next after Upper Stableloads? Jittery ride on rough pavement.

[john.]

next after Upper Stableloads? Jittery ride on rough pavement.

Hi all – we have a 2020 F350 SRW gasser crew cab, 8’ bed…. and a 2020 Hallmark 9.5’.

We and fully loaded the whole rig weights 11,300 lbs

On smooth pavement the ride is very, very good. We have the Upper Stableloads
and the highest Ford leaf springs are very slightly engaged always.
(and we do NOT want to get Lower Stableloads under any circumstance)

However on mediocre paved roads the ride is pretty “jittery” for lack of a better word.

If I was to do something to try to smooth out the jitters when on rough paving (hopefully without making the very good ride on smooth pavement any worse!) … what would the next step be?

Thanks.

[Mello Mike]

I would try out a set of SumoSprings. Currently have them on our rig and love them. They really smooth out the rough edges. Check out our recent review here.

[john.]

Thanks Mike.

So I looked all over the SumoSprings website and I see that *some* rear models would replace the Stableloads… but do *all* the rear SumoSprings replace my Stableloads?

The SumoSprings website is not clear.

and FWIIW I am super duper happy with how my rig drives on smooth pavement.

It is just rough pavement that make it somewhat jittery.

and… I read your review… adding the *front* SumoSprings is really interesting to me, as of course it is the front that hits the rough pavement first… plus we are much closer to the front… plus it makes sense. 🙂

I’m moderately “handyman” handy… how hard were the fronts to install? (did you do it yourself?)

Ford F350 gasser.

thanks. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Any chance good shocks would help? We’re pretty happy with the Rancho RS 9000. Before putting them on the ride was pretty harsh due to adding Supersprings, now its not. We like being able to adjust them for conditions.
Bryan

[Charles Hanna]

Indeed the Sumo Spring website is terrible. It sounds like you are looking at the SUPER Springs, and not at the SUMO Springs. The Sumo springs essentially replace the axle bump stops, while the SUPER springs are a single leaf spring type of affair with what looks like shackles on the ends that capture the main leaf spring.

I do know the Timbrens replace the axle bump stops and a lot of people swear by them.

Charles

[ardvark]

I will be interested to see if you find a solution. I never have. I have uppers I made myself as I did not want the engagement of the Torklift uppers when running empty. Sent them back after discussion with Torklift. I have Rancho 9000s which really help handling when loaded, tried at different setting. I have a Hellwig bar. I have had Sumos on and then off, then on trying different things.

We are in our second F350. Same thing in both. Ford forum said live with it, it’s a big truck. ? 🙁

Steve

Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC

[Jefe4x4]

John,
Do you have an anti sway bar? If so, read on. I’ve used Stable Loads on my Dodge for 20 years in conjunction with 3-upper overload leaves, Rancho 9K’s, the factory anti-sway bar and an extra helper spring in the pack. With the camper on and loaded up I get no sway and a firm but controlled ride with enough articulation.

Empty, the thing is a buckboard even with the Ranchos on 1.

In pulling my camper transition from the built Dodge Cummins to our new Ford F-350 7.3L gasser, I noticed the distance between the upper overloads and the rubber stopper with an MT truck was about 4 inches.

Stable Loads are about 4 inches tall and I did not want them to be slapping the stops with an unloaded truck.

As a trial I have installed Super Springs Super Sway-Stops as they are only 3-1/4 inches tall and a bit softer. We’ll see if they eventually actually stop sway.

Now that the N* Laredo is up and on the Ford, i still get a little sway but the ride on any surface is the best I’ve experienced. However, this is without the camper being loaded up with another 700 pounds of people and survival supplies, so the test is not over. We live down a dirt/gravel road with potholes, so it’s a quick and dirty proving ground for suspensions.

After trying to fit an aftermarket anti-sway bar, I found out that they don’t make a 1-1/2 inch anti sway bar for an F-350 SRW Dana 36 spline M-275 rear axle, so I returned it. Because of the case config only the F-350 dually Dana 37 spline M-300 can use the upgrade bar.
One other consideration is how much axle articulation you lose with each spring; airbag; or block. For many pavement pounders this is a non-issue. For us off-road types, this makes a difference to be dealt with.
In the end, fine tuning or dialing in the lash up between your camper weight and your truck is an ongoing affair with inevitable trial and error.
So with that non answer, keep incrementally worrying your way through the process.
jefe

2020 Ford F-350 XLT FX4 4WD SRW SB SC 7.3L Godzilla Gas TorqShift 10R140 397 amps dual Alt dual batts Frnt Dana 60; Rr Dana M275 E-locker 4.30's 4580/4320/4066# payload 7243# curb wt. 11,300# GVWR 5-er prepped. 2020 Northstar Laredo SC, 12v compressor fridge, cassette, 320w Solar sub zero insulation.

[john.]

Jefe4x4 wrote:

John,

Do you have an anti sway bar? If so, read on. I’ve used Stable Loads on my Dodge for 20 years in conjunction with 3-upper overload leaves, Rancho 9K’s, the factory anti-sway bar and an extra helper spring in the pack. With the camper on and loaded up I get no sway and a firm but controlled ride with enough articulation.

Empty, the thing is a buckboard even with the Ranchos on 1.

In pulling my camper transition from the built Dodge Cummins to our new Ford F-350 7.3L gasser, I noticed the distance between the upper overloads and the rubber stopper with an MT truck was about 4 inches.

Stable Loads are about 4 inches tall and I did not want them to be slapping the stops with an unloaded truck.

As a trial I have installed Super Springs Super Sway-Stops as they are only 3-1/4 inches tall and a bit softer. We’ll see if they eventually actually stop sway.

Now that the N* Laredo is up and on the Ford, i still get a little sway but the ride on any surface is the best I’ve experienced. However, this is without the camper being loaded up with another 700 pounds of people and survival supplies, so the test is not over. We live down a dirt/gravel road with potholes, so it’s a quick and dirty proving ground for suspensions.

After trying to fit an aftermarket anti-sway bar, I found out that they don’t make a 1-1/2 inch anti sway bar for an F-350 SRW Dana 36 spline M-275 rear axle, so I returned it. Because of the case config only the F-350 dually Dana 37 spline M-300 can use the upgrade bar.

One other consideration is how much axle articulation you lose with each spring; airbag; or block. For many pavement pounders this is a non-issue. For us off-road types, this makes a difference to be dealt with.

In the end, fine tuning or dialing in the lash up between your camper weight and your truck is an ongoing affair with inevitable trial and error.

So with that non answer, keep incrementally worrying your way through the process.

jefe

I believe my 2020 F350 4×4 does have an anti sway bar.

and… the camper is loaded 100% of the time, so my situation is simpler than some.

based on the rave reviews i have read of the front (blue, softest) SumoSprings… i have ordered them. 🙂

thanks

[ardvark]

For my next step I am going to get rid of the heavy duty front springs which are miles beyond what the weight on the front axle calls for. Given Truck campers normally add so little weight to the front axle. Fully loaded the standard front springs would easily handle the weight and I can’t see adding an aftermarket component to the front axle to correct for springs that are too stiff. I think that is where the major part of the rough ride begins. 🙂

Steve

Steve and Andra
2012 F350 6.2 gasser SRW LB
Fab Fours front and rear in case we run into a rhino
2019 Northstar Laredo SC

[Author]

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