Which "brackets" are too short? The ones that hold the DB to the bed, or the rack on top? Plan to get a DB as well once my P4X comes in 👍

 

The ones that attach the cover to the bed. In fact the bolts for the bracket were even too short, I ended up having to go buy new, longer ones from Lowe's Depot. Beyond that, the cover install was pretty easy though time-consuming for just me. This is definitely the part where having helping hands would have helped. I attached a pic of the bracket.

Installing the rails was a little tedious, though not particularly difficult. There are 3 separate tracks per-side that you have to attach to the cover and being a perfectionist I had to get them all aligned perfectly (which helps with the later steps). Once you get those tracks installed getting the leg brackets installed is a bit tedious as well - a lot of angles to consider depending on how much of a perfectionist you are. They really need to be parallel with the opposite bracket (the track perfection helps here a lot); and they really need to be placed as close to equidistant from the perpendicular of the back of the cab, if that makes sense.

Overall very happy.

HTH

P.S. they give 10% discount to military which helped a lot, in case anyone is turned off by the price and happens to be military. Don't get me wrong, It's still an expensive cover

 

Yeah, those clamps do not look like they have enough "bite" on the side. Maybe they sent you the wrong clamps? From many others, I have heard that DB is very good about making things right when it comes to sending out replacement hardware and customer service. Another reason I'm going with them.
The P4X I'm getting has the utilitrack, and I plan to use the DB clamps for the utilitrack. While I may lose some real estate on the track from the anchoring of the DB, it will be a sturdy anchoring point vs removing the utilitrack and anchoring directly to the bed IMHO.

 

Unfortunately mine did not come with the utilitrack (still bummed about that) so I cannot say; but what you say sounds reasonable. And yes, fwiw, I have been talking with them and it seems like they will make it right - as soon as we know what right is

 

They just sent the wrong clamps. Those might actually be the ones you'll use for the utilitrack system. They are sending out the replacements, and assuming I get them it is sounding like a great customer service experience.

 

That's awesome 🤘 Post pics of the new clamps installed so others here know what it should look like 😉

 

So I know DB offers two types of clamps (for the bed and for the utilitrac). I do not have my Frontier yet, but if your vehicle has the utilitrac installed, can you still use the bed type clamps? Or does the utilitrac get in the way? Just curious.

 

I am pretty sure you could use either, but since the utilitrack is there, might as well. However, there plastic lip that covers the bedsides hangs pretty low. may require a trim if the clips are not deep enough.

 

The "designer" also said that the clamps are only supposed to be tightened to 5 ft. lb. (regardless of truck) which just seems inadequate.

 

Holy **** haha then I definitely have to loosen mine

 

Haha, me too. If you look in the pictures you can see how compressed the gasket for the middle piece is compared to the cab and tailgate pieces. That was just to get as much by-pass on the clamps as I was able to get, which I still think is not great

 

Did you end up loosening them up to 5ft/lbs? I’m afraid to lol

 

You want them tight. As you approach the crush weight of the weather stripping the cover loosens up. I have had over 1000lbs numerous times but the first few were eye openers as the cover was now super loose. I remember my hardware looking like yours, thought the bolts were too long, but its been over 4 years now and no issues. Also, you will probably have to adjust the door gaps every so often. I love the cover, went with silver since I imagined the bed becoming an oven in TX. However, you will need sunglasses and sunscreen if your spend any amount of time near it in the summer.

I get what you are saying about carrying things. It makes sense and I do the same, but with just the head ache rack. I was primarily talking about the tent guys. I would love to out a tent up there and would use it often, but that makes things more fixed in place then I want. I am in both sides of the box often.

 

You want them tight. As you approach the crush weight of the weather stripping the cover loosens up. I have had over 1000lbs numerous times but the first few were eye openers as the cover was now super loose. I remember my hardware looking like yours, thought the bolts were too long, but its been over 4 years now and no issues.

That's great info Dave, thanks! And good to know.

I love the cover, went with silver since I imagined the bed becoming an oven in TX. However, you will need sunglasses and sunscreen if your spend any amount of time near it in the summer.

I live in Austin also. We'll have to measure temps and see!

 

I know many YT videos show people having others sit on or put weights on the panels as well to squish that weather stripping down to get a good seal and anchoring point. Don't even have my truck yet, but look forward to the DB as my first mod 🤘 😜😉

 

Oh sure, you have to. I put 2 45 lb plates on each panel directly over the gasket as I adjusted the rods.

 

Was worried about the extra weight, but it did great!

 

5 ft/lbs seems crazy light! My Softopper came with basically the same clamps & I tightened em down with a 3/8” impact!😂

 

So DB originally sent me the longer bolts/clamps to attach the cover to the utilitrack. The bolts and clamp are a bit long and not stable enough to get a good bite down, without having to torque down on the bolts, which in turn tend to cant and start to cross thread /cut into the aluminum clamp. This creates more issues as the more you tighten, the more you cut the bracket, and eventually strip the clamp. Seems this issue has been around for a few years on different model trucks based on my research in various forums.
That being said, DB is aware of the clamping issues with our model truck and are working on a better design. (Anyone in the PA area that is willing to bring there truck over for some research and development I guessing will get a a good deal on a cover if you help them out??)
Until then, DB is shipping out not only four more of the longer utilitrack clamps, but also suggested I temporarily remove the utilitrack and install their regular bed rail clamps, and re-install the utilitrack back on. In essence, the bottom clamp will fit in-between the track and the bottom of the bed rail. The regular clamps supposed to be shorter and provide more bite with less canting/stress that comes with the longer utilitrack clamps. I will post my findings once I tackle this upon receiving the new clamps.
I just wanted to share my experience with DB and their product as I know several people have and will continue this cover. I think the cover is an excellent product and the build quality is great. I was just disappointed that the main installation clamps were the weak points of this major purchase. 🤞

 

So DB sent me the bedrail clamps which are much more robust. I had to loosen/remove the utilitrack temporarily to mount the lower clamp under the bedrail (Utilitrack comes off easily with a T40). Once the clamp was installed, I tried to remount the utilitrack, only to find out the clearance was a bit tight by about 1/8". So I had to remove the clamps and "modify" them by trimming/filing a section on the bottom of the clamp for better clearance. Once the modifications were done, the utilitrack went back on with no issues. I let DB know my findings for future development/editing of their clamps for our vehicles. Hopefully they take notice as I know others will purchase the DB in the future. Either way, the cover is great, and the clamping system just needs to be tweaked. DB could easily make the bottom clamp 1/4-1/2" shorter and it could be used by owners with or without a utilitrack, and it would eliminate the need to have two different types/sizes of clamps. Just my two cents 😉

 

Hopefully they take notice as I know others will purchase the DB in the future

Myself as well. Though they seemed not particularly interested. They had the original designer/engineer call me and he honestly seemed more interested in defending himself. But I agree; hopefully they do take all this feedback to heart

 

That bed looks good in black! I see a lot of concern with the clamps and such. Mine look the same. I have never really liked how the bolts flex when super tight. 3-4 years in with no problems with mine though, loaded to it's max quite a few times. However, check them every few months or after you have load it heavy. Really surprised they say only 5 lbs tension... No way in real world use. You would take a turn or good bump in the road and off it would go. Not a good day in my book.

 

Definitely plan to recheck the clamps once in a while. As far as the bolts flexing, I "think" it is an optical illusion. I think the bolts are straight, but are going in to the threading of the top clamp on an angle?? The bolts are hardened steel and the clamps are aluminum. I would assume the aluminum would give before the steel, but I could be wrong. Either way, glad I have the shorter clamps vs the longer bolt ones. Seems to be more secure and the top clamp they gave me seems to have more "bite" as well. Overall, very pleased with the cover and highly recommend it

 

I was tempted to just hit the local hardware stores to see if a simple C-clamp (correct size of course) would work as well. I mean they wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel, just get the sizing correct. I mean with how many different size truck bedrails there are, I'm sure some models/sizes could be used for several truck models. Maybe they only have three sizes (S, M , L 🤣) and are just trying to get away with not making too many sizes to avoid manufacturing/storing complexities 🤷‍♂️ Either way, it seems to be holding well now. Maybe the next DB purchaser here could share their clamping experiences as they may get the "updated" 2.0 version?? Still a great cover and I get just as many positive comments on the cover as I do on the truck 😉

 

@GreyFox I just received my cover and was wondering if you know the difference between the regular and utili-track clamps? I like how you installed yours and was thinking of taking that route but I have the utili-track clamps. Do you know if I just grab shorter bolts, if they would work. Just don't know if the clamp design itself is the same.

 

I had a few minutes this afternoon and figured out that the lower half is def different. Looking back at your pics and the little space between the rail and the top, is def a tight fit.

I'm going to go with the rail clamps for now and get it put on tomorrow. I'm to impatient to wait for a new set of clamps.

Yeah, DB has a different set of clamps for just the bedside mounting. You have to temporarily remove the utilitrack, clamp the the top, and reinstall the utilitrack. When I did mine, the tolerances between the track and the clamps was too tight for me, so I filed/sanded down a notch in the lower clamp to clear the track. Otherwise its very sturdy with the bedside mount clamps compared to the track mount ones (too long of a bolt with too much torque/stress on it IMHO). The guys at DB are great, if you need any parts or info. I'm hoping they tweaked the bedside mount clamps to clear the trucks with the utilitracks?? Glad you like the top. Have someone sit on top of the panels when you adjust the locking bolts as this will "squish" the seal down further and give you a better seal

 

I had a few minutes this afternoon and figured out that the lower half is def different. Looking back at your pics and the little space between the rail and the top, is def a tight fit.

I'm going to go with the rail clamps for now and get it put on tomorrow. I'm to impatient to wait for a new set of clamps.