Sumo Springs for towing, off-road, general driving

[brainfog]

I recently installed SumoSprings (https://superspringsinternational.com/product/ssr-407-47-sumosprings-rear) on the rear of my 2025 JTRX to reduce trailer bounce when towing a 2300lb off-road travel trailer.

So far I love them, even when not towing, as I live in an area with mostly forestry service roads that are extremely bumpy and the SumoSprings seem to reduce the side-to-side bounce. We do a lot of N CA and S OR back country camping pretty far off the beaten path.

I noticed that they also sell front SumoSprings for my jeep. https://superspringsinternational.com/product/ssf-402-54-sumosprings-front/ Are any of you using the front ones, and have you noticed better (or worse) performance on bad forestry roads? Are they advisable for use off-road in muddy/rocky/roots conditions?

Thanks for your opinions and experiences!

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[bd100]

I installed a similar product, the "Timbren Active Offroad Bumpstops":
https://timbren.com/products/absjftj-bumpstops-jeep

JT Sport. Before, it would crash on the stops. Now, it thuds instead. Massive improvement. Highly recommend, whatever the brand, over the stock bump stops. Even for around town. Speed bumps are no longer a dramatic event.

Timbren argues that their rubber material is better in cold than urethane. I've had urethane shock bushings crack and fail in the past, so maybe it's true. One thing is they are a pain to install in front, requiring removing the springs, so it may be worth going for durability at that position. At the back it's a simple install.

Timbren also has different products depending on application: Active Off-Road Bumpstops to perserve articulation, vs SES stops for helper springs. I have the AO in front and SES in back, because we tow a 2000lb trailer.

Finally, the last time we took a big trip, before the SES helpers went in back, we had the truck heavily loaded plus the trailer hitch weight, and the back was sagging. Next time, I'm going to be more proactive about reducing cargo weight, even with the SES helpers in back.

 

[brainfog]

@bd100 appreciate you sharing your experience with the Timbrens. I compared the Sumo and Timbrens before I purchased the rears and went with a friend's recommendation. We don't do a ton of cold weather, but some, so we'll see how they hold up. Much easier to replace the rears it sounds like, so if they fail no big deal.

I love the idea of using the AO Timbrens in front, and wasn't aware that you have to remove the springs to do the fronts, so really appreciate the info there! Optimizing for durability there seems wise.

I've been going a bit overboard on accessories and recovery gear lately so thank you for the reminder on how all that gear affects the jeep for towing / sagging in back!

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