Are the RSE Step Sliders strong enough for MOAB trails?

[Bruticus Maximus]

I have the RSE step sliders on my 3.5" lifted Gladiator on 37s. I am going to EJS in Moab in March and curious if the standard sliders will be enough, or if I should add the additional armor/skid plate they offer for them (that states can handle extreme trails). I prefer not to drive around with the extra weight, as my Gladiator is a daily, but I definitely do not want to break/badly damage the step sliders. I plan on doing several trails including Metal Masher and Steel Bender and possibly Cliffhanger as well (Not doing Pritchett Canyon). The sliders have survived the Oregon Jeep BOH trails and some boulder gardens without issue, but I havent done a lot of aggressive rock crawling with them yet.
All opinions appreciated.

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[ChrisNLA]

Do you have the Mopar Performance sliders? The wide ones?

My buddy has wheeled his last two Gladiators on every badge trail in Moab except for Cliffhanger (I believe he did that in his two door) and Pritchett. He has the Mopar Performance (wide) sliders. No issues. They've also been down the Rubicon Trail.

My two door had also been on 6 badge trails in Moab with the stock skinny sliders, no problem.

If you are really dropping on them hard constantly, I guess it could be an issue - but we are very conservative / patient wheelers because we had to drive 3,000 miles round trip and wheel for a week.

 

[Bruticus Maximus]

Do you have the Mopar Performance sliders? The wide ones?

My buddy has wheeled his last two Gladiators on every badge trail in Moab except for Cliffhanger (I believe he did that in his two door) and Pritchett. He has the Mopar Performance (wide) sliders. No issues. They've also been down the Rubicon Trail.

My two door had also been on 6 badge trails in Moab with the stock skinny sliders, no problem.

If you are really dropping on them hard constantly, I guess it could be an issue - but we are very conservative / patient wheelers because we had to drive 3,000 miles round trip and wheel for a week.

They are the RockSlideEngineering power step sliders

 

[ericw.]

I asked RSE this question because their sliders were on my gladiator when I bought it and they said that they should hold up fine to scraping but they will not hold up to being dropped onto rocks with the weight of the vehicle.

I opted to get the added armor because mistakes happen. I found the best price on Summit Racing (at the time I was shopping).

 

[ChrisNLA]

They are the RSE power step sliders

Man. Reading comprehension is difficult for me today.

Well - if they are at least as strong as factory sliders, you should be good.

Otherwise, disregard my slackjawing

 

[MaximusTX]

I have the RSE step sliders on my 3.5" lifted Gladiator on 37s. I am going to EJS in Moab in March and curious if the standard sliders will be enough, or if I should add the additional armor/skid plate they offer for them (that states can handle extreme trails). I prefer not to drive around with the extra weight, as my Gladiator is a daily, but I definitely do not want to break/badly damage the step sliders. I plan on doing several trails including Metal Masher and Steel Bender and possibly Cliffhanger as well (Not doing Pritchett Canyon). The sliders have survived the Oregon Jeep BOH trails and some boulder gardens without issue, but I havent done a lot of aggressive rock crawling with them yet.
All opinions appreciated.

Without the added skid plate they are only rated for moderate off-road conditions.

I know there are bunch of people that have complained about damaging the steps because they thought they would hold-up without the skid plate. I know with the skid plate they hold up extremely well. I have bashed mine on tree trunks, rocks everything and have had no issues, not even a dent. Just touch it up with some paint and it's good to go.

 

[Bruticus Maximus]

Without the added skid plate they are only rated for moderate off-road conditions.

I know there are bunch of people that have complained about damaging the steps because they thought they would hold-up without the skid plate. I know with the skid plate they hold up extremely well. I have bashed mine on tree trunks, rocks everything and have had no issues, not even a dent. Just touch it up with some paint and it's good to go.

Thank you, good to know. I think I will go ahead and add the additional skid plate.

 

[caryt]

Will NOT hold up at all on rocks without the skid's.

 

[Svenable]

I have the RSE sliders with the armor on my JK, which is a trailer queen, and does mainly rock crawling and the sliders hold up well. They will deform if you really slam them hard, but all sliders do. The slider can deform to the point that you may have to use a grinder to touch up the step slot but that is very infrequent in my experience. They do protect the step.

I have them on my JT with armor and the sliders are doing fine. Moab should not be a problem but I agree with the previous posts, get the armor.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ask @WILDHOBO ............ if anyone truly knows, he does as would others who have done moab trails.
Everyone else without them is only guessing - but you did ask for "opinions"

You asked a specific question about a specific product on a specific vehicle on a specific bunch of trails.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I have the RSE step sliders on my 3.5" lifted Gladiator on 37s. I am going to EJS in Moab in March and curious if the standard sliders will be enough, or if I should add the additional armor/skid plate they offer for them (that states can handle extreme trails). I prefer not to drive around with the extra weight, as my Gladiator is a daily, but I definitely do not want to break/badly damage the step sliders. I plan on doing several trails including Metal Masher and Steel Bender and possibly Cliffhanger as well (Not doing Pritchett Canyon). The sliders have survived the Oregon Jeep BOH trails and some boulder gardens without issue, but I havent done a lot of aggressive rock crawling with them yet.
All opinions appreciated.

Absolutely they are. Multiple times on many Moab trails including Pritchett, cliffhanger, Kane creek, etc. just get the armor. I’ve been using them as legit sliders on tough trails all over the country since 2021. Rubicon, holy cross, most alll of the Moab stuff multiple times.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I asked RSE this question because their sliders were on my gladiator when I bought it and they said that they should hold up fine to scraping but they will not hold up to being dropped onto rocks with the weight of the vehicle.

I opted to get the added armor because mistakes happen. I found the best price on Summit Racing (at the time I was shopping).

With the armor, I’ve dropped the weight of the truck in them dozens of times. Cosmetic dents and they still work great.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Ask @WILDHOBO ............ if anyone truly knows, he does as would others who have done moab trails.
Everyone else without them is only guessing - but you did ask for "opinions"

You asked a specific question about a specific product on a specific vehicle on a specific bunch of trails.

Without the armor, they’ll handle basic things. With it, they’ll do almost anything. Will you scratch them? Sure. On the rubicon I added a couple cosmetic dents that don’t affect function. Occasionally I’ll ride a rock like a skate board and need to replace a rivet or two. No biggie. They’re amazing.

 

[Glamisfan]

Do yourself a favor and get the armor for them. I bought my steps without the armor and was gonna try to fabricate something up myself, but wasn’t able to do it cleanly so then I went ahead and ordered the armor before doing the Rubicon and they hold up very well with the armor. I’ve slid off of 4 foot boulders landing on them with nothing more than a scratch.

 

[ericw.]

With the armor, I’ve dropped the weight of the truck in them dozens of times. Cosmetic dents and they still work great.

Yeah they're very stout with the armor. I watched a bunch of videos of people abusing them without much more than just powder coat rubbing off.

That was my deciding factor with whether I'd keep the steps or go to a traditional slider. The steps are awesome though, my wife and son can get into the JT easier than my wrangler and the gladiator is taller.

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