Diamondback SE vs HD

[ccw]

Title states the conundrum. I've decided I'm going Diamondback for my cover, along with the 8 inch front toolbox, but now I need to decide on the SE vs the HD. The additional cost doesn't matter; I'm focused on getting the right tool for the job.

I don't have an ATV to put on the HD right now, and there isn't one in my near future. So I don't have a need for the HD. But I also like to be over-prepared and the HD calls to me on that front. As someone else mentioned in another thread, once you get some heavy coolers up there and a person up there organizing things it's easy to go over the capacity of the SE.

However, I do intend on having to remove the Diamondback at least a few times per year. I'm going to get a slide-in camper at some point, which means the Diamondback will come off when the camper goes on. Also will take the cover off if I need get a load of soil or rock for around the house (loaded via front end loader).

So I guess my main questions: how heavy are the HD panels? And how awkward is it to remove said panels with the additional weight? Note that I will be doing this solo.

 

[Loshad]

Their website tells you. My SE panels are not light. Don't remove them often but glad they're not HDs. Do note that it doesn't take much of a goofup when reinstalling them to trash the hinges and the HD would make that more likely. The new hinges are a big improvement over the old ones - much easier to get right. Don't get me wrong - it isn't rocket science but their size does make them awkward.

 

[TenX]

I went with the SE simply because I won’t ever put 1600 lbs on top even if I could. If I have to carry that much I’d probably opt for pulling the whole thing off anyway. SE panels weigh about 35lbs and are super easy to install. I’m 6’6” so holding / angling a large panel like that isn’t a big deal. Height has its advantages. For what you describe above, the SE would fit your purposes.

 

[500mag]

I like the look and security of the HD.

 

[ccw]

Their website tells you. My SE panels are not light. Don't remove them often but glad they're not HDs. Do note that it doesn't take much of a goofup when reinstalling them to trash the hinges and the HD would make that more likely. The new hinges are a big improvement over the old ones - much easier to get right. Don't get me wrong - it isn't rocket science but their size does make them awkward.

True, the website does state the weight. My wording wasn't great. Trying to get an idea of how heavy the panels actually feel, since 50 pounds can feel very different depending on the shape of it. And the rest of your response addressed that perfectly.

I went with the SE simply because I won’t ever put 1600 lbs on top even if I could. If I have to carry that much I’d probably opt for pulling the whole thing off anyway. SE panels weigh about 35lbs and are super easy to install. I’m 6’6” so holding / angling a large panel like that isn’t a big deal. Height has its advantages. For what you describe above, the SE would fit your purposes.

I probably won't put 1600 pounds either, my concern was if I hit 500 or 600 pounds. That's more than the SE is rated for.

Though in all reality you're probably both right that the SE is the better fit. I'm 6' 2" tall so also have a decent height advantage (though not as much as you, TenX!) so that's a good thing to be aware of.

 

[ccw]

I like the look and security of the HD.

Isn't the look and security of the HD and the SE essentially identical? I know underneath they are different (HD has more reinforcing and is a thicker gauge of aluminum), but thought from the outside they're the same?

 

[STX Screamer]

I have the HD version. Not sure how the weight actually compares to the SE. I can confirm its somewhat difficult to install by yourself. I always recruit my teenage son's assistance. It comes off in 10-20 minutes. Putting it back on in roughly 30 minutes.

 

[Whyte Rhyno]

I've got the HD. Love the potential even though I don't have a "need" for it now. Panels aren't that heavy. I take mine off and put them on alone

 

[Loshad]

"Isn't the look and security of the HD and the SE essentially identical?"

Security is the same and, frankly, those locks are its weak point.
One whack with a small sledge and they're gone and I would wager a pair of stout long-nose pliers would open the bars. I could be wrong. Not likely but possibly.
That's still much better than any other tonneau IMHO.

 

[TenX]

Isn't the look and security of the HD and the SE essentially identical? I know underneath they are different (HD has more reinforcing and is a thicker gauge of aluminum), but thought from the outside they're the same?

You are correct. HD has the weight advantage due to the additional cross supports that run through it. Locking mechanism and the bars are the same. As with most things, if someone really wanted in they could get in but would have to work at it.

I will say that the locking bars on the DB are the most robust/stout that I've ever seen/owned on a cover. When I was adjusting mine during install it was not 'easy' to grab the rods and pull them to the open position from underneath the cover. Can't say the same for others that I've had.

 

[ccw]

There's no shortcut to this decision, is there. Called Diamondback and chatted with them. Of course they couldn't really give me any info I didn't already know.

Found both an SE and HD in the outlet store, so it's not like that will help me make a decision.

And you all contradict each other with how easy it is to remove the HD panels. Though more folks have responded saying it's fairly difficult than those saying it's easy.

I think I'm leaning most towards the HD so I never need to think about capacity. I've been watching tons of solo install videos to get a visual on how much people seem to be struggling, and it seems pretty doable since it isn't an every day occurrence.

 

[FordRelic]

There's no shortcut to this decision, is there. Called Diamondback and chatted with them. Of course they couldn't really give me any info I didn't already know.

Found both an SE and HD in the outlet store, so it's not like that will help me make a decision.

And you all contradict each other with how easy it is to remove the HD panels. Though more folks have responded saying it's fairly difficult than those saying it's easy.

I think I'm leaning most towards the HD so I never need to think about capacity. I've been watching tons of solo install videos to get a visual on how much people seem to be struggling, and it seems pretty doable since it isn't an every day occurrence.

I'm 64 years old and I have the HD and I have no problem getting it on and off. I would definitely go with the HD. The panels are heavy enough that when you are moving them around you're thinking to yourself that these things are heavy but they aren't so heavy that one person can't move them around.

 

[ccw]

I'm 64 years old and I have the HD and I have no problem getting it on and off. I would definitely go with the HD. The panels are heavy enough that when you are moving them around you're thinking to yourself that these things are heavy but they aren't so heavy that one person can't move them around.

That's some great context, thanks!

 

[500mag]

I have the HD, paid $200 to have it installed. I'm not a mechanic, so figured I'd let the pros do it. HD for an HD truck....

 

[Whyte Rhyno]

There's no shortcut to this decision, is there. Called Diamondback and chatted with them. Of course they couldn't really give me any info I didn't already know.

Found both an SE and HD in the outlet store, so it's not like that will help me make a decision.

And you all contradict each other with how easy it is to remove the HD panels. Though more folks have responded saying it's fairly difficult than those saying it's easy.

I think I'm leaning most towards the HD so I never need to think about capacity. I've been watching tons of solo install videos to get a visual on how much people seem to be struggling, and it seems pretty doable since it isn't an every day occurrence.

I'm 5'10" and weigh 170 lbs. I'm not entering nay strongman contests anytime soon. I installed the HD myself and take off the panels myself. They're awkward but not heavy. You can do it

 

[BlueKilla]

If you're going SE, imo the Lomax is a better deal, easier to remove, and I believe they carry similar weight rating of 400lbs (500 for the commercial diamondplate).

 

[ccw]

If you're going SE, imo the Lomax is a better deal, easier to remove, and I believe they carry similar weight rating of 400lbs (500 for the commercial diamondplate).

I'm ruling that one out (along with other tri-folds) because they don't provide easy access to the front of the bed for a toolbox. After having my Bakflip Fibermax for the last 7 years on my old truck, that's been one of my bigger complaints and the one I want to solve. I've had a bin at the rear of the bed acting as a toolbox in that time, but it regularly gets in the way.

With this new cover, I want to move to a removable toolbox at the front of the bed. That necessitates having front access from a tonneau cover. The Extang Encore was honestly my top contender since it would be easier to remove than the DiamondBack, but that's discontinued.

Diamondback solves the toolbox problem, so that's where I've landed.

 

[ccw]

I'm 5'10" and weigh 170 lbs. I'm not entering nay strongman contests anytime soon. I installed the HD myself and take off the panels myself. They're awkward but not heavy. You can do it

Well, your message combined with my own mulling was the straw that broke the camel's back. Ordered the HD! Since I'm getting it from the outlet store, I'm getting the HD and the Cross Bin 13 for $100 less than the HD normally is.

Of course, this will arrive when the truck is in getting the deer damaged fixed most likely, so it will get to spend some time getting acquainted with my garage before I can get it installed.

 

[TRG-42]

I went HD, figured if I ever needed it, I’m ready...

 

[Flooger]

I just installed my HD yesterday. Are the panels heavy? Yes. Is it manageable though? Yes. I installed them by myself and I was able to step up on the tailgate step and into the bed while carrying a panel. The more challenging part is the size of the panels as opposed to the weight.