Diamondback Tonneau Cover

As promised...here is a pic of the SE post install. Took my time on the install as I'm old and it was hotter than satan's taint so lots of water and AC breaks, but from the time the pallet was dropped off until clean up was 2.5 hours. A much younger version of me would have taken around 1 - 1 1/2 hours I believe.

 

Looks great! Enjoy!

 

Thank you! Also, dig your avatar, one of my favorite movies.

 

Finished my UpTop rack install today. I added the inner cleats and stronger struts from Diamondback.

 

So interesting that since i started looking at diamondbacks online, ive seen a ton of them on local trucks

 

I have a Diamondback hd….with ski season coming up I wanted to see what everyone does for racks attached to the cover. I like the idea of the track option for versatility. But the accessories are ridiculously expensive……what’s everyone using to secure kayak, ski, ladder racks to their diamondbacks and is there any aftermarket options as alternatives to Yakima or Thule? I spent quite a bit on the cover and would prefer not to spend $2k for accessories that I will only likely use a few times a year.

 

As per my post #931 in this thread, I have the Yakima Skyline HD rack system and Yakima HighRoad bike racks on my DiamondBack SE. Yes, it was hard to get over the initial sticker shock for these items but the flip side is I'll use them for many years. I also believe you get what you pay for in this case.

 

I agree to a point - I have been dead set against Thule and Yakima for years due to the price hiking they do. It’s good stuff but doesn’t make sense for the limited times I will use them. Their proprietary products are well built, functional and versatile but I just can’t bring myself to paying that premium for them. I have fabricated or pieced together other parts before to achieve similar results - was hoping someone else had done so with the Diamondback

 

How are you liking the bedrack so far? Are those load bars just aluminum extrusion. - like 80/20? I’m looking at getting one of these. I’ve been thinking thru doing it DYI using 80/20 but I don’t know that it would really save me any money.

I think I’d prefer the taller one so that I can still put stuff on the cover, but I would like to be able to open the doors at least one at a time.

 

I have the same rack system on my Diamondback and I thought I read on the UpTop website that the taller bars won't allow it to open. That's why I went shorter.

 

I saw that also about them not opening. I emailed them to see if they meant that you couldn’t open both at once or if they meant you could only open 1. I emailed twice to see what I’d get. Both replies were that I could open one, just not 2. I just went and measured. No way one would open. But I do think the front one could open with the safety catch. Thinking I might add a safety catch to the back and see what happens. It might work that way.

 

Ran into a bed cover buddy at a Louisville hotel parking lot.

 

If anyone is interested, DiamondBack is giving a 10% off for first responders. It ends today. Just ordered my switchback for 1600$ before taxes. ✌

 

Initially, I was leaning towards the BAKFlip MX4 for my 2023 Tundra, but then based on comments here and online reviews it seems that both BAK product quality and customer service have taken a hit. So, I dropped BAK from consideration and instead looked at Diamondback and Peragon products. Was ready to pull the trigger on the Diamondback Switchback (HD is too much money) but found too many reviews complaining about the plastic levers used to lock down the panel closest to the tailgate. The fact that the levers are plastic didn't bother me too much but, having to reach in, engage, and then pull down two different levers on opposite sides of the bed to lock down the panel seemed odd for such an otherwise well-designed cover. Releasing that panel should be accomplished using a single hand using a single handle/lever as can be seen on various other covers. Beyond that, I can foresee situations where cargo would interfere with access to the levers as well as engaging them. It's rather clunky and poorly designed in my view. The Diamondback HD cover does have a single handle on the top-center of the cover that releases the panel but, as I pointed out to Diamondback, here in the north where we have snow/ice accumulating on the cover for ~4 months of the year, access to the handle could be a problem, particularly following an ice storm. The handle/lever should be on the inside of the cover, or perhaps both inside and outside. This concern caused me to drop Diamondback from consideration and, for similar reasons (i.e. snow/ice accumulation) Peragon as well. That brings me back to the BAKFlip MX4, which I'll be taking my chances on, the quality issues notwithstanding.

 

I’m in San Antonio so I think I’ve had ice maybe twice in the 6 years I’ve had my Diamondback HD. So obviously can’t speak to issues that ice causes. That said, I rarely open my cover. I’ve got bins that slide easily in and out for everyday stuff and really have little need to open it. We did have several inches of snow here in Texas a few years ago. I tried to open it up just to see what would happen. I managed to get some otherwise dry stuff all wet. There are plenty of members here who see ice regularly and they are built in PA. I don’t know if that helps at all but thought I’d share my experience.

 

Sorry guys, I just saw these posts.

Being able to open the covers was the first reason I went with the shorter legs (the second being a RTT or other accessories won't be higher than the truck cab). I bought an SE without the cleats so I had to install my inner cleats. I offset my inner cleats when I installed them (moved them farther away from the fixed piece of the DB cover). If your cleats were preinstalled then this won't work obviously. Also make sure you get the stronger struts from DB so your covers will stay open.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the insight ...

 

Thanks ... While I like the idea of being able to access the bed near the cab, I still don't like the release handle on the top where access or damage (from top-loaded cargo) could be a problem. I would have expected the handle to be recessed to minimize the latter. The release for the OEM cover on my Tacoma was right at the end/inside of the cover, which I always found to be convenient; the cover could be released and opened with one hand.

 

If anyone is thinking about pulling the trigger on a new DiamondBack cover, their Black Friday Sale is on now.

 

Put mine on today

 

That looks really good! I'm thinking on getting mine as well. Do Diamondback covers really take 7-8 weeks to leave the factory?

 

They can.

You can also check out the outlet section. I ordered a switchback and it’ll be here in less than a week compared to 45 days for a new model.

saved 15% and shipped immediately. Has a small scuff in the coating..which I’d do in time anyway.

 

I did, but they don't have my model/size. I'll just have to pay in full with the fast track fee to be able to use it this winter.

 

I really like my Diamondback HD cover but would never have paid full price. I got mine on Facebook marketplace and had to drive 90 minutes to go get it. And I think it’s BS that they have a 7-8 week lead time but magically can produce one in three days for an extra $350.

 

I just switched to Diamondback's for our work trucks from the Bakflip MX4 and will be ordering one for my personal truck shortly.

 

Mine did not take the 7-8 weeks but was actually closer to 4. I did not pay for the fast track fee. Also had a 10% discount for military.

 

This is the only thing that has me on the fence. Mostly with the keyless ops on my '21 I often just carry my fob with no keys. It'd be great to just be able to use the fob to lock/unlock the tailgate keeping the tailgate secure, but open-able from the inside.

 

can put the key for the cover in the bed near the tailgate?

 

I ordered mine last week during the sale. I already have a Yakima Overhaul but ordered the tracks and bases from them at the same time.

Any thoughts on the rough (diamond pattern) surface when trying to bolt on other parts like the tracks? I ordered the rough version but saw many with the smooth here with racks bolted on.

 

got my switchback installed. I like it so far, but I think the rear clamps need a redesign. they dont work very well with the bed rails.