Steel or plastic roof?

[Notforhire]

I intend on getting a glass windshield and roof for my RTV900.
Kubota makes both steel and plastic roofs.
Any opinions on which is better and why? Noise, durability?

It needs to be compatible with a soft enclosure/doors, etc. that I may add later.

This vehicle is used primarily for work.

Thanks.

 

[ArlyA]

Plastic (HDPE or ABS) is all we've ever used and never had a problem with it. For a roof, I'd say its a superior product. Seems that plastic are better at absorbing sound than steel is. You can glue some of that sound barrier closed cell foam to whatever you get.

 

[CobyRupert]

Pros and cons to both I'd guess.

Weight vs. strength, noise, fix-ability (dents vs. chips/cracks), UV (sun) resistance vs. rust resistance, etc...

Sun makes plastic brittle over time. Is it stored out of the sun?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a plastic vaccume formed roof on my MULE. It's not very straight and true, but then doesn't dent either.

 

[ArlyA]

Black HDPE is quite UV resilient.. That or black ABS is what I'd used. Plastic Lumber Capabilities – Resco Plastics, Inc.

Pros and cons to both I'd guess.

Weight vs. strength, noise, fix-ability (dents vs. chips/cracks), UV (sun) resistance vs. rust resistance, etc...

Sun makes plastic brittle over time. Is it stored out of the sun?

 

[Notforhire]

I have no idea what kind of plastic Kubota uses on their tops.
I do store the machine indoors.

I'm leaning towards metal mostly because I could repair/repaint it if necessary.

 

[Eddie1955]

I intend on getting a glass windshield and roof for my RTV900.
Kubota makes both steel and plastic roofs.
Any opinions on which is better and why? Noise, durability?

It needs to be compatible with a soft enclosure/doors, etc. that I may add later.

This vehicle is used primarily for work.

Thanks.

The one you didn't mention is the diamond plate aluminum top sold as aftermarket canopy. Looks very durable and much easier to fix dents plus lightweight compared to steel and also gives you the ability to mount lights or other things to it without breaking it.

 

[HillStreet]

My Polaris UTV has a molded plastic roof. It fits well, is secure, no noise, no dents.

 

[ArlyA]

Here are 5 lights mounted on a plastic roof. 6 years later and many, many branches pushed away with the guards, they are still there and never been repaired. How can we improve on this design??.

 

[Eddie1955]

Here are 5 lights mounted on a plastic roof. 6 years later and many, many branches pushed away with the guards, they are still there and never been repaired. How can we improve on this design??.

Looks like a great design Arly, no complaints. Being here in Fl the rate at which plastic detiorates pretty fast and becomes brittle, I am sure there are probably excellent plastics out there but I liked the looks of the aluminum. I would thought the temps there would have made plastic brittle