Improve your RV ride quality with a DIY suspension upgrade
Looking for a DIY suspension solution for your Ford motorhome RV?
We get it. You’re a DIYer. You like to do things on your own. You may not be a ‘gearhead’, but you’ve got all the tools and you’re ready to learn. YouTube certainly has hundreds of helpful, how-to videos that give tutorials on everything from how to fix a leaky faucet to how to build a bomb.
If you googled “DIY suspension solutions” I’ve got good news for you. When it comes to the suspension on your Ford motorhome RV, there is a DIY solution that you’re gonna love.
Two DIY suspension helper springs that may be on your radar are SumoSprings and Timbren SES upgrades. This short article will compare the similarities and differences between SumoSprings and Timbren SES.
How do SumoSprings compare to Timbren SES suspension upgrades?
No, not all helper springs are created equal. Some are made of metal. Some are made of rubber or polyurethane while others use compressed air. Even though there are many different types of helper springs, each one usually provides a particular advantage that its competitors do not.
For example, airbags focus on adjustability while hollow rubber springs (SES) are clearly maintenance-free.
Each different spring technology lends itself to a certain type of truck and its use. What you get with one product isn’t necessarily what you get with another. Of course, you must weigh your options before you buy if you want to receive the biggest bang for your buck.
As promised earlier, we’re going to compare Timbren SES and SumoSprings.
Timbren Industries has been manufacturing SES kits since 1968. In fact, they were the first to introduce the North American market to Aeon® hollow rubber springs. At the beginning, Timbren supplied truck manufacturers of large, heavy-duty vehicles: class 6, 7, and 8. These ‘new’ Aeon springs were considered ‘stronger than steel, more reliable than air’ and were used as a primary suspension as well as an air ride assist.
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 company SuperSpring. As a new product based on the Timbren SES model, it was a poor copy of the original.
Even though it resembled the Timbren SES product and installed very much the same way in the same location, they were not the same. Instead of natural rubber, SumoSprings were made from foam - a gas-infused polyurethane.
SumoSprings come in basically three shapes with 3 different densities. Timbren SES hollow rubber springs come in 5 different durometers (hardness of rubber) plus 25 different styles (size and shape).
So, as you can see, the main difference between Timbren SES and SumoSprings is the material used in forming the springs. The original Aeon® helper spring is made of cured natural rubber, whereas the more recent SumoSprings involve polyurethane with infused gas nucleation.
Anyway, here’s the thing...
You can’t use SumoSprings in the Northern States and Canada where the temperature can drop to sub-zero temperatures. In super-cold weather, SumoSprings’ become brittle and break down. Timbren’s rubber springs, on the other hand, can handle extreme temperatures - hot or cold.
Not only that, SumoSprings aren’t meant to handle severe-service applications such as 5th wheels and truck campers. On the other hand, Timbren SES has over 400 kits that are engineered to custom fit virtually every vehicle - including severe service applications - that rolls off the assembly line.
Is there a clear winner here? We certainly think so.
Is it necessary to upgrade both front and rear suspensions?
To add maximum stability to the suspension of your Ford motorhome, installing a Timbren SES kit to both the front and rear suspension is recommended. With a spring helper installed in all 4 corners, not only would you maximize stability, but you’d also increase safety.
And you can’t put a price on safety, now, can you? Upgrading your front and rear suspension with a Timbren SES kit would increase your Ford motorhome safety to a whole new level.
Why is Timbren SES part # FRF53A the best upgrade?
In addition to ‘quick and easy’, Timbren part # FRF53A is the best helper spring for your motorhome because it is the most reliable. Like we said earlier, Timbren SES upgrades offer a progressive spring rate and require zero maintenance. These 2 advantages alone guarantee for you the most reliable helper spring in the industry.
There are over 400 Timbren SES kits that fit virtually every truck, SUV, and motorhome that rolls off the assembly line. Every component is carefully selected to provide the best combination for your vehicle. Part # FRF53A is tailored to meet the specific needs of the Ford motorhome by reducing roll and sway as well as maximizing stability.
Timbren SES suspension upgrades are “stronger than steel” & more reliable than air.” That’s why every Timbren SES product comes with a No B.S. Lifetime Warranty and 100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
For more information on Timbren SES part # FRF53A visit www.timbren.com
