Ferry skid plates protect the rear structure of a trailer when operating with limited ground clearance. They help prevent underrun bar damage on ramps, transitions and uneven surfaces where grounding is more likely.
The plate sits below the underrun bar and provides a controlled, durable sliding surface. If contact occurs, the skid plate absorbs abrasion rather than the structural components, improving protection during shallow approach angles common in ferry operations.
When skid plates are typically used
- Ferry or RoRo operations with steep or variable ramp angles.
- Trailers with inherently low rear ground clearance.
- Situations where underrun bar damage could affect safety or regulatory compliance.
Additional considerations
Operators unfamiliar with trailer behaviour on ramps may benefit from wider RoRo operational guidance, which highlights procedural requirements on vehicle decks.
'safe procedures to be followed during Roll-on/Roll-off operations to reduce the risks to persons and ships.'
Maritime and Coastguard Agency – MGN 621 Ro-Ro ships – guidance for the stowage and securing of vehicles
This reinforces why low-clearance trailers benefit from additional underside protection, particularly in demanding loading environments.
FAQs
What does a ferry skid plate do?
It provides a reinforced contact surface beneath the underrun bar so that if the trailer grounds on a ramp or uneven surface, it slides rather than causing structural damage.
Do skid plates replace the need for an underrun bar?
No. The underrun bar remains a regulatory safety component. The skid plate adds protection but does not change the underlying legal or safety requirements.
When are skid plates most useful?
They are most effective during ferry and RoRo operations, or wherever a trailer operates with reduced rear ground clearance.
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