If you’re shopping for a new truck bed in Texas or Louisiana, you’ve probably come across two strong Texas-built brands: NXG and Norstar. Both offer solid steel flatbed bodies and utility beds — but they’re not identical. This guide breaks down how they compare so you can make the right call before you buy.
Who Makes NXG and Norstar?
Norstar is manufactured by Norstar Industries and has been a staple in the Texas work truck market for years. Known for their clean welds, durable powder-coat finish, and practical designs, Norstar builds flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, and platform bodies for everything from ranching to construction.
NXG (Next Generation) is a newer brand that’s made a strong push into the Texas and Louisiana truck body market. NXG builds its flatbeds, utility beds and combo beds in Mount Pleasant, TX around the XDeck fully recessed treadplate floor, integrated bed-access steps, a built-in 3×4-inch tube rack and the XHitch frame-integrated 30,000-lb gooseneck and 24,500-lb receiver system.
Both brands are carried by Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, so our team knows these products inside and out.
Build Quality and Steel Gauge
Norstar uses heavy-gauge steel throughout their line, with skirted flatbeds and headache racks that are built for long-term durability. Their welds are consistently clean, and the powder-coat finish holds up well to the Texas sun and saltwater exposure along the Gulf Coast.
NXG is also steel-constructed and powder-coated, using a five-stage wash, two-stage dust-on-dust powder application and infrared curing with powder-thickness inspection. Where NXG stands out is standard equipment — the recessed deck, integrated steps and rack, and tested automotive-grade lighting are built in rather than optioned.
Verdict: Both are steel, powder-coated, work-ready beds. Norstar runs heavier and offers more series (SD, SM, WB) to match skirt style and box layout. NXG runs lighter and comes with more built-in features — recessed deck, bed-access steps, integrated rack and tow package. Match the bed to the load and the chassis, not to a tier.
Flatbed Options
Both brands offer skirted and unskirted flatbeds in standard lengths (7′, 8′, 8.5′, 9′, 11′, 12′) for 1-ton trucks like the Ford F-350, Ram 3500, and Chevy Silverado 3500HD.
- Norstar SD — their signature skirted flatbed with a full-length toolbox area and clean profile. Great for ranchers, contractors, and anyone who wants the classic Texas flatbed look
- NXG flatbed — recessed treadplate deck, integrated rack and bed-access steps; fits most half-ton and one-ton chassis setups
Both brands offer stake pockets, flush-mount LED lighting compatibility, and rear receiver hitches.
Service Body Options
Norstar offers full service bodies designed for tradespeople — plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and contractors who need secure, organized compartment storage. Their service bodies are well-regarded in the Texas market.
NXG’s service body lineup is more standardized and covers what most trades need: lockable side doors, weather-resistant compartments, and a clean exterior profile.
If you’re outfitting a full service fleet, Norstar’s more robust service body options may give you more configuration flexibility.
Price Comparison
NXG typically runs $300–$700 less than a comparable Norstar flatbed, depending on size and configuration. Over the course of outfitting a fleet, that difference adds up.
For a single ranch truck or contractor rig, the decision often comes down to personal preference. For a 3–5 truck fleet buy, NXG’s savings are hard to ignore.
Which Trucks Do They Fit?
Both NXG and Norstar beds are available in configurations for:
- Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 (SRW and DRW)
- Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 (SRW and DRW)
- Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 3500HD (SRW and DRW)
- GMC Sierra 2500HD, 3500HD
Cab-to-axle (CA) measurements matter when selecting your flatbed length. Our team at Star Truck Equipment measures every truck before we cut an order — no guessing, no ill-fitting installs.
Our Recommendation
- Choose Norstar if you want proven durability, more configuration options, and a brand with a long track record in Texas
- Choose NXG if you want the recessed XDeck floor, integrated steps and rack, and a factory tow package standard, or are outfitting multiple trucks to one spec
Either way, you’re getting a steel, powder-coated, work-ready truck bed that will handle the Texas heat and whatever your job throws at it.
See Both Brands at Star Truck Equipment
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry both NXG and Norstar truck beds and can help you choose the right fit for your truck and your work. We serve customers across Texas and Louisiana, including Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Baton Rouge, and everywhere in between.
📞 Call us at (979) 532-1486 to check current inventory, pricing, and lead times.
Or browse our truck beds for sale, NXG truck beds, and Norstar truck beds pages to see what’s in stock.
Ready to pull the trigger? We’ll measure your truck, help you pick the right CA length and configuration, and handle installation — all at our shop in Wharton, TX.
