Community Forums

bbprod · 06-24-2015, 12:30 PM

Have a Tiffin 36 LA 2015. Have read a lot about the Sumo Springs. All good comments. In fact it sounds like a hype. Too many glowing comments. What do you think?

Doggy Daddy · 06-24-2015, 05:22 PM

They work. SUMO's are needed only if you still have problems with sway AFTER adding front and rear sway bars, Rear trac bar and Koni shocks.
SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers > Coil SumoSprings

rapid rick · 06-24-2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy

They work. SUMO's are needed only if you still have problems with sway AFTER adding front and rear sway bars, Rear trac bar and Koni shocks.
SuperSprings Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizers > Coil SumoSprings

I Just installed front and rear sumo springs, made a huge differeance in handling,and ride, I have a 22000 lb chassis, stock sway bars,no track bar, and bilstien shocks, I ordered safety steer,I am done after that, coach rides sooooo much better with sumo springs, can't imagine needing anything else on my coach.

ps. tiffin offers sumo springs now on their coaches installed at factory.

LVRVLUVR · 06-25-2015, 02:21 AM

they realy work great... I use them on all my motorhomes...

https://youtu.be/tAwYDeatmV4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAwYDeatmV4

LVRVLUVR · 06-25-2015, 02:33 AM

heres with my 26' 158'' wheel base winnabago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1rr9zdWMDw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs241jvQJeM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg5zQpO6IIM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uGbvKOxh_U

LVRVLUVR · 06-25-2015, 02:51 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq4xl0YFlt8

Knightab · 06-26-2015, 05:14 AM

I put them on my coach. I bought the Maxim springs, they attach top and bottom. They smooth the bumps on the highway so they arent so jolting.

gorwig · 06-26-2015, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightab

I put them on my coach. I bought the Maxim springs, they attach top and bottom. They smooth the bumps on the highway so they arent so jolting.

I have been following discussions about Sumo springs because I have noticed the "wobble" when making turns onto uneven surfaces. With my 34TGA it is manageable but still requires attention. I have posted a similar comment over on the Tiffin RV Network forum but I have not really gotten a clear explanation so I will try here. This is not criticism of Sumo Springs, as a potential customer I am just trying to understand.

Since the springs attach at top and bottom, it is clear that they are forced to both expand and contract as the axle moves below or above its static position. That means they either pull against or push against the frame of the motorhome as the axle moves down or up. Because they are designed with a lot of internal resistance (they would not keep vibrating on their own) they would quickly dampen out any left and right rocking and rolling of the body of the motorhome. This is what irritates many of us when turning into a gas station or getting hit by a sudden wind gust.

However, for the life of me I can't figure out how they make a smoother ride over joints or other bumps in the road. If tires hit a one inch rise in the road, they are going to want to move up. The Sumo springs will transfer MORE of that force to the frame ... the body of the motorhome. The only way I can see that the ride would be smoother would be if this limiting of axle motion keeps the axle from hitting the bumper stops. That often happens on a big bump if the motorhome is squashed down by being overloaded or has worn out springs.

A second concern ... if the Sumo springs help to resist axle/frame motion, is more of the force of a big pothole absorbed by added flexing of the tires?

Just looking for clear answers before I spend that much money!

Knightab · 06-26-2015, 07:35 AM

Hi Gary, you have to remember that the Sumo's are absorbing and the compression happens inside the spring preventing it from transferring to the coach. If it were a solid link it would definitely transfer that motion to the frame or the tire. While it is connected to top and bottom it essentially works like a shock in controlling compression and rebound. Using the logic you are thinking imagine taking the shocks off the coach or better yet, take the spring out of a pogo stick. The sumo's will cushion that instant application of force and decrease the effect by the time it actually gets to the frame. Hope that helps.

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorwig

If tires hit a one inch rise in the road, they are going to want to move up. The Sumo springs will transfer MORE of that force to the frame ... the body of the motorhome.

It won't transfer but will help absorb.

Timberdog · 06-26-2015, 08:17 AM

I have the sumo springs on the rear of my Prism. Before installing them it rocked pretty bad when going over driveways and whatnot. After the install it rocks much less and rides a lot smoother. Well worth the money IMHO.

PbdBlue · 06-26-2015, 12:26 PM

I have Sumo's on the rear of my Xterra. Made a world of difference. Just received sets for front\back of the MH. Going to install this weekend. FYI - had to go with the Solo's. Some coach mfr's (my Fleetwood among them) weld a body support bracket to the frame right where Maxim bracket needs to mount to the frame. Check you frame before ordering.

LVRVLUVR · 06-26-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

I have Sumo's on the rear of my Xterra. Made a world of difference. Just received sets for front\back of the MH. Going to install this weekend. FYI - had to go with the Solo's. Some coach mfr's (my Fleetwood among them) weld a body support bracket to the frame right where Maxim bracket needs to mount to the frame. Check you frame before ordering.

the brackets come with a sudjested mounting spot... if something is in the way it is very ok to mount them where they will fit...

LVRVLUVR · 06-26-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorwig

I have been following discussions about Sumo springs because I have noticed the "wobble" when making turns onto uneven surfaces. With my 34TGA it is manageable but still requires attention. I have posted a similar comment over on the Tiffin RV Network forum but I have not really gotten a clear explanation so I will try here. This is not criticism of Sumo Springs, as a potential customer I am just trying to understand.

Since the springs attach at top and bottom, it is clear that they are forced to both expand and contract as the axle moves below or above its static position. That means they either pull against or push against the frame of the motorhome as the axle moves down or up. Because they are designed with a lot of internal resistance (they would not keep vibrating on their own) they would quickly dampen out any left and right rocking and rolling of the body of the motorhome. This is what irritates many of us when turning into a gas station or getting hit by a sudden wind gust.

However, for the life of me I can't figure out how they make a smoother ride over joints or other bumps in the road. If tires hit a one inch rise in the road, they are going to want to move up. The Sumo springs will transfer MORE of that force to the frame ... the body of the motorhome. The only way I can see that the ride would be smoother would be if this limiting of axle motion keeps the axle from hitting the bumper stops. That often happens on a big bump if the motorhome is squashed down by being overloaded or has worn out springs.

A second concern ... if the Sumo springs help to resist axle/frame motion, is more of the force of a big pothole absorbed by added flexing of the tires?

Just looking for clear answers before I spend that much money!

heres the deal.. your leafs are progressive... and so are the sumo's..

the sumos progess softer than the springs... so it fills the gap that is undesirable with the leafs.... the leafs go from a soft ride to a rock hard ride... the sumos slow that down to asorb the energy and make a smooth transition ...

I have a set coming for the new class C I just bought... really help with trailer towing also

rapid rick · 06-27-2015, 05:10 AM

[QUOTE=LVRVLUVR;2622372]heres the deal.. your leafs are progressive... and so are the sumo's..

the sumos progess softer than the springs... so it fills the gap that is undesirable with the leafs.... the leafs go from a soft ride to a rock hard ride... the sumos slow that down to asorb the energy and make a smooth transition ...

I have a set coming for the new class C I just bought... really help with trailer towing also[/Q

Hey lvrvlvr, you are absolutely right about sumos,love our coach ride now, and I also checked and repacked front wheel bearings on my coach after reading your saga,thanks for that info,mine are ok, you promped me to check them with your story. were you not happy with the excursion?