Fuel skids, actually important?

Ok, I understand that this is massively subjective based on what type of wheeling you actually do but nonetheless what are the thoughts here?
Wife and I are taking a trip to CO to hit Imogene and maybe Poughkeepsie. Otherwise we do a decent bit of wheeling in the SE part of GA and NE FLA.
Given the cost of fuel skids, do you feel that they’re worth it or necessary, based on your experiences?
Also has anyone here ever actually damaged their fuel tank underneath the plastic “skid” that comes from the factory on the OR?

 

If you’re asking, that means you know the answer.

If you do a decent amount of wheeling, why not protect your truck?

 

I’ve been through some treacherous terrain and been just fine, the fuel tank sits pretty high and its kind of tucked in. In 4Rs and some jeeps the fuel tank sits pretty low and is visible when looking at the side of the vehicle.

Having said that, I’m definitely getting a fuel skid plate in the near future.

 

All great points.
I was more than ready for the, “yes you need everything imaginable on your truck” stuff but actual information of real experiences is far better.

 

You dont need it on Imogene and Poughkeepsie.

 

Thank you for the specific info. Greatly appreciated.

 

As the kids say “f*** around and find out”

 

Sure, you’re totally right? but a lot of people f around pretty hard without them and I’m just looking for real world experiences vs just dropping $300-400 bucks blindly.

 

It all depends what you do. I wheel moderately not rock crawling and don’t have a gas tank skid. It’s pretty subjective. That’s why I say get out there and find out.

 

It will be rougher in the spring as it wont have been traveled much, but in the last 30 years I never needed any, had fuel tank skids on 2 Jeep CJ's and a YJ but never drug. They were stock height. There is always a possibility something could happen, a friend picked up a piece of barb wire that somehow punctured his oil filter. But the odds are in your favor.

 

OR 1st Gens have real gas tanks- steel with a steel skid plate that goes up the sides.