Diamondback Tonneau Cover

Take your time with the install. Adjusting the bars and brackets it will be problem free

 

Ok I'll admit it was a bit of a PITA installing. I've lost all sunlight but got it on and will re-adjust this weekend. But do you guys find that the tailgate hits the DB seal with the cover installed? The tailgate doesn't fall when opened any more, I have to pull it to clear the DB seal. Is this normal?

 

yes, it's normal. if you want to water tight. put 50lbs on each latch to tighten the bolt.

 

Thanks for posting this. Didn't realize it is normal for the tailgate to not open freely...

 

Same on mine

 

A few quick impressions on the new cover:

+overall quality is really good, solid built cover. Love the look and durability.

The underside of the cover had some light scratches on delivery. I think it was from the saftey latch during travel. Not sure why they didn't wrap that so metal on metal wouldn't scratch this premium cover. Not a huge issue but just not what i would expect to see at this price point.

I hauled probably 50 pounds of trash on my first drive with the cover. The rear definitely felt weighted. I can't tell if it was the new load with the cover or maybe the air resistance. But its definitely different.

-For some reason my safety latch decided not to work correctly after sitting over night, I cant get the cab side open all the way.

-For a premium cover, the lock cylinder and key seems really cheap to me. Im sure its fine and will do what its supposed to but it just gives a cheaper feel.

I definitely need to make some adjustments to it. The cab isn't as "tight" as the rear. And as I mentioned in a previous post, the tailgate is much more difficult to open and close.

Edit: also wanted to comment about the instructions not being very clear. I had several issues that set me back. Part of the issue was probably my low blood sugar lol but specifically the following:
-the instructions mentioned installing shims before putting the cover on. I didn't realize there were shims included with their own separate instructions so I had to back track a little
-the brackets that hold the lock bars had 2 nuts that you adjust so that the bars lock into the rail system. I don't know if it was the way mine was put together at the factory or if the instructions were not clear but ultimately i had to remove one of the screws and readjust the angle of the bracket in order for the lock bar to line into the rail. I watched videos on the system in order to figure out why i couldn't get them to align correctly.
-the wire loop that attaches to the middle cover system also tripped me up. the instructions seemed vauge to me as far as placement. i watched several videos but no one really covered it. I finally figured out that it was supposed to go over the middle cover section after trial and error.

Pics to come later.

 

Really appreciate you posting your thoughts on this. This cover is sold at a premium price and I'm looking to purchase but want to know all that is involved in it...good and bad. Not saying I won't purchase at this point.

Seems like you have brought up some issues with this cover that Diamondback needs to look into. Not sure if this is just the Tundra model but from my research the Tacoma folks don't have any issues.

Do you plan to reach out to Diamondback? They seem pretty responsive. I would be curious to know if these issues are just for your cover or common though all Tundra covers....

 

Wasn't planning on reaching out to them at this point but upon reflection of the installation, I did wonder how tight the big C-clamps needed to be. They don't specify in the instructions and i didn't want to over tighten. I was afraid that the clamps might crush the rails. I would think they would need a torque setting since its effectively how its holding onto the truck.

 

Be sure to re-tighten the center-piece clamps after about 100 miles or so of driving. I don’t know how tight they should be or at what torque setting, but if they’re too tight, it’ll keep the end pieces from closing and sealing properly.

As for the shims, mine fell off. I suppose I could call DB and ask for replacements, but I’ve had no issues without them on.

FWIW, I’ve R&Red mine a few times during the year I’ve had it. I’ve had no leaks or issues that readjustment won’t fix. For instance, if I tighten the end pieces down too much, it may be really hard to open and close without pushing down on it real hard, especially the cab panel.

Also, the lock bars have a rubber cover/sleeve that can sometimes come loose and bunch up when turning them to lock and close. It took me awhile to figure out why I wasn’t able to turn them to lock. It’s an easy fix - you just push the rubber sleeve back on all the way with your fingers and it should close up again. I guess I could see how it all works if I remove that rubber sleeve altogether if it continues.

After about a year of use, I’m still really liking mine, especially the added storage security and rain-proof protection it offers when I leave something of value locked up in the bed. I also get tons of compliments on it.

If the DB weren’t an option, I might try the Retrax or whatever it’s called. A friend has one on his, and it looks real nice. It also holds 500 lbs, but he says he sometimes gets minor leaks when it rains. He had his professionally installed by a local vendor, but I’ve heard of others who’ve had trouble with it opening and closing if the railing isn’t installed perfectly straight.

 

How did your shims fall off? Unless your instructions were different, They Are to be installed under the bed rails. I woukd think theyd be impssible to fall off.

 

Pix

 

Forgot I had a pic of the shims

 

Not sure but it looks like you have it too far forward. May just be the pics as I’m on my phone though...

 

I think it's slightly too far forward as well. And it looks like you've tightened it down more than I did as well. It took some trial and error to find how tight I wanted the 3 panels but I think I've got a good balance of of tight but easy to lock/unlock.

 

I figure if I move it back, the seal will just obstruct the tailgate even further, no?

 

I agree with you because I did the same thing. I can’t open my tailgate without opening the cover. I tried positioning mine multiple times with the same outcome. Maybe it will get better as time goes by. But I also feel that the gasket will get chewed up if I open the tailgate with out opening the cover first. I still love this cover.

 

Maybe the other two guys who posted above can send us placement pix. I do plan on adjustong mine tomorrow. The strange thing Is my rear is much more tight than the front

 

I installed it between the the bed and cap cover.

 

Diamondback looks great on your truck!

 

From what I’ve read in other threads, you shouldn’t tighten the middle too much. You do tighten the ends but only for the first few days. Then you loosen it up just a bit.

I’ll see if I can find the other thread. Keep in mind I’m still waiting for mine so this is from reading rather than doing.

 

In a week or two rubber seal will settle and it will be opening pretty easy

 

If by shims you’re talking about the little plastic pieces with 3M adhesive, my guess is that the Texas heat may have affected they’re adhesiveness.

 

Oh, ok. My apologies. Looks like we’re talking about two different things. I have no idea what that piece is.

 

Looking at it again, it looks like it’s a bed cap?

 

Dame, you have to do all that on a deck rail system. I just have 4 clams

 

The shims go under the bed side caps. The pic i posted shows the shims installed. They are 3m stickied on

 

If those shims look like a j then they go on the bed rail where the bars slide under

 

They must have changed that

 

@Burdturger Can you share your current impressions after a few more days with the cover? Do you find that the losing mechanisms rattle when opening/closing?

 

I never got those shims. Are they used for those with bed rails?