DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

I have been down to 27 degrees on two different Winter overnights, as our bass fishing can be great on mild winter days when the water levels are good. If you're going that cold you'd probably want to look into a down underquilt to insulate the underside of your hammock.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/forum.php

Hammock Forums is a great resource and is where I learned a lot from the existing hammock community.

 

Oddly, I don't have a picture of my hammock on my truck, but I added an extra cleat to the center section of the Diamondback SE. I didn't like the idea of pulling at the far edges of the leaf and putting pressure on the locking mechanism.

Below is a pic of my template.


I'll usually set it up between the truck and a random tree or even a telephone pole when I go camping or a relaxed tailgate party. It has performed awesomely. Heck, I even used it once while staying at the in-laws and my back was giving me issues when sleeping on their special hard ass bed that was supposed to help back issues. Hammock worked like a dream and was so quick to set up. They were surprised to see me chilling in the yard in the morning...lol.

I'll try to upload a pic later.

 

And here...this is tailgating and set up low as a chair/lounge. From my perspective. You get the idea. If I put it off to a 90 degree and put it up higher, you'd need a tree about 8-10' away. And no, it does not rub on the paint of the truck.

 

Which rotopax mount is that?

 

Do you have a link for the front fork mounts you used? Call me needlessly paranoid, but as I live in the rainy part of Oregon, drilling holes in my diamond back worries me about getting water in bed. Have you had any issues with leaks?

 

I purchased Rocky mounts, aluminum so they won’t rust. They also come with different inserts to fit a range of fork widths. I haven’t had any leaks through my cover where I mounted the fork mounts or the D rings to secure the rear tires. Works great

RockyMounts HotRod thru-axle bike rack

$50 RockyMounts HotRod thru-axle bike rack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019709MXO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_kQ3fDbS1QPSSC

 

Thanks for the intel

 

Sorry to sound like a novice, but what drill bit and hardware did you use to mount the extra cleat? Looks like the right set up for catching some good sleep.

 

If you got one of the newer models, https://diamondbackcovers.com/products/anchor-cleats-4 . If you have the older like me, search for legacy diamondback tie down cleats. Installation instructions are on their site as a pdf at bottom of page.

 

Recently installed the Front Runner Outfitters tall bed rack legs, replacing their shorter ones, to get a little more height. It helps improve visibility looking out the back window from the rear view mirror and creates more storage space on the top deck of the DB cover underneath the bed rack. The front cab panel of the HD cover opens up way more now, too. The FRO bed rack has been on the DB HD cover 24/7 since last June/July 2018; they pair up well as an overlander setup. I also installed the new FRO Slimline II Low Profile Roof Rack about a couple weeks ago to compliment and coordinate with their bed rack system on the back of the Tacoma.

This setup is barely clearing the apartment building's garage gate. If I get aftermarket suspension, I may not be able to add much height, if any at all. If I should get new tires, then the biggest tires I should get for now to clear the garage gate may be 33's.

 

Saw these images when searching for Single Snowmobile sled deck option for the Tacoma. I'm considering this as a route with a diamondback HD. I'm nervous about all that weight up on the bedrails and would deff install some bedside stiffners maybe total chaos. While loading the sled, I'm also concerned with all the weight flexing onto the deck extension and adding leverage to the center part of the Diamondback HD. Also the main sled security point would be at the front of the Diamondback adding a lot of weight on the latching mechanism when hitting bumps as the sled will try to perform a wheelie style action over bumps. Curious the thoughts of a setup like this from others. I really like the idea of being able to remove this extension and use as a normal setup for Daily Driving use. The sled is probably about 460lbs fueled up.

anyone have any setups for hauling a Dirtbike up on the Diamondback?

 

Has anyone seen a full height bed rack designed so the diamondback's front and back can fully open?

 

@cc-rider I haven't seen one. However, there may be a way to custom make one with those new "overlanding" Yakima racks.
https://www.yakima.com/product-type/newproducts

I think it'd be hard to find a rack system that'd allow for both the back and front panels to open on the HD or SE covers. Keep in mind that you can access things stored toward the back of the bed via the tailgate, so the back panel shouldn't need to be opened. A bed rack just needs to clear the front panel to allow for it to open.

I have my own ideas, but I'm not an engineer, nor am I familiar with the parts required for my ideas. However, I'd build a rack that has a set of solid center posts that would go on the left and right outer edges on the center panel of the HD & SE covers. The rack would be centered on that at the top. A floating side panel or sets of panels can sit on the outer side of that center post. These side panels could also be linked by a bracket that're bolted or welded onto the top rack. For the front and back areas of the rack, a set of struts can be mounted at the four corners, two at front and two at back. The top part of the struts attached to the bottom corners of the rack would swivel 90deg toward the center posts. The bottom parts of the struts would roll or slide along tracks that are mounted on the outer edges of the front and back panels. That setup could also be reversed where the swivel side could be at the bottom on the cover panels and the track side is up top on the bottom side of the rack. The hydraulic pressure of the struts should be strong enough to hold the weight of the rack with maybe 500-900lbs, but can also collapse to allow for the DB front and back panels to open and close. Powder coat or Linex it black and call it done. Accessories and what not for added customization of the bed rack.

 

Battlecry, that sounds like a pretty cool plan. I am definitely not an engineer, nor do I play one on TV. I would rally like something similar to the softtopper bed racks. But I doubt the ones I have seen will allow the diamondback to open fully. I know a few guys that can weld, I need to start buying them beers.

 

That bed rack style may work with the 180 or 270 DB covers. Their angled vertical legs on those racks would get in the way of the cover panels on the HD & SE covers.

 

Interesting you guys talk about stability and bed flexing. LLOD recently almost had a mishap and I am wondering if it's due to shifting/flexing weight? If not the factor definitely a variable for being at that angel. I feel like I see the weather strip make a gap when the truck is bouncing. Timestamp around 17:10

 

I think that segment had more to do with terrain and suspension/wheels setup than the bed and stuff in or on the bed. Although, if the bed was more top heavy, like with a alu-cab type setup & furninture/appliances inside, paired with his suspension/wheels setup, then I think his truck would've been on its side.

There might've been a better line to take, but it looked like he did good enough with his steering and braking/throttle inputs.

 

I have an HD cover that has 4 custom low rise crossbars that open with the lids. I can post some pics later this week.

 

No holes drilled in cover. Existing cleats holes were used.

 

Please do!