CM vs Norstar Truck Beds: Which Brand Wins for Your Work?
CM and Norstar are two of the most popular truck bed brands in Texas — and for good reason. Both are built for hardworking trucks, both are priced competitively, and both have earned loyal followings among farmers, contractors, and ranchers. But they’re not the same product.
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry and install both brands. Here’s our honest, side-by-side comparison to help you choose.
Brand Overview
| Category | CM Truck Beds | Norstar Truck Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Madill, OK (multiple US plants) | Madill, OK (same parent — DJT/CM family) |
| Primary Market | Farm, ranch, commercial, light construction | Farm, ranch, commercial |
| Body Types | Flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, platforms, dumps | Flatbeds, hay beds, service bodies |
| Materials | Steel & aluminum options | Steel (standard) |
| Price Position | Mid-range to premium depending on model | Value-to-mid-range |
Fun fact: CM and Norstar are actually made by the same parent company — but they target slightly different market segments with different price points and feature sets.
Flagship Flatbed Comparison: CM SK vs Norstar SD
The CM SK and Norstar SD are the most commonly compared models — both are popular steel flatbeds for SRW and DRW pickups:
| Feature | CM SK Flatbed | Norstar SD Flatbed |
|---|---|---|
| Floor Thickness | 3/16″ tread plate | 3/16″ tread plate |
| Main Frame | 3×2 formed channel | 3×2 formed channel |
| Side Rail Height | 14″ | 14″ |
| Available Widths | 94″, 96″, 102″ | 94″, 96″, 102″ |
| Available Lengths | 7′ – 12′ | 7′ – 12′ |
| Finish | Primer coat | Primer coat |
| Headboard Style | Full headboard standard | Full headboard standard |
| Toolbox Provisions | Yes (multiple configurations) | Yes |
| Approx. Weight (8×96) | ~920 lbs | ~880 lbs |
| Price Range | Slightly higher | Slightly lower |
CM Pros and Cons
✅ CM Pros
- Widest product lineup — flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, dumps, platforms
- More model variants (RD, SK, Warrior, Aluma, etc.) let you fine-tune your spec
- Strong parts availability — CM is everywhere in Texas
- Excellent for heavy commercial work and fleet applications
❌ CM Cons
- Primer-only finish — additional paint or powder coat adds cost
- So many models it can be hard to choose without guidance
- 1-year warranty
Norstar Pros and Cons
✅ Norstar Pros
- Slightly lower price point — great value for standard flatbed applications
- Same quality steel construction as CM
- Proven in Texas farm and ranch environments for decades
- Lighter weight on comparable models = more payload capacity
❌ Norstar Cons
- Narrower product lineup than CM
- Fewer premium features and model customization options
- Less name recognition outside the core farm/ranch market
Which Should You Choose?
Choose CM if: You need a specific body configuration (hay bed, service body, dump, platform), you run a commercial fleet, or you want the widest selection of models and accessories. CM’s ecosystem is unmatched for versatility.
Choose Norstar if: You need a reliable steel flatbed at a slightly better price, your application is straightforward (flat hauling, livestock, ranch work), and you don’t need the extra CM model variants. Norstar delivers excellent value for standard flatbed use cases.
Related Comparisons
- CM SK vs Norstar SD: Detailed Flatbed Comparison
- Bedrock vs CM Truck Beds
- Bedrock vs Norstar Truck Beds
Shop Both Brands
Not sure whether CM or Norstar is the right call for your truck? Call us at (979) 532-1486 — we carry both brands at our Wharton, TX shop and can walk you through exactly which model fits your truck and your work. We serve contractors, ranchers, and fleets across Texas and Louisiana.