If you’re shopping for a new truck bed in Texas or Louisiana, you’ve probably come across two strong mid-tier brands: NXG and Norstar. Both offer solid steel flatbed bodies and utility beds at competitive price points — but they’re not identical. This guide breaks down how they compare so you can make the right call before you buy.
Who Makes NXG and Norstar?
Norstar is manufactured by Norstar Industries and has been a staple in the Texas work truck market for years. Known for their clean welds, durable powder-coat finish, and practical designs, Norstar builds flatbeds, service bodies, hay beds, and platform bodies for everything from ranching to construction.
NXG (Next Generation) is a newer brand that’s made a strong push into the Texas and Louisiana truck body market. NXG offers flatbeds, utility beds, and combo beds at a value-forward price point without sacrificing the basics buyers need — heavy-gauge steel, stake pockets, tie-down rings, and a functional toolbox layout.
Both brands are carried by Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, so our team knows these products inside and out.
Build Quality and Steel Gauge
Norstar uses heavy-gauge steel throughout their line, with skirted flatbeds and headache racks that are built for long-term durability. Their welds are consistently clean, and the powder-coat finish holds up well to the Texas sun and saltwater exposure along the Gulf Coast.
NXG is also steel-constructed and powder-coated, offering comparable durability at a slightly lower price point. Where NXG shines is value per dollar — you get the core functionality of a working flatbed without paying premium prices.
Verdict: If raw durability and fit-and-finish are your top priority, Norstar has the edge. If you want a solid, working bed at a price that leaves room in the budget for toolboxes or crane bodies, NXG delivers.
Flatbed Options
Both brands offer skirted and unskirted flatbeds in standard lengths (7′, 8′, 8.5′, 9′, 11′, 12′) for 1-ton trucks like the Ford F-350, Ram 3500, and Chevy Silverado 3500HD.
- Norstar SD — their signature skirted flatbed with a full-length toolbox area and clean profile. Great for ranchers, contractors, and anyone who wants the classic Texas flatbed look
- NXG flatbed — functional, no-frills skirted bed that handles daily work duty and fits most half-ton and one-ton chassis setups
Both brands offer stake pockets, flush-mount LED lighting compatibility, and rear receiver hitches.
Service Body Options
Norstar offers full service bodies designed for tradespeople — plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and contractors who need secure, organized compartment storage. Their service bodies are well-regarded in the Texas market.
NXG’s service body lineup is more limited but covers the essential needs: lockable side doors, weather-resistant compartments, and a clean exterior profile.
If you’re outfitting a full service fleet, Norstar’s more robust service body options may give you more configuration flexibility.
Price Comparison
NXG typically runs $300–$700 less than a comparable Norstar flatbed, depending on size and configuration. Over the course of outfitting a fleet, that difference adds up.
For a single ranch truck or contractor rig, the decision often comes down to personal preference. For a 3–5 truck fleet buy, NXG’s savings are hard to ignore.
Which Trucks Do They Fit?
Both NXG and Norstar beds are available in configurations for:
- Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 (SRW and DRW)
- Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, 5500 (SRW and DRW)
- Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 3500HD (SRW and DRW)
- GMC Sierra 2500HD, 3500HD
Cab-to-axle (CA) measurements matter when selecting your flatbed length. Our team at Star Truck Equipment measures every truck before we cut an order — no guessing, no ill-fitting installs.
Our Recommendation
- Choose Norstar if you want proven durability, more configuration options, and a brand with a long track record in Texas
- Choose NXG if you want maximum value, need a reliable flatbed at a lower price point, or are outfitting multiple trucks
Either way, you’re getting a steel, powder-coated, work-ready truck bed that will handle the Texas heat and whatever your job throws at it.
See Both Brands at Star Truck Equipment
At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we carry both NXG and Norstar truck beds and can help you choose the right fit for your truck and your work. We serve customers across Texas and Louisiana, including Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Baton Rouge, and everywhere in between.
📞 Call us at (979) 532-1486 to check current inventory, pricing, and lead times.
Or browse our truck beds for sale, NXG truck beds, and Norstar truck beds pages to see what’s in stock.
Ready to pull the trigger? We’ll measure your truck, help you pick the right CA length and configuration, and handle installation — all at our shop in Wharton, TX.
