RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer RPM81362

Overview

The RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates (RPM81362) are precision-engineered protective components designed specifically for the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer, one of the most impressive scale RC trucks available in the UK RC hobby market. These skid plates work exclusively with RPM's reinforced trailing arms (RPM #81282, sold separately) to provide exceptional protection against skid and impact damage during aggressive off-road driving. Whether you're a weekend basher pushing your RC desert racer to its limits or a serious competitor looking to maximise durability on the track, these skid plates represent a smart investment in the longevity of your machine.

RPM has earned a sterling reputation among UK RC enthusiasts for manufacturing some of the toughest and most innovative suspension components in the hobby. The Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer, whilst a masterpiece of engineering and design, has been identified by RPM customers as having a potential weak point in the stock trailing arm design. By pairing these robust skid plates with RPM's upgraded trailing arms, you gain comprehensive protection against the punishment that comes with serious off-road driving. The protection is especially valuable if you regularly bash over rough terrain, rocky obstacles, or compete in high-speed desert racing conditions where contact with the ground is inevitable.

These skid plates are engineered to be virtually indestructible, manufactured in the USA from engineering-grade nylon materials and backed by RPM's factory-backed limited lifetime breakage warranty. They represent a genuine upgrade path for Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer owners who refuse to compromise on durability or performance, making them an essential component for anyone serious about RC car maintenance and protection in the UK RC community.

Key Features

• Reversible Design for Extended Service Life — The genius of these skid plates lies in their reversible construction, allowing you to flip them around once one end has taken the brunt of impacts and punishment. This intelligent design effectively doubles the service life of each skid plate, maximising your investment and reducing the need for frequent replacement during intensive racing or bashing sessions.
• Robust 5mm Thick Construction — Each Trailing Arm Skid Plate measures over 3/16 inch (5mm) thick, providing substantial protection against damage from impacts, rock strikes, and abrasive ground contact. This thickness is critical for maintaining structural integrity when your RC truck encounters harsh terrain or suffers heavy collisions.
• Three Integrated Skid Ribs — Built directly into each skid plate are three strategically positioned skid ribs that facilitate smooth and easy transitions over tall obstacles. These ribs reduce snagging and binding, allowing your trailing arms to glide over rocks and rough patches rather than catching and potentially snapping under load.
• Extremely Easy Installation and Removal — Installation requires just two screws per skid plate, making it one of the simplest suspension upgrades to perform on your RC truck. The straightforward design also means you can quickly remove and replace the skid plates whenever they require inspection or replacement, minimising downtime.
• USA Manufactured Engineering-Grade Nylon — RPM manufactures these skid plates in the USA using premium engineering-grade nylon materials, the same advanced polymers used in demanding industrial applications. This material choice ensures exceptional durability, resistance to impact deformation, and reliable performance across a wide temperature range throughout the UK driving season.
• Sold in Protective Pairs — The RPM81362 comes as a matched pair of skid plates, one for each trailing arm, ensuring balanced protection and consistent performance across both sides of your RC truck's rear suspension.
• Factory-Backed Limited Lifetime Warranty — RPM stands behind the quality and durability of these components with a comprehensive limited lifetime breakage warranty, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your purchase from RC retailers across the UK.
• Exclusive Compatibility with RPM Trailing Arms — These skid plates are engineered specifically to work with RPM's #81282 Trailing Arms and are not compatible with stock Traxxas trailing arms or other aftermarket alternatives. This exclusivity ensures perfect fitment and optimal protective performance.

Technical Performance

The RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates represent a significant engineering achievement in RC suspension protection. Manufactured in the USA using engineering-grade nylon, these components have been designed through careful analysis of real-world damage patterns to the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer. The 5mm thickness provides substantial impact resistance without excessive weight addition, maintaining the truck's handling characteristics whilst dramatically improving durability. When paired with RPM's reinforced trailing arms—which feature 40% increased wall thicknesses around shock mounts and 12% additional material around pivot balls—the combined system creates a virtually indestructible rear suspension architecture. The squared-off body design of the compatible RPM trailing arms creates optimal space for these skid plates, allowing them to integrate seamlessly into the suspension geometry. The three integrated skid ribs are engineered through computational analysis to provide optimal obstacle transition performance, reducing binding and snagging that could cause suspension failure during high-speed desert running or competitive off-road racing. The reversible design is particularly clever: once one side of the skid plate has accumulated wear and minor damage, simply unbolt the two securing screws, flip the plate around, and rebolt—this effectively doubles the component lifespan and represents exceptional value for money. These skid plates are ideal for UK RC enthusiasts who bash in rocky garden terrain, compete in organised events, or regularly drive over challenging outdoor environments where standard plastic components would quickly deteriorate.

What's in the Box

• Two RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates (one pair)
• Mounting hardware (screws)

What You Need to Complete

• RPM #81282 Trailing Arms (sold separately) — These skid plates are designed exclusively for use with RPM's reinforced trailing arms and are not compatible with stock or other aftermarket trailing arms
• Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer RC truck (1/10 scale)
• Basic tools — A small screwdriver for installation and removal

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are the RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates compatible with my stock Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer trailing arms? — No, these skid plates are designed exclusively for RPM #81282 Trailing Arms and will not work with stock Traxxas trailing arms (part number #8544) or any other aftermarket trailing arm brands. They must be used together with RPM's reinforced trailing arms for proper fitment and protection. This exclusivity ensures perfect integration and optimal protective performance.
• How do I install the RPM Trailing Arm Skid Plates? — Installation is extremely straightforward and requires only two screws per skid plate. Simply align each skid plate with the mounting holes on your RPM trailing arms, insert the provided screws, and tighten securely. The entire installation process typically takes fewer than five minutes per side, making it one of the easiest RC suspension upgrades available.
• What makes the reversible design so valuable? — The reversible design allows you to flip each skid plate around once the first side accumulates wear, impact marks, or minor damage from rock strikes and ground contact. This design effectively doubles the usable lifespan of each component, as both sides of the skid plate are equally durable and functional. When one side becomes worn, simply unbolt the two securing screws, flip the plate, and reinstall—providing extended protection without the cost of replacement.
• How thick are these skid plates and why does thickness matter? — Each Trailing Arm Skid Plate measures over 3/16 inch (5mm) thick, which is substantial for a protective plastic component. This thickness is critical because it provides genuine impact resistance against rock strikes, root contact, and collision impacts encountered during aggressive off-road driving. Greater thickness means less likelihood of deformation or cracking under load, directly translating to longer service life and better protection for your trailing arms.
• What are the three skid ribs and how do they help my RC truck? — Each skid plate incorporates three integrated skid ribs that run along its length, engineered to facilitate smooth transitions over tall obstacles, rocks, and rough terrain. These ribs prevent the skid plate from snagging or catching on obstacles, instead allowing it to glide smoothly across irregular surfaces. This design reduces the likelihood of the trailing arms binding under stress, which could potentially cause suspension failure during high-speed running or competitive racing.
• Are these skid plates suitable for beginners? — Whilst there is nothing complicated about the skid plates themselves, they are an accessory component designed for RPM's upgraded trailing arms rather than a standalone product. They are ideal for RC enthusiasts of any skill level who already own or plan to purchase RPM #81282 Trailing Arms and want to maximise the durability and longevity of their Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer. Even beginners will find the two-screw installation extremely manageable.
• What is the warranty coverage for these skid plates? — RPM backs these Trailing Arm Skid Plates with a factory-backed limited lifetime breakage warranty. This means that if the component fails due to manufacturing defect or material failure, RPM will warranty the replacement. The warranty demonstrates the manufacturer's confidence in the quality and durability of the engineering-grade nylon construction.
• Will adding these skid plates affect the handling or performance of my RC truck? — The skid plates add minimal weight to your Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer whilst providing significant protective benefits. The integration with RPM trailing arms maintains the truck's original handling geometry and characteristics, so you won't experience any adverse effects on performance, suspension action, or steering response—only improved durability and protection.
• Can I use these skid plates with other RC truck models? — No, these skid plates are engineered specifically for the Traxxas Unlimited Desert Racer trailing arm geometry and work exclusively with RPM #81282 Trailing Arms. They are not compatible with other vehicle models, making them a specialised component for UDR owners who want maximum protection for their machine.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the RPM TRAXXAS UNLIMITED DESERT RACER TRAILING ARM SKID PLATES RPM81362 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.