Diamondback vs Roll~N~Lock thoughts?

Thanks for reading first off!!

Ok...
My needs:
1)Security
2)Durability
3)Bed access
4)Ability to put a Backrack of sorts on cab end of bed.

Diamondback- is a beast but add a matching rack up front we are at $2400. Can carry weight on top. Middle of bed is dead space unless entire unit is removed. Seems pretty water tight which isn’t that pressing.

Roll n Lock- (A model) is secure, can’t carry weight, allows whole bed access quickly and “meh” on water leaking. $1300ish plus a backrack/tonneau hardware. ($400?+/-)

Apples to oranges in many ways

Opinions?
Not really interested in BAK X4 etc

Thanks again
-NoMoTaco
Pic for the hell of it

 

diamondback hd will do most of what you want, but it is $$

 

Except being somewhere and needing bed at that moment.

(Contractor here)

 

The Diamondback seems to me to be a love/hate relationship. It's great that it is strong and can support weight, but then it's heavy and would be a pain to remove. It's great that it opens up from either side, but then it's a pain because it blocks the middle of the bed.

 

Yeah, diamondback is bucks, tank build, the dead space in middle of bed though....

 

I've had 3 different tonneau covers on different trucks and they all have pros and cons....no perfect system for every situation.

 

I have a grasp of that. Zeroed in on these two and trying to make a decision.

 

Retraxpro MX booted the Roll n Lock from the decision I have to make Monday.

So D-back HD vs Retraxpro MX

Any thoughts?
Thx

 

I have the Diamondback HD now (trying to sell it after only 6 weeks because I need a camper shell for the dog) and had a Retrax Pro MX on my last truck. I didn't love how much space the Retrax Pro MX canister took up on the 5 1/2' bed. I also didn't love the mounting system of the rails on the canister and how they gouge up the plastic bed rails. Lastly the Retrax Pro would work well at times, but at other times would get slightly misaligned and wouldn't open all the way without a lot of fussing with it. This happened to me while out of town on a mountain bike trip and it was a PITA. The Diamondback is way more durable and solid than the Retrax Pro. I also like the mounting system on the Tundra a lot better. Depending on your hauling needs the center support that always stays in the truck can be a bit of a pain. You can remove everything for a big load, but I wouldn't want to take it all off and on very often. The Diamondback will have more storage space under and you can haul a ton (well, 1600 lbs) on top. To me it is more versatile.

 

The perfect cover is owning a retraxpro and diamondback

 

Depending on how much weight that you need to put on the Diamondback, the SE model is an option and at about $1475 delivered with the LineX it isn't a lot more that the Retrax pro. You'd be limited to 400 pounds on top of the SE but depending on your needs it might be a good compromise. I have one on my truck and it's perfect for what I want but then I don't haul a lot of cargo. Good luck.

 

I keep thinking dog(s) and ladder racks.

Attach a rack to diamondback and it’s impossible to lay front panel flush open for dog.

Retraxpro holds less weight but can open fully for dog and has access to stake pockets.

I might be best served by Retraxpro

Thx for responses!

 

I know it is not the two listed above, but I have the solid fold (came with truck). I hate the fact that I cannot access the entire bed or at least all but 10-12" of it. I would not want the Diamondback! With the Retrax/Gatortrax (same thing different name) you have more access and a very secure bed. Co-worker has one. Really nice (Ram Rebel with Ram boxes) I would do the retrax.

Good Luck!

 

I wonder if the weight of the Diamond back would reduce bed bounce.

 

I put my money on Diamondback nothing will be perfect. I would like to see Diamondback make a 4 panel stacking model.

 

Retraxpro MX 1600 clams.

Good balance and compromise I’m thinking

 

It does based on my seat of the pants feel.

 

One thing with the Retrax Pro is that it is way easier to break in to it. If I recall correctly there is rubber between each slat so a simple utility knife would be able to cut in to it in about 10 seconds whereas the Diamondback would need some sort of drill or powered cutter to get in.

 

Any videos on security issues? I’ve found none

 

I was looking at the same 2. Finally went with the DiamondBack. I thought it would be more secure - partly because it can support more weight. I does get in the way sometimes but it can be removed in about 10 minutes. I’ve also on occasion just strapped large items on top. I’ve been satisfied with it and would buy again for sure.

 

If you get a retractable, be sure to get a small canister. A lot of sites don’t even specify the size. And check out American Roll Covers. They have a really small canister and can hold quite a bit of weight on top. I had one on my old truck and it was a hundred times better than my current Pace Edwards. Oh, and diamondbacks are ugly.

 

I just searched for a few minutes and didn't find any, but I remember reading about this potential security issue on another truck forum when I did research on this a few years ago. In the end I decided to buy the Retrax Pro for that truck and when I had it installed I remembered thinking it wouldn't be too hard to break in to it. Most people think out of sight out of mind. After having the Diamondback I feel way more comfortable with security. There is a greater chance of someone getting in to the cab of the truck by breaking the glass vs the bed with the Diamondback. I am now considering a camper shell and selling my tonneau because of the dog, but one downside of that is less security with the shell. As I said before all of this is a pro and con situation and no perfect solution for everything. These are just my experiences having had 3 different types of covers. I've never had the camper shell so trying to do a lot of research on that now.

 

Yes I’ve had shells, covers open beds for over 40 years of owning trucks.

Shells are great
Covers are great

Finding the right balance for specific personal use is trick.

I work the truck. Tools in back. Ladders to job and back from job.

Bouncing around m-f in and out of places a secure bedcover is making most sense. Retracting cover at night and weekends for dog and yard hauling makes sense.

Mentioned in previous post that DBHD would not be as easy to do above.

Thx for opinions

PS: my search of security incidents on Retraxpro turned up zilch too

 

Retraxpro MX ordered.

Thanks for input people!!

 

What did you mean with this part?
"I didn't love how much space the Retrax Pro MX canister took up on the 5 1/2' bed. I also didn't love the mounting system of the rails on the canister and how they gouge up the plastic bed rails."
It gouged up the OE truck rail plastic caps from Toyota? How or why did that happen? Do you have pictures?

 

This was my previous truck (F150) and I don't have photos anymore. Here's a link to a YouTube install and at the current point in the video you can see the screws that attach the rails to the canister. When installing or removing the set-up these screws ended up scratching up my F150 bed rails enough that I decided to buy new ones to replace and make it look better. Anyway, it may have been my install error, but I didn't love the set-up.

https://youtu.be/7opaXKfERzI?t=357

 

Thank you!

 

Put my money on Diamondback they do leak do to the bedrail caps and gap in tailgate but not bad next time I would have the bedrail caps sprayed but you would have to fix the 100 holes under the caps.