You can consider many upgrades if you feel your vehicle is lacking the right protection or performance characteristics. Finding the right upgrade requires assessing personal details such as common uses of the vehicle. Not every car or motorcycle owner knows every option available, so today, we’ll take a closer look at skid plates. Dive into this quick guide to find the top reasons to install skid plates on your vehicle.
Going Off-Roading
Your vehicle may look tough because it’s metal, but the wrong terrain can cause substantial damage. If a vehicle is too low to the ground, uneven terrain and obstructions in the road will hit the underbelly of the car, UTV, or any other off-road machine. Installing skid plates protects the underbelly of the vehicle against many obstructions or terrains that it comes in contact with while off-roading.
The rough conditions of off-road terrain are why installing additional armor, such as side steps, is one of the most important details to consider before buying off-road skid plates. A vehicle breakdown will quickly end an off-road adventure if you can’t make effective repairs on-site. With the right armor for your vehicle, you can stay on the trails as long as you want. Off-road armor is also helpful during overlanding trips because they tend to be much longer than an afternoon off-road activity. If you’re prepared for the terrain, you can handle it with ease and enjoy a long, rewarding journey.
Avoiding Costly Repairs
A short trip isn’t the only thing to worry about when off-roading without proper protection. Damaging the vehicle on an off-road trail can lead to costly repairs that turn a fun time into a stressful time. Off-roading equipment, from the vehicle to the upgrades you install onto it, is an investment that can be rewarding if you indulge in the activity often.
However, not preparing your vehicle properly can lead to consistent damages over time, making the activity a bigger investment than necessary. Installing high-quality skid plates means you can keep the underbelly intact for a long time. That way, your vehicle is always ready for the next adventure instead of constantly needing repairs.
Handling Road Conditions
The reasons to install skid plates on your vehicle don’t solely relate to off-roading. You will still encounter various obstructions that will damage the vehicle when driving on normal roads. Various objects can roll down driveways or fall off vehicles and present a hazard for the next driver passing by. For example, not securing rooftop cargo properly can cause it to fall off a car. However, there are more common scenarios in which a skid plate will help on normal roads.
Some curbs in the cities or at the end of residential driveways can scrape up the underside of vehicles that are low to the ground. Having skid plates on your vehicle ensures an awkward encounter with a curb doesn’t lead to frustrating scrapes. Now that you know more about skid plates, consider if they’re the right upgrade for your vehicle today.