[Dave-O-Matic]

I've used many skid plates over the years and have still not found a decent set. Many of these sets run close to $1000 and look like as high tech as an F-16, but the first boulder you high-side on bashes in the plate and anything under it. I'm not saying that they do no good, but for $1000, is there anything out there that will withstand an impact?

 

[ElkoTrailRider]

We installed Trail Armour's complete Prowler package, and it came back from our first trip to Moab looking like nothing had touched them. These are steel, not aluminum, and I think that is important.

 

[Dave-O-Matic]

I was reading about the Trail Armor stuff. The steel is "14 ga." vs. their aluminum that is 1/8" thick. 14 ga. is just slightly thicker than 1/16" — pretty thin, but that's good news that it held up. I'm assuming that you whacked it on a rock a few times?

 

[ElkoTrailRider]

Ah, yeah, we were able to find several rocks and the edges of ledges in Moab!

Truthfully, I have been very happy with these skid plates, and the A-arm guards are great, especially when driving in the brush (no cut CV boots).

 

[fidds]

Just a quick update. I have had my skid plates for 2 months now, and the undercarriage looks like it has been hit by a meteor shower. All my stock bolts are gone. These skid plates suck. Who makes a 1/4" aluminum one? I am in desperate need of some serious armour.

 

[sandchris]

This might be a dumb question but what would happen if you put the plastic ones over or I should say under the aluminum ones?You know use the plastic to protect the aluminum.

 

[Needspeed]

I like your idea Sandchris. my plastic ones look a little haggered. so I might as well let them protect the steel ones when I install them.

 

[Darryl89]

I talked with quite a few competitors at the W.E.Rock Nat'l Championships a couple of weekends ago and most of them use steel since it allows them to slide over the obstacle, whereas plastic and aluminum hangs up (aluminum may not deform and hang as bad as on the heavier rock crawler rigs).

But if you are going to use plastic, use UHMW plastic sheets. It's a lot tougher. You can order your own sheets and cut it with a circular saw or jigsaw. About $300 shipped for a 4ft by 8ft, .375in thick sheet.

UHMW - UHMW Sheet, Rod & Tubes - Order Online

 

[sandchris]

I wonder how much a sheet of Teflon is? That stuff is super slippery. Might even make you a little faster over the rocks. LOL

 

[Darryl89]

I wonder how much a sheet of Teflon is? That stuff is super slippery. Might even make you a little faster over the rocks. LOL

UMHW actually out performs teflon sheets. Check out this link...
http://www.crownplastics.com/Teflon-UHMW.htm

"UHMW has a coefficient of friction that rivals Teflon but will outperform PTFE in abrasion resistance by a ratio of 30 to 1. In addition, UHMW is only about 1/3 the cost of Teflon thereby giving UHMW the nickname "the poor man's Teflon"."

 

[sandchris]

Ooops I guess I should have kept the two sheets of teflon that I had. Oh well they went to a good friend who needed them. The more I think about it that is probably not a crazy idea to put the stock plastic over the aluminum or umhw over the aluminum. I mean the aluminum would still get some dents in it from time to time but the plastic would spread the load out somemore.

 

[GlamisProwler]

UTvCrap makes steel skid plates that look pretty strong. I went with HCR aluminum skid plates just for the less weight.

 

[prowlerbob]

I think the ohmw material may be the best. We went to superliftutv park in Hot Springs Arkansas this past weekend. let me tell you there are rocks there. Small rocks, large rocks, and omg rocks. The pans on the rzr that was with us was a mess. Beat all to hell, the stock pans on the XTZ were still in tact.no holes or tears, although the side covers are beat up pretty badly.Some type of plastic will give instead of puncture or tear, and are lighter.

 

[sandchris]

Any pics. of that place Bob?

 

[Ban]

Heres my Arctic Cat skidplates. I don't think I'd replace them if they got bashed in again. Insurance is buying me new ones to replace these but after that I'll be buying steel even if I have to fab it myself.

I just love posting this pic

 

[Mustanggeek]

Heres my Arctic Cat skidplates. I don't think I'd replace them if they got bashed in again. Insurance is buying me new ones to replace these but after that I'll be buying steel even if I have to fab it myself.

I just love posting this pic

WTF? What happened to those?

 

[Ban]

WTF? What happened to those?

I hit a rock/piece of the mountain on a forest road going about 25 mph. Hit the front cross member and the passenger side frame rail end. The frame was a write off and my machine is being rebuilt as I type this.

 

[Johnny]

utvcraps are aluminum 3/16 and we have killer pricing

 

[Johnny]

http://www.prowlertalk.net/forums/a...cussions/425-utvcrap-com-xtz-skid-plates.html

 

[flying121]

I have the UTV crap skid plates and they are very strong and fit perfect.