If you’re a rancher in Texas shopping for a hay bed, two names come up over and over: Norstar and Bradford Built. Both are solid American-made brands, both fit full-size and chassis cab trucks, and both are available right here at Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX. So which one’s right for your operation?
We sell and install both — and we’ve put a lot of hay beds on ranch trucks across Texas and Louisiana. Here’s an honest breakdown.
Norstar Hay Beds: Built for Ranch Work
Norstar is based in Clyde, TX — deep in ranch country — and it shows in how they engineer their hay beds. The Norstar SH Series is their flagship hay bed, built from heavy-gauge steel with a reinforced floor designed to handle repeated hay bale loading without flexing or cracking.
- Frame construction: Heavy-duty tubular steel frame, welded corners
- Floor: Rugged steel with anti-skid surface
- Headboard: Tall steel headboard protects cab during load shifts
- Finish: Black powder-coat — holds up to scratches from bale wire and rough use
- Lengths available: 8 ft, 9 ft, 10 ft options depending on cab/chassis
- Weight: Moderate — won’t kill your payload allowance
Norstar beds are a workhorse choice. If you’re feeding cattle every day, loading round bales with a spike, or hauling square bales with a crew — this is a bed that takes punishment and keeps going. The powder-coat finish is tough and looks good long after delivery.
Bradford Built Hay Beds: Premium Craftsmanship
Bradford Built, out of Kansas, is known as a premium truck body brand — and their Bradford Built Workbed and Hay Bed configurations reflect that reputation. They use thicker steel, tighter welds, and more standard features compared to entry-level competitors.
- Frame construction: Heavy-duty full-perimeter steel frame — extremely rigid
- Floor: Diamond-plate or steel options with reinforced cross-members
- Headboard: Full cab-height headboard, integrated into frame
- Finish: Black powder-coat — excellent UV and rust resistance in Texas heat
- Lengths available: Custom to your truck’s cab-to-axle measurement
- Weight: Slightly heavier than Norstar — but more rigid structure
Bradford Built hay beds are for ranchers who want maximum durability and don’t mind spending a little more upfront. The heavier frame construction means less flex under heavy round bale loads, and the fit and finish tends to be a step up from most competitors.
Norstar vs Bradford Built: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Norstar SH Hay Bed | Bradford Built Hay Bed |
|---|---|---|
| Made in | Clyde, TX | Kansas |
| Frame gauge | Heavy-duty steel | Heavy-duty (slightly thicker) |
| Finish | Black powder-coat | Black powder-coat |
| Headboard | Tall standard headboard | Full integrated headboard |
| Customization | Good — length/width options | Excellent — more custom options |
| Weight | Lighter | Slightly heavier |
| Price | More affordable | Premium |
| Best for | Daily ranch work, value | Heavy use, max durability |
Which One Should You Buy?
Here’s how we think about it for our Texas and Louisiana customers:
Choose Norstar if: You want a reliable, proven hay bed at a better price point. Texas-made, widely used on working ranches across the state. Great for daily cattle feeding, hauling square bales, and general ranch use. If budget matters and you still want quality, Norstar is a smart pick.
Choose Bradford Built if: You’re running a bigger operation, hauling heavier round bales regularly, or want a bed that’ll outlast the truck. The heavier construction pays off over years of heavy use. Also a great choice if you want a cleaner, more premium finish.
Truck Compatibility
Both brands fit most popular ranch trucks:
- Ford F-350 DRW — One of the most popular platforms for hay beds in Texas. Both Norstar and Bradford Built offer sizes that fit the F-350’s cab-to-axle measurement.
- Ram 3500 DRW — Another top choice. Both brands fit Ram chassis cabs.
- Chevy Silverado 3500HD DRW — Works great with both brands.
- Ford F-450 / F-550 — If you’re hauling the heaviest loads, chassis cab models with either brand give you more payload capacity.
Not sure which truck/bed combo is right for your setup? We’ll help you figure out the cab-to-axle measurement and pick the right length. Just call us.
Installation at Star Truck Equipment — Wharton, TX
We’re located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX — right in the heart of ranch country between Houston and Victoria. We install hay beds on trucks from across South Texas and Louisiana. Most installations are done same-day or next business day once we have the bed in stock.
We carry both Norstar and Bradford Built in our yard. Call (979) 532-1486 to check current stock, get pricing, or schedule your installation. You can also check out our truck bed inventory, Norstar page, and Bradford Built page for more details.
Whether you’re feeding 50 head or 500, we’ll get you set up with the right hay bed for your ranch.
