DiamondBack Switchback Cover

[DETOUR]

FYI: MY 2021 Gladiator Mojave (no bed tracks) have the '813' molle system installed on both sides. The 813 is a great system by the way. I looked into the Diamondback SWITCHBACK, but they advised the molle would not allow the "clamp jaws" to be utilized in the rear for closing. The molle extends 2" from the bed and 2" below the bed rail. So I either go with another brand of cover or take down the molle and put one of the cab side. Lots of alternatives to consider. Thanks

Sponsored

 

[RaiderGladiator]

FYI: MY 2021 Gladiator Mojave (no bed tracks) have the '813' molle system installed on both sides. The 813 is a great system by the way. I looked into the Diamondback SWITCHBACK, but they advised the molle would not allow the "clamp jaws" to be utilized in the rear for closing. The molle extends 2" from the bed and 2" below the bed rail. So I either go with another brand of cover or take down the molle and put one of the cab side. Lots of alternatives to consider. Thanks

take a picture of your molle panels for me? Right above the lights on the side.

 

[DETOUR]

View attachment 332990

Lots of options left to consider. Not in a real hurry , so I can continue looking. Take care

 

[RaiderGladiator]

View attachment 332990

Lots of options left to consider. Not in a real hurry , so I can continue looking. Take care

Awesome, thanks for sharing. I am in almost the opposite situation as you. I am trying to source a mollee panel that will work here. May just end up customizing the panel so the levers work. Appreciate it.

 

[Cdn_guy]

I’m still deciding between the SE and switchback. A few questions if you don’t mind?

1. It doesn’t seem as secure (just my opinion and I’m not qualified at all) what I mean is that it seems like the middle section relies on the cab portion clamps (and keep ‘em honest latches)l and also relies on the tailgate section. Middle section doesn’t have its on clamp or latches. So the question is does the middle section “secure” to you?

**thinking of extra clamps so each panel has its own clamps (we use our bed mainly as a trunk)

2. Have you used the anchor plates yet? How did you find them? They require dedicated ratchet straps, or “soft loops“

3. How secure is the tailgate section? It’s “clamped” in the middle and not in 4 corners like the cab panel.

4. Latch clamps…. Would it be easy for a thief to slip a bar between the cover, and tailgate and be able to flip open the latches to gain entry?

I sound paranoid, and I’m only going off pictures as I haven’t seen this cover in person as it’s so new.


I really like it. I like the low profile anchor plates, and It seems like it’s easier to remove/instal than the se.

 

[RaiderGladiator]

I’m still deciding between the SE and switchback. A few questions if you don’t mind?

1. It doesn’t seem as secure (just my opinion and I’m not qualified at all) what I mean is that it seems like the middle section relies on the cab portion clamps (and keep ‘em honest latches)l and also relies on the tailgate section. Middle section doesn’t have its on clamp or latches. So the question is does the middle section “secure” to you?

**thinking of extra clamps so each panel has its own clamps (we use our bed mainly as a trunk)

2. Have you used the anchor plates yet? How did you find them? They require dedicated ratchet straps, or “soft loops“

3. How secure is the tailgate section? It’s “clamped” in the middle and not in 4 corners like the cab panel.

4. Latch clamps…. Would it be easy for a thief to slip a bar between the cover, and tailgate and be able to flip open the latches to gain entry?

I sound paranoid, and I’m only going off pictures as I haven’t seen this cover in person as it’s so new.


I really like it. I like the low profile anchor plates, and It seems like it’s easier to remove/instal than the se.

Absolutely!

I can 100% see how you think the middle panel does not seem secure. I actually tried to pry into the middle panel and the way this is set up, and how strong these aluminum panels are, no one is getting in there, without making a whole he** of a lot of noise. I use my bed as a trunk as well, and have secured many valuable items in there, never once did I question if anyone would be able to break in, it’s gained my full confidence.
The cab has four c clamps that hold it down into place, these aren’t going anywhere either, and the two clamps towards the door of your truck bed, secure everything perfectly. You can’t lift this thing up a centimeter if you tried..

the anchor plates on the top outside of the switchback I have not used. I’ve yet to need anything ratcheted down yet. I did just purchase their straps that are dedicated for the switchback, a loop ratchet strap that is pretty slick. The two panels are honestly so easy to flip up and secure into place I haven’t needed the large space up top. I just leave the two straps for securing the switchback once it’s folded up in the loops underneath while It’s not being used.

super secure.. those clamps hold it down sturdy, there’s no getting in there unless that truck bed becomes unlocked and the door is opened.
Not a chance a thief could throw a bar in there, I don’t even think I could shimmy a wire hanger in between it. These panels are held down firm, and the clasps and the end take some movement and force to actually open and close.

I did install one of there LED lights on the back panel for some extra light too! Love that they offer this as well. They do offer extra anchor plates also, if you wanted to drill into the bed and add these, you totally can - pretty sweet option, but I haven’t had the need to do this yet.

That’s exactly what turned me onto this as well. It’s so easy to install, remove if you ever needed to, and you get the security and strength that diamondback is known for. They didn’t cut any corners when they came out with this. You won’t be disappointed here!

 

[glovesf15]

I’m still deciding between the SE and switchback. A few questions if you don’t mind?

1. It doesn’t seem as secure (just my opinion and I’m not qualified at all) what I mean is that it seems like the middle section relies on the cab portion clamps (and keep ‘em honest latches)l and also relies on the tailgate section. Middle section doesn’t have its on clamp or latches. So the question is does the middle section “secure” to you?

**thinking of extra clamps so each panel has its own clamps (we use our bed mainly as a trunk)

2. Have you used the anchor plates yet? How did you find them? They require dedicated ratchet straps, or “soft loops“

3. How secure is the tailgate section? It’s “clamped” in the middle and not in 4 corners like the cab panel.

4. Latch clamps…. Would it be easy for a thief to slip a bar between the cover, and tailgate and be able to flip open the latches to gain entry?

I sound paranoid, and I’m only going off pictures as I haven’t seen this cover in person as it’s so new.


I really like it. I like the low profile anchor plates, and It seems like it’s easier to remove/instal than the se.

No matter which cover you get, a “motivated” thief can get into any of them, I guess it comes down to the effort required to break in. A Diamondback would be one of the more difficult ones. Plus, they look so good.

 

[Cdn_guy]

Absolutely!

I can 100% see how you think the middle panel does not seem secure. I actually tried to pry into the middle panel and the way this is set up, and how strong these aluminum panels are, no one is getting in there, without making a whole he** of a lot of noise. I use my bed as a trunk as well, and have secured many valuable items in there, never once did I question if anyone would be able to break in, it’s gained my full confidence.
The cab has four c clamps that hold it down into place, these aren’t going anywhere either, and the two clamps towards the door of your truck bed, secure everything perfectly. You can’t lift this thing up a centimeter if you tried..

the anchor plates on the top outside of the switchback I have not used. I’ve yet to need anything ratcheted down yet. I did just purchase their straps that are dedicated for the switchback, a loop ratchet strap that is pretty slick. The two panels are honestly so easy to flip up and secure into place I haven’t needed the large space up top. I just leave the two straps for securing the switchback once it’s folded up in the loops underneath while It’s not being used.

super secure.. those clamps hold it down sturdy, there’s no getting in there unless that truck bed becomes unlocked and the door is opened.
Not a chance a thief could throw a bar in there, I don’t even think I could shimmy a wire hanger in between it. These panels are held down firm, and the clasps and the end take some movement and force to actually open and close.

I did install one of there LED lights on the back panel for some extra light too! Love that they offer this as well. They do offer extra anchor plates also, if you wanted to drill into the bed and add these, you totally can - pretty sweet option, but I haven’t had the need to do this yet.

That’s exactly what turned me onto this as well. It’s so easy to install, remove if you ever needed to, and you get the security and strength that diamondback is known for. They didn’t cut any corners when they came out with this. You won’t be disappointed here!

one of the things I considered was buying additional clamps and then clamping the middle, and tailgate sections down and clamping all 3 panels when going on road trips.

Ben from diamondback said I could buy additional clamps, and that they would in fact fit into all the panels, BUT he said it may cause figment, and seal issues.

since you actually have the cover, is there anything “special” about the cab panel that is designed for the clamps? (Maybe re enforced?)

he suggested that if I was that concerned about security to consider the Hd or SE.

Thoughts on extra clamps?

 

[RaiderGladiator]

No matter which cover you get, a “motivated” thief can get into any of them, I guess it comes down to the effort required to break in. A Diamondback would be one of the more difficult ones. Plus, they look so good.

Oh for sure. I’m not at all saying it’s 100% thief proof. If a bad guy is going to try and break into my trunk with this thing on, he’s going to need quite a bit of time and would have to make a bunch of noise. I’d be shocked to find a more secure bed cover than a Diamondback.

 

[RaiderGladiator]

one of the things I considered was buying additional clamps and then clamping the middle, and tailgate sections down and clamping all 3 panels when going on road trips.

Ben from diamondback said I could buy additional clamps, and that they would in fact fit into all the panels, BUT he said it may cause figment, and seal issues.

since you actually have the cover, is there anything “special” about the cab panel that is designed for the clamps? (Maybe re enforced?)

he suggested that if I was that concerned about security to consider the Hd or SE.

Thoughts on extra clamps?

I wouldn’t go through the effort of the extra clamps. That’s just me. I’m not putting my Gladiator in any super suspect areas over night where I’m not around. If it’s a hotel in a bad part of town, I’m not worried, If something is that valuable in my truck bed I’ll bring it in with me. Again, I wouldn’t go through the rout of extra clamps, I’d have to go look at the underside of the panels but I am pretty sure they’re all the same. You’re only toqueing these clamps down to 5-6lbs so you really dont need much more enforcement in the panels at all.

I’ve been on multiple road trips with this and never once questioned if my contents would be broken into or not. I think once you put this thing on and see how heavy duty and secure it is, you’d have that peace of mind too.

 

[RaiderGladiator]

I went ahead and snapped some pics of the inside where the clamps live. You can see you could do the extra clamps if you wanted, but I wouldn’t. Also the final clasp and it’s lip it actually has. I believe your supposed to trim that piece so it lays flush against the bottom of your truck bed lip in my case, I haven’t done that yet, and works just fine.

 

[Cdn_guy]

I wouldn’t go through the effort of the extra clamps. That’s just me. I’m not putting my Gladiator in any super suspect areas over night where I’m not around. If it’s a hotel in a bad part of town, I’m not worried, If something is that valuable in my truck bed I’ll bring it in with me. Again, I wouldn’t go through the rout of extra clamps, I’d have to go look at the underside of the panels but I am pretty sure they’re all the same. You’re only toqueing these clamps down to 5-6lbs so you really dont need much more enforcement in the panels at all.

I’ve been on multiple road trips with this and never once questioned if my contents would be broken into or not. I think once you put this thing on and see how heavy duty and secure it is, you’d have that peace of mind too.

99% of the time my bed is empty. In the summer it’s used for transporting cabin stuff. On occasion we’ve had to leave things at home because there wasn’t quite enough room.

that’s where the diamondback comes in. The top would be considered “overflow” for those extra things.

like you, I never leave things overnight. I’m talking about a situation where you’re on a road trip and once checked into the hotel, say you do some shoping and don’t want to go all the way back to the hotel to drop stuff off. Just leave it in the bed.

an uncovered bed is no good. A roll up cover is one step better. Typical hard cover even better. Diamondback? Almost Fort Knox!

I suppose the switchback is way better than in a car trunk (which for some reason I’m comfortable with) because a thief just has to smash a window, and boom they are in the trunk.

 

[Cdn_guy]

I went ahead and snapped some pics of the inside where the clamps live. You can see you could do the extra clamps if you wanted, but I wouldn’t. Also the final clasp and it’s lip it actually has. I believe your supposed to trim that piece so it lays flush against the bottom of your truck bed lip in my case, I haven’t done that yet, and works just fine.

thank you,so much for taking the time for the pictures! Much appreciated.

did you ever track down the squeaking noise?

did you order,extra anchor plates? I think I’ll order extras in case the factory installed plates aren’t exactly where I need them.

 

[RaiderGladiator]

thank you,so much for taking the time for the pictures! Much appreciated.

did you ever track down the squeaking noise?

did you order,extra anchor plates? I think I’ll order extras in case the factory installed plates aren’t exactly where I need them.

For sure!! I hope it helps!

I haven’t yet! As I really haven’t had the need to use the top for holding anything down. If I do use it, it would be for some bikes, and would totally Be fine with the original mounting positions! But I love having the ability to do that if I need to! 400lbs static and 900lbs dynamic is pretty darn awesome.
I didn’t track down the squeak, that’d probably require my wife driving and me laying in the truck bed! Ha! I can only notice it when my top is off, and i have to really be paying attention!

 

[JeepCode4]

I went ahead and snapped some pics of the inside where the clamps live. You can see you could do the extra clamps if you wanted, but I wouldn’t. Also the final clasp and it’s lip it actually has. I believe your supposed to trim that piece so it lays flush against the bottom of your truck bed lip in my case, I haven’t done that yet, and works just fine.

Love mine. Plenty secure, not going anywhere. Just a note, you are supposed to notch that plastic out so the latch catches the bed steel. You'll notice theres a notch in the latch with the almost exact thickness of the Jeep's bed frame pinch weld.

Sponsored