Diamondback Tonneau Cover?

[JDillon]

I'm getting ready to buy a new tonneau cover for my '09 2500 short bed and I think the Diamondback HD is the one I like the best. It's kinda pricey, but it's . 100" aluminum diamond plate and you can haul 1600 pounds on the top like a flat bed and still lock other gear underneath. It also hinges up from the front and the back. I'm also considering getting the HD cab guard to protect the rear window. Does anyone have a Diamondback? If so, how do you like it? Are there any issues I should be concerned about?



Thanks,



JD

 

[Hammer]

JD. .

They have been at the Carlisle "All Truck Nationals" the last two years with a very impressive display. They are a very rugged cover and in their display they park a big CC Quad on top all weekend long and will drive it on and off to show the strength. I am not much of a diamond plate fan but will say they are the strongest covers I have ever seen..... Andy

 

[MVenditti]

I'm getting ready to buy a new tonneau cover for my '09 2500 short bed and I think the Diamondback HD is the one I like the best. It's kinda pricey, but it's . 100" aluminum diamond plate and you can haul 1600 pounds on the top like a flat bed and still lock other gear underneath. It also hinges up from the front and the back. I'm also considering getting the HD cab guard to protect the rear window. Does anyone have a Diamondback? If so, how do you like it? Are there any issues I should be concerned about?



Thanks,



JD

I have the Diamond back with the short cab guard and factory diamond plate side steps. It is strong and looks great on the truck. It is a few hundred more than other quality covers but much stronger and will outlast the truck and maybe us lol.

 

[MVenditti]

They also have it in black now for those who don't like the aluminum look. Could also be painted or powder coated. I think the black is a bed liner type coating.

 

[MVenditti]

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[JDillon]

Nice pic MVenditti! That looks sharp. I have an inferno red truck and the diamond plate will look really good with it I think. I've decided to go ahead and order one with the full cab guard 'headache rack' on the front instead of the shorter one you have. My only concern is limiting my visibility to the rear. How well can you see through the mesh on that guard you have? The heavy duty cab guard is higher than the cab, so I won't be able to see over it - I'll have to look through it. However, I can add the rear support rail later and put a canoe or jon boat up there for duck hunting and it will hold it above the cab like a ladder rack. That should be just about the perfect setup for me. I just ordered a locking tailgate handle from Geno's a few minutes ago to round out the package since my truck didn't come with one.



JD

 

[MVenditti]

You can see through the mesh good enough. With the short one you can see good with rear view mirror , the end of bed visible on my shortbed. The tall guard will be nice so you can carry a ladder or something without hurting cab.

 

[MVenditti]

I also bought lock for tailgate but was thinking about a pin or something on bottom of cover that mates with L bracket on tailgate with hole in it. Extra safety for cargo.

 

[JDillon]

An extra locking pin is a great idea. I have access to a machine shop and a sheet metal shop, so I might try to knock something out like that after I get my cover installed. I'd have to make it removeable though because if I've ever got something heavy loaded on top the cover, I still want to be able to open the tailgate without needing to open the cover first.



Do you have a bed liner of any sort under your diamondback? I have the plastic drop-in liner that was on the truck when I got it, but I hate it. Stuff slides around in there like its on ice. I think I'm going to get a spray-in liner. This is getting expensive!

 

[Hammer]

They had the black one on display at Carlisle last year.



I am not a fan of Diamond Plate at all and even the black one was that so I passed.

 

[MVenditti]

First thing I did was get rid of slippery liner. For now I will use do it yourself liner spray on floor covered with rubber bed protector mat. Later when money allows slideout carrier here. SLIDING PLATFORM | CARGO TRAY | EXTENSION SLIDE OUT | TRUCK BED | GORILLA SLIDE

 

[MVenditti]

The black would look great on his red truck.

 

[MVenditti]

An extra locking pin is a great idea. I have access to a machine shop and a sheet metal shop, so I might try to knock something out like that after I get my cover installed. I'd have to make it removeable though because if I've ever got something heavy loaded on top the cover, I still want to be able to open the tailgate without needing to open the cover first.



Do you have a bed liner of any sort under your diamondback? I have the plastic drop-in liner that was on the truck when I got it, but I hate it. Stuff slides around in there like its on ice. I think I'm going to get a spray-in liner. This is getting expensive!

For the lock pin idea, on a ranger pickup I had with similar cover the 90 degree bracket on gate was hinged so when folded flat against gate would not engage so gate could open.

 

[JDillon]

I think I'm definitely going to do something like that with a hinged bracket so I can choose when I want to lock it or not depending on what I'm carrying.



The slide out cargo tray is also a neat idea, but I don't think I would get my money's worth out if it since you can open the diamondback cover at both the front and the rear to get to whatever you need. It looks like that cargo tray is about 2-3 inches tall, so it also raises the cargo up and you loose some space under the cover. I've already decided that my next step after the bed liner is a set of wheel-to-wheel nerf bars so I can get up there behind the cab to get things out from under the cover in the front without a problem. I might make some kind of box back there behind the cab to serve as a tool box that I can get to from the front of the cover.

 

[Hammer]

The black would look great on his red truck.

NOT!

I like the black look for mine BUT I do NOT like the diamond plate anything look at all.

 

[MVenditti]

Yea they are to tall to reach. I carry a 3 step folding step ladder with folding thigh bar Made bye Little Giant. It's great for reaching things, cleaning windshield and working in engine compartment.

 

[Matt89447]

I thought it held 1800#?
I have the heavy duty. Have the cab protector. Love them both.
I'm planning on putting a boat & it's trailer on top. Weighs 900#.
On my 2001 Dodge Quad 4x4.

 

[NWatchel]

Loved / hated mine.
Loved the fact that I could carry a pile of weight unlike other tonneau covers. Lockable, great security.
Hated the fact that I could carry a pile of weight unlike other tonneau covers. Increased the center of gravity of the truck, made it scary to drive (1/2 ton chevy gasser). If you are going to carry an ATV up there make sure you have the safety rail that the tires ride against ... The long ramps also make for a scary ride over the side of the box with the truck moving around with every movement of the ATV.
Hated the fact that it did not have a way to fold up so that I could carry tall items in the box. It is really awkward to move by yourself.