Community Forums

chuckbear · 06-25-2022, 09:10 AM

I'm not looking for opinions here, only feedback from any members that have installed Sumo Springs on an F53 chassis. I would like to know if the addition of the Sumo Springs resulted in a harsher ride and more or less pounding in potholes and expansion joints in the highway? Our ride is fine now as far as cornering and issues with wind and passing by larger vehicles. I am considering them to level out the ride and improving the pounding we take driving down just about every interstate. We have new shocks that have helped a little. But need more. Chuck

Dodge Guy · 06-25-2022, 09:34 AM

I have them on mine. The previous owner had them installed. Not sure how it rode before. But I feel the front end is good, but the rear feels like it has virtually no movement even when going over a speed bump. It doesn’t seem to have any give. However the ride is very smooth on the highway.
Sorry I don’t have a before and after for you.

chuckbear · 06-25-2022, 09:37 AM

Still good feedback. I understand they have different amounts of give. Chuck

RVwinos · 06-25-2022, 12:55 PM

I installed them myself on the front, an easy DIY job. I liked the difference. So I then hired someone to install them on the rear.

Pro:

Much less push/pull from passing trucks.
Less body roll when turning in/out of driveway aprons.
Less sway from winds.

Con:

tighter/stiffer ride.
$$

For me, the pros out-weighed the cons.

chuckbear · 06-25-2022, 12:59 PM

See, I don't really have the problems you list under the pros. I don't want the issues you list under the cons. This is the kind of info I'm looking for. Chuck

RRR · 06-25-2022, 02:48 PM

I put them on mine as the last thing I did on all four corners. Not impressed with them, maybe a slight improvement.

macnut · 06-25-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

I have them on mine. The previous owner had them installed. Not sure how it rode before. But I feel the front end is good, but the rear feels like it has virtually no movement even when going over a speed bump. It doesn’t seem to have any give. However the ride is very smooth on the highway.
Sorry I don’t have a before and after for you.

I installed sumos front and back on my F53 24K chassis. The fronts worked well because it comes in two pieces so the front end can rise higher than a one piece sumo would allow.

The rear sumos improved roll but made the ride harsher. It would keep the springs from flexing upwards and literally pull the coach back down. The ride actually got worse overall, so we removed the rear sumos.

We still use and like the front ones, though it did little to smooth the ride.

To smooth the ride a bit, the best think I did was a 4 corner weigh and setting tire pressure per manufacturer charts. The second best upgrade was koni shocks.

Everything else I did improved the handling but not the ride smoothness. We added sway bars, track bars, and safe-t-plus steering control.

Just my experience, and it seems to vary greatly from one RV to another.

Paul P. · 06-25-2022, 06:27 PM

In case you didn't see this thread:https://www.irv2.com/forums/f23/f53-...on-578333.html The post by "creativepart" seems like an honest evaluation even after spending the money on them. I was considering going to them after I lost one of my front jounce bumpers so I read numerous posts on this forum and Jayco forums but really didn't find any that said there was a significant improvement in smoothing out the jarring/bumping of potholes/expansion joints. I know you said you didn't want opinions, but as long as you have that straight front axle tied at both ends to huge leaf springs that have to compress, I don't think you are going to fix this particular problem. FYI I had a Workhorse chassis with the independent front suspension/coil springs and it was much better at taking the bumps. The new F53/V8 I have now seems much better than the 2015 F53 I traded in.

Mighty_J · 06-25-2022, 08:51 PM

I put them on our 2020 Canyon Star. They did nothing for ride smoothness. Stopped some sway, but made the ride more harsh.

If I had to choose again, I probably wouldn’t bother and would look at liquid spring if I was gonna keep the motorhome for a long time.

chuckbear · 06-26-2022, 06:30 AM

All very helpful info. Thanks. Chuck

chuckbear · 06-26-2022, 06:41 AM

Liquid Springs is not an option at the cost, no matter how long we plan to keep it. Chuck

TeJay · 06-26-2022, 07:05 AM

Add air bags and ping tanks. We keep the bags at 10 lbs. When we hit a bump the leaf spring compresses and so does the air bag. Then the air flows into the ping tank and also compresses. The result is a bit of a softer ride.

chuckbear · 06-26-2022, 07:15 AM

I have considered air bags. But again, your comment that it "is a bit of a softer ride" makes me wonder if the expense is going to be worth it. Chuck

Jabber Jaw · 06-26-2022, 09:02 AM

I had them on the front of my 2020 Newmar Canyon Star, 26,000GVWR chassis. Along with Koni shocks, Ultra-Trac rear track bar, & a Saf-T-Plus steering stabilizer!

Here is what I determined:
Sumos's replace the front bump stops which are a "solid" material, therefore no compression when the front axle contacts them during compression.
The Sumo's being a "cellular" material, and two pieces will compress more, thus giving you a marginally better ride, during impact with bridge transitions, expansion joints, potholes, etc.
Would I have them installed again? NO! Why? Benefit does not overide the cost!

That said......I did install Liquid Spring front & rear, and to me the ride & handling improvement was well worth the money spent! Every penny of it!

But due to the year model of your Coach, not sure it is a feasible expenditure!

Hopefully, this gives you a bit of insight about Sumo's! Good Luck!