Diamondback Frontrunner Rack Initial Impresstions

Alright. First thing first, I am writing this a few hours after install. I have reached out to @DiamondBack Covers via email and I will be reaching out via phone call as well. I will be updating this thread as this develops so all can see and based on what I've heard, I expect good customer service. I want to give them a chance to make things right but I am very unhappy currently.
Also, this may fall more on FrontRunner but since I ordered this ($720...) via diamondback's site, I am reaching out to them.

Rack as it currently sits, I am going to pick up a RTT in the morning so it'll have to do.



First problem: I have the HD version of the cover, which Diamondback recommends if you intend to mount a RTT. There are more "supports" under the cover for the added strength. When installing the tracks, if you drill a hole into one of these supports, you HAVE to use an anchor in order to install a bolt there. The spacing on these covers for the supports is consistently laid out. So are the holes in the front runner tracks. Consistently, for each track section, holes 2 and 4 needed anchors. Meaning I needed 8 anchors. Diamondback gave me 4. So I am short several anchors. I don't understand why though, if the front runner rack is meant for carrying loads like RTT's, and they recommend the HD cover, could they not predict that I need more than 4 anchors for the install?.. Seems like a cheaply avoidable problem by including a few more anchors which cost a few cents each. Based on my research, I'm not the only one to have this problem. Currently, I have 1/2" holes in my $2000+ cover that I have 100mph tape covering, hoping that water doesnt get inside while I wait for the rest of the parts. Anchors in question:



Second problem: What is up with this front runner logo? It is supposed to be placed inside the rectangle as shown. Why does it look like Hellen Keller placed this on the cover plate? It just seems like laziness and poor craftsmanship. Not a piece for a $720 product...


Third problem: the screws for the tracks are no longer counter sunk. Upon my research, it appears that these bolts that hold the tracks down used to be counter sunk into the track. Diamondback has since raised the price on the rack, and stopped counter sinking the bolts... Less labor but it costs more? These button screws give less room for the Load Bar's towers to slide back and forth and resulted in me having to hammer the towers into place and in one instance, filing a screw down. This just seems like laziness and a change that does not match the expectation.
Example of the bolts used to be counter sunk, pulled from DB's Website:


Picture of my bolts/track:


Fourth problem: Diamondback/FrontRunner's instructions for this install are half assed at best. There are no torque specs, the layout instructions suck, and if you follow what layout instructions there are, your rack will not work properly due to the taper of the cover. I have absolutely no idea how DB or FR can guarantee any type of load, dynamic or static, without a torque spec. This seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Also, I had to watch YouTube videos in order to figure out how the load bars and towers assemble on the tracks.

Fifth problem: What is up with these extra nuts in the load bars just floating here? There is no instructions as to what they are or what they do besides rattle and make noise while driving. Given, I shouldn't be able to hear them from the cab but it just seems silly to include them without any mention as to what they are.

Sixth problem: The weather stripping provided sucks. I was hoping that at least a few of the holes would line up with the tracks, but I could never get more than 2 to line up. I had to cut them out myself in order to get bolts through... Just seems like a joke to provide pre-punched weather stripping if none of it ever lines up anyways.

All in all, I paid a premium ($720) price without any discounts and I expected a premium product. I did NOT receive this. It seems that all of this could have been prevented with simple QC processes. A lot of these problems are not mine alone based on my research. I hope to hear from Diamondback soon and hopefully can make my trip in a week without any issues. I will be updating this thread as this gets resolved.

 

Hey there, @Tacobot14

First off, sorry to hear/see you've hit some road bumps in installing your Front Runner rack system. After reading over your post here, it seems most of these issues stem from Front Runner's pre-packaged kit not including what it should. While we do not touch this kit on our end, we do apologize you had to go through the hassle of trying to install your rack without the proper hardware to accomplish the job.

If you've reached out to our support team already, you should hear back from someone on our team shortly who will happily reach out to Front Runner on your behalf to get any and all hardware/parts sent out to you to get your rack dialed in – as it should have been delivered to you out of the box.

Unfortunately, these issues come up from time to time, but that's why our team exists, so we can ensure you get the rack system that is up to par with the cover you're installing it on.

 

Hi there - I am loving my Diamondback HD (just had it a couple of months) - my goal is also to eventually install a rack system for a roof top tent - I was thinking of a low profile rack like the Yakima Skyline HD or Front Runner ... Do you have any follow-up from DB or FR about your issues?

In retrospect I am wishing I had purchased the rack system when I ordered my DB and have them pre-install it, like the cleats.

 

Yes, Diamondback and Frontrunner kinda made it right. They did not go above and beyond by any means.

They sent me replacement anchors as well as a new Front Runner "badge'. I was not given anything else other than "sorry to hear that." I was not expecting anything else to be fair but some acknowledgement would have been nice.

Possibly acknowledging the change to the track system bolts. Countersunk bolts would have been a much better install. No additional information on loads, instructions or torque specs were provided.

My minimum expectations were met. Which is unfortunate because usually I receive great service from Diamondback. I understand this is a Front Runner product, but you can only buy this rack from Diamondback and it's their partnership... meaning they should back it in my opinion. Is what it is. I've had many camping trips sense and it's been fine.