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viajante's avatar
viajante
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015

Kelderman air ride or Sumo Springs

I am considering installing the Kelderman Air ride system. As an alternative, I am looking at the Sumo Springs. Any opinions on a comparison of the two ?

Sumo makes a case that they are maintenance and adjustment free. Not sure if that is an issue or not .

Thanks for your help.
  • I installed the Keldermans front and back in my 2011 Fleetwood Storm and it made the ride much better. In particular, it softened out the potholes and cracks and joints in the highways and bridges.
  • The two setups don't quite serve the same functions.

    The Kelderman is a true air-ride system (at least for the rear) and will give you the best ride.

    The Sumo Springs are helper springs, with the benefit of not making the ride stiffer like traditional helper springs, and can help the ride if the coach is so heavy its hitting the stops. Also, the SumoSprings have inherent dampening properties that other springs don't have, which means adding the extra springs does not require upgrading the socks, which can be needed with both helper springs and air-ride systems.

    Even the Kelderman system may require shock upgrades, as air springs have no friction at all, so the ride can feel less controlled in some situations (like through drainage dips aka "whoops", or even speed bumps) which could make additional dampening (aka stiffer shocks) desirable.
  • I have a 2012 jayco seneca 37fs and installed the kelderman 2 stage air ride a few trips back. I'm extremely pleased with the system. Makes a big difference in the ride of my super c. I had it installed at the kelderman factory since it was only 4 hours away. The folks at kelderman were great! Does not change the carry capacity like most air bag systems. This is purely for ride. System is fully automatic. Very happy with results.
  • As already mentioned no comparison between the two systems. Kelderman has some good videos (or used to) on what there system achieves. As close to a DP ride that you will get for air ride. Sumo as Firestone are to achieve leveling of the coach.