Securing your firearms while traveling can be a nerve racking thing. All serious gun owners avoid calculating the total investment spent on their guns and accessories and will never tell their spouse what the actual value is. On my last three pickup trucks I've used tonneau covers to secure my 'items'. So on my latest truck, when it was time to select a bed cover I went with the Diamond Back cover over the traditional fiberglass covers I previously used.
All DiamondBack Truck Accessories come with FAST & FREE shipping from Leonard Truck Accessories. Installation available in NC, TN, SC, WV, and VA. Click or call today (888) 590-4769. The only problem is that it tends to freeze during winter, making my bed inaccessible. If I were to buy another tonneau cover, I would go with Diamondback. Even if the tonneau freezes, I would still be able to haul stuff.
What immediately attracted me to the Diamondback cover was the rugged look and the ability to support a claimed 400 pounds. This is a great feature for me, since we usually stand on the side beds of our trucks or tonneau covers to fill deer feeders on our Texas deer leases. Standing on a color matched tonneau cover is not the best thing to do since the paint can be easily scratched and the weight of a full grown adult plus 50 pound bags of corn can damage the cover.
DiamondBack covers are the toughest, strongest, most reliable truck bed covers ever built and come in a variety of configurations. Jul 11, 2018 Comparing the Diamondback HD cover against the Bakflip MX4 tonneau cover. For more see http://www.garagejournal.com. Jan 01, 2012 The good news is Diamondback sells the clamps for about $5, so I got a whole set of new clams (4) for less than $30 (including shipping). Got to love a company that doesn't scam you on spare parts. If I was to do it all over again, I'd probably get the HD unit.
Constructed of diamond plate aluminum, the Diamondback can be purchased in either a glossy bare metal finish or a black spray on finish. I selected the black finish since it goes better with my grey 2017 Toyota Tundra. I was assured by the sales person on the phone that the spray on coating would hold up over time. The coating is claimed to be the highest quality spray on coating you can get when it comes to spray in bed liner material. I've seen so many truck beds with chalky bed liners degrading in the elements that I can only hope Diamondback is correct with this claim. Only time will tell, and having mine for year now at the time I write this review, it shows no sign of degradation. I selected the DiamondBackSE model due to the door panel configuration. Other models like the 270 and 180 are geared more for tool boxes and I would mainly be hauling guns and ammo. I passed on the HD (Heavy Duty) version of the cover since I would not need the extra strength and the additional $400 up-charge for the HD.
Being a dude, I still have a collection of tools that are used on a semi-regular basis but not for my occupation where half my truck is tools. So I ordered the SIDE BOXES tool boxes for my bed cover. The side boxes are small and mount up above the bed so they do not take up any floor space. For me they provide the perfect amount of space for my tools and tie down straps.
Diamondback 270 Tonneau Cover Review
The cover went on very easy for one person. The SE model is in 3 panels, two doors and one mid section that clamps to the bed rail of your truck. The mid section is the only section that requires tools to install and remove. The door panels come off easy and weigh around 40 pounds each. Having the ability to remove the door panels is a huge plus for me. When you need to haul something tall, they can be removed by just one person. My last fiber glass cover required another adult to help and then the problem of storing the huge cover without scratching the paint was a problem. Since the mid section is relatively permanent, I figured it would be a great place to mount some lighting. These bed covers are really dark on those early morning hunts when you are trying to gear up before the sun rises. I found some water proof LED light strips on the web that run on 12VDC and figured they would be perfect for the 12V electrical system on the truck. Since my Tundra had bed lights already (I wanted more), it was easy to tap into the bed lighting wiring so the new LED strip lights come on at the same time. Click HERE to see a link to the LED lighting I used. THE CONS... I installed the cover in the summer sun and had to use gloves to handle the metal panels. The silver under side was impossible to touch with bare hands while adjusting the fit. Once closed up, the summer heat and sun heated the contents of the bed as if it was in the cab of the truck. As mentioned my last bed covers were fiber glass with carpet on the underside. Over heating was not an issue with that design. WATER TIGHT?
My other issue was the middle panel on the SE model that clamps to the side of your bed. I must have over tightened the bolts since the two folding doors sit up at an angle and prove difficult to close and get a good water tight seal (see pics). This must be a common theme since I see pretty much every other Diamond Back cover on the road looking the same.
LOCKING RODS The locking rods have a plastic sleeve on the ends where they engage the under side of the truck bed. In order to get the door panels to seal nicely, you have to get the end of these rods snug against the bed rail. In my case the rubber sleeve slides off the rod just enough to not allow the door panel to open. In some cases the rubber sleeve slide all the way off and would not stay on (see pics). Getting these rods just right can be difficult. Once they are adjusted you are good to go. BUT once you put some weight on the bed cover, the door panels tend to flex some and cause the adjustment of those rods to change. Not a super big deal since you can open the door panel and grab the corners and flex the panel back with your hands.
CONCLUSION I tend to focus on the negative aspects as I see it since you assume the product marketing fanfare is all true. With that said, I can stand on this cover with confidence knowing that I will not jack anything up. Locking up my gear (mostly guns) in such a secure cover gives me piece of mind, knowing my weapons and gear are secure when I stop at that road side cafe after a day at the range. Out of 5 stars I give it 4 just because of the negatives I mentioned above. And as long as you can live with the negative points I mentioned, I think you will not be disappointed. I would recommended this cover to others with my main complaint being the heating of the contents. So far no ammo has cooked off in the Texas heat.
Yay or nay?
Discover what the internet is saying about DiamondBack Covers.
Upgraded Reviews scanned the web to find out what real users are saying about DiamondBack Covers.
See the highlights below and decide for yourself!
Table of contents
✅ Pros
“You can transport up to 400 lbs on top of your truck bed cover.”
“The cover protects your cargo from freezing rain, snow, sleet, ice, hail and harsh weather elements.”
“DiamondBack backs this Truck Bed Cover with a 3 year warranty.”
“It’s the only truck cover on the market that seals and locks your cargo while safely hauling your ATV or Side x Side.”
“The specs for the cover state that a maximum of 1600lbs can be carried on the top.”
“The HD truck cover can hold an outstanding 1,600lbs on top.”
“Their HD Cover is capable of holding 1,600 pounds on top of it.”
“Constructed of diamond plate aluminum, the Diamondback can be purchased in either a glossy bare metal finish or a black spray on finish.”
“It has been tested and rated to handle up to 1600 pounds on top of it.”
“The diamondback tonneau cover has two detachable access panels that weigh only 30 lbs.”
“Installation can easily be done at home and only requires a few simple tools.”
“As far as securing the machine to the cover is concerned, with eight different tie-down points Raptor feels very secure and seems to ride down the road very well.”
“The HD cover boasts a 1600-lb hauling capacity and unlike other covers, this truck bed cover can’t be cracked or cut open.”
“DiamondBack covers also allow you to double your cargo by freeing up the space in your truck bed and provides easy access to your cargo.”
“The Diamondback HD is very easy to use and remove.”
“This truck cover serves the everyday use/wear and tear outdoorsmen can put on their gear and trucks.”
“You can open the tailgate without having to open the cover, which makes tossing something in the bed real simple.”
“The truck cover is extremely well-thought out for everyday use/hauling.”
“It also allows access from the cab side of the bed with their Tri-Fold design.”
“This very well built cover holds up to 1600 lbs on the deck.”
“Both the front and rear of our Diamondback HD cover will open up for easy access.”
“The HD Cover stands for Heavy Duty and its made out of .100″ 3003 alloy aluminum diamond plate with reinforced construction.”
“The material is beefy aluminum diamond plate and 3003 alloy with fantastic welds.”
“The seal and locks on the truck cover eliminates the worry of your hunting gear getting stolen or affected by the weather.”
“Attaching the ramps to the Adaptor Bars that get mounted on the aluminum cover provides a secure mounting location, making the ramps impossible to slip off.”
“The center section has channels to allow rain water to drain off the sides of the truck and keep our stuff inside dry.”
“Their cover not only gives you dry storage in the bed of the truck, it gives you access from the tailgate while the cover remains closed.”
“After the initial install, the cover can be removed or reinstalled with just a ratchet and socket in just a few minutes.”
“The coating is claimed to be the highest quality spray on coating you can get when it comes to spray in bed liner material.”
“The cover is very simple to install using some regular hand tools and a cordless drill.”
“The DiamondBack SE truck bed cover features a thick neoprene compression gasket around its perimeter.”
Diamondback Truck Cover Problems Youtube
“The rugged black look is not just paint but is a durable, scuff-resistant coating that gives the truck cover a bold, yet tough appearance and function.”
“Diamondback Truck Bed Covers provide you with the flexibility to handle any job.”
❌ Cons
“The middle panel on the SE model clamps to the side of your bed.”
“In order to get the door panels to seal nicely, you have to get the end of the rods snug against the bed rail.”
Final Say
Read the summaries of what reviewers think about DiamondBack Covers below.
“What’s inside matters to you, so protection and security is a must! The seal and locks on the truck cover eliminates the worry of your hunting gear getting stolen or affected by the weather. This truck cover serves the everyday use/wear and tear outdoorsmen can put on their gear and trucks.”
“Constructed of diamond plate aluminum, the Diamondback can be purchased in either a glossy bare metal finish or a black spray on finish.The coating is claimed to be the highest quality spray on coating you can get when it comes to spray in bed liner material. And as long as you can live with the negative points, you will not be disappointed.”
“The HD Cover stands for Heavy Duty and its made out of .100″ 3003 alloy aluminum diamond plate with reinforced construction.DiamondBack covers also allow you to double your cargo by freeing up the space in your truck bed and provides easy access to your cargo. It’s the only truck cover on the market that seals and locks your cargo while safely hauling your ATV or Side x Side.”
“If you’re in the market for the ability to maximize your truck’s carrying capacity while also providing a way for secure gear storage, DiamondBack Truck Covers should be on your short list to explore. They have a very informative, intuitive website that will walk you through the many choices and options for your particular truck.”
“Their cover not only gives you dry storage in the bed of the truck, it gives you access from the tailgate while the cover remains closed. It also allows access from the cab side of the bed with their Tri-Fold design. Their HD Cover is capable of holding 1,600 pounds on top of it. That gives it more than enough strength to hold not just 1 but 2, 4×4 ATV’s or anything else you need to pile on it.”
“If you’re a thrill seeker, then the DiamondBack SE cover is the perfect choice for you. It is a stylish and tough tonneau cover that enables you to pack all your cargo and place it on top. With this tonneau cover, you can haul kayaks, bikes and other cargo on top of your truck bed.”
“The DiamondBack HD is the strongest in the lineup and also has more perks for only a little more money than what it’s brothers sell for. If you’re in need for a heavy duty cover, don’t look any further because this cover can go through any abuse and still look great. It’s perfect if you’re a contractor or if you just haul around cargo on the weekends”
“Diamondback makes quality stuff and it has the ability to haul the quad and all your gear in the bed. If you are a serious rider of anything off-road you should consider this Diamondback HD bed cover.”