Timbrem or Sumos on F150

[speediq99]

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with these two systems?

I installed the Timbren SES in a 2021 F150 4x4. Drove 600 miles and it was a jarring experience. I left a 1 inch gap.

Going over bridge joints or small potholes on the road wasn't pleasant. Truck was towing 7500lbs load trailer.

One benefit was less bouncing. Truck was leveled even though I expected rear to be 1-1 1/2 inch higher.

Would Sumos give a smoother ride?
Anything that can be done with the Timbren to soften the blows?

MC

[bikendan]

speediq99 wrote:
Hi Dan, did you go with the blues (1000lbs) or black Sumos (1500)?

We are towing 7500 lbs. It sounds like the blues are softer and may be easier over bumps.

BTW, the gap doesn't create the slam effect when towing as the rubber is in full contact and compress. I think it is the hardness of the rubber in the Timbren that causes the jarring effect.

MC

I went with the blue ones since I have plenty of payload capacity but wanted to help with the small amount of rear sag.

[mooky_stinks]

I have the black Sumos on my F150 with a 1” gap. It rides like stock when unloaded and drops 2” when towing the 5th wheel. Would definitely buy again.

[Super_Dave]

valhalla360 wrote:

Super_Dave wrote:
IMO, leaving the gap creates the SLAM effect. When I used something similar with my cabover camper, I had the block just barely engaged with the spring.

When fully loaded, the gap goes away before you hit the road, so it's already carrying some weight and generally not slamming with either option.

When running empty, they engage only when you hit a bump (ie: the gap is used up):
- Timbrens apply full resistance as soon as they touch. X lbs/inch of compression.
- Sumo gradually increases resistance after they touch Y lbs/inch/inch

So all else being equal, the sumo will apply far less for the first inch of compression but will quickly ramp up as compression increases creating a smoother feel as they engage.

If you take away the gap with Timbrens while running empty, it will give a rough (but not slamming) ride as the resistance is enough in that they lift the empty bed rather than compress the springs & timbrens.

Airbags get around this by adjusting the pressure to the load but they are more complex and prone to failure.

Yes, no gap when loaded should be the idea, not running empty.

[valhalla360]

Super_Dave wrote:
IMO, leaving the gap creates the SLAM effect. When I used something similar with my cabover camper, I had the block just barely engaged with the spring.

When fully loaded, the gap goes away before you hit the road, so it's already carrying some weight and generally not slamming with either option.

When running empty, they engage only when you hit a bump (ie: the gap is used up):
- Timbrens apply full resistance as soon as they touch. X lbs/inch of compression.
- Sumo gradually increases resistance after they touch Y lbs/inch/inch

So all else being equal, the sumo will apply far less for the first inch of compression but will quickly ramp up as compression increases creating a smoother feel as they engage.

If you take away the gap with Timbrens while running empty, it will give a rough (but not slamming) ride as the resistance is enough in that they lift the empty bed rather than compress the springs & timbrens.

Airbags get around this by adjusting the pressure to the load but they are more complex and prone to failure.

[speediq99]

Hi Dan, did you go with the blues (1000lbs) or black Sumos (1500)?

We are towing 7500 lbs. It sounds like the blues are softer and may be easier over bumps.

BTW, the gap doesn't create the slam effect when towing as the rubber is in full contact and compress. I think it is the hardness of the rubber in the Timbren that causes the jarring effect.

MC

[Super_Dave]

IMO, leaving the gap creates the SLAM effect. When I used something similar with my cabover camper, I had the block just barely engaged with the spring.

[bikendan]

I love my SumoSprings on my F150! I chose them because of the more modern microcellular urethane material, over old tech hard rubber.
They work as advertised.

[MitchF150]

I went with Hellwig overload springs. Had them on my 97 F150 and got them for the 13 F150. Yeah, they firm up the ride a tad, but for the better IMO and still better than stock and rides better than the wife's 2003 Rav4!



Mitch

[manley]

I had Timbrens and HATED them. Go with air bags and don’t look back.

[Busdriver]

Sumo better ride empty

[valhalla360]

Haven't tried Timbren but put a set of Sumo on our F250 and seems to work well...no jarring. They are set with about a 1 inch gap.

They are progressive, so the initial compression doesn't apply much force but as they compress the force increases faster than the compression.

[TurnThePage]

I also used Timbrens on my Ram 1500... for about 250 miles. Way too jarring. Sumo Springs offers a couple different densities. The lower density one sounds promising if you don't need extreme support. I don't have hands on experience though.