Forms, Forums, Facebook, Friends… Front…
That is a lot of F’s! We receive a lot of form submissions on our website. One of them caught my attention today because it involved questions about the often forgotten front suspension enhancement solutions we offer. Here is what Al asked:
“We just purchased a new 2018 Winnebago Travato K. On a forum we belong to, someone commented suspension enhancements should not be installed on the front of the vehicle due to steering/mechanical problems down the road. 1) Can I confirm that SumoSprings placed on all four corners is not a concern for steering, etc.? 2) If they lift the vehicle about 1” upon installation, do they settle back down to original height? 3) We would prefer that the van stays higher at 1” or so; is there any product that will keep the van height up a bit from stock?”
Increase safety and control with Front AND Rear Suspension Enhancements
I enjoyed discussing this with and reading our Customer Support Supervisor, Peter’s, response. Peter answered the questions and articulated why front suspension is so important. Here is what Peter shared:
“To answer your first question, installing SumoSprings on all four corners is highly recommended. More importantly, suspension is holistic, with both front and rear ends working together. Front suspension is just as critical as rear suspension. Rear SumoSprings alone make a great difference (specifically for Travatos), but additional improvement and an increase in safety is achieved by stabilizing the front coil springs as well. What we manufacture for your front suspension, is Coil SumoSprings, designed to enhance the coil spring. The coil spring with Coil SumoSprings installed does not interfere with or change anything mechanically with steering. I won’t say that it does not impact steering, because it does! It makes it easier to steer. It does not, however, mechanically or negatively affect steering.
Coil SumoSprings are coil spring inserts, which by design, change the spring rate. They do not change or lift the stock ride height. Instead, they prevent sag. As opposed to standard spring inserts, typically made from hard material, Coil SumoSprings are air springs just as much as the rear SumoSprings are. Coil SumoSprings are a spring, with a spring rate, and damping properties. They enhance the capacity of the coil and stabilize the overall movement the coach experiences. This reduces stress on other components.
More than likely, your van’s ride height was changed the moment Winnebago converted it into a Class B. Those changes resulted in different steering and ride performance than originally found in a stock RAM ProMaster 3500 van. That is why people love SumoSprings, and why leading coach manufacturers are using them on more and more coaches as original equipment. One more aspect to always keep in mind is safety. Leveling a coach, improved ride control, handling, and stabilization have many benefits. Perhaps the most important though, is the increased safety that comes with these enhancements.”
Improved ride and safety
That really does summarize why SuperSprings continues to innovate and redefine suspension standards. Our innovative suspension solutions improve ride control and comfort while increasing driver and passenger safety!
Communicate
If you have a question like Al’s, please take advantage of the many ways to communicate with us. Use the contact forms like Al did, submit a topic in our forums, e-mail, call, comment below, whatever your preference. Maybe I will post it here!
Comments 4
Can you recommend certified installers in my area? Fort Myers, FL
Hi Rick,
Thank you for your question! We are currently constructing a contact list for dealers, and installers of our suspension solutions throughout the United States. However, it’s proven to be a lengthy task that has yet to come to fruition. The last thing we want to do is give you bad information that is of no help. Something to keep in mind, is all of our kits are designed to be rather easily installed. Of course, we do recommend someone who is mechanically inclined to perform the installation, but what I’m saying is most mechanics should be able to get the job done for you. Especially one who is familiar with suspension. Still, if you have trouble finding one, I can put you in contact with one of our Regional Managers, who should have some better insight for that area. If that is something that you’d like to look into, please email me at [email protected]
Thanks again Rick!
I have a Promaster 2500 self-converted camper van. I purchase a set of front Sumo springs, CSS-1195. I contacted a truck shop for installing this spring for me, they wanted $300 for it, saying they have to remove the front spring to install it. Is it correct. I have seen some Youtube video that people just jacked up the from and reach into the front spring and installed. Is it easy to install it?
Do you know shop in Seattle area that can help install this for me?
Hi Chen-Wei,
You are correct, no need to remove the coil spring. As you said, there are plenty of installation videos showing the installation which can be a little tricky, but definitely possible without taking the suspension apart. Take a look at Jack’s (owner of a Promaster 3500) video here: https://youtu.be/lgj_R99NwiA
We do not have anyone listed that we are familiar with as far as installers go in Seattle. Are you on Facbook at all? There is a group called “Travato Owners and Wannabees” that has members acrosss the country that own some variation of the Promaster 2500/3500. Try reaching out to one of them if you can. If not, you really should be able to find someone that can get the job done for you. Maybe this Youtube video will even help them! Let me know if you have any other questions.