Buyers who have decided on CM Truck Beds almost always end up choosing between the CM SB and the CM SK. They look similar in a photo, but they are built for two different jobs: the SB is a steel service body with tall vertical compartments, while the SK is a skirted service deck built around towing and open deck space. We install both every week, so here is the practical difference.
In stock now in Wharton, TX — real prices, installed in one business day.
Browse all in-stock truck beds and bodies or call (979) 532-1486 for a same-day quote.
CM SB vs CM SK at a glance
| Feature | CM SB | CM SK |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Steel service body, tall square compartments | Skirted service deck, lower profile boxes |
| Deck space | Narrower usable deck between boxes | Wide open deck behind the compartments |
| Compartments | Deep vertical boxes, shelved, full-height doors | 6 lockable skirt compartments |
| Gooseneck hitch | Available on most configs | Factory gooseneck ball in the deck floor |
| Rear receiver | 18,500 lb class | 18,500 lb class |
| Fits | SRW and DRW cab-and-chassis, 56″–84″ CA | SRW and DRW, 56″–60″–84″ CA |
| Best for | Mechanics, plumbers, electricians | Ranchers, welders, crews that tow |
| Approx. installed | From $3,950 for in-stock CM units | From $3,950 for in-stock CM units |
Buy the CM SB when
- You work out of the compartments. Full-height doors and shelving mean a tech can stand at the truck and find a fitting without unloading anything.
- You carry a lot of small inventory — fittings, valves, connectors, electrical stock.
- Security matters. Everything locks inside steel, nothing rides exposed on the deck.
- You want fleet-friendly flat sides for lettering and DOT numbers.
Buy the CM SK when
- You tow. The gooseneck ball is set in the deck floor and rated from the factory — no aftermarket hitch kit.
- You haul on the deck — pipe, welders, feed, pallets, a bale spear or a light crane.
- Step-in height matters. The skirted design keeps boxes low and easy to reach fifty times a day.
- You want one truck to do ranch work and service work. The SK is the better compromise body.
The honest trade-off
The SB gives up deck space to gain storage volume. The SK gives up storage volume to gain a usable, tow-ready deck. If more than half of your day is spent reaching into a box, buy the SB. If more than half of your day involves a trailer or something strapped to the deck, buy the SK. Installed pricing on in-stock CM units currently starts in the same range for both, so this is a fitment decision far more than a budget one.
Also worth comparing
If you want deeper boxes than the SB offers, look at Norstar service bodies or Houston-built RKI truck bodies. Browse the full service bodies category or compare open decks in flatbed truck bodies.
Talk to Someone Who Installs These Every Week
We stock, spec, and install these bodies at our shop in Wharton, TX, and we serve buyers across Texas and Louisiana. Call us to discuss which is right for your truck — we’ll go over cab-to-axle, wheel configuration, hitch rating, and total installed cost before you commit.
📞 Call (979) 532-1486 — Star Truck Equipment, 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. Most in-stock bodies are installed in one business day.