Sumo Springs. Not so good

[klassic]

After reading the positive reviews here about Sumo Springs, I spent the money on them and I’m wishing I spent the money on shocks.
Everyone was saying nothing moves now in their trailer and drawers don’t open anymore etc…

I have the opposite… drawers opened (sometimes they did before), all the back cushions of the couch were on the floor, the Tv remote popped out of the chair cup holder , a Bluetooth speaker that has never moved off the counter fell on the floor to the edge of the slide and when I opened the slide it darn near tore the front trim off and stuff majorly moved in the fridge (never did that)

While driving I could see the trailer in the mirror bouncing after bumps, like the Sumo Springs are forcing it back up, like springs do, and then bouncing… like springs do.
Disappointed.
BUT, the chucking was reduced, and I could tell hard bumps didn’t bang the trailer so much
Anyone else have a bad experience, or did I just have an unlucky trip.
I’ve been on these roads before.

[Cincinnati Kid]

I wanted shocks, but our flimsy frame didn't have brackets for them, and required drilling. Did not want to weaken the frame any more than it already is. I like the Sumos because they bolster the weak springs supplied with the axles.
Maybe you could remove one spacer disc and see if that helps.

[Bugzilla46310]

How do you drive? I’m looking at them. I rarely tow over 70 on interstates.

[Rodney27405]

I added sumo springs about 6 months ago and we have traveled about 5K miles since. Can honestly say that they are one of the best upgrades we have done. Much smoother towing and things do not move around as much inside. I did read multiple reviews and stories before installing them and I think the key is to make sure you are not preloading them too much. I measured per the directions, installed them, dropped the trailer on them and then, looking at the amount of "squish" in them, decided to remove one of the spacers. I had previously installed on a F-150I had and had too much preloading on them and it behaved a lot like you are describing. You really want the frame to only squish them down about 1/4". That way the Sumos have some "soft" left in in them to absorb the little bumps before they start firming up more to catch the bigger ones.

[klassic]

My rear axel’s distance was less than the front axel. I used one shim, the front maybe preloaded 1/4” probably less. The back would have been less than 1/2” of preload.
I’m wondering if they don’t work so well when the springs are starting to flatten out. My springs aren’t what they used to be.
I really didn’t see a night and day difference in towing, just noticed there was less chucking which I liked, but not at the expense of everything scrambling around in the trailer.
I guess I’ll call them and see what they say. I just noticed they have a 30 day money back.

[RoadrunnerII]

Hey Klassic Check your springs.
I replaced mine on our 2017 after 3 years. They undersized the springs for the weight to road conditions.
I went from 4 leaf 3000lb to 6 leaf 3500 lb
Lippert has a 5 year warranty on the axles and springs so mine where warranty
It's not hard to replace with the right tools. I replaced the bronze bushings at the same time in the springs. They had gotten beaten up from the flattened springs

RoadrunnerII

[klassic]

Originally Posted by RoadrunnerII

Hey Klassic Check your springs.
I replaced mine on our 2017 after 3 years. They undersized the springs for the weight to road conditions.
I went from 4 leaf 3000lb to 6 leaf 3500 lb
Lippert has a 5 year warranty on the axles and springs so mine where warranty
It's not hard to replace with the right tools. I replaced the bronze bushings at the same time in the springs. They had gotten beaten up from the flattened springs

RoadrunnerII

They are 6 leaf.
I can see they are starting to flatten out.
I’m thinking now I should have went with new springs and shocks.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by klassic

They are 6 leaf.
I can see they are starting to flatten out.
I’m thinking now I should have went with new springs and shocks.

We have a lighter trailer, but same issues. Our springs were 4-leaf Dexter. I sent photos of the flattened springs, and they shipped me all new springs, upgraded by one leaf. Ask Lippert if they will upgrade yours. I put the beefier springs on at the same time as the wide shackles and Sumos, and it really rides nice now- especially side to side roll. I feel confident that in an emergency swerve situation, I will have more control, making it safer.

Stuff does bounce around in the rear of the trailer, but that's because the frame is so flimsy, like a diving board. I just go slower and enjoy the scenery.

[RoadrunnerII]

Originally Posted by klassic

They are 6 leaf.

I can see they are starting to flatten out.

I’m thinking now I should have went with new springs and shocks.

Just to add to this thread some info
So our trailer gross weight is 12700
About 2500 on pin. So 10,200 on the springs
Lippert stated right on their website Do Not load springs more than 80% of rated capacity. Originals where 3000 lb rating. So 4 x 3000 = 12000 lbs x 80 % is 9600lbs
So the springs where over the design rating from the factory.

The 3500lbs rated springs on there now give me 14000 x 80% of rated is 11,200lbs
So fully maxed out on my gross trailer weight I have 1000 lbs of wiggle on the new springs before I hit 80% of there rated capacity.
I would bet your springs where same as mine. Over 80% from the get go.
Spongy and not able to recover from any bump.
No wonder they flatten so fast!

RoadrunnerII

[klassic]

Originally Posted by RoadrunnerII

Just to add to this thread some info
So our trailer gross weight is 12700
About 2500 on pin. So 10,200 on the springs
Lippert stated right on their website Do Not load springs more than 80% of rated capacity. Originals where 3000 lb rating. So 4 x 3000 = 12000 lbs x 80 % is 9600lbs
So the springs where over the design rating from the factory.

The 3500lbs rated springs on there now give me 14000 x 80% of rated is 11,200lbs
So fully maxed out on my gross trailer weight I have 1000 lbs of wiggle on the new springs before I hit 80% of there rated capacity.
I would bet your springs where same as mine. Over 80% from the get go.
Spongy and not able to recover from any bump.
No wonder they flatten so fast!

RoadrunnerII

Plus I usually carry water, so I’m sure that’s not helping the downward force on the springs over g-outs.

[TxLoser]

My 2019…. Same trailer still has some good arch on the springs. Looking at my last scale receipt I was at 9380 on the trailer axles. So, must be some truth to this math. All of our “stuff” is primarily in the basement and bedroom. Not by design, just how it worked out.

I’ve thought about trying the Sumos, but from using them on trucks it just seems they’ll limit travel and with no shock to control rebound, you’ll have a harder impact/bounce on the return. Maybe I’m wrong.

[Nature Ist]

Klassic:
You mentioned something important when you said you usually carry water.
An important factor in bounce is load balancing. If your fresh water tank is in the rear of the unit, as mine is, that can change the weight ratio significantly. Another factor in that ratio is how the rest of the cargo is balanced. This is far more obvious on travel trailers than fifth wheels; it is an often overlooked but important factor that does affect the ride.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

My 2019…. Same trailer still has some good arch on the springs. Looking at my last scale receipt I was at 9380 on the trailer axles. So, must be some truth to this math. All of our “stuff” is primarily in the basement and bedroom. Not by design, just how it worked out.

I’ve thought about trying the Sumos, but from using them on trucks it just seems they’ll limit travel and with no shock to control rebound, you’ll have a harder impact/bounce on the return. Maybe I’m wrong.

Right. That’s what it seams to me..it looked like a significant bounce on return while watching it in the mirror, then a couple more bounces after that.
I have another trip coming up, I think I’ll try it with no water.

I called the dealer I bought them from, he estimated I would receive 50% on a return, plus I have to ship them back.
So I guess I’m stuck with them.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by klassic

Right. That’s what it seams to me..it looked like a significant bounce on return while watching it in the mirror, then a couple more bounces after that.
I have another trip coming up, I think I’ll try it with no water.

I called the dealer I bought them from, he estimated I would receive 50% on a return, plus I have to ship them back.
So I guess I’m stuck with them.

Also, as far as shocks go, the ones I’ve seen are at such an angle that I doubt they are able to be very effective. I think that the center pivoting arms ( in our case CRE3000) might be providing some shock absorber action by using the other axle to counteract the bounce. When the front axle hits a bump, the center pivots to put some pressure on the back spring, then when the back spring hits the same bump it puts downward pressure on the front spring, and they are constantly attempting to balance each other out.

[Randyman69357]

Another factor could be the air pressure in your tires as well as how beefy a tire you have on it. I have the GY Endurance and weighed my trailer and per the GY website I can run my tires at 75 instead of the 80 max cold. I know some just run at the max pressure and that can be too much.

[klassic]

Originally Posted by Randyman69357

Another factor could be the air pressure in your tires as well as how beefy a tire you have on it. I have the GY Endurance and weighed my trailer and per the GY website I can run my tires at 75 instead of the 80 max cold. I know some just run at the max pressure and that can be too much.

I have the same.

I’m thinking of getting new springs and using the Sumos. Maybe my springs are too worn out.

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by Randyman69357

Another factor could be the air pressure in your tires as well as how beefy a tire you have on it. I have the GY Endurance and weighed my trailer and per the GY website I can run my tires at 75 instead of the 80 max cold. I know some just run at the max pressure and that can be too much.

I run mine at 75 as well and it’s makes a difference. Only 5lbs but it does something.