What Are Skid Plates?

Chances are, if you are not an avid off-road adventurer, the term “skid plate” means little to you. But for those who enjoy crawling over rocky landscapes and navigating trails of rough terrain, skid plates are perhaps the first and most critical line of defense to safeguard a vehicle from getting damaged where it's most vulnerable—its undercarriage.

First, A Word About Off-Roading

For many, off-roading is a serious pastime that challenges their four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles to go off the beaten path, often consisting of dirt, mud, gravel, sand, rocks, and steep grading. It also requires the driver to have specific technical skills and the desire to push the limits of their vehicle's capabilities in torque, traction, articulation, shock absorption, and clearance.

But regardless of how experienced the driver is and how capable the vehicle may be, proper off-roading requires specialized equipment to withstand the harshness of a rugged and unforgiving wilderness environment. As such, skid plates are essential to this extreme motorized activity, whether at a local off-road park or while traversing the legendary Rubicon Trail.

How Do Skid Plates Work?

Skid plates are metal shields installed underneath a vehicle to prevent potential impact damage from rocks and other rigid objects often encountered during off-road driving. Acting as upside-down turtle shells, they are typically located just in front of the cross-member, extending forward to the front bumper and below the transfer case, the fuel tank, and the rear axle.

Skid plates serve as protective armor for components such as the transmission, exhaust system, fuel tank, differentials, and other exposed areas susceptible to cracking or punctures when the vehicle's underside comes into contact with obstacles jutting from the ground. The plates also deflect debris that may fly into vital components, including the engine bay, which could cause mechanical damage.

Skid plates are primarily for vehicles intending to go off-road. They are made to withstand direct hits that would otherwise cause breakage. Therefore, they are generally made from high-strength steel (1/8-inch or 3/16-inch) or aircraft-grade aluminum. They are factory-installed by an OEM or purchased and installed as an aftermarket bolt-on accessory.

Without skid plates, any potential body blow to the undercarriage could result in costly damage to the vehicle. Beyond that, vehicle breakage could leave you stranded in the wilderness with no cell signal. However, skid plates can't protect against every underside impact. Hard collisions have been known to dent, bend, or even break skid plates from time to time.

Advantages of Skid Plates

Aside from the primary purpose of protecting the drivetrain and vital mechanical components under the vehicle, skid plates offer other direct and indirect advantages:

• Increased confidence—A well-armored vehicle reduces trepidation, allowing the driver to push the boundaries of exploration and have a more go-anywhere attitude. Ultimately, more confidence equals a better driving experience and greater enjoyment.
• Peace of mind—Related to increased confidence, skid plates reduce the fear and worry of damaging your vehicle when traversing uneven and unpredictable terrain. With less anxiety, there's more of an opportunity to focus on the thrill of the adventure, which also equates to greater driving enjoyment.
• Resale value—Protecting more than just the underside of the vehicle, the presence of skid plates helps preserve the vehicle's value for future buyers who understand the importance of proper off-road equipment. Overall, it adds to the vehicle's capability and durability offering when it's time to sell.
• Aesthetics—Practicality aside, skid plates give the truck or SUV a more rugged and tough-looking appearance. For that reason, many carmakers offer faux skid plates on their models (more on that below).

Disadvantages of Skid Plates

Although skid plates mainly provide an upside for the vehicle, there are a few downfalls:

• Corrosion—Skid plates can become corroded in the long run, especially in an environment with prevalent road salt.
• Cleaning—Keeping skid plates clean can be cumbersome. A power washer and compressed air may be necessary to remove trapped mud, dirt, salt, and debris.
• Lower mpg—The extra weight of skid plates can adversely impact fuel economy. However, most off-road vehicles are not very fuel-efficient in the first place. Getting good gas mileage is generally not the top priority for those looking to spin wheels in the dirt for recreation.

Consider removing the skid plates if the downsides outweigh the upsides or if you stop off-roading altogether. In that case, there's no need for them.

Faux Skid Plates

Many owners will never drive their SUVs off-road, so in many cases, skid plates are unnecessary. But they undoubtedly grant a more rugged and tough-looking vehicle exterior at the front and rear.

For that reason, many OEMs add fake skid plates as part of a vehicle's aesthetic. Automakers build these simulated skid plates into the plastic front and rear fascias simply for their appearance. They will offer the vehicle no extra protection in an off-roading scenario, but they look good.

Other Protective Equipment

Aside from skid plates, there is some other protective lower vehicle body equipment used by off-roading enthusiasts:

• Rock sliders—Made of heavy-duty steel, these tubular pieces run along the side of the vehicle to protect door sills and door bottoms over rough terrain.
• Bullbar—This welded steel piece is installed at the grille and extends downward to the lower fascia to protect the vehicle from frontal collisions. It's also known as a grille guard, among other names.

Summary

Skid plates are essential for anyone who frequently drives in off-road environments. They provide protection, capability, peace of mind, resale value, and a rugged look befitting any outdoor adventure.

To learn more about various automotive topics, visit the Shopping Guides section of the website.

Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek, and her work has appeared on AutoTrader.

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