Diamond Back Owners Question

[Kodiak]

I am thinking of getting of this cover with a Front Runner rack/rail system. However I have not been able to get a clear answer to a question. Maybe someone here with this setup can answer.

I need to fold the covers (at least the tailgate cover) over so it lays flat on the other sections. I cannot find out if the T tracks/rails prevent this from happening. I think there may be enough clearance for one rail but not 2 (both front panel and back panel) if they fold over on themselves, but I could be wrong. I believe as long as there is enough clearance for one I could offset the T slot rails on the front panel from the back panel. Then they would nest side by side and not on top of each other when a panel is folded over flat. This would let me need just enough clearance for the height of one rail to have the panel lay flat.

I contacted Diamond Back but they were not really able to answer this. I thought it would be as easy as just taking a Front Runner rail and sticking it in between a DB with the panel folded flat to see if there is clearance for one rail, but I could never get them to do that and answer me.

Also I know that you cannot fold it flat with the rack system attached I just speaking about the T track that you must attach (drill) into the cover. I will remove the rack from the T track if I need to flip the panel flat for some open bed space.

I figure there must be someone here that can answer this as after about a dozen youtube vids I cannot find anyone that shows/speaks to this.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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[Bannerman]

I had the diamondback on my Tacoma and I'll be ordering one for my Tremor when it is built. I had the Frontrunner tracks and towers so I could run a RTT. I was still able to fold the panels, but they would not sit quite as flat. But still very usable. Don't know how those tracks compare to the Yakima though.

 

[Kodiak]

I had the diamondback on my Tacoma and I'll be ordering one for my Tremor when it is built. I had the Frontrunner tracks and towers so I could run a RTT. I was still able to fold the panels, but they would not sit quite as flat. But still very usable. Don't know how those tracks compare to the Yakima though.

I see the tracks are "in line". I wonder if you had the tracks offset and maybe both on the front panel moved in toward the center a couple of inches each, if that would give you enough clearance not to interfere with the panels to lay flat. That is what I am thinking I would have to do if I get a Diamond Back.

 

[Bannerman]

I see the tracks are "in line". I wonder if you had the tracks offset and maybe both on the front panel moved in toward the center a couple of inches each, if that would give you enough clearance not to interfere with the panels to lay flat. That is what I am thinking I would have to do if I get a Diamond Back.

You could definitely offset them, might look a little funny but would function as you intend. You'll be very happy with the Diamondback, I'm about to order a smooth HD.

 

[Kodiak]

Smooth HD is what I will be getting if I do go with the Diamond Back. I think I will probably get the Front Runner set up too but install it myself. Skip the little center piece and offset the tracks on the front and back panels. Front to the outside and back panel to the inside.

I think the Diamond Back may actually be larger on the F-150 front panel anyway so while the rails may not be in a straight line with each other (front and back), they may look proportional for each panel.

 

[Bannerman]

Smooth HD is what I will be getting if I do go with the Diamond Back. I think I will probably get the Front Runner set up too but install it myself. Skip the little center piece and offset the tracks on the front and back panels. Front to the outside and back panel to the inside.

I think the Diamond Back may actually be larger on the F-150 front panel anyway so while the rails may not be in a straight line with each other (front and back), they may look proportional for each panel.

What do you plan to mount to the rails?

 

[Kodiak]

I would probably use the rails in the front to add a small rack that I could mount some storage options to if I travel. Pelican cargo boxes or Roam would give some extra space if needed.

I was disappointed that the 2022 F-150 does not have a digital rearview mirror. However, the cargo camera looks like it might be usable if I do not add something like a Wolfbox G840H dash cam with a nice digital rearview feature. I just have to mount that camera somewhere in the back.

 

[Bannerman]

I would probably use the rails in the front to add a small rack that I could mount some storage options to if I travel. Pelican cargo boxes or Roam would give some extra space if needed.

I was disappointed that the 2022 F-150 does not have a digital rearview mirror. However, the cargo camera looks like it might be usable if I do not add something like a Wolfbox G840H dash cam with a nice digital rearview feature. I just have to mount that camera somewhere in the back.

why not just strap down whatever cases using the included cleats? skip the rails

 

[Kodiak]

I could and I have thought about that, but I would still like the rack option to offer more options in the future. Bike rakes could be a possibility but mainly the ability of have a lot of options that could all be easily removed is the main thing. That is why being able to fold flat is key because that is what would be used more times than anything else.

 

[Bannerman]

I could and I have thought about that, but I would still like the rack option to offer more options in the future. Bike rakes could be a possibility but mainly the ability of have a lot of options that could all be easily removed is the main thing. That is why being able to fold flat is key because that is what would be used more times than anything else.

Any rack that you install on rails will likely take away your ability to fold, that's why I asked.

 

[Kodiak]

Yes but that is why the front runner rack is nice. It is easily removed when not needed. That is why being able to fold it flat with just the tracks on the Diamond Back is critical to me. Tracks cannot be easily removed but the FR rack system can be.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

@Kodiak Did you end up proceeding with the Diamondback? If so, any updates with the proposed lay-flat solution of offsetting the tracks?

 

[Kodiak]

@Kodiak Did you end up proceeding with the Diamondback? If so, any updates with the proposed lay-flat solution of offsetting the tracks?

I never could find out. Diamondback could not tell me. I was going to go to the Outback Expo in VA last Oct 2022 but DB was bringing 2 trucks, both with roof tents. I cut wood strips to the height of the FR track and also L track but they were mucking up their product with other peoples products that they dont sell. I call and said to them that should have one of the trucks with just the DB so people can see that. I do not need to go to the DB booth to see roof tents. I wanted to put the DB through the paces and see what thier product was like for me. Alas, no dice. I ended up not going and wasting that trip.

My big concern was the height of the FR track is 3/4" and if the panel does not lay flat, even with the tracks offset, it would put stress on the hinge. The panels are not light so stress on the hinge will damage it over time.

It was amazing to me that they could not say what the answer to this question was at the factory. Since you really cannot go to see these anywhere, the only recourse is the just buy the DB and if the tracks would work, install them your self. I would do this but then it kind of soured me on the DB.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

I understand that. I'm weighing the pros and cons of several options. Thanks for the insight. Did you end up settling on another option you are happy with?

 

[Kodiak]

I understand that. I'm weighing the pros and cons of several options. Thanks for the insight. Did you end up settling on another option you are happy with?

I think I am either getting a Renegade or bite the bullet and get an ARE Topper. I have not gotten either one yet but I think I will end up getting that topper. Then I will add a Wolfbox 900 so I can get the dashcam and digital rearview mirror all in one.

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