Metal Skid plate??

[Southarkrob]

It looks like we are going to be getting the Response soon... I think we are going to have to put a skid plate on it...I priced one today and it is going to run roughly $600 after freight... My best freind is an excellent metal fabricator (what he does for a living) he is going to build us a winch mount and brush guard.. he said that he can make a us a metal skid plate for it. He has the brakes and everything to bend it. Has anybody else done this?? He has made skid plates for me before for my 4x4 trucks but it would be stronger than plastic. Thanks Rob

[thebuggyman1]

Not a good idea. The bellies of our machines often drag or rub the ground or objects like logs as we ride. The slippery surface of HDPE allows the machine to glide right over most of them, but I fear a metal plate will get you stuck far more often.

[reichstall]

be a good thought I like to see the results of your test keep us posted.

[amphibious drew]

I agree with buggyman to an extent at least. If you really really wanted a metal bottom, I would suggest making a new lower out of aluminum. A metal skid plate would be heavy, not a good thing if you intend on swimming. Also, as buggyman stated, metal has more friction created from drag over objects than hdpe, which could hang you up more. Not only is the coefficient to friction not good with steel, and the weight too much, but there is that little thing when mixed with water called rust. Rust seems to be the major downfall of metal machines that are intended to swim like the coot or terra jet. Look around and see how many unrestored coots and terra jets that don't have at least one good rust hole in them. You will be hard pressed to find any. I would stick to a hdpe skid plate myself, but if metal is your thing, a new aluminum lower tub would save you weight, not rust, and could be polished to reduce the amount of drag it has on obsticals on the trails. Just my 2 cents.