Diamondback Truck Cover Problems

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Tonneau covers are designed to protect your truck bed from bad weather, prevent your goods from dust, and minimize the risk of cargo theft, among other uses.

When your tonneau cover is damaged, it becomes inefficient and can no longer serve any of these purposes. So, what are some of these problems that you should be wary of if you own a tonneau cover?

Diamondback makes a really good looking top cover. However, their headache racks, not so much. 3) Has anyone found a good custom headache rack that attaches to the front panel and still allows the Rambox to be opened? I found this example of a custom rack installed on a Ford with a DiamaondBack HQ which (I think) looks great.

The most common tonneau cover problems originate from damage, wrong fitting, wearing out due to age, frequent use for prolonged periods, and using the incorrect size for your vehicle.

These problems often result in the leaking, flipping and sometimes the cover may stick to the truck bed.

Now that you’ve known some of these issues, this guide will help you to diagnose and solve them.

  1. The DiamondBack SE truck bed cover features a thick neoprene compression gasket around its perimeter. This keeps water out of your truck bed. Furthermore, the gutters, which are located along the hinge points, drain water away from you truck bed when you open the access panels of your bed cover.
  2. Tonneau covers are very important for they protect the truck bed and its contents from water, sunlight, corrosion, paint damage, dust, and heat. While it is not uncommon to come across several tonneau cover problems, these tips can help you to fix these issues immediately you spot them.

How to fix common tonneau cover problems

Here are some of the most common problems that can occur on your tonneau cover and how you can fix them.

  1. Water leakage

Basically, rainwater leakage occurs during the stormy or windy rains that force the droplets to squeeze between the tonneau covers and the vehicle body.

Tonneau covers are designed to be watertight. The rain that hits the covers from above or on vertical angles rarely causes leakage, unless your tonneau cover is damaged. In this case, we have a guide for fixing a leaking tonneau cover. Another cause of tonneau leakages is pressurized water that penetrates between the edges of the covers while the vehicle is being washed.

To prevent your tonneau cover from leaking, you should use a tailgate cover seal that covers both the gap along the bottom and both sides of the tailgate. The tail seal is very efficient in preventing moisture and shutting the dust out.

You should always inspect the front bulkhead or the front of the truck bed to ensure it is not at the same level as sides of the bed before installing the cover. A slanting effect helps water to drain from the covers. If these parts are on the same level, you can add extra foam to the front section of the truck bed.

In case, you have a plastic drop-in bed liner, where all of them cover the front rail of the bed, you will need to check the outer edge of front bed rail to make sure that the bed-liner portion does cover the whole width of the front bed rail without leaving a void for water to sneak in.

  1. Noisy tonneau covers

A correctly fitted and installed cover lies snugly across the truck and shouldn’t make any noise. However, if your cover isn’t fitted well, then you will hear some noises.

Tonneau cover noises are mostly caused by a loose installation or damages to the cover that allow air to enter inside the truck bed through holes or cracks.

If you notice any noise from the tonneau cover, check on the fit to see whether you can tighten it more by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Installing a large size tonneau cover to a small truck can also cause these noises. If you suspect this to be the case, you need to double check whether the cover is the right size for your particular truck bed.

If the size is not the cause of the problem, you may need to check the seals for the presence of cracks. You should also monitor whether the seal is broken and if air is getting in under the cover making it to flap while in motion.

With these tips, you should solve the noisy cover issue to prevent your tonneau cover from further damage.

  1. Cover doesn’t fit right

Each cover is designed to fit a specific type of tonneau. So, you should make sure that you have purchased the right size and design cover for your particular truck; by either checking the specific models offered for the cover, or you can measure the truck bed in preparation for buying a new cover.

If the size is right, you should check whether the cover is installed correctly. If the installation is correctly done, then check the seal and the hardware.

You should also ascertain that nothing came loose or even damaged when purchasing. A defect could be making the cover to pull away in certain truck bed regions.

  1. Defective or missing seal

If a seal is damaged or missing, you must replace or repair tonneau cover as soon as possible to prevent further damage or the cover wearing out faster than it should.

If a tonneau cover seal is damaged or has fallen off, the cover can flip hence allowing air, dust, and water to penetrate and damage the hard retractable cover further and faster

  1. The cover won’t open or becomes stuck

A good tonneau cover should smoothly glide while opening and closing it. However, it might start to get stuck or become harder to operate over time.

When your tonneau cover won’t open or becomes stuck, there could be some rust in the opening mechanism. Apply some lubrication to these areas and check to see if there is some damage or general depreciation due to age and frequent use. Consider checking out our post about opening different tonneau covers.

7. Problems measuring a tonneau cover for your truck?

It’s crucial to understand the dimensions of your truck’s bed length before ordering a tonneau cover. You should know that not every truck’s measurements are the same as indicated in the vehicle manual.

To begin, have a measuring device that extends beyond 10 feet and a paper to write or your phone’s notes app to record the measurements. Also, you should be aware that not all automotive manufacturers make beds of the same length.

However, there are three specific nomenclatures that are pursued in truck bed measurements; short, standard and long bed.

  1. Short Bed: 5’5”, 5’6”, 5’7” and 5’8”
  2. Standard Bed: 6’4”, 6’5”, 6’6” and 6’7”
  3. Long Bed: 8’

The trick in measuring the truck bed is to measure the length in inches at least twice to get it correctly.

  • You should place the end of the measuring tape at the bulkhead or space where the truck bed attaches to the back of the cab.
  • Measure the closest point to the side of the bed and record down the figure
  • Extend the measuring tape to the inside edge of the tailgate and take measurements too

After you have the measurements, take the number of inches measured and divide them by 12 to determine your pickup’s bed length.

Conclusion

Tonneau covers are very important for they protect the truck bed and its contents from water, sunlight, corrosion, paint damage, dust, and heat.

While it is not uncommon to come across several tonneau cover problems, these tips can help you to fix these issues immediately you spot them.

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

Used Diamondback Truck Cover

“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.”

Diamondback Truck Cover Reviews

“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.”
Diamondback
“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.”
“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.”
Problems
“Diamondback Truck Bed Covers provide you with the flexibility to handle any job.”

Diamondback Truck Covers Dealers

❌ 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.”

Diamondback Truck Cover Problems Gmc

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.”
Cover

Diamondback Truck Cover Problems Dodge Ram

“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.”

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