Diamondback Cover

Maybe my google skills suck, but I couldn’t find where any first gen’s had done a Diamondback cover. It was hard to spend over $2k for a cover and the tool bin when I only paid $10k for the truck, but I couldn’t find anything that met my needs for less $. I plan to drive this truck for hopefully 100k+ miles so I view the expense as worth it. The install was a breeze, the quality andfunction is spot on, and it’s everything I expected it to be. Anyways here are some pics in case anyone is searching like I was.

 

Looks nice, I hear these are strong enough for a person to stand on too.

Why this over a camper shell out of curiousity?

 

That is pretty neat. What kinda weight can be strapped to the top of it?

 

I've had one for a couple years, you will love it.

 

SE=400 pounds
HD=1600 pounds

 

I got the SE so yeah 400lbs. I don’t have a need for the HD. I wanted something that could be removed easily and I liked the look so that’s the main reason over a camper shell. Also I’ve had stuff stolen from camper shell back in college. This thing is built like Fort Knox.

 

I've been looking at these for a while. A cover like this has its advantages and limitations. So does a shell. It really comes down to personal preference and use. It would be hard to cover most of the pros and cons of each. I would set this up with a front runner rack made for it, run a short rack and only open the rear hatch when the bars are set up on the front. You could, but you probably aren't going to sleep under one of these, unlike a shell ,etc. This is similar to what I think I would do:

 

We just put one on the boss's Ram 1500. It is built well !

 

I don't know if the HD is higher gauge, but I suspect it's just more reinforced. Where you put the weight is where the rating comes from. SE - 400 lb guy could stand in the middle. HD - 1600 lb guy could stand in the middle. If your weight was distributed toward the bed sides, I'm pretty sure you could go way over 400 lbs. The only way I could see a problem would be if the mounting hardware was lesser. I doubt it.

 

Probably 400lbs of shock load vs 1600lbs of shock load. Like the cleats getting torn out by an impact. Super cool, but i can get ladder racks capable of 800lbs that i could still use the bed. Tonneaus just wont work for me.

 

the cleats...I guess you have to strap that weight down, lol.

 

I don’t need it for carrying capacity. I need it for weather proof and security of things in my bed.

 

I understand and am impressed with their product. Would be nice to find an extra tall camper cap built like that. But i was also talking myself out of spending that kinda money.

 

Nice cover. I just replaced the Jackrabbit Retractable Tonneau Cover my truck had with a shell.

 

How did you attach the clamps for the center section? Do you have a bed rail or did you just clamp on to the return under the plastic side trims of the bed? Do you have anymore photos of the inside where the clamps attach?

 

It attaches with clamps to the edge of the bed just like all the installation videos that are out there on youtube for it. You leave the plastic bed caps on and it goes on top.