I'm gonna hop in here as this is my next purchase.

I did contact SSS and was less than pleased with their responsiveness, apparently "Rick" who has posted here is no longer with the company and they are in transition for marketing. I'm likely going to go with the SSS plate as it doesn't have holes in it and that will be better for me in the winter running the underbody through the snow. It's also for the fact that they have the integrated rocker option, which looks more refined regardless of functionality.

I think your summation of the brands is pretty well on track though. The 3/8" vs 1/2" debate isn't as critical to me.

 

I have the trail armor skid plate on our 6x6, feel like that thing could stop most handgun rounds it’s so tough! From dragging over rocks, stumps, bushwhacking for miles on end, rubbing on anything that the beast doesn’t clear, it has held up great! Literally there’s almost no gashes on the thing, light scratches is all.

The lip that sticks out is maybe an inch, does it hold mud? Well how much mud can you fit on that one inch, it really isn’t noticeable, but it does help a lot sliding over things, or in my case when the trail is tight they run on the trees before the rest of the machine and do their job.

I haven’t looked at the other brands as this plate will outlast the machine at this rate, but it does drain very well and after pressure washing the machine it allows almost all things to come flowing out. IMO it’s the best of the best.


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I have the TA skids on both of my machines and could not be more pleased. On my RZR, the sliders do come out and around the rocker panels and look good but they do gather a bit of mud between the the rockers and the skid - no big deal as it usually washes out easily. On my Ranger, they do have just the lip but unless you're starring at it, it's not even noticeable. I prefer the lip over the molded rocker protectors. Thickness-wise, either the 3/8 or 1/2" will work just fine. My issue with the SSS is that there are few/no wash out drain holes - if had them, I'd probably take a hole saw and add a few. The TAs have lots of holes but it is still a bit of a chore to get out all of the mud. No personal experience with the SSS or SATV but I wouldn't hesitate trying either one sometime in the the future. The biggest factor (to me) is the material, as long as it's UHMW you're good!

 

Is it just the way I'm looking at it online or does the SuperATV have a lip that goes up at the rear wheel well? https://www.superatv.com/polaris-ranger-fullsize-full-skid-plate

 

It does look that way. My concern with the edge on the TA was the mud AND getting it hung up on a rock and messing something up trying to power over a rock obstacle or something. (and cost....)

I did find a company last night that makes a UHMW slider but they have not responded to clarify if they have one for a crew.

If I could get a little slider the SATV would be my likely choice.

 

I bought the TA skids which are probably overkill for my use since I mostly ride on trails which I take care of. The point is that the skids you choose might depend upon the riding you do. If you ride on manicured trails or in your back yard you probably don't need skids. If you ride on trails that are good but have sticks that could break your floorboards you can probably get away with lower protection, however, if you ride any unimproved trails over stumps and rocks get the maximum protection you can get.

I purchased the TA skids because on rare occasions I do ride a trail that has ruts and rocks that hit my rockers. The extra that the TA skids cost, with their heavy lip to protect the rockers, was less than the cost of buying new rockers from Polaris.

My TA skids didn't cost $1100 for my 2015 Ranger FS , and that was only last year. I dealt with TA directly and told them I was a member of PRC Forum and had heard about them on this forum. They gave me a 10% discount which pretty much covered the shipping.

 

I ride and use for chores up at our cabin at almost 9K. Trails are so-so and many times when hunting going straight through the sagebrush flats and willows. For around home this is high desert canyon country, kind of Moab-ish, so lot's of rocks, sticks slickrock etc. Very little mud, a good amount of snow riding. And then for around the house and the 'hood but no skids needed for that, just more cupholders and coolers......

Definitely need skids and the factory ones blow.

 

trail armor all the way i got the lip on my ranger never had a problem with it catching mud hell dam things a mud machine lol T&S

 

Count me with the TA crowd. Like Forde I couldn't be more pleased. The rocker protection has saved me on several occasions in river beds and rocky trails. Peace of mind.

 

TA all the way. Put mine through ya know what. Understand $$$ is the issue, but if not, I would not worry about that lip. It has saved that bs lower plastic many of times on rocks and trees.


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Something has to be wrong or different about the Factory UTV skids, or at least their information. My TA skids are 1/2" came in 2 boxes and weigh more than the 35 pounds advertised by Factory UTV. I no longer have the shipping boxes but I'm certain that one box alone weighed more than 35 pounds.

In addition, the OP mentioned $1100 for the TA skids. The TA web site says they are $835. There is no way shipping costs almost $300, unless of course they are going to Canada or some other country.

 

I did look at them, they are the ones with the sliders too. Looks like a good product. Waiting to hear back on those sliders....

 

I am seeing $958 plus approx $140 shipping for Ranger Crew 900.

I am more than open to someone pointing me towards a cheaper way to buy these.

Although I am having a hard time seeing that $700 shipped for the SATV and then adding sliders that are aesthetically more pleasing than the TA and possibly as good a performance is not a damn good stand in at this point.

The design of the SSS seems good but pretty prolific complaints of poor communication worry me. If I could get them for the special they were running on this board a year or so ago I would be all in though!

 

https://www.trailarmor.com/Polaris_Ranger_XP_900_Crew_Full_Skids_p/ta012fullskid-pr900c.htm
These are the people from which I ordered my skids just a few months ago. I called them on the phone and asked them if the skids ever came on sale and told them I was a member and poster on the PRC forum. They offered a 10% off for being a forum member and as I remember that covered the shipping and a little more. Admittedly, I am much closer to the company than W. Colorado, however there is no way shipping is going to drive the price up to $1100, particularly if they offer you the same 10% off. I suggest you give them a call and talk to them if the TA skids are what you want.

The TA site also has a link to TA dealers http://www.trailarmor.com/Articles.asp?ID=257. You might find one closer to you that will offer a better price or cheaper shipping.

Regarding the lip that sticks out over the rocker, it sticks out only 7/8" on my Ranger, not enough to cause any trouble with mud or hangups but enough to protect the rocker. Your concerns about getting hung up on a rock are understood, however, the holes in the bottom of most skids that are put there to allow cleaning and draining of water and mud are just as apt to hang you up as any lip or other part. Truthfully, the suspension arms are probably more vulnerable to obstructions than the skids of any manufacturer.

If you are planning on sliding over rocks I'd stay away from aluminum skids. They are not nearly as slippery as UMHW and will dent. Even aluminum, when covered with UMHW, I suspect may allow the underlying aluminum to be dented even if the UMHW returns to it's original shape, unless the aluminum is so thick it will resist dents, in which case weight may become a factor.

 

If @gjk5 is anything like me, he's looking for the skid to provide protection to the plastic rocker panels without having just a skid that looks over-sized and merely hangs out the side. Which is why I considered the aluminum rock sliders from WhoMoto combined with a UHMW skid down the middle. I think my answer is to just order the SSS skid with the formed lip on the side. But like the interaction you had with Rick on the SSS thread, I'm questioning whether I want to go with them if I ever have an issue where I need to rely on them for support.

 

Let me throw in another brand you may or may not be familiar with. We've been thrilled with the Ricochet product shown. The plates are very well designed and tough as nails. Their rock sliders, as far as I know have never let anyone down and they don't reduce clearance like many others. If you're at all interested let me know as we offer the entire line with pretty good discounts.

View attachment 104465
https://ricochet-off-road.myshopify...uminum-or-with-uhmw-skid-plate-set-polaris-ranger-crew-xp-900?variant=827254347

 

Marty you know why they don’t have any drain holes in their system? I love the looks of them but I still see gaps where mud could end up on top of it.


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Not planning on aluminum at all for skids themselves. I did check and there are a few near me in UT so I will reach out today.

 

I know this has been asked and I did a bunch of searching, just want a little feedback.

SSS, middle quality and price

Pros:
rockslider fold that comes up side 3"
price
semi local to me and free install (or free shipping)
aesthetically pleasing

Cons:
some mixed reviews (poor communication at least?)
3/8" UHMW
no bracket on back or addressing of "hump issue"

SSS makes me nervous with a few bad reviews (especially bad opinions on here) and the lesser material. Sliders are a nice touch though.

Welp, don't know what you decided on gjk5 but I will be the guinea pig on the service concerns. Against my better judgment I just ordered the SSS skid with rockers. Overstock.com had it for $935.49 but if you sign up for their email they immediately send a 12% coupon email. Makes it $823.23 delivered. Not by much, but that's cheaper than direct from SSS which is $845 (and they would not negotiate that price). Will let you know what unfolds once it gets here.

 

Okay, so I ordered the Skid from Overstock.com on the 9th at 10a.m. EST and just inquired on the tracking. The shipping label was created on the 10th but now on the 16th (anticipated delivery date) it has not been placed into FedEx's possession. I called Overstock.com and they said it was in stock (8 available) and shipping directly from the manufacturer (SSS Offroad) and they would inquire whether it has shipped or not.

I instructed them to cancel my order if it has not shipped yet. So we shall see what unfolds, I guess this was expected but disappointing nonetheless.

 

That stinks, but does reinforce the information about their poor customer service.

 

Yeah it does. Apparently it takes a call to the 3rd party vendor to get it shipped out. Literally asked for a refund if it hadn't shipped. Well, what do you know - shipped about 5 hours after my phone call.

Service is indeed sloppy thus far. I just hope quality is up to my standards, will post a full review once it gets here.

 

The guy I talked to on the phone at SSS was a class A jack off last year. Hope the product is decent for ya though. Let us know.


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Uggh, why did you reward those clowns with your purchase?
I make decisions on character and human things long before I make decisions on, well, all the rest. I will literally screw myself to make a point about that stuff.
I have met thousands (probable 10's of thousands) of customers in my life. I was a field tech/engineer for 18 years and experienced impossible, no win situations almost daily but I still gave every single one of them everything I could muster. And it worked. I damn near had a religious following. It's not that hard. And it's profoundly rewarding. Anyone or any company that doesn't get it doesn't get my business. Period. And SSS doesn't get it.
You should poop on it and send it back. Haha, sounds like something one of my neighbor's kids would say

Haha, your neighbors kids sound like they'd be a fun bunch.

But seriously, I don't want holes in the bottom of the skid to grab snow and pack the underside with ice. That was the only reason I ordered from them.

I would have made my own but just don't have time and materials for the project would have put me within $100 of what my final price was. To have the material pre-cut to ease the install was worth the coins. It was a decision I spent a lot of time debating as I too base a lot of my patronage on principle. We shall see whether I send it back or not, now it is up to the build quality and construction.

 

The holes in my TA skid haven’t been grabbing snow and packing the bottom with ice? Maybe different snow here?




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The holes in my TA skid haven’t been grabbing snow and packing the bottom with ice? Maybe different snow here?

Not sure where you're at in the 907 but in the 906 the snow can vary alot with the lake effect and temp swings. Most of where I ride would be okay but I have had a ton of snow buildup when it's subzero and the snow is really light. I garage it and don't keep the heat on full time, so the thawing and freezing plays hell with the amount that accumulates. Had so much in front on the engine and on the fuel tank that I had to put a kerosene salamander under it to get it all thawed out. Built a bigger "mudblocker" to keep it from coming in from the rear tracks, still not sure that's the remedy. I just don't want to have to thaw the whole thing on every ride and hope this skid is what I expect. If not it will go back and I'll order the Trail Armor and figure a way to flap over it for snow use. Good to hear you haven't had issue though, thanks for the insight!

 

A skid for Snow protection, now I’ve heard it all.

 

It's not for snow protection... you take the wheels off and you have a Ranger sleigh.

 

A skid for Snow protection, now I’ve heard it all.

A lot of the transitions from the woods to plowed surfaces have 3 to 5 foot banks here in the heart of winter, after a January thaw they freeze hard as a rock. Another concern for me regarding the skids with holes is about the "cheese grater" effect of dragging the length of the crew over the banks during the transitions. If I wasn't in a crew it probably wouldn't matter as much, but the length makes for a lot of belly rubbing.

 

I will laugh at the comments and concur at same time. That snow gets up there and freezes and the struggle is real y'all.

 

just wondering if you had rec'd this yet and if so any thoughts on the workmanship and quality?

I agree with you guys that character means a lot and service is paramount, but I have also had guys I bought products from or paid for services that were grade-A ****** that did great work. Not as satisfying as good service AND good work but; hey, you never know and I am curious.

 

just wondering if you had rec'd this yet and if so any thoughts on the workmanship and quality?

I agree with you guys that character means a lot and service is paramount, but I have also had guys I bought products from or paid for services that were grade-A ***** that did great work. Not as satisfying as good service AND good work but; hey, you never know and I am curious.

That is still TBD, just got home today after being on the road. It didn't arrive until the 22nd I think and haven't opened it. It was delivered in this condition, can't say it was totally their fault though. Will head to the garage tonight to install and I'll update once I can unbox it. So far I'm not impressed with the service, packing or shipping department at SSS Offroad. Let's hope their engineering and production groups are better.

 

Fortunately the main skid panels were undamaged even though they were hanging through the shipping box. I'm pretty happy with it, all the joints have overlapping bevels on the edges and the sides are all mitered to create smooth corners. Despite my being apprehensive about ordering it, and the sketchy shipping time, the skid is worthy of my dollars. I'm pleased with the finish and think it should be a great addition to the ranger, as well as welcome protection. I haven't finished buttoning it up but did post a few videos of the unboxing for you:

Unbox of SSS Offroad Ranger crew 900 skid(1):

I'll post a full review of the finished install on my build thread if I can stay awake to do it. Will probably be tomorrow since the Don Julio 1942 is flowing pretty good...