Anybody have the SumoSprings?

[WXman]

Does anybody here have these? Do they work as advertised? Seems like a great no-maintenance way to help prevent sag when towing or hauling. Should keep the truck more level. But I've never used them and don't know anybody who has them right now.

https://www.supersprings.com/shop/ssr-307-47/

 

[silver billet]

sumo springs - little review

I haven't seen much information on this forum regarding these helper springs. I have a trailer + WDH that is sitting level, but the stock shocks feel to bouncy while driving, and the bounce is what I'm trying to reduce, not trying to carry more than my payload. So I purchased the sumo springs...

5thgenrams.com

 

[mike_ct]

I've used sumo's, timbrens, timber groves, and airlift 1000's.
The sumo's & timbrens are great with a trailer attached, but really ruin the ride of the truck. They do keep you more level, but thats about it.

The timber grove are a little better because you can lower the air with no trailer, however, even with minimal air, they still have the rear end "kicky" when unloaded..I guess if you don't drive like a moron over speed bumps and train tracks, its ok, but for me, I thought they were too bouncy when unloaded. I will say they are super heavy duty and a great kit for a trailer. Probably the best.

The airlift 1000's, in my opinion give the best ride when unloaded. They aren't as heavy duty as the timber grove, but when you deflate them, you can't really tell they are there. Yes there may be maintenance, but airlift lifetime warranty's them and will send you free replacement bags if they break. I've had to change mine before, one blew out. I might have over inflated it, not sure.

So, sumo & timbren are the easy way, but the worst ride quality all the time.
Timber grove are super heavy duty, ride is ok, but can be bouncy at times loaded or unloaded.
Airlift 1000s not as heavy duty, but best ride.

 

[UnloosedChewtoy]

When one of my Airlift 1000 bags leaked on my 2014, I tried to do a warranty claim. Their customer service was horrible. I know many have had great experience with them, but for me, they kept on asking for the same information over and over that I had filled out in the form. After the 3rd time of some of the same questions in a row, I asked (politely) if they could refer to the original form I filled out for answers to the questions. They stopped calling/emailing/replying to me entirely. Its like they were just trying to make me go away, so I did... and bought a set of Timber Groves.

What mike_ct said is correct; the truck does get a little stiffer in the back, even when you're at minimum PSI (around 8-10 PSI). But it was quite nice for occasional heavy loads, keeping the front end from pointing headlights into the sky, and unlike Airlift 1000s, you could do what Airlift 5000s also do... air up after you've put the load in. 1000s require you to air up before loading, otherwise they don't really work.

With the air ride in my 2020, I have the best of both worlds. We'll see how they hold up over time, but they give me the level ride and the best ride. But if I didn't have the air and had to make a choice, it'd be the Timber Groves every time. It also helps you feel good (in most cases) that you're supporting a small business when you buy them.

 

[WXman]

Yeah I'm definitely not doing air bags. Don't want to fool with the price, air lines, compressor, wiring, etc. I'm looking for a simple install it and forget it solution.

I've been looking at the blue SumoSprings and the Timbrens. I love that the Timbrens are less expensive and much easier to install. But I like the blue Sumosprings better in that they're softer and won't hamper ride quality as much. Can't decide...... hmm.....

 

[Zig10]

I have sumos on my Expedition, which work pretty well for towing and don't affect the unloaded ride at all.

That said, I added airbags to my previous Canyon and they were much better for flexibility and load characteristics. Given the option, I'd do airbags first but they don't make them for the Expedition yet.

The sumo springs would always be a second choice for me.

 

[mike_ct]

How about the knock off versions and just pop them in when you need to tow?

 

[WXman]

How about the knock off versions and just pop them in when you need to tow?

That's interesting. They look identical to Timbrens.

 

[bill-e]

Yeah I'm definitely not doing air bags. Don't want to fool with the price, air lines, compressor, wiring, etc. I'm looking for a simple install it and forget it solution.

I've been looking at the blue SumoSprings and the Timbrens. I love that the Timbrens are less expensive and much easier to install. But I like the blue Sumosprings better in that they're softer and won't hamper ride quality as much. Can't decide...... hmm.....

I had the Timbren DR1500DQ's on my '15 for about 3 months and 3 tows before I sold the truck and I can say that on my '15 the unloaded ride was not affected at all. There was about 1.5" of free space between the spring and the plate so no contact and no bottoming out (which I was afraid of). While towing they felt and rode great and did their job.

 

[silver billet]

The problem with both timbren and sumo springs; there will be some trailer that you connect, which is light enough to not connect the shock under flat driving, but will eventually connect when you hit a bump. If you're pulling a heavy RV, then that probably won't affect you. Light fishing boats, utility trailers etc, they will fit the bill. And when you hit the bump, if it bothers you like it does me, you will die a little inside each time.

Been there, done that. If my truck can't pull a trailer without suspension mods then it's time to get a real truck (ie: 2500). I ripped mine off and will see again in spring how my trailer pulls without them.

 

[WXman]

The problem with both timbren and sumo springs; there will be some trailer that you connect, which is light enough to not connect the shock under flat driving, but will eventually connect when you hit a bump. If you're pulling a heavy RV, then that probably won't affect you. Light fishing boats, utility trailers etc, they will fit the bill. And when you hit the bump, if it bothers you like it does me, you will die a little inside each time.

Been there, done that. If my truck can't pull a trailer without suspension mods then it's time to get a real truck (ie: 2500). I ripped mine off and will see again in spring how my trailer pulls without them.

Yeah I looked at 2500s with the Cummins before I brought this one home. But in the end, 99.9% of what I tow will be less than 10,000 lbs. so the 1500 handles that chore, and the fuel mileage with the VM is about 6 MPG better than with the Cummins which keeps money in my pocket every time I turn the key. So if I can simply add $250 worth of simple bolt-on mods and keep the truck more level while towing, I'll rock this 1500 forever.

I'm still having a tough time deciding. I'm wondering if the steel plates on the SumoSprings that sandwich the upper bump stop mounts will eventually cause rusting and corrosion in winter salty road conditions? And it looks like the SumoSprings make contact with the axle sooner than the Timbrens, so I'm wondering if the ride quality would be affected less while unloaded with Timbren? It's not a big purchase but it's not a small one either so I'm thinking it over heavily.

 

[bill-e]

I'm still having a tough time deciding. I'm wondering if the steel plates on the SumoSprings that sandwich the upper bump stop mounts will eventually cause rusting and corrosion in winter salty road conditions?

Rusting steel plates is what caused me to have to remove my TLC airbags after 4 winters and go with the Timbrens. If you're going to get steel plates they better be stainless.

 

[mike_ct]

The timbrens don’t have much gap to axle when fitted on a 19. My 4th gen truck had over an inch. I don’t think they redesigned the timbrens for the 5th gens. Not to say you couldn’t shorten or taper / diagonal cut them nice on a band saw

 

[bill-e]

The timbrens don’t have much gap to axle when fitted on a 19. My 4th gen truck had over an inch. I don’t think they redesigned the timbrens for the 5th gens. Not to say you couldn’t shorten or taper / diagonal cut them nice on a band saw

I think I read somewhere that Timbren had made a different sized spacer for someone who had a similar issue.

 

[WXman]

SumoSprings are available in multiple colors (weight ratings). Are the Timbrens just one weight rating only? Just one kit available? Or do they also have different levels of weight capacity you can buy?

 

[bill-e]

SumoSprings are available in multiple colors (weight ratings). Are the Timbrens just one weight rating only? Just one kit available? Or do they also have different levels of weight capacity you can buy?

My recollection is that for the Ram 1500 they have at least two, the DQ and the DS.

 

[WXman]

My recollection is that for the Ram 1500 they have at least two, the DQ and the DS.

Looks like the DS is listed for "regular cab" trucks only. I wonder why that is? There's a significant difference in harshness, with the DS rating at 6,000 lbs. and DQ at 8,600 lbs. Hmm....

 

[bill-e]

Looks like the DS is listed for "regular cab" trucks only. I wonder why that is? There's a significant difference in harshness, with the DS rating at 6,000 lbs. and DQ at 8,600 lbs. Hmm....

I toyed with getting the DS for my CC because of the comments from very few people about the "bump" when going over potholes etc. I wised up and bought the DQ's and never, even in the pothole ridden Northeast, bottomed out when going over a pothole. You don't know they are there when unloaded.

Here's a thread you might be interested in and is the one where a guy got a spacer from Timbren (to decrease sag in a heavily loaded truck) so it seems the customer service is good.

 

[mike_ct]

I toyed with getting the DS for my CC because of the comments from very few people about the "bump" when going over potholes etc. I wised up and bought the DQ's and never, even in the pothole ridden Northeast, bottomed out when going over a pothole. You don't know they are there when unloaded.

Here's a thread you might be interested in and is the one where a guy got a spacer from Timbren (to decrease sag in a heavily loaded truck) so it seems the customer service is good.

you have timbrens on a factory air ride truck? I’m confused

 

[WXman]

I ended up ordering the knock-off brand Timbrens. Rhino Storm or FlyingAMZ..something like that. They look identical to the Timbrens in photos but are $150 per set. I hope they're same quality as the Timbrens but the brand names sound Chinese so time will tell.