Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net banner

Branch through the floor

9.4K views 30 replies 19 participants last post by  MNichols  
#1 ·
So we are down in Tennessee riding the TWRA Sundquist trail system, and have already had some carnage in our first 24 hours here. After having to winch out and up a few times we were on our way back to camp coming down trail 19 through a mud hole and as we came up out of the mud hole and landed down in a set of ruts, I felt something hit the floor and my seating position drastically change and tilt backwards. I assume something was stuck underneath the floor but couldn't see or do much about it and there was nowhere to pull over immediately. So we continue down the trail for about a hundred yards until there was somewhere to pull over safely.

Once I got out I realized what had caused the strange seating position change, there is a large branch sticking through the floor and into the bottom of my Simpson racing seat. Luckily I had the Simpson seat in there, because the factory seat does not go as far forward and this branch would have been in my thigh. I could not get the branch loose with my hands so I broke out the toolbox and my very large hammer that I keep in it lol. I managed to bang it through and get us back on our way. Once I got back to camp I started disassembling things and could see exactly why the stick went through the floor to begin with. The stick hit the floor and rode along it until it hit the frame rail and then head nowhere else to go but up, and so it did.

Because of all this I am now determined to either purchase or make some type of skid plate to cover this section of flooring. I already have the metal shields on the firewall for exactly this reason, but unfortunately they did me no good today. With that being said I'm looking for recommendations on a good skid plate set to purchase, as my Google search has revealed very few brands to choose from.

I managed to make a temporary fix back at camp with a heat gun and the back side of a hammer to push a plastic back down. You can see there is an aluminum plate that I made previously from when I rock hit this area and cracked the plastic. I should have gotten skid plates after that occurred but you know, shit happens.
Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
 
#4 ·
I am super happy with my SSS offroad UHMW skid plate on my turbo s.
 
#5 ·
So far after a good chunk of searching, albeit only on my phone with poor service, I've still not seen anything that really jumps out at me for quality vs cost. I definitely want UHMW, not a fan of aluminum for this use.

I did see the SSS one, as well as a Factory UTV one that see OK. Seizmik has one as well, but jeez over 1k$ is getting nuts for about $200 in plastic. Maybe one of the vendors on here can chime in with some recommendations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crash City SxS
#6 ·
We have had many sticks come through the floor and firewall in our turbo S. I put front wheel well guards on that machine. I had a 3 inch limb come through the floor and stop short of my man area. Scary for sure. I do not enjoy crashing through the brush. Even had sticks knock the drain plugs out of the floor and come inside.
 
#7 ·
You can always cheap out and make your own. A local company here in San Diego has 4x8 sheets of 3/8 UHMW for around 400$.
 
#8 ·
Image


Literally can't make this shit up. Went over to royal Blue side today, drove extra cautious and slow as possible through mud holes looking for limbs and sticks. Somehow this one that's only 8" long managed to break through. Never even saw it. It's like the universe is trying to convince me to buy skid plates lol.

I actually am considering making my own just for the floor board areas. I made my roof out of 1/4" HDPE and still have a 4'x4' square left ..might be enough to double up some triangles...guess I'll have to make a decision before I run out of luck playing whack a mole with these things.
 
#9 ·
I had this near miss graze my leg on the trail. I figured the odds were slim. But now, I think I'm open to discussion. LOL
Image
 
  • Wow
Reactions: SuperATV
#17 ·
I'll never understand how so many folks out there take their sxs's through and to all the places they go without a full skid plate.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Dude....that is absolutely terrifying. Its always in the back of my mind.

Any of you fellas on here that don't have one already, message me and I'll get you a good deal on ours. 1/2" UHMW. Protect your manhood.
Ugh...I have chills just thinking about it.
Alright, you had me at protect your manhood. If you’d be so kind as to PM me a discount code, I’ll order a set for my rig. And probably a bunch of other sh*t I’ll decide I need😂
 
#21 ·
Yep, the Trails & Rocks models were equipped with a thicker skid plate that covered under the front floor boards. The other XP 1000 and XP Turbo had the "standard" skid plate that left the floor boards open. I actually have the TRE skid plates on our 2014 XP1000, they're a nice part.

If you're looking for inner fender guards, check out the Thunderhawk Performance Inner Fender Guards. They are a full-coverage design that doesn't leave a gap at the bottom (between the inner fender and the aftermarket or TRE skid plates). The picture below is a 900-S, so the skid plate is slightly different, but this still shows how the Thunderhawk Inner Fenders have a lower panel to provide full coverage back to this diagonal frame rail.

Image
 
#24 ·
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do have the fender well guards, specifically for this reason. Definitely going to have to get the skid plates though before the next ride. Does anyone know if the super ATV skid plates will work with the fender well guards? I have the ones posted by thunderhawk.
 
#28 ·
I have the tusk skid plate. It's held up real well for over a year. No drain holes which I liked because I could make my own where I wanted. I also put the superatv inner fender plates on my rig. I know personally too many people that have had limbs thrown through the front wheel wells, one person i know got a limb through his calf muscle. Polaris has no regard to rider safety, lack of skid plate, cages, etc.