Community Forums

eyecando · 01-28-2023, 08:38 PM

Has anyone installed any leaf type helper springs on a Sprinter chassis RV? I've been looking at Hellwig and SuperSprings helper springs.

SuperSprings SSA55T are rated at 1900# & Hellwig 61615 Pro springs are rated at 2100#. I'm wondering if they would cause a harsh ride.

SuperSprings has a P12K mounting kit, but I'm not sure it is needed.

I already have Sumo 1000# (Front) and 1400# (Rear) springs installed on my 2020 Navion. They have eliminated a lot of sway, but don't raise the RV.

I'd like to raise the rear end about an inch.

I've attached the instruction sheets for both manufacturers.

I know adding a leaf to the existing springs is a possibility, but I don't want to go that way.

Winterbagoal · 01-29-2023, 10:43 AM

I've only got the constant contact Sumo Springs supports on my 2017 chassis, same weight numbers as yours. They help the ride and handling, but there's no lift, as you point out. I looked at the leaf spring helpers, but decided to wait and see how the black and yellow SS work out first. So far, so good.
I'm thinking if I wanted lift, I'd like it to be adjustable easily, and air bags might be a better option.

eyecando · 01-29-2023, 01:16 PM

I'm sitting down hard on the Sumo springs already. Looks like the leaf springs are at maximum compression. I would like to have the ability to change any lift I add also. The SuperSprings do have a couple of adjustments though. I'll take a look at the air bags though.

eyecando · 01-29-2023, 04:18 PM

I did some testing to see how much spring force I needed. I used a trailer weight gauge and a jack to apply pressure to the rear spring shackle. A more realistic method would have been to apply the force above the center of the rear axle, but I was not able to do that.

700 lbs. raised the RV 1/2 an inch on one side center of the axle.
1300 lbs. raised the RV 3/4 of an inch on one side center of the axle.

I believe the lbs. required is actually higher than I measured due to the location used to measure the force.

Neither test took all the weight off the rear Sumo spring. So, doubling these numbers looks like I need somewhere between 1400 to approximately 2600 pounds of spring force. I'd rather shoot for a lower number, so maybe the SumoSprings would be about right. The Hellwig springs may be a little stiffer.

Airboss68 · 01-29-2023, 04:50 PM

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...4d-365294.html

Rocinante440 · 02-01-2023, 07:51 PM

This is what we'll be doing to ours in a couple of weeks:
https://agileoffroad.com/sprinter-rip-kits/

eyecando · 02-10-2023, 06:49 PM

I went with the SuperSprings instead of the Hellwig since the lift was a little less and the design appeared to be better.

I ordered the SuperSprings and installed them the same day I received them. Only took about a week and a half to get here even after they quoted a 4 week+ delivery time. SuperSprings will send you a 15% off coupon if you sign up with them and there was also no tax in my state. So best to order directly from SuperSpringsInternational.com

The SuperSprings have eliminated almost all of the sway I had even with the SumoSprings installed and the ride is not any harsher now. It may even be smoother. The rear end over the axle is now about 3/4 inch higher and the SumoSprings are no longer almost completely compressed. I haven't been on the interstate highway yet to fully test them out yet.

You would need to have some mechanical experience to do this job yourself, otherwise you might want to have them installed for you. It took me about 5 hours to install the springs. About an hour to get the vehicle jacked up and about 2 hours on each side. I did not remove the wheels. My 3.5 ton jack would not pick a rear side of the RV up fully, so I used the rear levelers after placing a 6x6 and a couple of 2x4s under them. I was surprised that the HWH levelers had no problems picking the rear of the heavy vehicle up. I placed jack stands on large lumber under the vehicle in case the hydraulic levelers failed.

I installed the plastic mount on the springs before placing them on top of the axle. I used the supplied square 1/2 x 3 inch u-bolt to compress the existing spring leaves. I had a couple of 9 inch, a 7 inch and a 5 inch C-clamp to compress the rear of the SumoSpring after connecting the front end. I ended up destroying one of the 9 inch clamps when it twisted and bent. The end of the rear SuperSpring is over 14 inches over the installed spring so you have to start near the center compressing the SumoSpring a little at a time and then moving the C-Clamp closer to the end each time. The C-clamps tend to slip while tightening them and slide back down the sprig, so you have to keep trading out the C-Clamps.

A couple of long 1/2 inch square U-bolts would have helped a lot, but they are very hard to find and they are only threaded near the ends and most do not come with an end plate, so you would have to make that.