Coroplast Vs. The road - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

oil pan 4 · 07-13-2012, 05:35 PM

I ran over a tractor trailer truck tire tread today and it made me think: how would a Coroplast belly pan hold up to that?
Anyone had this happen while running a Coroplast belly pan?

Sven7 · 07-13-2012, 07:01 PM

Not a pan, but last October I ran into something on the highway that made a solid THUNK on my coroplast air dam and caused little to no damage.

Gealii · 07-13-2012, 07:14 PM

i remember reading about the durability of a coroplast belly pan vs a steel belly pan or some other actual metal. the coroplast was better for 2 reasons: it was lighter then a steel belly pan that was able to hold its shape, and it is strong enough due to its design to protect from most obstacles on the road and protect the underbelly.

Personally myself i have not done anything using coroplast yet but i have felt the durability from election signs. I do plan to put a belly pan made of coroplast to cover to at least past my tranny from the front to at least protect the more important items

basjoos · 07-13-2012, 08:31 PM

I've run over enough logs, dead critters, and other junk on the road over the years to test my coroplast underpaneling. Upon impact, metal crunches or rips and remains that way afterwards, coroplast flips out of the way and then pops back into place afterwards. My underpanel, air splitters and side skirts are all coroplast, painted for those that are exposed to the sun.

mcrews · 07-13-2012, 11:05 PM

I have had coroplast under my car for 60k +.
only had one contact w/ a forgien object in that entire time. I was decent size and did damage the coroplast. replacing it was cheap and pracvtical.

CaptainRyan · 10-17-2012, 06:43 AM

Is there a certain grade or thickness of coroplast that should be considered over another? I cannot find anyone in my area that will sell 4'X8' coro sheets to the public so I am looking to purchasing some over the internet. I have found several places online that sell coro but there are different thicknesses available - seems that 4mm is the least expensive and most readilly available.

arcosine · 10-17-2012, 07:51 AM

I have had a tree stumps and hidden limbs rip a gash in the belly pan, but never when driving on the road. Some coroplast gets brittle over the years, the white seems to hold up better than the yellow. I used 4 mm.

You can order it through a local sign or print shop for something like $18 to $20 a sheet. I got a deal from Cope Plastics just a mile away during inventory, 11 4x8 white pieces for $100 but I had to pretend that I was a company and not an individual.

Gealii · 10-17-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcosine

You can order it through a local sign or print shop for something like $18 to $20 a sheet. I got a deal from Cope Plastics just a mile away during inventory, 11 4x8 white pieces for $100 but I had to pretend that I was a company and not an individual.

$18! I'm glad i got it cheaper than that prices must vary i paid $12. so thats why they asked if it was for a company 11 sheets for 100 is still better than my price

RiderofBikes · 10-17-2012, 10:14 AM

I have had my front belly pan on for 15k mi. The only thing thats happened was during testing, the 2 access panels(both about the size of a license plate) for oil changes, blew out doing high speed runs. Full grill opened, and doing about 90mph. Since then nothing with the revised covers, would be fine up to 120mph i reckon. I had scarps to replace, was no biggy. (4mm also) 8mm or 10mm might be more durible if your more off road, or snowy conditions

Now if for some reason a belly pan drops or falls/scrapes onto the ground, you'd be sure its gonna be useless. the road at speed is a belt sander to the plastic if not caught in time. But is cheap to replace
Edit: $20 is about the norm in my area