Just installed mine yesterday.... Diamondback Covers is one of the most "top shelf" / "first class" / "best ever" operations imaginable. Great customer service, well designed / well engineered / well made product! From my first phone enquiry to final installation -- I am super impressed. And I am a VERY picky kind of a guy (retired pilot USN). If, like I was..... you are questioning the price ... "is it worth the money?" -- get over it! Just place the order...YES ... it is worth the price! Switchback / Smooth Black -- no cleats / GMC Sierra
Hey, Jason. Great review! Thank you for sharing your DiamondBack experience. We appreciate the shoutout and detail given in your review. Sorry to hear you made the wrong call on your Anchor Cleat configuration. We did want to shed some clarity on your comment about the Anchor Cleats and 'Bare Spots'. Any Rugged Black or Smooth Black-coated DiamondBack is fully sprayed before the installation of any Anchor Cleats and any other hardware. Covers are then given time to cure before heading into final assembly. While there will be holes left from the bolts of a preinstalled cleat, the area underneath the feet of your cleats is coated. If removing preinstalled cleats at a later time, we typically recommend those holes simply be filled with the included cleat hardware. However, we do understand this isn't the same completely smooth aesthetic found on an Anchor Cleat-less cover, so we understand your decision here. Again, huge thanks for this review! We just wanted to clarify this for any others potentially wanting to remove their preinstalled cleats in the future. 🤝
@DiamondBackCovers - Thanks so much for the great reply and info! I did email DiamondBack Support before I bought the first cover and asked how to secure the holes left if I removed the cleats....which was to use the hardware as you mentioned. Under the feet of my cleats, the metal was not bare, but there were distinct flat spots the exact shape and size of the feet rather than the texture otherwise on the rest of the cover. I most definitely would have kept the first cover if the texture continued under the feet of my cleats. Glad to know that my situation must have been unique! Either way, I am still VERY happy with my DB cover. I still think they are the strongest, most secure truck bed covers in the game. Thanks again for the comment.
@@InJasonsGarage The cleat impressions are totally understandable. No worries! Our team is always on standby and happy to lend a hand. Glad to hear we got your truck dialed in. If you ever have any questions or even are cooking up some video ideas - don't hesitate to give us a shout.
@@DiamondBackCovers I have a couple of ideas for a followup, based on my viewer suggestions. Please send an email to jason@injasonsgarage.com with the best way to connect with the right folks at DiamondBack. Thanks!
I love mine, Diamondback makes an awesome bed cover. I have one on a mid size truck and it's the best way to secure your bed for whatever you'd like to keep locked and safe in there.
I've had an HD on the back of my Tacoma for a couple years now. It's a beast and I'd buy another one tomorrow. MY mistake was buying the FrontRunner rack add-on for it. That thing is absolute junk, and now I have holes drilled in my cover.
That sucks to hear. Did you reach out to DiamondBack to see if they can provide assistance? The customer service is supposed to be pretty good, other than my type of situation.
@@InJasonsGarage I did. Diamondback was great but they had to send me to FrontRunner for that part of things (I was missing hardware from the outset too). FR's Response: "You can buy those at the hardware store." All the included FR hardware rusts pretty quickly. For what they charge you'd think they'd pony up for stainless. I ended up using some of the FR parts for other projects, but I'm still bitter as you can probably tell. Lol.
@@Fishsticks360 Actually, I read your comment wrong. I thought you bought an add-on for your DiamondBack cover, from DiamondBack. Not sure what I was thinking, but that sucks that FrontRunner gave you a hard time.
@@InJasonsGarage No, you were correct the first time. I bought it from DB. It shipped along with my cover. It's just made by FR and it sounds like they send them prepackaged to DB. One of those weird collaborations.
I've had my cover for 14 years. It has its issues but I purchased mine to carry construction materials either on top or inside and to secure my tools. Also have the ladder racks. Lets be honest here. I believe they were built originally as work truck alternatives and have morphed into off roading and camping options. And the black came out around the time I bought mine. I liked the silver so I bought that one. No regrets. The tie downs won't rip out. I've carried 5 sections of scaffolding and walk boards on top of my HD cover with no issues. All the tie downs make the load really secure. IF you have issues with the locks not being flush when carrying a load then just use 2-2x4s to straddle them and the hinges. (Some of you have to realize to have the panels open and close you need hinges and they have to be on top to open) My truck bed isn't 8' feet long so by using 2- 8' it supports sheet goods just fine. IF you want a sleek design then there are other covers out there that are a lot cheaper. Of course, most of those covers all you'll need is a knife to get in.
That is such a beaut! I do agree it looks better without the cleats, but it really doesn't look bad with them, and they are so functional and so convenient to have in place when needed, that I would probably get them myself, pre-installed. I do wish the cleats and the front and rear locking mechanism and the hinges were all coated with that linux like tough black coating that the entire smooth cover is, but that's probably not a big deal. It's funny, but one of the reasons I love it, while always have the understorage available, I would now have a portable back deck to put a couple lounge chairs and cooler on top off to enjoy the sun during the day and stars at night while off the ground. Adds a whole new dimension to having a pick up truck. And those two swing out storage bins you use, absolutely great. I'd actually like to get one on each side inside the bed on the other side of the wheel wells, no need to be swingable but nice to hold things close to the edge for easy access, maximizing use of that awkward space in front of and behind the wheel wells on each side, removable if desired. Personally, I'm decising between an F150 Raptor or Platinum, and adding the Diamondback HD cover to either. Truly beautiful! And that it's so functional and versatile too! Awesome.
Thanks a ton for the GREAT comment. I do agree that I wish the hinges were coated, but after a year, they didn't get pitted or show much wear at all. They hold up well. Let me know what truck you end up getting!
I appreciate the honesty of this video! My biggest concern for appearance are the hinges and lock mechanism on the topside. It’s not sleek, But I can overlook that when it comes to security. Thanks again!
Great vid thanks. I appreciate when regrets or changed choices/preferences are mentioned helps ground us as a buyer and be realistic with what we want/need
I agree, and I think it all comes down to how you need to use it. I am almost sorry to say that I don't need the cleats...and the more time goes on...the more I feel like I should find a reason to use them. KnoWutIMean?
Understood! I ordered mine without the coating and with anchors installed...I removed the cleats and had the cover powder coated and then reinstalled the cleats...And yes painful due to the rubber washers coming apart... I purchased new ones and now I'm good as new...
That's an idea that I wish I had thought of. Looking back...I kinda wish I had. 😏 Thanks. Hope it helps someone else that might have made the same mistake I did!
That Diamondback HD is such a beautiful bedcover, and so functional. Love it. A question. Do you know, does it get very hot if it's out in the hot summer sun all day, how hot to the touch, scalding being metal and all black? I really wonder about this. It's the only real concern I have. Thanks.
I saw someone take that silver insulation and put it on top underside and said it help a lot just food for thought I’m going to put it on my lid when I get it
After seeing my neighbor's Diamond back bed cover on his 5ft bed Tacoma. He paid 2100 dollars to be shipped to his house. 😮 I looked it over and said, I can make it for 200 dollars or less. 😂 Good to be a furniture maker. 😊
@@InJasonsGarage Two sheets of plywood and some framing aluminum. I can make it load more than 400 or 800 pounds (400 dollars more for HD Diamond back). Mine will hold more than 1000 pounds. A simple removable framing underneath when needed.
It would look and have better function to have just 4 cleats but have them curved to return like a half oval if makes sense. Would keep brush, car wash’s, and things catching and ripping cleats off if something snags… leaving the hole in middle allows tow hooks or rope… but no need if it’s not a boat to have that type of cleat imo…Def on my short list I’m just trying to sort out the cleat situation.. but dismondbsck is only one I’m considering - my friends love theirs. thanks
Thanks for letting me know I wasn't being TOO particular. I don't think you will be unhappy with it. I now have a 2023 Canyon AT4X and my preliminary testing shows it will fit good enough despite some slight differences between the years. I still have no regrets. The cover is damn near bomb-proof.
I thought this was a great review. I’m wondering how you feel about the security of the cover. Let’s say you want to store some firearms in there. Would you feel comfortable doing so?
I put off my vehicle purchase till 2025, so haven't bought my Diamondback yet. You mention the new Switchback. I am tempted. Relative pros and cons between the HD and Switchback. My primary concern about the Switchback is that the hinges are screwed in from above, from outside. On their website they said it was more secure than you'd think, but it still concerns me that someone determined could just unscrew those hinges to get inside. So for security reasons I am still balking at the Switchback. Any thoughts or experience with this Switchback issue? Maybe if you do a Switchback vid it can be one of the things you talk about? But, omg, both are exceptional looking, probably couldn't go wrong with either, each with its own best use cases.
Good point. The way the cover is designed, even if you were to manage to unscrew the hinge fasteners, the deadbolts are still in place. What DB says about this is: "Not as vulnerable as you may think. We utilize flat-head machine screws and nylon lock-nuts to fasten our hinges to the cover. The nylon lock-nuts make it very difficult to loosen the screw from the topside of the cover only." I think they would just spin unless someone drilled them out. Someone would need to really want to get in there and make a lot of racket and go through a lot of effort to do it. Compared to what else is out there, this is a pretty secure solution in my book.
@@Nate-zy5ce You bet. And it is neat to see someone use the word assuage. It is a rarely used one. (90% of the people who are reading this comment are now looking it up to see what it means.)
@@Nate-zy5ce Initially I had same concerns. My conclusion was / is --if somebody really wants to get in -- any sort of battery operated metal cutting tool will get them in -- hinges or no hinges. If the bad guy sees two trucks to break into in a given parking lot - he will probably go try his luck with the "other" one, the one with the "other" cover. Politely --- this is a bed cover -- not a bank vault. 😎
I definitely would, but I now have different truck, a 2023 Canyon AT4X. I will be installing swing cases in that like I did in this video...which can't mount with the molle panels in the way, I am sorry to say. If they make a back wall panel, I will definitely grab one and do a review of it!
Is it difficult to load and unload gear near the bulkhead? My truck is slightly factory lifted and I’m not a tall dude. My concern is getting stuff into and out of the the front of the truck bed. I know the sections are gas sprung, but I can’t each the inside from the side of my truck very well.
I was thinking about getting the SE for my 23 Silverado 1500. My truck bed has the spray liner from the dealer and it also covers the top of the bed rail behind the back window where the weather stripping for the cover goes. You know if the weather stripping will adhere to it with the liner spray on there?
It sure does. I had factory bed liner spray on mine, in the same spot. I just made sure I cleaned it well with car wash soap and then a generous wipedown of isopropyl alcohol and it stuck just fine.
Hey thanks for the info. I have the button release for the tailgate. You know of any issues with the cover and not allowing the tailgate to automatically release?
@@bama314 In my situation, there is some interference between the top of the tailgate and the bed cover seal and that is by design to keep it weather resistant. It doesn't stop the tailgate from being lowered, but I do think that unless the tailgate is powered, the seal will prevent gravity from letting a released tailgate from dropping.
You know...I had just purchased a 3D printer right around the time I got the DiamondBack cover. I knew very little about 3D printing at the time...but I have learned a ton since then. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done just that!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I was waiting for your comment. In fact...I was thinking about it when I looked into the camera. I fattened myself up to truly test the weight bearing of the DiamondBack HD cover. It passed. Yeah...that's it. 🐷
I have a question for you Jason, if you want to use cleats I'm assuming you have to drill holes. It looks like they don't have knockouts. Then you have to go to the point of measuring and being "anal" about positioning. I know I would lol.
You are correct, there are no knockouts that I am aware of. They say "measure twice, cut once.". But I if you know me...it would be a "Measure 18 times, and then just before you drill...measure a few more times on the other side, just to make sure everything is symmetrical. And then stop and think about if you REALLY want to put holes where you have them marked. And then think about if alternative spots would be better. And then get on RU-vid to see if anyone else did what you are going to do, and if there is a better way to do it. And then decide that you don't really need to haul whatever the cleats were going to hold. Then go get a beer and watch the hockey game.".
@@InJasonsGarage sure thing, the appeal of the trifold is to hold its position when folded but Diamond backs switchback is limited in this manner. Also did not feel as solid as the HD. It probably comes down to preference, but you will have buyer remorse just like you did with this one with the pre-installed bracket/handles.
@SithLordDarthBane Thanks. I know it doesn't hold as much weight (especially when the vehicle is moving), but how is it limited when holding position when folded up? I really appreciate your insight!
@@InJasonsGarage you can’t keep it open while driving. Unlike others that are light enough to be strapped. Which means that the only benefit is the ability to open it all the way while parked.
@@SithLordDarthBane I'm a bit lost here. From their web site... "STRAP IT DOWN Use the brackets and included tie-down straps to secure your folded Switchback while driving." It also shows them using it with a 5th wheel trailer.
