3 covers, the undercover ridgelander the elite and the diamondback SE

Torn between 3 covers, the undercover ridgelander the Elite and the diamondback SE. Previously I have had 2 trucks and 2 undercover classic covers, both have meet all my needs. I am leaning to the elite since weather protection is very important. I do like the idea of being able to just throw stuff on top and secure, but it isn’t a make or break it for me. So will there be a huge difference in how hot these covers get? All will be black, but 2 are aluminum and 1 is ABS? Price always matters, but I also plan on having my truck for at least 8 years (hopefully) so I want it to last. Right now the elite is $989, the ridgelander is $1278 & the diamond back is $1649. I have thought about just waiting until Christmas time and seeing if there are any great deals, but money burning a hole in my pocket. Oh the problems of that come with consumerism….. Any thoughts????

 

I've had my Diamondback cover for nearly a month now and I'm digging it. The thing is built like a tank.

 

I have the ridgelander. I'm happy with. If you do a search on the forum, you can find a thread with my thoughts on it in depth.

It does get hot in the sun once the temps get above 85-90, but it hasn't prevented me closong the cover by pushing on it. The bed stays relatively cool underneath it.

To mount stuff on the top requires more mounts usually, which add to the cost. I thinks its main selling point over the diamondback is ease of removal (it's still heavy, I use a kayak lift to remove, which makes it a one man job), yet still having bed rails.

I got the sunseeker dome awning for it, and it makes rain storms while camping a no big thing.

I am still getting some water in. It appears to get in at the front corners where there is a gap in the bed, and between the rubber seal on the bottom ofthe cover rails and the bed rails. The bed rails are not smooth, so the rubber can't make a tight enough seal when water is being sprayed at the seals. With some RTV sealant and smoothing out the top of the bed rails, I think you could get things sealed up. There is still the gap between the tailgate and bed, but nothing you can do there as fast as I know.

 

As the above poster said about the ridgelander, the diamondback also doesn't get too hot until 90+. The UV light doesn't penetrate, so it's not like the interior of a vehicle. It's radiant heat. And since it's Aluminum, it radiates well, but doesn't store it. So it's just above the outside temp, if that makes sense.

You also quoted the 1600 for the diamondback, which is the HD version that is Line-x'd. Unless you are parking a 4-wheeler on top, the SE is just fine. I walk on mine all the time. It's only 1300 for the Line-x. If you are getting a RTT, then there are removable bars that put the right on your bed walls, and not the cover itself. Find the Diamondback Modification Thread and you'll find a good example.

Overall, very happy and wouldn't buy anything else. Security was a huge factor. Has that in spades. I've had mine for about a year.

 

I'm about sure that I will be going with the Diamondback SE with the line-x, but the best price I can find is $1484 (military discount). I'm not in a huge hurry so I was just kind of waiting to see if there was a sale around Christmas time, where did you get yours for $1300?
Thanks,
Steve

 

Ohh.... maybe i am hiding the cost from myself to lessen the pain. Looks like i spent more. You're right. It was awhile ago.

SE version
1330 bare aluminum
1650 linex aluminum

Nice military discount. Adds up on something like this. Thank you for your service.

I went through the diamondback site.

 

I got mine through Diamondback's outlet online store. 2016 DCSB for $1079 + 249 for the crossbin + 150 shipping. They stated there was a misapplication of the line-x coating but I can't find any faults in it. Just have to be patient for one to pop up.