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12-18-2019, 07:15 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
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Sumo Springs
We have a 2007 3400RL which we love and intend to keep for a while as I have made many improvements and enhancements to it since 2009 when we purchased it used. Last year we bought a new 2018 GMC Sierra 3500 HD to pull our trailer, an upgrade from our 2007 Sierra 2500 HD, which was a bit too little to stop the trailer. It pulled it fine, but it was a bit too much for that truck.
When I drop out trailer onto our truck, the bed drops about 1 3/4"; really not much. But now my headlights are aimed too high for oncoming traffic, and that bothers me. I thought about installing air bags with on-board air to lift the back of the truck up so it was "level" with the trailer connected anddiscussed this with my mechanic.
He said, "Get Sumo Springs instead." They are cheaper, and do a better job than air bags and need no maintenance. I've researched them on the internet and am thinking about them for the truck. I might even consider them for the trailer.
I know many of you have air bags on your truck, but do any of you have the Sumo Springs installed on your truck and/or trailer?
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2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
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12-18-2019, 08:55 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 492
M.O.C. #17391
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I have had air bags on my truck and there is nothing i need to do to them. i run about 20# in them so rocks or dirt cant get in there and rub a hole. I have the onboard compressor so I can adjust the bags if I need to. With the Sumo springs you have what you have. Sure they are cheaper but not adjustable like air bags.
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12-19-2019, 08:37 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 780
M.O.C. #18384
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1 3/4 drop is not bad, so I'm guessing your trucks suspension is adequate for the load. How about just adjusting your headlights? Much easier and cheaper, and certainly worth a try.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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12-19-2019, 11:10 AM
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#5
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
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You are quite right, Theunz. The dropping of only 1 3/4" is really nothing, except enough to put the headlights out of adjustment. It certainly is easier, and cheaper, to simply, or maybe not so simple, to realign the headlights.
I've been told that I wouldn't need to do a headlight realignment if I were to use air bags or the Sumo Springs. The matter is only under consideration at this time.
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2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
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12-19-2019, 01:45 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,662
M.O.C. #9969
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Not for everyone, but we just avoid driving at night. Normally parked for the day by mid-afternoon. Plus as we age, I find I don't much care for night time driving if I don't have too.
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Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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12-19-2019, 07:22 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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Put Timbrens on our truck years ago, and that solved our headlight aim when towing at night. https://timbren.com/timbren-ses/
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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12-20-2019, 06:30 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,710
M.O.C. #7992
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rohrmann
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I did the same as Bob when the truck was new in 09. I would think if you realign the headlights for your loaded condition they would probably be off when not towing. Instead of spotting air planes you'd be illuminating worms.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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12-20-2019, 07:34 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 780
M.O.C. #18384
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimcol
I did the same as Bob when the truck was new in 09. I would think if you realign the headlights for your loaded condition they would probably be off when not towing. Instead of spotting air planes you'd be illuminating worms.
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OP states that he has a inch and three quarter drop when hooked to trailer. I would venture to guess that's pretty much average, if not on the low side, of what we see. If that little of drop is causing the oncoming traffic to flash their lights then I think that they are out of adjustment. I wonder perhaps, is the OP driving with his fog lights on, that will cause some drivers to flash at you.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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12-20-2019, 08:04 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Menifee
Posts: 1,109
M.O.C. #22986
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I installed the sumo springs on my truck. Without the springs the trailer was pretty level. I installed these for the bounce in the roads. I had to adjust the hitch now to the lowest point and im still slightly nose high, not a big deal. The ride while towing is great no more bouncing but the ride empty is slightly rough.
As far as headlights my truck site nose down by quite a bit and I had to adjust my lights up, of course hooked up I would assume my lights are high, I get flashed, I just flash back LOL
Tony
__________________
2018 3920fb 2020 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 Duramax, 10 speed Allison. LB SRW, Firestone air bags with Airlift wireless onboard compressor. Anderson Ultimate Hitch. MX4 folding cover. 50gal titan in bed transfer tank. Onan 6500 lp genset installed by me ! Had: 2 HF 3500 Inverters with Parallel Kit
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12-22-2019, 07:04 PM
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#11
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
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Thanks all for your comments. Still not sure what, if anything, I will do, but appreciate the input from others.
Have a happy Christmas season.
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2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
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12-23-2019, 06:23 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 1,788
M.O.C. #14547
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I like the air bags on my truck. I can adjust them easily on the road with a simple bicycle air pump or many gas stations air pump or even my home compressor. I considered the on-board compressor but decided that a 10 buck hand pump would do the job and the money saved would be used for diesel fuel
__________________
Dave W
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (Sold!)
2011 Ford 6.7 Lariat CCLB (Went to PU Heaven)
2019 F150SC XLT SE Sport,w/full tow package
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12-23-2019, 09:35 AM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Myrtle Beach
Posts: 81
M.O.C. #21038
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I put Sumo's on my Ram 2500HD .... not for ride height... to smooth out the ride... they do help, especially when pulling the fiver.......
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12-25-2019, 01:40 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Cedar Park
Posts: 135
M.O.C. #17531
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I have Timbrens and like them.
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12-26-2019, 01:51 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Fishers
Posts: 139
M.O.C. #15824
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Timbren shocks made my hauling much nicer.
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