DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

Dang.. were those people driving through a tornado on the highway?

Well, the bedrack setup on the DB cover I use will likely eliminate the need for the extra safety cables if I ever don't lock the front panel. However, I wouldn't mind getting the cables and possibly finding another use for them.

@Boswell Thanks for the heads up on the recall!

 

user error

 

Has anyone else noticed their cover rattling? I drive w/ my back window open and cannot stand the constant rattle.

It appears to be the panel closest to the cab. I'm 99% sure its the outer skin against the inner skin. Seem to be able to replicate by tapping on it between the cross members.

 

@trd4x4boy have you tried driving around with the front panel removed to take it out of the equation? Also, checking while the bed is empty of stuff? Shake, tap, press, squeeze the front panel once removed to see if you can find said rattling.

 

Quickest way to remove it is to get on the freeway with it unlatched right?

JK - I think I'll try that though thanks.

Hey have you or anyone else noticed that the tie down cleats whistle as well? Just curious - not sure if I have a howling dif or its the cleats - its a very faint whistle.

 

I just installed the HD Cab Guard, I'm thinking of cutting out a portion of the middle of the grated area to allow better viability via the rear view mirror. I want to do this in a way that doesn't look terrible, doesn't leave burs, and doesn't corrode. Has anyone else tried this?

 

Maybe I’m crazy, but I wonder if you could mount a 35” tire on the short bed version and still be able to open up the panel closest to the cab.. anyone done it yet?

 

Hrmmm. Don’t have that cable. Wonder if I made the cut. Will have to call.

I love my diamondback.

 

Mine

 

I have the HD headache rack I'm looking to sell to get one of these .

 

First hard rain and it's bone dry inside. I'm very happy with the purchase so far.

 

I thought I'd write a review of the Diamond Back cover I have had now for 15+ months. The short answer, I really love it. I will write about some deficiencies below. Specifically, I have the Diamondback HD Tonneau Cover.

Things I Like:

1. I love the look. I think it helps with MPGs but have really only run with the cover on (I suspect the same results would be achieved with any tonneau).

2. I love being able to lock things in the bed and not having to worry about it. That was the primary motivation I had when buying it. I have not had an issue, nor can I substantiate this concern, but these locks look pretty easy to overcome. For the price we pay, I would expect a more sophisticated lock. I love the Abus style locks with the long round keys. It would be a nice upgrade.

3. It holds a crap ton of weight on the top. I live FAR from civilization and as a result, need to maximize the amount of things I buy and transport when I head into town. This has given me a lot of flexibility for packing and securing supplies. This was another reason for my purchase and I have been 100% satisfied with this feature. I did not want to just get a bigger truck - the diamondback helped me accomplish my goal without having to get a larger truck.

Things I Don't Like:

1. I drive on primarily dirt roads with lovely washboards (corrugations) and so there is a lot of vibration caused from the road. The diamondback rattles a lot and makes leaving the back sliding window open really unpleasant. I tried several times to deal with the rattle but since it is not consistent enough, it is hard to make it fade into just background noise. I think there may be ways of using insulated pipe wrap to dampen the sounds but I haven't tried that yet. I think it is a design issue which I am not sure how they would overcome. The design by the manufacturer is meant to be flexible enough to adapt to different sized trucks. In order to be adaptable, the system itself is flexible and forgiving which means it is is loose underneath around where the locking mechanism is and there are two large diameter holes where the locking bars extend through the diamondback into the tie down bar on the side. These tolerances are where it is rattling, from my estimation. I didn't ride in the back down the bumpy roads to confirm.




2. Another related issue is that the vibration from the washboards cause the locking handles (closed but unlocked) to move into the open position while driving. I have had both the front and rear sections open on more than one occasions while driving. Therefore, I need to keep them locked which I find annoying. I locked them while driving on the highway but while working locally, it is easier to keep it unlocked. It should not be a complaint on my part, but I rather only lock it when needed. I don't like one more step of digging out my keys especially since I don't need to take keys out to drive my truck. One consequence of this is that upon having the back half pop up on a road, it bent the hinges, making a gap where the gasketing is and making it harder to open and close or remove the section. I did try adjusting the locks a few times to prevent the handles from opening on their own but either I do not have it dialed in exactly, or it is a fools errand.



3. The paint chipped easily off the handles. I sort of expected wear and tear on the black paint when used to carry loads, so I'm not unhappy about it as much as I wanted to mention that that paint does not appear as robust as the coating on the actual diamondback cover.

4. I received minor rust on the stainless steel hinges after the first rain, which was the first day I installed it, so I was a bit surprised to see rust so fast. It has not gotten worse or spread.

 

You should talk to DB support about the rust on your hinges. On all newly produced DBs the hinges are powdercoated/painted black. They would probably send you some new ones to replace your current ones if you explain what happened.

 

I just installed my DB HD cover last week. Love the way it looks and the specs of load holding. Going to do an Overlanding build with a RTT and stuff. Thing I don't like is the C-Clamps keep coming loose. yesterday, the clamps were totally loose and the only thing holding the top on was the lock bars. I know new tops need to "settle" because of the rubber gasket. But even still, the gasket does let some bounce happen and that lets the Clamp pressure off enough for the clamp to loosen. Ive read the whole 20 lbs torque value thing. I'm also concerned that some real vibration can shear the threads or break the clamp since they are aluminum. I thought about threadlocker but that doesn't solve the aluminum issue. Anyone else encounter this and have a solve? Or is it really a matter of letting the rubber compress over time to stop the bounce. Ive scoured the internet for better clamp solutions - nothing workable. And I called DB a few times. They said thread locker.

 

@Mighty Snowpants The one's on mine got loose before in the beginning, but I just re-tightened them (per instruction manual and to just be cautious). I don't off road frequently, so I just check them every now and then by trying to shake the bedrack mounted on the cover or shaking the covers themselves from the tie down cleats. However, I've had the bed rack with rtt and other accessories on there 24/7 since initially installing them around July 2018 and they haven't fallen off, so far (thanks to God). You can try to see if it's possible to install lock nuts on the clamps. I think security of the clamps is just something we gotta check for as long as we're using the cover, especially when off roading or hauling stuff on the covers.

 

Hmmm...going to have to check my C-clamps. Nothing has felt or sounded loose but I've had my cover on since around Christmas I think and haven't ever checked the clamps.

 

Same story here. But I may have overtightened them in the beginning

 

Hahaha I may have too, checked them and they seem to be ok.

 

Have the cables but to be honest, this voluntary recall may have been due to folks NOT locking down the front.

Just to be safe, I will install it this weekend MAYBE.

As far as some other issues...none here....I cannot do the sealing as our temps here in Colorado prevents this for us until probably late May at best.

HOWEVER, re tighten the bolts as suggested. Just do it!


After 3k miles with the HD cover....NO ISSUES whatsoever.

Now someone tell me how to put the zombies and White Walker bodies on the cover...and dispose of them properly.....

 

Check out my posts above: #115 on pg 8 and #163 on pg 9. I put a piece of flatbar in the center panel so that the clamps would seat flat instead of on the ledge created by the two layers of aluminum. Has worked really well so far and was super easy to do.

OK- question for you: What's the 20 ft lb torque thing? Is there a recommendation for torquing the clamps? Haven't seen that. I think I over tightened mine to compensate for how poorly the clamps seated. I have new weather stripping to install to hopefully get a better seal. Mine still leaks...