For Texas ranchers who haul hay every week, the combination of a Ram 3500 DRW dually and a Norstar hay bed is one of the most trusted setups in the state. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we install Norstar hay beds on Ram 3500 DRW trucks for ranchers from Wharton County to Victoria, Bay City, and beyond.
Why Norstar Hay Beds on a Ram 3500 DRW?
The Ram 3500 DRW (dual rear wheel, dually) is the gold standard for heavy ranch hauling. Its wider rear track provides stability under big loads, and the dual rear tires give you the traction and load capacity to safely haul large square bales, round bales, or a full load of small squares stacked high. Pair that with a Norstar hay bed and you have a purpose-built hay hauler.
Norstar builds their hay beds specifically for this use case — slanted sides to keep bales from rolling, stake pocket tie-down points for securing loads, and solid steel construction that handles the repeated loading cycles that would wear out a general-purpose flatbed in a few seasons.
Norstar Hay Bed Features
- Slanted/raked sides: Angled side rails hold rectangular and round bales more securely than flat-sided flatbeds
- Heavy steel floor: 3/16″ or thicker floor plate handles the weight and abrasion of hay bale loading and unloading
- Stake pockets: Full-length stake pockets for bale stakes, side boards, or livestock panels
- Rear bumper: Integrated rear bumper with hitch receiver — gooseneck ball or fifth wheel optional
- Powder-coat finish: Black or custom colors — resists Texas heat and UV better than bare paint
- LED lighting: Full LED running, brake, and turn light package standard
- Toolbox option: Front-mount toolbox available for storing gloves, bale hooks, tie-downs, and ranch tools
Fitment for Ram 3500 DRW
The Ram 3500 DRW is available in Regular Cab, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab configurations with varying CA (cab-to-axle) measurements. For hay hauling, most ranchers prefer:
- Regular Cab DRW: Longer CA allows a larger hay bed — typically 9′ to 10′ — maximizing your bale capacity per trip
- Crew Cab DRW: Shorter effective CA means a 8′ to 9′ hay bed — you give up some deck length for crew cab comfort
We measure your truck’s CA and wheel overhang before ordering to make sure the Norstar hay bed sits properly over the dual rear wheels and doesn’t extend excessively behind the axle. Proper fitment is critical for weight distribution when fully loaded.
What Texas Ranchers Use Norstar Hay Beds For
- Small square bale hauling: Norstar hay beds stack small square bales efficiently — you can carry 20–40 small squares per load depending on bed size and stack height
- Large round bale hauling: Wide-stance DRW trucks with longer Norstar beds can haul 2–3 large round bales at a time
- Hay yard to pasture runs: Daily feeding routes across ranch roads where stability and ground clearance matter
- General ranch hauling: Norstar hay beds pull double duty as flatbeds for fence posts, pipe, feed sacks, and more
Norstar vs Other Hay Beds
We also carry Bradford Built, CM, and Bedrock hay beds. Norstar is a great choice when you want a value-priced, proven hay bed from a brand with strong Texas dealer support. Bradford Built hay beds are heavier-duty and often preferred for commercial hay operations that load and unload multiple times daily. Browse our full hay beds for sale page or Norstar truck beds page for current inventory.
Order Your Norstar Hay Bed for Your Ram 3500 DRW
Call (979) 532-1486 to get a quote or stop by 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. We’re right in the heart of cattle country and understand what Texas ranchers need from a hay bed. We’ll get you measured up and spec’d right so your Ram 3500 DRW is hauling hay the right way all season long.