Community Forums

Plum crazy · 08-08-2020, 03:21 PM

Greetings,
We are thoroughly enjoying our first season with our new travel trailer. The only regret we have is that we didn’t do it sooner.
I’ve quickly searched the threads for a comparison between these two brands of helper springs. I didn’t see any results.
For reference I’m towing a Jayco 242BHS trailer. GVWR 7000#. I’m towing it with a 2018 Ford F-150 5.0L. Cargo capacity 2000#, max trailer limit 9100#. I have an equalizer E4 WD hitch that was installed and set up by the selling dealer. I have not yet measured fender to ground distances (my driveway is no where near level) but I’ve watched some YouTube videos and it seems like it’s set up correctly. The rear of the truck is slightly lower than the front, the trailer is pretty close to being level.
We have taken 5 trips so far and it tows pretty darn good. I definitely know it’s back there but it’s really pretty stable. Stable enough that my wife could drive it if she could get over her fear of driving something this large. Each trip we’ve added more weight to the combination. Other than burning more fuel the truck doesn’t seem to care.
Next camping season we are planning to do a bit more long hauling. I’d like a little piece of mind knowing we will encounter more varied weather and longer towing distances.
I don’t want air bags, I don’t want the bolt on assist springs, I don’t want my daily driver ride quality degraded in any way. It seems that either of these spring options might work for me.
What I’ve read is that almost everyone that has installed either of these brands is happy with them when loaded. Several Timbren owners however have noted that when unloaded but traveling on rough roads the rear can be a little twitchy. I haven’t read any such comments regarding Sumo Springs.
Anybody have experience with both or either brand and care to comment?
Regards
Craig

bneukam · 08-08-2020, 03:37 PM

I’ve always went with making the existing suspension stronger by reworking the leaf springs. Done this twice on other older trucks, and was always impressed what a good spring works shop can do.

Plum crazy · 08-08-2020, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bneukam

I’ve always went with making the existing suspension stronger by reworking the leaf springs. Done this twice on other older trucks, and was always impressed what a good spring works shop can do.

Thanks for the input. Truck is still under warranty and I really, really, really don’t want to alter the stock, unloaded ride quality. The truck is my daily driver and as such spends the majority of its time unloaded or very lightly loaded.
Regards

CharlesinGA · 08-08-2020, 07:44 PM

No experience with either product, but in my research, I prefer the Timbrens. Something to do with the type of material they are made of, and generally how they mount. I think in most cases they replace the factory upstop bumper above the axle.

Charles

kdauto · 08-08-2020, 10:26 PM

I still run Timbrens front and rear on my 94 Suburban. Rear was for when we had a 26' TT and 3 kids travelling with us, along with tons of gear. Front is for the 1100 lb 9 foot wide plow blade the truck wears 5 months a year.

Timbrens stay on year round and don't affect ride quality unloaded. They don't really wear out either. They DO only work when weight is added, as such, suspension will compress (squat) a wee bit. Airbags can level or even raise the rear, but that can negatively affect handling too.

No personal experience with Sumo, but it should generally work, just not exactly the same as Timbrens. Timbrens are often a 10 minute install by a DIYer too.

lamokadave · 08-20-2020, 09:12 AM

I've had both products. Sumos on a Tacoma TRD and now Timbrens on my f-150.
Both are easy to install and both work as advertised. As I recall, the Sumos fit in a way that they made contact even without the Extra payload in the truck. The Timbrens came with 2 mounting options, with or without a spacer. Even with the spacer installed, I have approx an inch of clearance before they assume any load. Without payload in the truck they don't engage until body roll or rough roads compress the suspension.
I think either will work for you

dogbreath650 · 08-30-2020, 09:11 AM

I started out with Timbrens and didn't like the springy feeling when it unloads, felt like it was launching you out of bumps and potholes. Went to the Torklift stable loads and it worked better for me, stable ride, reduced squat and you can easily disengage them when not needed to get back to the factory ride.

Roy-c · 08-30-2020, 09:30 AM

Have had both. 6 one and 1/2 dozen the other. Both work well.

JDT · 09-01-2020, 07:08 AM

I had a set of Timbren's on the rear of a 2012 GMC 3500 and I thought they made the ride a little more rough. I put a set of the black Sumo's on my new truck and they don't affect my empty ride at all. The come with 3 spacers so you can find the sweet spot. Mine don't engage until I hook up the fifth wheel. I found using just one spacer was best. I would vote for Sumo's but I'm not sure there is that much difference as others have said. I called Sumo for advice and the tech said to go with the lighter weight black version as the yellow heavier version may be a little stiff for what I needed.