CM vs Falcon Truck Bodies: Which Service Body Is Right for Your Work Truck?
If you’re in the market for a service body or utility truck body in Texas or Louisiana, you’ve probably come across both CM Truck Beds and Falcon Truck Bodies in your research. Both brands make steel truck bodies aimed at contractors, tradespeople, and fleet operators — but they’re built differently, distributed differently, and aimed at different buyers. This guide breaks down the real differences so you can make the right call for your operation.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry CM truck bodies and work with contractors across South Texas and Louisiana every day. Here’s our honest assessment of how CM compares to Falcon.
About CM Truck Beds
CM Truck Beds, manufactured in Madill, Oklahoma, is one of the most established truck body brands in North America. Founded decades ago, CM built its reputation on affordable, well-made flatbeds before expanding into service bodies, hay beds, dump inserts, and more. Today, CM offers one of the widest product ranges in the industry — and their dealer network spans virtually every rural and urban market in Texas and Louisiana.
CM’s service body lineup includes:
- CM SB (Service Body) — Entry-level steel service body for SRW pickups (F-250, Ram 2500, Chevy 2500). Available in 4- and 6-compartment configurations. Ideal for tradespeople who need organized tool storage on a standard pickup.
- CM SSB (Super Service Body) — A wider, higher-capacity service body for DRW trucks (F-350, Ram 3500, and larger). More compartment volume, stronger structure, and compatible with gooseneck hitch setups.
- CM SBF (Service Body Flatbed Combo) — A hybrid design that pairs a short service body section with an open flatbed deck at the rear. Popular with contractors who need both organized tool storage and open hauling capacity in one unit.
All CM service bodies ship with powder-coat finish (black standard, other colors available). CM’s wide dealer network means competitive pricing and faster lead times in most Texas and Louisiana markets.
About Falcon Truck Bodies
Falcon Truck Bodies is a fast-growing manufacturer of steel truck bodies and service bodies. Falcon has built a following by emphasizing competitive pricing and an expanding dealer network, primarily in the Southeastern and South-Central U.S. Falcon makes flatbeds, service bodies, and utility bodies targeting price-conscious buyers and fleet managers looking for value.
Falcon is a newer brand compared to CM — and that shows in both their model depth and dealer footprint. While Falcon bodies are generally well-received for the price, they don’t yet match CM’s breadth of configurations, body type options, or regional dealer density in Texas and Louisiana.
CM vs Falcon: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | CM Truck Beds | Falcon Truck Bodies |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Location | Madill, Oklahoma | Southeast / South-Central U.S. |
| Body Types Offered | Flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, dump, SBF combo, platform | Flatbeds, service bodies, utility bodies |
| Service Body Models | SB, SSB, SBF (3 distinct variants) | Limited variants |
| Steel Construction | Yes — proven heavy-gauge steel | Yes — competitive steel gauge |
| Powder-Coat Finish | Yes — standard | Yes — standard |
| Aluminum Option | Yes (Warrior series flatbed) | No aluminum service bodies |
| Texas Dealer Network | Extensive — major cities + rural markets | Growing — less dense than CM |
| Louisiana Dealer Network | Available through Gulf Coast dealers | Limited coverage |
| Brand Track Record | 30+ years, industry standard | Newer brand, growing reputation |
| Price Range (installed) | $3,500–$7,500 depending on model | Generally competitive, varies by dealer |
| SRW + DRW Options | Yes — both SRW (SB) and DRW (SSB) | Yes — varies by model |
Where CM Has the Clear Edge
For most Texas and Louisiana buyers, CM service bodies are the stronger choice for several reasons:
- Dealer density: CM has been in the Texas market for decades. You’ll find CM dealers in Houston, San Antonio, Wharton, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Lufkin, Tyler, and dozens of rural markets between. That translates to faster availability, better warranty support, and lower freight costs. Falcon’s Texas footprint is still building.
- Model depth: CM’s three-variant service body lineup (SB, SSB, SBF) gives you a purpose-built option for almost any work truck configuration — from a basic SRW F-250 to a DRW chassis cab that also needs flatbed deck space. Falcon’s service body options are more limited.
- Brand track record: CM has been a Texas staple for 30+ years. Fleet managers, contractors, and dealers know CM’s quality levels, know what to expect on resale, and know how to spec parts and repairs. Falcon is still earning that reputation.
- Proven Gulf Coast durability: CM’s powder-coat finish has been tested in Texas’s harsh heat and Louisiana’s coastal humidity for generations. Falcon is newer to Gulf Coast service, so long-term corrosion performance in coastal conditions is less documented.
When Falcon Might Make Sense
Falcon can be a reasonable choice in specific situations:
- You have a local Falcon dealer nearby with good inventory and fast turnaround. Dealer relationships and availability often matter more than brand preference on a tight schedule.
- Price is the primary driver and you’re not in a coastal market where long-term corrosion resistance is a top concern.
- Your application is light-duty — a basic service setup where you prioritize low upfront cost over long-term resale value or premium build specs.
That said, if CM is available in your area at a comparable price, we’d generally recommend CM based on brand track record, model depth, and dealer support infrastructure alone.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re comparing CM and Falcon, you should also look at these alternatives:
- STI (Service Trucks International) — Waco, TX-built. Premium service bodies, mechanics truck bodies, lube truck bodies, and crane-ready configurations. Best for heavy-duty oilfield, pipeline, and industrial fleet builds on chassis cabs (F-550, Ram 5500, etc.).
- RKI (Rawson-Koenig) — Houston, TX-built. Steel and aluminum service bodies with a strong regional reputation. Texas-made with fast regional lead times and excellent crane body compatibility.
- Norstar Service Bodies — Built in Corsicana, TX. Value-priced service bodies with Texas manufacturing heritage. A strong alternative if you want a Texas-made service body at an accessible price point.
For heavier service truck builds that need a truck-mounted crane, pair any of the above with a Tiger Crane body — we carry Tiger Cranes in multiple ton-meter capacities for utility, oilfield, and construction applications across Texas and Louisiana.
Which Service Body Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick decision guide:
- Choose CM if you want a proven brand with deep Texas/Louisiana dealer support, multiple service body variants (SB/SSB/SBF), and solid resale value on a standard SRW or DRW pickup.
- Choose STI or RKI if you’re on a chassis cab doing heavy-duty work, need crane-ready configurations, or are outfitting an oilfield, pipeline, or industrial fleet.
- Consider Falcon only if you have a Falcon dealer nearby with strong local support and you’re building a light-duty setup where initial price is the primary factor.
Get the Right Service Body from Star Truck Equipment — Wharton, TX
We’re located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 and serve contractors, tradespeople, and fleet operators across South Texas, the Houston metro, and Louisiana. If you’re comparing CM, STI, RKI, Norstar, or any other service body brand, we can walk you through the real differences and help you spec the right build for your truck and your work.
We carry CM, STI, RKI, Norstar, Bradford Built, Bedrock, and more. Most installations take 1–2 days once the body arrives. We offer competitive pricing and will help you get the right fit the first time.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 or stop by to discuss your service body build. Ready to browse? View our service body inventory or shop all truck bodies for your work truck today.
