If you haul hay — whether you’re running a small hobby farm or managing thousands of acres of Texas ranchland — the hay bed on your pickup or flatbed truck is one of the most important tools you own. Two of the most popular hay bed brands in Texas and Louisiana are CM Truck Beds and Bradford Built, and both are brands we carry right here at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX.
So how do they stack up? We break down the key differences in construction, features, pricing, and use cases so you can make the right call for your operation.
CM Hay Beds: Built for Texas Ranchers
CM Truck Beds has been manufacturing truck bodies in Madill, Oklahoma for decades, and their hay beds have become a staple on Texas ranches from the Panhandle down to the Gulf Coast. CM hay beds are designed from the ground up for bale handling — whether you’re moving round bales, square bales, or a mix of both.
Key CM hay bed features include:
- Heavy-gauge steel construction — CM uses thick steel throughout, giving you a bed that can take the punishment of daily ranch work year after year.
- Stake pocket design — Standard stake pockets allow you to configure your bed with bale loading posts, side boards, or hay spears depending on what you’re moving that day.
- Wide floor options — CM hay beds come in configurations designed to accept both round and large square bales without requiring custom modifications.
- Gooseneck-compatible models — Many CM hay bed configurations work with a gooseneck ball and safety chain loops so you can pull a trailer while hauling bales.
- Powder coat finish — CM beds ship with a durable powder coat finish that stands up to UV, moisture, and the harsh conditions of ranch work in Texas and Louisiana.
CM hay beds fit a wide range of truck platforms — from 3/4-ton pickups up through 1-ton dually configurations on Ford F-350 DRW, Ram 3500 DRW, and Chevy Silverado 3500HD. If you want a proven, affordable hay bed that fits your existing pickup, CM is hard to beat.
Bradford Built Hay Beds: Premium Craftsmanship for Serious Operations
Bradford Built takes a slightly different approach. Built in Granger, Iowa, Bradford Built hay beds are known for their premium fit and finish, thoughtful design details, and heavy-duty construction that’s built to last a lifetime on working ranches.
Key Bradford Built hay bed features include:
- All-steel welded construction — Bradford Built doesn’t cut corners. Their hay beds feature fully welded steel frames with heavy crossmembers that handle the weight of multiple large round bales without flex or sag.
- Integrated side-mounted hay hooks — Bradford Built hay beds often include factory provisions for hay spears and bale handlers, making them ready to work with hydraulic accessories right out of the box.
- Toolboxes and storage integration — Many Bradford Built hay bed configurations come with integrated toolbox options so you can store your ranch tools, straps, and gear without adding a separate box.
- Clean, finished appearance — Bradford Built is known for tight panel gaps, clean welds, and a polished appearance that looks as good on the ranch as it does at the feed store or equipment auction.
- Wide body configurations — Bradford Built offers hay bed configurations in widths and lengths that accommodate wide-load hauls, perfect for operations that move oversized square bales regularly.
Bradford Built hay beds tend to be a premium investment — you’ll pay a bit more upfront, but ranchers and feeders who run them hard for 10+ years typically report excellent long-term value.
CM vs Bradford Built Hay Beds: Head-to-Head
| Feature | CM Hay Beds | Bradford Built Hay Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Heavy-gauge steel, powder coat | All-steel welded, premium finish |
| Price Point | Mid-range, great value | Premium, higher upfront cost |
| Truck Compatibility | 3/4-ton to 1-ton pickups | Strong 1-ton and medium duty focus |
| Gooseneck Ready | Yes — on most configurations | Yes — standard on many models |
| Toolbox Integration | Add-on options available | Factory-integrated options available |
| Bale Handling | Stake pocket / spear compatible | Factory provisions for hydraulic accessories |
| Finish | Powder coat standard | Premium powder coat, clean welds |
| Best For | Value buyers, first-time hay bed buyers | High-volume ops, long-term investment |
Which Hay Bed Should You Buy?
The honest answer depends on your operation and your budget:
- Choose CM if you want a proven, affordable hay bed that fits your existing pickup or 1-ton dually and you want to get it installed fast without breaking the bank. CM’s wide availability and competitive pricing make it the go-to choice for first-time hay bed buyers and ranchers who replace their bed every few years.
- Choose Bradford Built if you’re running a high-volume hay hauling operation, want integrated storage and a premium fit and finish, and plan to keep your truck body for 10 years or more. Bradford Built’s tighter construction and thoughtful design details earn their higher price tag for serious operations.
Both brands are workhorses. You won’t make a bad decision choosing either one — it really comes down to how hard you work your equipment and how long you plan to run it. Also compare our full hay bed inventory to see what’s in stock today.
Why Buy From Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX?
We carry both CM and Bradford Built at Star Truck Equipment, located at 2507 County Rd 231 in Wharton, TX. We serve ranchers, feeders, hay haulers, and working farmers across South Texas, the Texas Gulf Coast, and into Louisiana. Our team knows ranch trucks — we can help you match the right hay bed to your truck, your operation, and your budget.
We handle the full installation in-house at our Wharton facility, so you drop your truck off and pick it up ready to work. No subcontractors, no delays.
Browse our full truck bed inventory, CM hay beds, and Bradford Built hay beds pages for current stock and pricing. Also see our flatbed vs hay bed guide if you’re still deciding on bed style.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your hay bed options, get a quote, or schedule installation. We’re here Monday through Friday and ready to help you get your truck working harder.
