rugged truck cover

Diamond Plated Tactical Tonneau Cover

If a diamond is a girl’s best friend, is a diamond plate truck bed cover a man’s best friend? Let’s consider the benefits and tradeoffs of a diamond plated truck bed cover. 

Post-Punk Power

Do you ever wonder why Talking Heads chose a diamond plate pattern for their 1979 album “Fear of Music”? Characterized by maximum velocity, this album has a steady beat that reflects the alternating bumpy and smooth cover. 

As a design, the diamond plate feels tough. However, it’s important to note, there aren’t any actual diamonds in a diamond plated truck bed cover, just a diamond pattern. This might also be called a checker plate or tread plate, which is definitely less sexy. 

A diamond plate pattern is generally intended to provide traction underfoot — which is why it’s found in industrial environments, particularly stairs and ramps. As useful as it can be for a nonskid or nonslip surface, it may also simply be a decorative touch. 

Diamond Plated Truck Bed Cover

A diamond plate is typically manufactured in plastic or metal. In the case of a truck bed cover, let’s hope it’s aluminum. As David Byrne sings in “Life During Wartime,” “This ain’t no party / This ain’t no disco / This ain’t no fooling around / No time for dancing, or lovey dovey.”

When it comes to diamond plate truck bed covers, DiamondBack is definitely what comes to mind. With a rugged look, DiamondBack models include locks and hinges on top of the cover, and might even include cleats. 

Unfortunately this exterior attached functionality keeps you from being able to utilize your cover as a flatbed. This might not seem like a big deal…until you want to smoothly slide an item onto your tonneau cover (like a sheet of plywood) or when you drop a pallet on it and it doesn’t sit flush on top. These are issues you won’t run into with your Renegade Cover’s smooth surface.

Also, before you invest in a DiamondBack, it’s important to consider their load-bearing capacity. You may be surprised to know that, while the HD Tonneau Cover can hold 1,600 pounds, DiamondBack’s other covers can only bear 400 distributed pounds. 

Alternatives to DiamondBack

“Hold on, because it’s been taken care of” is another Talking Heads lyric, and it’s music to your ears when you’re exhausted by the search for the best truck bed cover. 

Though DiamondBack is the industry standard for weight-bearing tonneau covers, it is not the leader. Rather, Renegade’s Tonneau Cover hauls up to 2,000 pounds on top! This not only removes any doubt you had about your cover’s strength, but opens the door to a variety of additional activities and uses.

Turning to DiamondBackSE, Diamondback270, and Diamondback180, for those truck owners ok with a low weight-bearing capacity, you’ll find a slight variation in access panels, but none provide full access to the entire truck bed. You only get this with Renegade’s tri-fold design.

Additionally, when you’re installing or removing your new cover, if it’s a Renegade, you won’t need any tools. Relatedly, don’t forget the DiamondBack design is higher profile than Renegade’s. It also has less locking pins, making it less secure than the Renegade Cover. 

Join the Renegade Revolution

As Byrne sings, “High on a hillside, the trucks are loading / Everything’s ready to roll.” While we could go on and on about the differences between DiamondBack and Renegade, we’d rather leave you to plan your next great adventure. Order your Renegade Cover today! After all, “Memories can’t wait.”