Diamondback HD… Again…

Posted by 141drew Posted onOct 1, 2020 at 11:31 AM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 20, 2021 at 5:46 PM

A few years back, I got a Diamondback bed cover for my shop truck and did a review on YouTube. For reasons I can’t explain for the life of me, that review is my most viewed video on the platform. But based off that success, Diamondback sent me their latest and greatest and asked me to make another video.

I have ABSOLUTELY loved my Diamondback, so who am I to argue?

The one thing that initially bothered me about my original HD was the diamond tread used on the deck. To me, it looked a bit too aggressive for my GMC… But it grew on me and frankly, it no longer bothers me in the least.

Even so, Diamondback released a new smooth version of the bed cover and figured I’d like it. They were right. It maintains the same functionality of the old, it just looks a bit cleaner while doing it. Full review above, but keep this in mind:

The Diamondback is NOT for everyone. It’s for the guy that needs 1,600 pounds of load capacity on TOP of their tonneau and doesn’t carry a lot of loads that are taller than the bed sides. If this fits your criteria, this is, without any doubt, the best bed cover on the market.

I absolutely love mine.

More information here.

See Comments on the forum.
View thread (28 replies)
K

kenners

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SE Wa State
I watched your review and knew that was the product I needed. One daughter had a knife put thru her soft cover. Second daughter had another company's hard cover fail after a few years. I knew I didn't want another canopy and wanted more storage than my previous truck's tool box. Diamondback knows you have probably helped sell many of their units. Mine included = Diamondback 270 with the black finish and front tray. I purchased cleats and installed myself. Black 2019 F350 CCLB. Very pleased with the cover !
 
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M

MacTexas

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Mar 25, 2005
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I bought one after your first review. The quality is outstanding and like you said I carry more things on the top of the cover than in the bed.
 
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Ron_J

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They are built just up the road from me. Doesn't fit my needs, but have heard nothing but good from the company and product.
 
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Ryan

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Ron_J said:
They are built just up the road from me. Doesn't fit my needs, but have heard nothing but good from the company and product.
Click to expand...

I don't really know them. I've had two phone conversations that were along the lines of, "You don't have a lot of YouTube followers. How come that one diamondback video has so many views?"

Me: I honestly have no idea.

Them: Wanna do it again?

Me: Sure!

And that's really it... I rarely get free **** for doing reviews and what not. In fact, other than a few small tools, I can't think of any other time. Sort of feels like I won the lottery or something... especially since I love these bed covers so much.

I mentioned that I use the hell out of mine to haul sheet goods... But just as impressive and not mentioned - my truck bed hasn't seen a drop of water since I installed the diamondback. It is crazy weatherproof.

Edit: I just thought of another time I got free ****. Legacy Industrial sent me everything I needed for my shop floors... That was pretty damned rad too...
 
5

555

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Nomad-Arkansas & Georgia
I bought one for a company truck after seeing your first review. We called the driver of that truck "Mad Max" due to the rough treatment of his equipment. He was very happy when we replaced his broken fiberglass cover with the Diamond Back. It survived his abuse and now is on the third replacement truck.
 
S

sayoda

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Mar 28, 2013
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99
Great review video!!

I bought my diamondback back in 2010. I absolutely love the cover, I use and abuse it everyday!

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
 
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Bigblockyeti

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Can the tailgate be opened and closed without roughing up the gasket on the back lid? I'm considering one if I can get over the center bar but it needs to be pretty darn close to perfect at $2100.
 
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Ryan

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Bigblockyeti said:
Can the tailgate be opened and closed without roughing up the gasket on the back lid? I'm considering one if I can get over the center bar but it needs to be pretty darn close to perfect at $2100.
Click to expand...

Yes. My old one was on the truck for three years... And the gasket still looks new.

One the great things about this cover is that your tailgate is functional whether the cover is open or not.

I will, however, say that if you consistently haul a lot of stuff that is taller than your bed sides this might not be the cover for you. That center bar will trip you up... and while it only takes about 15 minutes to remove the entire cover, it's a strenuous 15 minutes and sort of a pain in the ***. It's not something you are gonna want to do all the time.

As for value, it's there... You need to see one in person. Literally built by someone who cared.
 
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BroncoAZ

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I purchased one of the Diamondback HD covers for me new Ford Raptor. I was very pleased with the quality and function. I ordered the smooth finish without cleats, it looked great on the truck. I’m typing in past tense because I sold the truck after 7 weeks due to a job change and cross country move. When I buy another truck I’ll be buying another Diamondback cover.

Be sure to shop their factory seconds. I saved 30% on a second that had a single missed weld on the bottom of the front panel. I had to hunt for the defect and I can’t see where one missed weld of 14 on that cross bar would cause issues.
 

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Bigblockyeti

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I did get a chance to see one at a sportsman show in the IX center years ago. It was on an 8' bed 3/4 ton something with two ATVs sitting on top and side loaded, that was pretty cool. One concern I have is when and what will my next truck be, if mine was smashed tomorrow, it would be an extended cab 4x4, 8' bed Tundra but if I need something different in a few years, the replacement Tundra might not be equipped to my requirements and I really would rather not get a 3/4 ton.

My roll up cover is working out ok for me now and keeps everything dry enough, but it's 2 years old and falling apart. It does have a 10 year warranty but getting a new one every couple years is far less desirable than just having one that lasts.
 
L

LegacyIndustrial

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deerfield, IL
Ryan said:
I don't really know them. I've had two phone conversations that were along the lines of, "You don't have a lot of YouTube followers. How come that one diamondback video has so many views?"

Me: I honestly have no idea.

Them: Wanna do it again?

Me: Sure!

And that's really it... I rarely get free **** for doing reviews and what not. In fact, other than a few small tools, I can't think of any other time. Sort of feels like I won the lottery or something... especially since I love these bed covers so much.

I mentioned that I use the hell out of mine to haul sheet goods... But just as impressive and not mentioned - my truck bed hasn't seen a drop of water since I installed the diamondback. It is crazy weatherproof.

Edit: I just thought of another time I got free ****. Legacy Industrial sent me everything I needed for my shop floors... That was pretty damned rad too...
Click to expand...
Legacy thought so too! Let us know when the next floor is ready for coatings!!:rocker:
 
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A

Andy Kraus

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Aug 26, 2012
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Pittsburgh PA
I just received my Diamond Back HD with smooth texture 2 months ago..... I LOVE IT. Best purchase for my truck to date.
 
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Bigblockyeti

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BroncoAZ said:
Be sure to shop their factory seconds. I saved 30% on a second that had a single missed weld on the bottom of the front panel. I had to hunt for the defect and I can’t see where one missed weld of 14 on that cross bar would cause issues.
Click to expand...

I their defense, I don't think their concerned about too many people adding a lot of weight to the top of their cover on a 3'6" bed.
 
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benjy

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Apr 20, 2014
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Houston, TX
Love these bedcovers, I may never buy another truck, but if I do, it'll have one of these covers on it!

WhUbaIf.jpg
 
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Lettusbee

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I've hesitated on these because the front lid doesn't open very far. If you pull the shocks on it would it then open all the way and fold back flat?
 
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BroncoAZ

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Lettusbee said:
I've hesitated on these because the front lid doesn't open very far. If you pull the shocks on it would it then open all the way and fold back flat?
Click to expand...

Yes, disconnecting the shocks will allow the cover to fold back flat. The struts are easy to pop off by hand.
 
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benjy

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BroncoAZ said:
Yes, disconnecting the shocks will allow the cover to fold back flat. The struts are easy to pop off by hand.
Click to expand...

Or you can forget to lock the front hatch and let it open and disconnect the struts at 70mph and let it fold flat.
 
4

4 Ever-Fish N

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350
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Deep East Texas
I have had mine for over a year on a 2019 Ram 1500. It's the best cover I have ever had. But I agree, if you have to carry items that extend above the edge of the bed frequently, this is not the right bed for you.
 
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bas157

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Near Philly
I'm on my second come. First was a used SE that I found on Craigslist. Second one I won a contest from Diamondback for another SE cover, but I paid to upgrade to the HD with black coating. I love the cover but the black coating is starting to fail. I think originally they used Line-X, they changed to something that was suppose to be the same as Line-x.....that is what I have on mine. From their website it sounds like they are on the third black coating product. On mine, at the base of most of the raised parts I can see a litte spot the aluminum. Its not from wear as it isn't the raised part that is worn off. That's the only issue I've had with mine. If I get another truck, I image I will try to get another Diamondback.
 
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MDJAK

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NY
I’ve been through 4 trucks, a platinum and now my third Gen2 Raptor, but my first DiamondBack. It’s waterproof, extremely heavy duty. Their customer service is top notch. All that said, if you need to carry big or tall things, even occasionally, it can be a bit inconvenient. Even removing the struts, a sure knuckle busting exercise, is a PIA and then you fold it back. I love how it looks. As for the cleats, not sure why they can’t/won’t accommodate installing them the way you want, including placing only half as many. It’s all or nothing.

I also think it could be improved by placing the hinges on the underside.
 
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velocipede

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Oct 22, 2013
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Yorktown, Virginia
Just installed a DiamondBack HD smooth top and the 13" tool box on my new Ford Super Duty. Perfect for the way I use my truck. Installed it myself with the help of some YouTube vids. Arrived via lift gate, nicely packaged on a pallet... without a scratch. Love it.
IMG_4814=c.jpg
 
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dwysywd

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Not sure if anyone is still reading these older posts, but I purchased one used for my 2003 F350 with an 8' bed. I love it. I will say this, with a "decked" bed inside, not very functional. So my plan is to put the decked bed in for the winter (today) and the contractor cap. And in the spring, I will take the decked bed out, contractor cap off, and put the aluminum cover back on. I do not have tie downs, but I plan to add them this spring.
 
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