DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

Built and installed my rack system for my Diamondback and RTT . It's cross bars are made from 120 wall 1"x4" steel, uprights are 120 wall 1"x3" then plated inside and out with 3/16" 4"x4" plate , closed cell foam gaskets on the inside . The rack can be taken off and the plates flipped to the top to seal the cover when the rack is not in use . Yes it's over built but this way I can carry what ever I need to . I'm adding a bike mount for my fat tire electric bike . Yes the struts can still hold the lids open , but I'll make some prop rods for it too.

 

Hey guys, I have a question and perhaps someone can help me with a solution. I bought a DB/SE and the C clamps keeps getting loose. Is there a solution to this issue? Today, one of the C clamps was completely on the bed floor and 2 others were loose.

 

No one has experienced this issue??

 

If you mean the attachments that go on the bed rail to hold down the cover, Diamondback recommends re-tightening them at 100 miles. You could also put some locktite on the bolts to help as well.

I have an HD and when I went to re-tighten them at 100 miles, they were still rock solid. Granted I have not been off-roading ( YET ) but I check them when I move stuff in and out of the bed.

Hope that helps.

 

Yeah, i also read that in the instruction to re-tighten the clamps at 100 miles. I also thought of adding a lock nut on the top to secure the clamps as well, but not sure if that would work...

 

Unless there is some sort of "cross threading" issue you should be fine.

Either way give them a call if you are still having issues...they are great folks to work with!

 

Thanks for the input, i'll keep an eye on it for this week and call them if necessary.

 

Check out the previous posts on this topic here:

 

Somewhere in this thread or forum I read about a person who was originally told by DB to torque the clamps to a value and it broke the clamp and stripped the threads which he then got instruction from DB that said ooops, torque value too high - cut back. I can't remember the actual values. I'll try searching for it to see if I can find the thread posts.

As for the flat bar thing - I'm going to use that idea - thank you.

 

Found the post discussing Torque value on the clamps for the DB cover. According to the post - the original DB instructions said torque the clamp bolts to 50 lbs. This ended up breaking the clamps and stripping the threads. Turns out the instructions were wrong. it should have been 20 lbs. Big diff. Most people don't use a torque wrench and get to 20 lbs easy. I thought I read the post in this forum but it turns out the post is in a Raptor Forum - so I didn't put the link in here.

 

I had the same issue. I have the HD. I'm exploring options to reinforce. I did a search for different clamps and did not find the type of match I was looking for. I also asked DB for diff clamps or solution and all I got back was: compress the rubber down even tighter and add thread lock.

 

I believe that the clamps should of been engineered a little better to have piece of mind. I would hate to checked them every so often to make sure they are tight enough.

 

I agree. I briefly toyed with the idea of coming up with my own design made out of steel with locking nuts but I don't have those skills (or money) but someone else might.... The key would be to design a universal clamp but that's hard since each truck bed rail config is different and I don't have access to all the different trucks/model years. I guess one could start with 1 or 2 common trucks and go from there.

BTW also thought about using a heavy duty C-Clamp or heavy duty bridge clamp but the dimensions of those clamps don't fit right. So now I own a few heavy duty clamps.

 

I was thinking of mounting something to the top of my DB. Anything besides some silicone washers? Is anyone putting some silicone caulk between things and the cover? My concerns are leaking, and growing things between the item to be mounted and the cover. I live in Seattle which is a prime location for growing fungus type stuff.

Or am I just overthinking and I should just mount the thing?

Thank you!

 

I got some closed cell foam that had 2 sided tape on it that I used on my rack to keep the water out. got it from a goodyear rubber supply shop down here in Eugene . I'm sure there would be a similar place to buy some up there . Or check out Amazon they have it too .

 

I think your diamondback is installed too loosely. I go offroad especially gravel, washes and no rattling

 

You mean with the tire lying flat on the bed right? Yes it will fit

 

I have when i first installed my db. Dont be afraid to torque em down theyre not going to break. Havent had issues since

 

Woah, really?? I mean I know the tire will fit on top but you’re still able to open the panel that has a tire on it?

 

Ahh on top of the diamondback.. No. even if you upgrade the struts to take the weight, the tire takes about 3/5 the length of the bed and the tire will hit the middle panel