I've been considering replacing the bed on my 3/4 ton, and lo and behold, was hit while stopped at a light a couple of weeks ago.

Any recs on manufactures or shops within a hour or so drive of CS for a flatbed for a 3rd gen Ram?

any manufacturers or shops to avoid?

I have a Norstar on my '04 Ram 2500 and have been happy with it. Only issue is the wheel well skirts have some of the power coat coming off already (installed in early 2021). Do NOT use East Texas truck accessories in Marshall. They completely screwed up the wiring by hacking into the harness instead of getting the right plug adapter. I fixed it myself just because I didn't trust them to do it right (and I wired mine where the far outside lights blink where the inside lights serve as brake lights….bed is not wired for that from factory).

Good Luck! Nothing wrong with the CMs, I just felt the Norstar was a little more attractive and I found the one I bought close. For reference, I bought a skirted bed with 4 side boxes and hidden gooseneck and paid about $5800 installed. I can't remember the exact final number.

thanks!

I have a CM TM on my F350 srw. As function goes - I love it. Tools are handy, boxes are spacious and heavy built. I am in a dirty environment and surprisingly the hinges, latches, and hydraulic door cylinders have all held up well. I tow my gooseneck stick trailer (full nose front end) and my flatbed with no conflict at all. It is a very good bed for towing gooseneck and still having toolboxes.

I do have two complaints. The first is the fuel filler. Because of the size of the front box and the location of the fuel filler the hose that goes around the box it's very flat and I was unable to put fuel in the tank. I took it back to the installer twice but any fix was temporary. Eventually I drilled a 3 inch hole in the deck of the bed and just put the fuel filler out the top. Problem solved.

My second complaint, and biggest, is the finish. The powder coat finish was horrible and within a year I had rust bubbles coming up all over it. it's about four years old now and I've resigned myself it is going to look like crap.

When I buy another truck I will buy another bed this style because the function for me that big of a selling point. It works as advertised even if the finish is disappointing. That said, when I buy another one I will look for a manufacture if it will let me buy one primer and then paint it to match the pick up. I will not be interested in buying another one that has powder coated. I am not sure if C. M. still does it but they used to let you buy the primered.

I have an aluminum CM so don't have your powder coat issues, but have the same issue with the fuel tank. Sounds like you have your problem resolved but I found that if you simply turn the fuel pump handle upside down, it will fill just fine.

either of you have your installed close to B/CS ?

Sorry, no. My company has them all done in Hamilton.

No sir. Mine was done in RGV.