Diamondback owners SE or HD, and why?

Unless something has changed, no. They have two different clamps that you have to choose from. One for the bed rail system and one if you dont have bed rails

 

they have instructions to instal shims on 07+ tundras. I’ve,seen a pic on here that used shims but it was a pre 22

 

Where you take the plastic bed rail cover off the tundra? I did that when I installed the new one and there's some rubber pieces that go under it. My Tundra is a 2017

 

I think all composite bed have rails

 

i,guess if the,shims,are needed,they are included with the cover. General instructions mention this. I just haven’t seen an instal on a 22+ with shims

 

On my 22, I didn’t use shims. Just clamped the middle section to the rails that are inside the box. I didn’t use the foam or tape at the front either but might still put it down if I start seeing a lot of water in there.

 

Just installed the SE on my 23 Platinum and did not have to install shims. I did however install the front bed seal and bed front corner seals that came with the kit.

 

so the 2022+ tundra diamondback doesn’t come with shims, or instructions to use them?

 

if you read the main installation manual it mentions,to look,for the included “shim” installation manual.

I haven’t seen any 2022+ tundras needing shims (in the forum posts). Was just curious if they were needed or not (and included accordingly in the 2022+ cover

 

No it does not…it came with the front bed seals and that was all.

 

I went with the HD because I wanted to buy it once and not regret my purchase. I figured I'd kick myself for not spending the extra money up front. As someone else mentioned, make sure to check the clamps periodically.

 

I just ordered the SE during the Black Friday sale. Went through same thought process and figured I would never haul more than 400lbs and the static capacity is more than plenty. I don't have an ATV and can't see trying to load 1600 lbs that high up (or drive with that high of a CG). The HD was tempting, just because bigger is better, but settled for the lower price and lighter weight panels when I need to take it off and load 1600 lbs in the bed.

I currently have an Undercover SE plastic cover and walk on top of that all the time when washing the truck or loading the bike racks installed on it. So I can't see the Diamondback SE having any issues, although the Undercover has a bunch of stiffeners underneath.

As a side topic, and I posted this in another thread, any comments on the smooth versus rough (diamond plate) surface on the Diamondback? I'll be installing Yakima Overhauls on the cover.

 

I ended up with the HD model. It wasnt too much more, and as a bonus it was extra weight for the back during winter.
I prefer the look of the smooth Finnish. Especially if you have the trd running boards. It’s an exact match, or at least very close.

 

I went with the SE and chose to buy a crossbin and a CB radio with the money I saved.

I walk on mine constantly, but I’m only about 165 lbs. On occasion, if the bed is full, I may strap something up there, like a Christmas tree or some waterproof duffel bags. But I would never consider hauling more than 200 to 300 lbs up top like that. I don’t want to increase the center of gravity with so much weight that high up. Plus, if the bed is already full of gear and passengers, along with the weight of a front bumper, winch, front and cat skids, passengers, etc., then my concern is not only payload capacity (which is slightly less than 1600 lbs if I remember correctly), but also GVWR. And even if within payload, I’d rather haul anything over 1000 lbs in my trailer instead. Otherwise, I’ll just remove the cover (which I’ve done plenty of times) and haul the cargo (furniture, brush, etc.), in the bed. If I still need secure storage and also need to haul a heavy item, I’ll just load it on my trailer. Besides, loading and unloading (not to mention securing) several hundred pounds of heavy cargo from high up top isn’t my idea of fun when I lack the use of a forklift at home.

The SE provides sufficient security for my needs. But I do understand that nothing is failsafe and that a determined professional thief will almost always find a way no matter what. So for me, the extra $400 or so was better spent on other things, but that’s just my needs. Someone else may have completely different needs that where an HD is better suited.

 

Has anyone attempted to fit an HD Diamondback Cover from the previous gen Tundra to the 2022+ models? Looks like the part number suffixes are similar. Thanks

 

The lady that I bought my crossbin from had it on her 2.5 gen. She said she called diamondback and they told her that it wouldn’t fit her new gen 3. But she went ahead and installed it and it fit. I couldn’t see any issues with fitment when I was there. Looked like it fit perfect

 

I bought an HD and waiting for it to be made. For the Price difference, I thought the HD would be a better choice. Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

My 2024 has the HD and i love it

 

Awesome, I'm going to check out one at the end of the week. Thanks

 

I was able to get a used UpTop mid height rack for the DB cover, it attaches to the cleats. Then stuck my new tent on the rack.

Fit pretty good I think.

 

When you don’t have the roof top tent installed, are you able to independently open each panel with that rack?

 

Yes, they open up independently. Each rack section sits on its own DB section. With the 6.5' bed, even the 19" UpTop racks will open one side at a time. I didn't try to open both of these mid height units before sticking the tent on.

I have some bike racks standoffs in production now to bolt to the sides of the Molle (sp). Should be pretty busy up there!

Sort of like this:

 

I went with the HD for the same reason everyone else did. Better have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I have loaded it and used the cleats, those are very useful. I don't know if the SE has the cleat option.

Here are some pics just because.

 

My SE has cleats. I found it very lightly used from a guy who sold his Tundra soon after installing the Diamondback.

 

I have an SE and ordered a second set of cleats (total of 8). I have loaded heavy materials (~400 lbs) on it so long as you put the load in the middle and not on the unsupported areas. The SE and HD are basically the same but the HD has extra braces running across the sections and maybe thicker skins but I am not positive about that.

I wanted to save as much weight as possible so I went with the SE this time around. I had a HD on my past truck but found it to be too much cover.

 

Had the HD on my Tacoma and found an outlet model HD for my long bed tundra and saved 10%. I’m constantly getting on the cover and I heard the SE while it supports 400 pounds no issue and I’m about half that I did read some reviews of the thinner aluminum flexing. So figured for the little bit extra I’d do the HD and I’m happy with it. Plus it being an outlet it came in like a week. Only issue was there was some scratches on the underside of the cover which I don’t care about cause it will get scratched over time. Only thing I didn’t like was when I bought my cover in 2021 for my Tacoma they didn’t charge tax to Tennessee, but now they do. So that was an added cost. Not their fault but hate paying tax. At least they incorporate shipping into the cover and it shows “free shipping” makes me feel better haha

 

My daughter had a volleyball tournament in york PA this weekend; it was crazy how many trucks we saw with diamondback covers on them. Felt like we saw over a dozen trucks with the diamondbacks and many accessorized to the nines….was wondering why and then realized that they are a PA company. I probably would have made it a point to stop by the factory if we were there during the week.

 

The Factory is about 2.5 hours away from York according to the GPS.
Sometimes I will see numerous trucks with Diamondbacks and sometimes I wont see any for quite some time.
If I do see someone with one, I typically ask them how they like it.
The response is always the same.

 

Anyone carry a lot of 4x8 sheets of plywood or similar? I am a woodworker (hobby) and have concerns about having to take the last panel off when carrying long pieces of wood with the tailgate closed. I have a short bed Tundra; Is the center rail far enough back to allow easy carry? (I hope this makes sense as I don’t feel I am describing my dilemma accurately)