Sumo Springs

[jpphh4]

I have a 2017 X213 trailer and was looking at adding Sumo Springs on the trailer itself. Does anyone have any experience with adding the Sumo Springs to their travel trailer and if so, what are your thoughts or concerns?

 

[Rodney27505]

We added them to our NP and it made a big difference in taking out some of the bounce after hitting a bump. Pay attention to the instructions about measuring the distances to only slightly preload the springs. Putting too many spacers in can make them too hard and actually worsen the ride. One thing I didn't think of that caused me to have to rework one of the axles was measuring it with it hooked up to the truck. I did all of the measurements with it level and unhooked and thought I was good but we ride a little nose high so when I hooked up it changed things a good bit and I had to remove a spacer from the rear axle.

 

[jpphh4]

Thanks for the feedback, it helps

 

[gunafulltime]

We added them to our Jay Flight 29rks. The Sumos and Dexter EZ-Flex suspension upgrades make a difference!

 

[Kevin Cooper]

If you want a link to a YouTube video of a couple that added sumo springs to their trailer to keep it from leaning in turns. It shows the frame damage caused and then a video saying their insurance company called it a total loss.
But buy them if you truly have a leaning problem and are willing to have some additional steel welded in under your rig.

 

[gunafulltime]

If you want a link to a YouTube video of a couple that added sumo springs to their trailer to keep it from leaning in turns. It shows the frame damage caused and then a video saying their insurance company called it a total loss.
But buy them if you truly have a leaning problem and are willing to have some additional steel welded in under your rig.

This is a rehash of a baseless claim.
You said the same thing in another thread on Sumos. You are basing your assertion on a couple with very questionable RV savvy, and they have driven their non-offroad RV all over creation, including tanking it in an irrigation ditch. The Sumos did not caused their frame damage. The damage was due to poor steel, poor welds, and/or user abuse and ignorance about what the Solitude 5th wheel is designed for. The Sumos DID NOT cause their frame to crack. It's like asserting that a marshmallow could crack a 2x4.

Solid logic and discernment would point to the poor steel, faulty frame manufacturing, (Lippert and Grand Design are having major claims brought against them.), and a survey of this couple's videos clearly shows their lack of knowledge, skill, and attention to details that full-time RVers must exercise if they want their rig to hold up = user neglect and abuse.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

And you know for fact that those are the only people that could ever have a frame bend because all the leaning pressure is in a 2” diameter circle of an already thin cheap metal frame that has no design included in the frame for this stress.

 

[gunafulltime]

And you know for fact that those are the only people that could ever have a frame bend because all the leaning pressure is in a 2” diameter circle of an already thin cheap metal frame that has no design included in the frame for this stress.

No, I do not know for a fact that they are the only people "that could ever have a frame bend" because "leaning pressure" is in a 2" diameter circle on a cheap metal frame. However, I do know that the couple you referenced are a very poor example to use as a claim against Sumos. If the Sumos did that to a frame, the frame is the problem, not the Sumos. Moreover, taking RVs off road and across rough terrain and roads will damage most RVs. Definitely, driving them into ditches (torquing the frame) could well cause damage to the frame, suspension, the walls, and/or the roof. The majority of RVs are rolling dollhouses.

People think they can haul trailers anywhere and everywhere. The fact is, they are not built for the way many use them. In the case of Grand Design, their "fine print" states that their trailers are not meant to be driven off of pavement, and they are not meant for continuous travel. So all of the gravel, dirt, and pastures that people drive on to boondock or travel to places like Alaska are beyond most trailers' design capacities. There are only a handful of RVs that are built to withstand off-pavement travel.

I do believe that a properly loaded trailer that is towed 55-65 mph on pavement will not get a cracked or bent frame from anything other than a frame flaw. The only exception might be a nasty pothole at freeway speed; that could potentially damage the frame, but the suspension (leaf, shackle, hanger . . .) would likely fail, not the frame and not because of the Sumos. I believe the opposite is true. The Sumos would likely keep the frame and the suspension from absorbing all of the impact and reduce the possibility of excessive frame flexing.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

I did not watch their previous videos, so you are most likely correct. If I were considering adding them to a TT or fifth wheel trailer, I would ask the manufacturer if they are approved for use on their product. If you do not ask, you could end up with a real problem. Hopefully you agree.
Respectfully, Kevin

 

[gunafulltime]

I did not watch their previous videos, so you are most likely correct. If I were considering adding them to a TT or fifth wheel trailer, I would ask the manufacturer if they are approved for use on their product. If you do not ask, you could end up with a real problem. Hopefully you agree.
Respectfully, Kevin

I think most, if not all, manufacturers will not recommend any aftermarket suspension products, and most, if not all, would likely void the warranty. That's how it is with many aftermarket "upgrades" as we call them. Personally, if I install aftermarket products, I do so after the warranty period and after a lot of very careful study and the application of experience.

Absolute respect for you too, friend!

 

[klassic]

I used them 2 times and stuff that never moved in the trailer before was all over the place. Drawers that never opened were open. Couch cushions at the back were on the floor.
Took them off, just sold them last week for a third of what I paid.
The money back guarantee they offer is a sham. Once you install them they will only give you about 50% back, unless they are new in the box still.

Some like them…I didn’t. They are like springs… they compress then spring back. The bouncing back is what I was trying to eliminate. I should have went with shocks, but this was an easier option. The Road Master shock kit is on its way now.

 

[billcf7]

I have a 2017 X213 trailer and was looking at adding Sumo Springs on the trailer itself. Does anyone have any experience with adding the Sumo Springs to their travel trailer and if so, what are your thoughts or concerns?

Stay away from these on the light gauge frames of these trailers and go with shocks

 

[hjets]

I added Sumo Springs.

I added black sumo springs to my 2020 Eagle HT 280RSOK, purchased new, and am sorry I wasted my money. Maybe I should have added the blue ones but I thought my trailer was borderline between the 2 different weight capacities.

My Jayco has a serious vibration problem. tires have been balanced. The rear couch constantly moves around even though I've anchored it to the floor with heavy L brackets. The braces on the couch just tore loose.

The sink faucet has constantly worked its way loose no matter how hard I tighten it. Items in the closets are constantly being jostled.
Just had a PA inspection and find that one, JUST ONE, of my tires is worn way more than the others. I also found that the Dexter Never adjust brakes actually adjusted one of them to the point the brake material was gone. The other 3 are fine.
This on a trailer that has never been off road or above 60MPH.
Here I thought I was getting top of the line RV material and I'm finding it's not the case.
Don't even get me started on the rest of the things that have gone bad.
IMO, Sumo Springs are a waste of time and money.