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Skid Plate FAQ

By Megan Randall | Behind The Wheel on December 9, 2020
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When you buy a skid plate from us, you’re getting the most reliable and trail-tested machine protection out there. Our skid plates offer complete front-to-back coverage, keeping your side-by-side’s most vulnerable parts safe while you get wild and crazy on the trails.

Here’s all you need to know about SuperATV skid plates.

What is a skid plate?

A skid plate is a sheet of material that installs to your machine’s undercarriage. It acts as a barrier against off-road hazards like rocks and logs, protecting your side-by-side’s most vulnerable parts. It also prevents sticks from poking through your floorboard—something that would be bad for your UTV and also your legs.

Why do I need an aftermarket skid plate?

Almost all modern UTVs have skid plates straight from the factory, but they’re not always the most reliable. Some are nothing more than a thin sheet of aluminum, which won’t do you much good after bottoming out a time or two. Aftermarket skid plates are thicker and more durable than stock.

If you ride hard and on rough or rocky trails, you want to upgrade to an aftermarket skid plate.

Do SuperATV skid plates protect the firewall?

The design of our skid plates varies somewhat, based on the specific make and model of your machine. Some of our skid plates partially protect the firewall. With other designs, the firewall is exposed.

Do SuperATV skid plates cover A-arms or include boot guards?

No, SuperATV skid plates do not cover the A-arms and they do not come with boot guards.

Will I need to modify the skid plate to fit my nerf bars?

If it’s a SuperATV skid plate and SuperATV nerf bars, you shouldn’t have any issues. Each skid plate we make is compatible with all other SuperATV products for that same machine, with only a couple exceptions.

The first is for people who want to run a frame stiffener and a skid plate at the same time. In that case, you’ll need to remove the front portion of your skid plate in order to make it work.

The other exception is for the Polaris RZR XP 1000 and XP Turbo. If you want to add our High Clearance Rear Trailing Arms while running a skid plate, you will need to trim the trailing arms slightly.

Where are SuperATV skid plates made?

All of our skid plates are manufactured right here in the US—specifically at our headquarters in Madison, Indiana.

Do they come with a warranty?

SuperATV skid plates are covered by a 30-day warranty.

What is ARMW and how does it compare to UHMW?

All SuperATV skid plates are made from ARMW. It’s our proprietary blend of UHMW, an extremely tough plastic. ARMW has extremely low wear characteristics and is abrasion, break, and bend resistant. It’s lightweight, incredibly strong, and trail proven.

Is UHMW more reliable than aluminum?

We prefer UHMW because is slides over obstacles more easily. If you hit an obstacle, an aluminum skid plate is going to rattle (even if properly secured) and will also be loud on impact. A UHMW skid plate, on the other hand, glides over rocks and ruts much more smoothly.

UHMW is also more difficult to damage. It can’t be repaired like aluminum can, but UHMW flexes, bends, and keeps its shape when hit, which is a huge plus for rough riding.

Why are SuperATV skid plates 1/2″ thick instead of 3/8″ thick, like other brands?

A thicker skid plate offers more protection. And because we make our skid plates out of ARMW (a proprietary blend of UHMW), which is lighter than some competitor materials, we’re able to go thicker without adding extra weight to your machine.

What is the best way to install a skid plate?

Our preferred installation method is to pull the machine on its side using another machine and a safety line. Installing a skid plate while your UTV is on its side gives you the most visibility and ease of access.

You could also lift the machine up on a jack and install the front portion first, then the rear. And if you happen to have access to a garage lift, that works too!

One method we do not recommend is winching your side-by-side up in a tree. We know people do this, but this method is too dangerous for us to stand behind. If the tree branch breaks, you could do serious damage to your machine or, worse, yourself.

How long does it take to install a skid plate?

For most people, a skid plate install can be done in 2-3 hours.

Is the hardware included?

Yes! We include everything you need for a smooth installation, including all required hardware and access to easy-to-follow instructions.

Will I have to drill into my frame?

Many of our skid plates come with self-tapping screws to firmly secure the skid plate to your machine. In that case, you will need to pre-drill holes into your frame.

RELATED CONTENT: FAQs12 skid plates2
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4 Comments

  1. Avatar for Geoff wehr Geoff wehr says:
    February 12, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    So why will the teryx4 skid plate not fit on a 2020 model?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      February 15, 2021 at 11:37 am

      Hey Geoff, thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit any models after 2017. In 2018, Kawasaki rerouted the exhaust, which caused some problems in melting parts of the skid plate. This is a known issue that our team has been working on, but we do not have a solid ETA at this time. We appreciate you checking in!

      Reply
  2. Avatar for Gary Lawson Gary Lawson says:
    October 29, 2022 at 8:25 am

    Does drilling holes in the frame for skid plates weaken the frame

    Reply
    • Avatar for Kavan Wright Kavan Wright says:
      November 1, 2022 at 10:02 am

      Hey Gary, the holes required to mount a skid plate won’t weaken the frame. They’re small and not located in critical locations. Thanks for reading!

      Reply

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