CM Truck Beds vs 903 Truck Beds: A Buyer’s Comparison
If you’re shopping for a flatbed or skirted truck bed in Texas, you’ve probably come across both CM Truck Beds and 903 Truck Beds. Both brands have a loyal following in the Lone Star State, and both are legitimate options for ranchers, contractors, and tradespeople. But they’re built differently, sold differently, and serve different buyer profiles. This guide breaks down exactly where each brand wins — and helps you decide which one belongs on your work truck.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry and install CM Truck Beds — so we know this product line inside and out. We’re also familiar with the Texas truck bed market and the regional brands that compete in it. Here’s our honest take.
Brand Backgrounds
CM Truck Beds
CM Truck Beds is manufactured in Madill, Oklahoma, and is one of the most widely distributed flatbed brands in the country. CM has been building truck bodies since 1990 and has grown into a full-line manufacturer — flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, skirted beds, and platform bodies. Their dealer network spans Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and beyond, with strong regional support for parts and replacement components.
CM’s model lineup includes:
- RD — Standard open flatbed, the most popular model in Texas
- SK — Skirted flatbed with clean sides and toolbox integration
- RS — Ranch skirted bed, wider rear profile for hay and livestock hauling
- ER — Economy flatbed, entry-level pricing with core CM quality
- Warrior — All-aluminum flatbed, lightest option in the CM lineup
- SB / SSB — Steel service bodies for tradespeople and fleet operators
- Hay Beds — Multiple skirted hay configurations for round and square bales
903 Truck Beds
903 Truck Beds is based in Sumner, TX — an East Texas manufacturer building flatbeds and skirted truck beds primarily for the regional market. 903 has built a reputation for solid steel construction and a no-frills approach to truck beds. Their product line is more focused than CM’s — you’ll find flatbeds and skirted beds, but not a full service body or hay bed lineup. Distribution is regional, concentrated in East Texas and surrounding states.
Head-to-Head Comparison: CM vs 903
| Factor | CM Truck Beds | 903 Truck Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Location | Madill, Oklahoma | Sumner, Texas |
| Product Range | Flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, skirted beds, aluminum beds | Flatbeds and skirted beds (focused lineup) |
| Material Options | Steel and aluminum (Warrior) | Steel |
| Dealer Network | Large — TX, LA, OK, and beyond | Regional — primarily East Texas |
| Pricing Tier | Mid-range to premium depending on model | Competitive / value-oriented |
| Finish | Powder-coat | Powder-coat |
| Parts & Support | Strong — nationwide dealer access | Regional — East Texas–based |
| Best For | Wide range of buyers and applications | East Texas buyers wanting local-made value |
Where CM Wins
Model selection is the biggest CM advantage. CM offers something for nearly every work truck application — open flatbeds, skirted beds, service bodies, hay beds, and aluminum options. If your needs change down the road (for example, you start with a flatbed and later need a service body), CM is a brand you can stick with across multiple trucks and configurations. That consistency matters for fleet buyers and growing businesses.
Aluminum option. The CM Warrior is CM’s all-aluminum flatbed — a major advantage for buyers on half-tons or three-quarter-tons where payload budget is tight. 903 doesn’t offer an aluminum truck bed, so if weight savings is a priority, CM is the clear call.
Dealer access and parts support. Because CM’s dealer network is large, getting replacement parts, accessories (headache racks, toolboxes, LED upgrades), and warranty support is straightforward. We carry CM at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton — which means buyers from Houston, Victoria, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and across South Texas and Louisiana can access CM support locally.
Service bodies and hay beds. If you need more than a flatbed — a service body with compartments, a hay bed with skirted sides and bale stops, or a platform body — CM covers all of it. 903 does not. This matters if you’re building out a fleet and want to standardize across multiple truck types.
Where 903 Truck Beds Fits
903 is a legitimate regional option for East Texas buyers who want a local-made steel flatbed at a competitive price. If you’re in the Sumner, TX area or deep East Texas, 903 has dealer relationships and a strong local reputation. Their flatbeds are straightforward steel builds — dependable for ranch and contractor use.
That said, if you’re in South Texas, the Gulf Coast region, Houston metro, or Louisiana, 903’s regional distribution makes it harder to source and support. For these buyers, CM’s broader dealer network — including Star Truck Equipment — is a more practical choice.
Which Should You Buy?
Choose CM if:
- You need more than just a flatbed — service body, hay bed, or aluminum option
- You’re in South Texas, Houston metro, Gulf Coast, or Louisiana (better dealer access)
- You run a fleet and want to standardize on one brand across multiple configurations
- You want aluminum to save payload weight on a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck
- You want strong local dealer support with a nearby installation shop
Consider 903 if:
- You’re in East Texas and have a local 903 dealer you trust
- You specifically want a Texas-manufactured product
- You need a basic steel flatbed or skirted bed and value is the top priority
For most buyers across the broader Texas and Louisiana region — especially those west and south of the Piney Woods — CM is the more accessible and versatile choice. The model range, dealer network, and aluminum option give CM a meaningful edge for a wide range of applications.
Other Brands Worth Comparing
If you’re still in research mode, here are a few other comparisons that might help:
- CM vs Norstar — Both wide-distribution flatbed brands; Norstar is made in Clarksville, TX
- Bedrock vs CM — Bedrock’s bolt-together construction vs CM’s welded design
- CM vs Bradford Built — Iowa-made premium steel vs CM’s accessible mid-range lineup
- CM vs Legend X — Texas-made Legend X vs CM’s wider national distribution
- NXG vs CM — Budget NXG vs CM’s broader model range
Ready to Order a CM Truck Bed?
Star Truck Equipment is a CM dealer serving all of South Texas and Louisiana from our location in Wharton, TX. We stock and install CM flatbeds, CM service bodies, and CM hay beds — and we’ll help you get the right cab-to-axle measurement and configuration for your specific truck before you order.
We install CM beds on Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Ram 3500, Ram 4500, Ram 5500, Chevy Silverado 3500HD, and more. Most installations take 1–2 days once your body arrives.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to talk through your build or get a quote. You can also browse our full truck bed inventory or view our flatbed truck body options online.
We serve customers from Houston, Victoria, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and across Louisiana — including Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Shreveport. If you’re comparing truck beds and want an honest recommendation from a team that installs them every day, give us a call.
