SumoSprings vs Timbren SES for the Ford F-150: See how foam is no match for Aeon® spring technology
This short article will compare SumoSprings with Timbren SES suspension upgrades. As you will discover, the material used to make SumoSprings is no match for Timbren’s Aeon® rubber spring technology. In fact, Timbren SES is the product line that promises you the biggest bang for your hard-earned buck.
What are Timbren SES hollow rubber springs?
Timbren SES rubber springs go by the trade name ‘Aeon’. Aeon® hollow rubber springs were first introduced to the North American market back in 1968. Initially, Aeon® springs were sold to owners of heavy-duty commercial rigs - class six, seven and eight trucks. These big-rig owners used them on their leaf spring suspensions to assist dump trucks, wreckers, and semis hauling 30,000 lb loads. They were also used to help stabilize the air ride suspensions on these big trucks.
It wasn’t long before Timbren started designing SES kits for smaller, light-duty vehicles such as pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs. The Aeon® springs for smaller trucks were much smaller than the Aeons used on the big rigs. There are well over 450 kits for virtually all makes and models that roll off today’s modern assembly lines.
Timbren SES kits are designed to replace the original bump stops on your vehicle. Durable and reliable Aeon® hollow rubber springs are made of natural, vulcanized rubber. That’s why they come with a Lifetime Warranty.
What are SumoSprings?
At first glance, SumoSprings look a lot like Timbren Aeon® rubber springs.
There have been several companies that have tried to imitate Timbren’s products. When a great idea turns up, everyone wants a piece of the action! And many have tried to improve on the original but with little-to-zero success.
SumoSprings is one such product that entered the market back in 2010 under the more-established brand of SuperSpring. As a new product based on the Timbren SES model, it was a poor copy of the original. Instead of rubber compound like Timbren SES, SumoSprings are made from gas-infused, microcellular polyurethane which is a fancy word for ‘foam’! SumoSprings come in basically three shapes, sizes, and densities.
Just like Timbren SES, they replace the original bump stops on the vehicle.
How do SumoSprings compare with Timbren Aeon® rubber springs?
You can’t use SumoSprings in the super-cold winters of the Northern States and Canada. Winter weather causes gas-infused polyurethane SumoSprings to become brittle and break down. Timbren’s rubber springs, on the other hand, can handle extreme temperatures - hot or cold - anywhere in the world.
Not only that, SumoSprings aren’t meant to handle heavy-duty and severe-service applications like 5th wheel trailers and truck campers.
Timbren SES has over 400 kits that are engineered to custom fit virtually every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line.
Price comparison:
SumoSpring SSR-146-47 @ $563.36 - rear kit for Ford F-150
Timbren SES # FR1504E @ 297.00 rear kit for Ford F-150
Why are SumoSprings no match for Aeon® technology?
Even though SumoSpring products looks quite similar to Timbren SES products, they are very different in practical use. That’s because of the material they are made from:
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Timbren springs are made from natural rubber
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SumoSprings are made from gas-infused polyurethane
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Timbren SES products can be used in the coldest weather without breaking down and falling apart. It’s not recommended that SumoSprings be used in below-zero weather.
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Timbren SES products provide maximum stability for severe service applications like car hauling, tow trucks, 5th wheel trailers and truck campers. SumoSprings provide excellent ride quality for RVs but aren’t able to improve stability on a severe-service application.
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The average Timbren kit (like FR1504E for the rear of a Ford F-150) lists @ $297.00. SumoSpring part # SSR-146-47 for the rear of Ford F-150 list @ $563.36.
Without question, Timbren’s Aeon rubber spring technology is more reliable than springs made from foam. That’s why SuperSprings - an expensive copy of the Timbren original - are no match for Timbren Aeon® rubber spring technology.
Timbren SES suspensions for trucks provide the following benefits:
In order to understand why Timbren SES are superior to SumoSpring, you need to understand two innate characteristics of an Aeon® hollow rubber spring - used in every Timbren SES product:
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Progressive spring rate
Unlike metal springs that have a linear spring rate, Aeon® rubber springs have a progressive spring rate, a rate that increases as more weight is added to the truck.
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Hysteresis (self-damping)
Unlike metal springs that need shocks to absorb the energy created when they compress, Aeon® rubber springs are self-damping, able to absorb the kinetic energy by themselves.
These two characteristics offer some unique advantages:
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Their progressive spring rate means they automatically adjust to the load, preventing sag and squat
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Increased stability (reduced roll and sway) when towing or hauling super-heavy applications
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Self-damping means they act like a shock absorber providing the smoothest ride even with the heaviest loads
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A soft, quiet ride empty or loaded
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Prevents damage to your suspension
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Installs quickly and easily
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Reasonably priced
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Comes with a Lifetime Warranty & a 100-Day Money Back Guarantee
As you can see, SumoSprings are no match for Timbren SES rubber springs!
For more information about Timbren SES visit Timbren.com
