When I bought my KRX last August, I searched for full metal skid plates, but did not find any.
I wanted 3/16th steel or 1/4 aluminum, but nope.
I went with the Full Access steel rear transmission plate and put the 1/2" Trail Armor plastic skid plate over that.
On my 2013 Can Am Outlander 1000 Max ATV, I had Ricochet build me 1/4" aluminum central skid. They would not go thicker nor build it in steel.
On my early Outlander model, a 2006 Can An Outlander 800 Max, I used the normal Ricochet aluminum skids plates and wore them out in places.
On my Jeep, I use 3/16" steel skip plates.
I have had no problems with aluminum or steel not sliding on rocks, and I do plenty of rocks out west in Arizona & Moab.
My concern is running at normal trail speed, 40-50 mph, on a trail and hitting a rock outcropping or a rock fall in the trail.
I have hit rocks hard at 50+ mph on my Outlander and no damage except for a ding and scrape.
I have slipped off the line in My Jeep and fallen on boulders with nothing but a scratch I later painted over.
Time will tell if the plastic holds up to hard hits when running at trail speeds.
As for weight, I wanted the weight of aluminum or steel on the bottom of the SxS to help keep the center of gravity low.
An extra 100 pounds won't make a difference in performance because these are not racing machines.
