Planning my next mods for my '15 Platinum. I want some protection for the underside of my truck and I've been eyeing RCI Metalworks skid plates. They offer both a steel and aluminum version but leaning towards the aluminum plates for the weight savings. I don't do any extreme off roading just the typical camping/float trip type off road venturing. I'm really not even sure that I need this but just want a little peace of mind for my truck. Opinions…???

 

Waste of money for use you described.

 

Agreed. Skid plates are for just that, if you think the bottom of your truck will end up sliding along rocks (or falling on them) and you want to protect things from getting smashed/ripped off.

 

I probably don't NEED them and I understand that. I liken it to concealed carry in that it's better to have and not need than need and not have. I like the idea of having the ability and protection to go places I wouldn't normally go and you just never know. Hope that makes sense.

 

I can see a skid plate system being useful on road as well.
Dead animal carcasses, truck tires that come apart and lay in the road.

 

Get the steel ones, save some money and still get protection

Weight matters but isn't unsprung weight, which is the real killer

 

Forgive my stupidity but what do you mean by unsprung weight?

 

Any weight that doesn't compress the springs, like wheels and tires, rear differential, front differential, and front suspension A-arms.

 

Ahh, got it. Thanks for the explanation.

 

IDK... if you do a lot of highway driving, it might be worth it.

Around here there are a TON of retreads from semi's that litter the highway. I'm not talking about little shreds either I'm talking like 1/3-1/2 diameter full width belts. I wouldn't want one of those to hit the underside of the truck and do any damage. I failed to avoid one about a year ago, of course this was in car not a truck. It really screwed up the front bumper, and bent the sh*t out of the radiator. Not sure you'd have the same problem in a truck, but it was something I was considering just for that reason alone. Might be a waste of money, but I'll probably wind up getting them just for peace of mind. The only problem for me is that RCI wasn't "sure" how they would fit with the rear hellwig sway bar. Given how popular it is, as well as how popular RCI's product is, I figured they'd either say "yay" or "nay" not "we think it will be ok".