CM vs Norstar Truck Beds: Which Brand Wins for Your Work?

CM and Norstar are two of the most popular truck bed brands in Texas — and for good reason. Both are built for hardworking trucks, both are priced competitively, and both have earned loyal followings among farmers, contractors, and ranchers. But they’re not the same product.

At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry and install both brands. Here’s our honest, side-by-side comparison to help you choose.

Brand Overview

Category	CM Truck Beds	Norstar Truck Beds
Headquarters	Madill, OK (multiple US plants)	Madill, OK (same parent — DJT/CM family)
Primary Market	Farm, ranch, commercial, light construction	Farm, ranch, commercial
Body Types	Flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, platforms, dumps	Flatbeds, hay beds, service bodies
Materials	Steel & aluminum options	Steel (standard)
Price Position	Mid-range to premium depending on model	Value-to-mid-range

Fun fact: CM and Norstar are actually made by the same parent company — but they target slightly different market segments with different price points and feature sets.

Flagship Flatbed Comparison: CM SK vs Norstar SD

The CM SK and Norstar SD are the most commonly compared models — both are popular steel flatbeds for SRW and DRW pickups:

Feature	CM SK Flatbed	Norstar SD Flatbed
Floor Thickness	3/16″ tread plate	3/16″ tread plate
Main Frame	3×2 formed channel	3×2 formed channel
Side Rail Height	14″	14″
Available Widths	94″, 96″, 102″	94″, 96″, 102″
Available Lengths	7′ – 12′	7′ – 12′
Finish	Primer coat	Primer coat
Headboard Style	Full headboard standard	Full headboard standard
Toolbox Provisions	Yes (multiple configurations)	Yes
Approx. Weight (8×96)	~920 lbs	~880 lbs
Price Range	Slightly higher	Slightly lower

CM Pros and Cons

✅ CM Pros

Widest product lineup — flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, dumps, platforms
More model variants (RD, SK, Warrior, Aluma, etc.) let you fine-tune your spec
Strong parts availability — CM is everywhere in Texas
Excellent for heavy commercial work and fleet applications

❌ CM Cons

Primer-only finish — additional paint or powder coat adds cost
So many models it can be hard to choose without guidance
1-year warranty

Norstar Pros and Cons

✅ Norstar Pros

Slightly lower price point — great value for standard flatbed applications
Same quality steel construction as CM
Proven in Texas farm and ranch environments for decades
Lighter weight on comparable models = more payload capacity

❌ Norstar Cons

Narrower product lineup than CM
Fewer premium features and model customization options
Less name recognition outside the core farm/ranch market

Which Should You Choose?

Choose CM if: You need a specific body configuration (hay bed, service body, dump, platform), you run a commercial fleet, or you want the widest selection of models and accessories. CM’s ecosystem is unmatched for versatility.

Choose Norstar if: You need a reliable steel flatbed at a slightly better price, your application is straightforward (flat hauling, livestock, ranch work), and you don’t need the extra CM model variants. Norstar delivers excellent value for standard flatbed use cases.

Related Comparisons

Shop Both Brands

Not sure whether CM or Norstar is the right call for your truck? Call us at (979) 532-1486 — we carry both brands at our Wharton, TX shop and can walk you through exactly which model fits your truck and your work. We serve contractors, ranchers, and fleets across Texas and Louisiana.