frame rot, or constant repainting. We have customers running 10-year-old Eby bodies that still look nearly new underneath. Regular cleaning to remove road salt buildup and occasional hinge lubrication is about all the maintenance they need. For a truck body representing a $10,000-$15,000 investment, that kind of longevity makes aluminum the smart long-term choice in our climate.
Do you deliver and install Eby bodies throughout New England?
Yes. New England TruckMaster serves all six New England states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. We stock popular Eby configurations at our Connecticut facility and can order any custom build to your specifications. Installation is performed at our shop, and we can arrange delivery or pickup depending on your location and preference. For municipal fleet orders or multi-unit purchases, we offer on-site delivery and installation coordination.
Can Eby bodies be customized with additional features?
Absolutely. Eby offers extensive customization options beyond their standard models. Popular add-ons include Eby’s E-Lock wireless keyless entry system, LED cabinet interior lighting, custom exterior paint colors, additional ladder racks, crane mounts, and specialized tie-down configurations. For service bodies, you can customize cabinet layouts and add drawer dividers. For flatbeds, gooseneck hitch positioning and toolbox integration can be configured to your needs. We work through all customization options when you place your order to ensure the final body matches your operation exactly.
What’s the difference between the RENEGADE and ADVANCE service bodies?
The RENEGADE is Eby’s core service body and has been their workhorse model for years. It offers excellent storage capacity, durable construction, and proven reliability at a mid-range price point. The ADVANCE is Eby’s newest premium service body, introduced to set a higher standard for professional tradespeople. Key differences: the ADVANCE features load space shelving ABOVE the cabinet network on both sides (giving you more storage without increasing body width), a more advanced fully-interlaced aluminum understructure for increased strength, and refined ergonomics for faster access. If you’re a high-volume service operation where technician efficiency matters, or running a premium fleet where equipment quality is part of your brand, the ADVANCE is worth the upgrade. For most standard service applications, the RENEGADE delivers everything you need.
Do Eby bodies affect my truck’s payload capacity?
Yes, but aluminum construction keeps the impact minimal. Eby flatbeds and service bodies are significantly lighter than comparable steel bodies. For example, an Eby RENEGADE service body weighs 640-1,182 lbs depending on configuration, while a steel equivalent might weigh 900-1,500+ lbs. That 250-400 lb difference means you’re carrying more cargo and less body weight. The BIG COUNTRY flatbed is similarly lightweight compared to steel alternatives. We calculate payload impact for your specific truck and body combination during the ordering process to ensure you’re staying within your truck’s GVWR rating.
Questions? Call us at 800-481-0501.
New England TruckMaster is an authorized Eby dealer serving CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, and ME. We also carry Miller Industries towing equipment, Henderson snow and ice removal equipment, and commercial truck accessories.