The CM SK and the Norstar SB are the two service bodies we get asked about most by mechanics, oilfield hands, and utility crews. Both are steel, both bolt onto a standard cab-and-chassis or a stripped pickup frame, and both will outlive the truck they’re mounted on. The difference is in compartment layout, crane readiness, and what you’ll actually pay to drive it home. We sell both, so here is the honest version.
In stock now in Wharton, TX — real prices, installed in one business day.
Shop CM from $3,950 | Shop Norstar from $9,550
Browse all in-stock truck beds and bodies or call (979) 532-1486 for a same-day quote.
Side-by-side: CM SK vs Norstar SB
| Feature | CM SK | Norstar SB |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Skirted service body with integrated gooseneck | Square-shouldered service/utility body |
| Material | Steel, powder-coat finish | Steel, powder-coat finish |
| Common lengths | 84″ and 96″ bed lengths | 8′ and 9′ bodies |
| Fits | SRW and DRW, 56″–60″–84″ CA | SRW and DRW cab-and-chassis |
| Compartments | 6 lockable compartments, shelved | 6–8 compartments, deeper vertical boxes |
| Hitch | Gooseneck ball + rear receiver, factory rated | Gooseneck + receiver on most configs |
| Crane-ready | Light crane only | Available reinforced/crane-ready configs |
| Approx. installed | From $3,950 for in-stock units | From $9,550 for in-stock units |
Where the CM SK wins
- Best price of entry. Our in-stock CM units start around $3,950 installed, which makes the SK the cheapest way to put a real service body on a work truck.
- Towing built in. The gooseneck ball sits in the deck floor and is rated from the factory — no aftermarket hitch kit needed.
- Skirted, lower step-in. Easier on a crew that’s in and out of boxes fifty times a day.
- Parts and support are everywhere in Texas. CM is the most widely dealt brand in the state, so latches, lights, and lids are same-week items.
Where the Norstar SB wins
- Deeper storage. Taller compartment boxes swallow long wrenches, torque bars, and hydraulic fittings without stacking.
- Heavier gauge feel. Crews running caliche roads and lease roads daily tend to report fewer door alignment issues over the long haul.
- Crane-ready options. If a 3,200–6,000 lb crane is in your future, Norstar’s reinforced configurations are the safer starting point.
- Cleaner flat sides for lettering and fleet graphics.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the CM SK if you’re a one-truck contractor or a small crew, you tow a gooseneck trailer, and installed price matters. It is the highest-value service body on our lot right now.
Buy the Norstar SB if the truck is a full-time mechanics or oilfield service unit, you carry heavy tooling, or you plan to add a crane. You are paying more up front for capacity and headroom to grow.
Other options worth a look
If you want aluminum or a Houston-built body, compare RKI service bodies. If you mostly need secure enclosed storage rather than a full body, look at SpaceKap service caps. See everything in the service bodies category, or compare flatbeds 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.