Sumo Springs

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Judge

We will be taking it out tomorrow so that will be the first trip with the Sumo's installed.

There is only one part number for the rears for the F-550. It is a 2800lb rated spring (SSR-120-54).

I went with the lightest option for the fronts.... the 1000lb rated springs (SSF-111-40).

Thank you Judge! Hopefully they will soften the jolt when hitting rough bridge transitions and holes/ruts in the road. That's my only issue with the F550 at the moment, as the benefits of being "rock-solid", tracking so well, and having very little sway, make it ride a little hard on such things.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by cbach

Thank you Judge! Hopefully they will soften the jolt when hitting rough bridge transitions and holes/ruts in the road. That's my only issue with the F550 at the moment, as the benefits of being "rock-solid", tracking so well, and having very little sway, make it ride a little hard on such things.

We will be hitting some rough roads this weekend. I will give you an update as to how the ride changes with the new Sumo's installed as soon as I have some miles on them on those conditions!

[Bob Denman]

Good luck. I hope they work as well (or better!) for you; as they did on the Outlaw!

[Judge]

Originally Posted by cbach

Thank you Judge! Hopefully they will soften the jolt when hitting rough bridge transitions and holes/ruts in the road. That's my only issue with the F550 at the moment, as the benefits of being "rock-solid", tracking so well, and having very little sway, make it ride a little hard on such things.

We put about 100 miles on to our first campground for the weekend. I think there is a noticeable difference with the Sumo’s on the F-550.

I always felt the stock F-550 was much better than the E-450, which is definitely the case. But the Sumos did smooth out the ride over the bridge transitions and rough road. It felt like it was floating versus real rigid. I also think the coach was quieter.

I’ll report back as we work our way to Vermont and put on more miles but so far I’m glad I installed them. [emoji106]

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Judge

We put about 100 miles on to our first campground for the weekend. I think there is a noticeable difference with the Sumo’s on the F-550.

I always felt the stock F-550 was much better than the E-450, which is definitely the case. But the Sumos did smooth out the ride over the bridge transitions and rough road. It felt like it was floating versus real rigid. I also think the coach was quieter.

I’ll report back as we work our way to Vermont and put on more miles but so far I’m glad I installed them. [emoji106]

Who would think adding to the spring's stiffness would improve the ride? I agree that it does.

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Who would think adding to the spring's stiffness would improve the ride? I agree that it does.

I was thinking, and apparently it is the case, that they might help the hard hits on the rear overload springs and bump stops in the front. These rigs are touching the overloads sitting static, which means the ability of the actual spring pack to absorb shock is completely gone. The stiff as a train rail overloads are taking it all, and that particular connection is metal-to-metal.

The "proper" way to fix it would be to weigh each corner and have a custom spring pack developed for each side to get it into a better static load position, and coils made for the front to do the same, but who wants to go down that rabbit hole

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Judge

We put about 100 miles on to our first campground for the weekend. I think there is a noticeable difference with the Sumo’s on the F-550.

I always felt the stock F-550 was much better than the E-450, which is definitely the case. But the Sumos did smooth out the ride over the bridge transitions and rough road. It felt like it was floating versus real rigid. I also think the coach was quieter.

I’ll report back as we work our way to Vermont and put on more miles but so far I’m glad I installed them. [emoji106]

That's great to hear. Looking forward to some more experience as you move on. Did you happen to measure or notice any increase in height, as I already struggle with the stock height of the trailer hitch in stock form.

[tullywork]

Thanks very much! Just got home from a 6 week cross-country adventure in our "new" (2015) RV, one of the things I hated most about driving it was the shocks/sway/crosswinds, hopefully these help (I can't imagine how they couldn't) - and just saved $100 - appreciate you sharing the coupon code, otherwise would have just bought them on amazon - also NO TAX!!

Originally Posted by Judge

Just an FYI.....

Super Springs is running a promotion of 15% for Sumo Springs for an F53 Chassis. They are also running a 10% promotion on other products.

I decided to add Sumo Springs to my Magnitude SV34 and take advantage of the 10% off even though I have been happy with the ride and handling.

I just added the Roadmaster Spare Tire Carrier and a spare tire to my Magnitude. The setup is adding at least 150lbs to the back of the coach so I decided to install the Sumo's as well.

They are coming today so I removed the stock bump stops yesterday. The passenger side was easy. The drivers side was slightly more work because of some wiring harnesses running over the mounting bolt.

[OC_Mike]

Hi guys, I'm a new member and also a 1st time RV owner. We just picked up a 2016 Hurricane 31S. Its been a dream of ours for a long time and we finally made it happen. I'm not sure if this is the right forum, my question is that our RV already has the Roadmaster sway bars front & rear as well as a steering stabilizer. There is still some swaying going on while driving on the freeway. I ordered the Sumo Springs from ETrailer and will install this coming weekend. My question is would I still relocate the sway bar bolts with a Roadmaster using the CHF fix? I appreciate any feedback on that.

Thanks

[cbach]

Originally Posted by OC_Mike

Hi guys, I'm a new member and also a 1st time RV owner. We just picked up a 2016 Hurricane 31S. Its been a dream of ours for a long time and we finally made it happen. I'm not sure if this is the right forum, my question is that our RV already has the Roadmaster sway bars front & rear as well as a steering stabilizer. There is still some swaying going on while driving on the freeway. I ordered the Sumo Springs from ETrailer and will install this coming weekend. My question is would I still relocate the sway bar bolts with a Roadmaster using the CHF fix? I appreciate any feedback on that.

Thanks

Welcome to the campsite Mike. A ton of information in here, so it's best to use the search feature first for just about anything, read for a few days, and then start a new thread ask if it hasn't been covered.


Did a quick search on "CHF Fix", as I have no idea what that is, and am already overwhelmed with all the information in this one thread https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...mods-4609.html

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Judge

I’ll report back as we work our way to Vermont and put on more miles but so far I’m glad I installed them. [emoji106]

Come on back buddy...inquiring minds want to know more about how they feel

[Judge]

Originally Posted by cbach

Come on back buddy...inquiring minds want to know more about how they feel

Hit some pretty rough roads on the way up to Vermont and while I can't say it rode like a Lincoln, I think the Sumo upgrade was worth it.

I used the 1" spacer on the rear sumos so there is no gap between the Sumo's and the rear differential. I think this adds additional support for the rear and softens the downward travel. There was a pretty decent size gap with the factory bump stops and they didn't have much compression ability.

I went with the 1000lb (Blue) fronts and they also take up all of the gap that was present between the front differential and the factory bump stops.

I'd say the chassis "floats" now over bridge transitions and typical uneven surfaces versus the jolting you can get with the bumps stops made contact.

The stock tires are also going to contribute to a harsher ride but an upgraded shock package may also help.

After about 600 miles on the Sumo's I'm glad I installed them.

[paulwadley]

Judge
Glad to hear the good news. I installed them on my sprinter chassis last year and love how the handle on the road.


Paul

[Beau388]

Since there are three types of Sumo springs, it might be helpful if you were to tell what type of spring you chose to install - Solo, Maxim or Rebel. Only the Maxims work to reduce extension.

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Since there are three types of Sumo springs, it might be helpful if you were to tell what type of spring you chose to install - Solo, Maxim or Rebel. Only the Maxims work to reduce extension.

For our application the only ones shown to fit are Solo's, which are what Judge listed by P/N

[Mhisle]

Judge- just drove our first rv home - a magnitude bb35 from dealership - 6 hour trip to get home. A few issues -1- the sway was pretty bad so I am ordering the front sumos immediately then looking into rear and also upgraded sway bars if there is such a thing. Anyone have other suggestions to deal with the sway? 2- the ride - we feel every crack in the road. Hancock tires. I’ll check tire pressure. What psi do most run in those tires? Anything out there that is reasonable to give us a smoother ride. 3- we left dealership after they “filled” tanks full twice and assured me they were full even though gauge was just over qtr tank. They Told me to take it to a ford dealership to deal with the defective gauge. After 100 miles the gauge was certainly dropping and seemed to be working. We stopped and fueled up- front tank - put about 3 gallons only in - was full and overflowing. Rear tank - took the remaining $100 worth but VERY SLOWLY. couldn’t go as fast as the first catch on the nozzle- so had to hold it slowly. Kicked off several times but did get it full. Seems to me to be a vent issue maybe. Any suggestions?

[cbach]

Originally Posted by Mhisle

Judge- just drove our first rv home - a magnitude bb35 from dealership - 6 hour trip to get home. A few issues -1- the sway was pretty bad so I am ordering the front sumos immediately then looking into rear and also upgraded sway bars if there is such a thing. Anyone have other suggestions to deal with the sway? 2- the ride - we feel every crack in the road. Hancock tires. I’ll check tire pressure. What psi do most run in those tires? Anything out there that is reasonable to give us a smoother ride. 3- we left dealership after they “filled” tanks full twice and assured me they were full even though gauge was just over qtr tank. They Told me to take it to a ford dealership to deal with the defective gauge. After 100 miles the gauge was certainly dropping and seemed to be working. We stopped and fueled up- front tank - put about 3 gallons only in - was full and overflowing. Rear tank - took the remaining $100 worth but VERY SLOWLY. couldn’t go as fast as the first catch on the nozzle- so had to hold it slowly. Kicked off several times but did get it full. Seems to me to be a vent issue maybe. Any suggestions?

Are you really feeling "sway", and not just the nature of the F550? They don't track like a car, and the 19.5 tires do follow every crack in the road...just the nature of the beast. You get use to minor steering corrections all the time, but I've never felt much I would classify as sway. I run cold at 100psi if it's going to be over 80 degrees while traveling, and 105 if it's cooler, so my target hot pressure is at max load rating around 115. It tracks better with higher pressure, but does ride hard. If you only made it 100 miles and the back tank was empty, they did not have it full...likely near empty. As you found out, there is a problem with venting on fuel fills or routing of the fill tubes, as I've had the same issues since new, but it's not a Ford issue, it's an installation or design issue from Thor. Also, look to see if the DEF fill tube is routed above the other wire/tubes on the frame where the input point to tank is, as liquid will not flow uphill...I found that one out on the road and you absolutely do not want to let a Ford go low on DEF. I had to reroute the tube in the middle of Montana last month!

[Mhisle]

Originally Posted by cbach

Are you really feeling "sway", and not just the nature of the F550? They don't track like a car, and the 19.5 tires do follow every crack in the road...just the nature of the beast. You get use to minor steering corrections all the time, but I've never felt much I would classify as sway. I run cold at 100psi if it's going to be over 80 degrees while traveling, and 105 if it's cooler, so my target hot pressure is at max load rating around 115. It tracks better with higher pressure, but does ride hard. If you only made it 100 miles and the back tank was empty, they did not have it full...likely near empty. As you found out, there is a problem with venting on fuel fills or routing of the fill tubes, as I've had the same issues since new, but it's not a Ford issue, it's an installation or design issue from Thor. Also, look to see if the DEF fill tube is routed above the other wire/tubes on the frame where the input point to tank is, as liquid will not flow uphill...I found that one out on the road and you absolutely do not want to let a Ford go low on DEF. I had to reroute the tube in the middle of Montana last month!

Well - the next day we decided to try things out in the rv - slide would not work. 8 blinking lights means wiring issue - take to dealership. Tech said it’s a major placement issue with zero clearance between motor and slide- the new motor won’t last and he feels it will need to go back to factory and remove slide all together etc. waiting on response from Thor on Monday. So my brand new magnitude will Likely need to go back to factory. They never showed us how the slide works during the walk thru which looking back was awful weird. Tech said it had obviously been worked on before. I wrote about this in another post too. I’ll let u know how it all turns out.