Sumo Springs on a 2019 Ram 1500

[Trainman]

Wondering about these springs to help with the rear sag on the Ram with the Elite II in tow. I just this last week towed our Casita with a 430 lb. tongue weight and the sag on the Ram was 1 1/4", all towed well and had no control problems and never felt there was any under all road conditions, no rain was encountered. I estimated with the Elite II in tow with a tongue weight of 600 lbs, by adding weight to the hitch area, ie. standing on the Ram bumper would drop to 2 1/2" at the hitch ball height. I may never reach that 600 lb. weight, but just wanted to have a safe margin for the factory 460 lbs. to what max might be. All being said, I do not want the Anderson WDH, I personally feel that I'm right on the border line of needing one and these springs can handle what little difference there is. I did talk with the local hitch dealer and they said this was a much better way to go then air bags.  Living in Ft. Worth, Texas where towing is an everyday event, they said they install many Sumo Springs over selecting the the air bag option and as you know farmers and ranchers don't want to screw around with them, plus they work out of their trucks and just wanting something that works when they need it. These Sumo Springs will not change to ride of the truck as they only work when a load is put on them, they recommend the 1500 lb. springs as that's what they put on most vehicle with similar towing conditions. Personally I think this is a good option for such a little difference in tongue weight to correct a potential problem. What do you think about Sumo Springs?

 

 

 

trainman

[Overland]

Can't say about the Ram, but I've been using Timbrens on my Raptor and they work well.  They keep the truck super stable and as you can see by the photo below, very level.  My pads are a bit long, so they do change the ride when they're on, but it's just two bolts to take them off.  I'd say that when they're installed the truck feels very similar to what a Super Duty feels like.  I think my pads could be an inch shorter and the truck would still be level enough.

 

[mossemi]

Can’t say about the Ram, but I’ve been using Timbrens on my Raptor and they work well. They keep the truck super stable and as you can see by the photo below, very level. My pads are a bit long, so they do change the ride when they’re on, but it’s just two bolts to take them off. I’d say that when they’re installed the truck feels very similar to what a Super Duty feels like. I think my pads could be an inch shorter and the truck would still be level enough.

 

 

I am running the Timbren’s on a Land Cruiser and the initial springs were resting on the axle after installation.  I contacted Timbren and they sent me a shorter set of springs at no charge.  It would be worth a call and see what they suggest.

 

Mike

[KountryKamper]

I had the Sumo springs on our Tundra and they worked great. Helped with the sag and the truck felt much stabler in corners without the trailer. They did not make the truck ride any rougher when I had no load. There was about 1/8" between the springs and frame without a load. They were easy to install and I did it myself.

[Overland]

I am running the Timbren’s on a Land Cruiser and the initial springs were resting on the axle after installation. I contacted Timbren and they sent me a shorter set of springs at no charge. It would be worth a call and see what they suggest.

 

Thanks, I might do that.  I read on the Raptor forum where they did the same for someone there.  But I'm working on a much slicker solution now - hoped to have it done before my trip next week but couldn't get the parts in time.

[mountainoliver]

Having the truck/trailer level is ideal but, make sure that you’re not close to the rear axle weight rating or the tire max weight rating. Make sure that when you calculate/measure the vehicle loads that you include everything and it doesn’t hurt to over estimate the load. John Davies has a great description of estimating your weights and adding a percentage over for safety. That can be found in some of the other towing discussions. A weight distribution hitch not only just levels the truck/trailer but actually does the leveling by moving some of the rear axle load to the front axle. Leveling with helper springs does nothing about an overloaded rear axle.

[Trainman]

Interesting comments on these springs. My new Ram is rated at 500 lbs. tongue weight, I see no way can I even reach 600 lbs.,  for years we have been pretty minimal in what we take with us, that's why I'm considering these springs so the Ram will not squat the 2 1/2" and that's if I was to reach the 600 lb. tongue weight. which I doubt I would.  I can't see where it puts anything in jeopardy on the toe vehicle either.

 

Max. payload 1,840

 

GVWR 7,100

 

Max towing 8,240

 

GCWR 13,900

 

trainman

[John E Davies]

The advantage of airbags beyond their adjustability and side to side levelling is that they don’t significantly inhibit the suspension’s ability to articulate. For a pickup that spends all its time on level roads that is a non issue. For a truck that has a camper on its back full time, ditto... For an offroad vehicle like a Raptor, Jeep or Land Cruiser you need to make very sure the axle can move upwards through full travel. Big rubber cushions like the Timbren are a problem if the compound is fairly dense. For this application I would choose the squishiest compound available.

 

I chose airbags. I run 4-5 psi unladen and 12 psi towing. The unloaded ride is a little stiffer and the butt sticks up a fraction of an inch over stock, not a big deal. You cannot run zero psi since it could pinch the bags.

 

Other than a big leak that occurred at installation and I fixed, the bags are solidly airtight. I could tell if one developed a leak because the rear end would sag on that side. They are plumbed independently for just that reason.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[rideandfly]

Trainman,

 

I'm also in the process of finding the best way to reduce tow vehicle's rear end sag while towing Ollie.

 

Almost ordered airbags when finding TorkLift StableLoad Rear Suspension Upgrade at E-trailer for many pickup applications. Would need to drill the Tundra's overload springs or let a local spring shop do the drilling for installation on the Tundra.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Toyota/Tundra/2016/TLA7311.html?vehicleID=201625610

 

Our 4X4 5.7L Tundra is almost perfectly balanced front & rear axles as per CAT scales, ready to camp with Ollie connected, two people on board, full 38 gallon tank, while staying under GVW.

 

Has anyone here used TorkLift StableLoad Rear Suspension Upgrade on any brand of pickup and what's your thoughts on it?

 

Thanks,

[John E Davies]

Has anyone here used TorkLift StableLoad Rear Suspension Upgrade on any brand of pickup and what’s your thoughts on it?

Bill, I have no personal experience with those but have done a bunch of research. They are designed for compensating for a really heavy constant load, like a big truck camper. They make the heavy overload leafs work all the time, not just when the frame comes down that far. On a moderately loaded truck like yours it would probably ride too harsh.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[rideandfly]

John,

 

Already have Firestone airbags on my Tacoma, may go that way on the Tundra, too.  Will do a little more research.

 

Thanks,