DiamondBack Covers | Modifications

@Nimble9 how much weight can your bike carriers handle? (DB style of course)

 

I do not know as I haven't tested it, but the bed rails will likely fail before the mounts will. In fact, I had one customer hit a tree with the rear mount (which is the weaker of the two mounts included) and the bed rail did fail but the mount was fine.

 

Good stuff. On that note, my bike is just a tad short to reach from the front to the rear mount . Every other bike we have fits fine though.

 

Do you have a link for these crossbars and mounts or brand?

 

Dang really? Maybe it's time for an upgrade

 

That should just be some 8020 aluminum extrusion.

Lol maybe, but I like my cheapo road bike. It has served me well over the years.

 

Before covid you could get a great deal on a bikes and parts here: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/

Deals are still out there but IMO if you want a baller bike on a budget you gotta build it. That's what I've always done at least.

Would a thick sheet metal extension or something work for the road bike?

 

Any idea on where the mounts for the 8020 came from?

 

Probably, I'll think of something.

 

So excited. My DiamondBack is on its way!

 

You are going to love it! And we all love seeing ship dates 1 week from order. Nothing seems to ship that fast anymore.

 

Can anyone attest to how well the finish/parts hold up to snow and salt? Been thinking about pulling the trigger on an HD cover but wanted to make sure it was winter proof first. Thanks

 

Been through a few winters with mine so far. No issues whatsoever. Only damage is when I accidentally dragged my bike parts across the locks.

 

Question: do you guys keep a socket set in the truck to take off the diamondback in case you make a large purchase at Costco? Are there any other tools needed for quick disassembly?

 

I don’t take mine off, but all you need is that socket/wrench for the clamps and that’s it. Nice and easy disassembly. Just keep a ratchet strap or something to tie it all down.

 

Thank you! You just made my wife happy

 

If you have significant weight on top of the cover, such as load bars/bed rack carrying gear, rtt, etc., or a small atv, then you may have a harder time opening the tailgate. Rain /melting snow that froze around the cover gaskets and the plastic rail on the top of the tailgate, plus the added weight pressing down on the cover made opening the tailgate harder. I tried pulling harder in the tailgate handle, but stopped thinking I might tear it off before the tailgate gives and opens up. Solution was to slowly and carefully chip away on the frozen ice with my machete that was sharp and thin enough to fit between the cover’s gasket seal and the tailgate’s plastic rail.

Other than that, the cover has held up well when in snow/winter rains. But, I’m in SoCal, so the only times it’s gotten really tested in that kind of weather is when we were on road trips to Colorado Springs, NorCal, the Eastern Sierras. The hardware can potentially rust, so those just need to be cleaned up every once in a while or protected, …maybe painted or coated?

Something like this could help with protecting the rubber gaskets during harsher weather:

$11 303 Rubber Seal Protectant - Protects And Conditions Seals On Doors, Windows, Hoods, Trunks Rejuvenates Color Old Seals, 3.4 fl. oz. (30324), Blue

https://www.amazon.com/303-Rubber-Protectant-Conditioner-Weather/dp/B00T44D1R2

And some of this on the hardware:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...76222?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US#overlay

 

Quick question... I have full-length molle bed panels. Anyone have to tweak their DB or their molle panels to get them to work together... or does it have to be either one or the other for the DB to fit / function properly? FWIW, my truck came with a tri-fold Gator soft cover and I had to make small mods to the front mounting points on it to accommodate the panels, so it's not a deal breaker if I had to do a little confabulating to make the DB work with them too.

 

Fairly certain that the mounting locations of the molle should not interfere. Only real way to find out is to test fit it. The locking bars on the diamondback have some wiggle room for adjustment if need be, and the clamps can be positioned slightly off if need be as well. I'm sure that you should be able to slide your molle panels a little as well, and that should take care of it.

 

Thanks. I'm going to reach out to the folks at DB as well. Hopefully they can confirm, one way or the other. I will let everyone know what they said.