If you’re cross-chassis shopping for a new flatbed and have narrowed it down to the CM TM and the Norstar WB, you’re comparing two of the most popular steel flatbed models on the market. Both are built for serious daily work, but they take slightly different approaches to construction, deck design, and pricing. Here’s how they stack up so you can make the right call for your truck and your budget.
CM TM Flatbed: Overview
The CM TM is CM Truck Beds’ economy-tier flatbed, built on a steel understructure with a wood or steel deck option depending on configuration. It’s designed for buyers who want a dependable, no-frills flatbed without paying for features they don’t need — think ranch work, light hauling, and general utility use. The TM keeps costs down while still delivering CM’s reputation for solid welds and a straightforward, low-maintenance design.
Norstar WB Flatbed: Overview
The Norstar WB (Wrangler) is Norstar’s value-line flatbed, built to compete directly in the same price bracket as the CM TM. It uses a similar steel frame approach with a wood deck standard, LED lighting, and a rear tapered tailboard. Norstar has built a strong reputation across Texas and Louisiana for beds that hold up to years of ranch, farm, and construction use without a lot of upkeep.
Head-to-Head Comparison
- Deck material: Both offer wood deck standard with steel deck upgrades available — check current spec sheets since options change by model year.
- Headache rack: Both include a standard headache rack; CM’s tends to run slightly taller for better cab protection on some configurations.
- Fenders: CM TM typically ships with steel fenders standard; Norstar WB often uses a diamond-plate fender option that holds up well to gravel and job site abuse.
- Pricing: These two beds are priced closely — usually within a few hundred dollars of each other depending on length, width, and DRW/SRW configuration.
- Warranty & support: Both are backed by manufacturer warranties, but your real warranty experience often comes down to who installed it and who’s around to help after the sale.
Which Should You Choose?
Honestly, both the CM TM and Norstar WB are solid entry-level flatbeds that will handle daily ranch, ag, and light contractor work for years. The better question usually isn’t “which brand” — it’s “which one is set up right for your truck and your work.” That’s where a local dealer who installs both matters more than the sticker on the headache rack.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we install and service both CM and Norstar flatbeds for customers across Texas and Louisiana, so we can walk you through the real differences on the lot — not just the spec sheet. Compare it against our flatbed body lineup or see how these value-tier beds stack up to premium options like Bedrock or RKI.
Looking for more model comparisons? Check out our guide on CM TM vs CM RD flatbeds or our breakdown of steel vs aluminum flatbeds.
Get a Quote on a CM TM or Norstar WB Flatbed
Ready to see these flatbeds in person? Call Star Truck Equipment at (979) 532-1486 or stop by our Wharton, TX location. We’ll help you compare the CM TM, Norstar WB, and other flatbed options side by side so you drive away with the right bed for your truck and your work — whether you’re in Texas or Louisiana.
