Snowplow, Ballast, and SumoSprings
Manufacturers of snowplows detail the importance of having the wings of your snowplow level with the ground. They also detail the importance of leveling your truck by adding ballast behind the rear axle. Ballast, weight added to the rear, can be sandbags, tailgate spreaders, or any weight secured in the bed behind the rear axle.
Added Weight Needs Added Support
Whether you are using a standard or heavy-duty plow on a ½-ton, ¾-ton, or 1-ton pickup, all of the added weight from your plow and ballast needs to be supported. By supporting your suspension, you are reducing the amount of stress on the original suspension components. This increases the stability of the truck, levels sag in the truck, reduces sway, and improves driver control and safety.
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Level. Not Lift.
Snowplow owners and operators will sometimes comment on front-end sag and say “I need to lift my front-end.” The front end does not need to be lifted. Rather, the truck needs to be leveled. Reducing sag by supporting the front end and adding ballast and support to the rear is crucial for a truck equipped with a snowplow. You may see a reduction of sag in the front, even a couple of inches, but it is not a lift you are seeing, it is leveling! After all a level truck means a level snowplow.
SumoSprings Support and Level Trucks
SumoSprings are not made from rubber. They are a progressive spring with a very soft initial engagement. That means that as more weight added, the harder they get and more they push back, providing support and control when you need it without affecting the factory ride when unloaded. SumoSprings support the added load of your snowplow and ballast. SumoSprings act as a secondary spring, supporting your truck’s existing suspension.
No Required Maintenance or Accessories
SumoSprings, like airbags, are a type of air spring. The main difference between an airbag and SumoSprings is how the air is captured/controlled. With a traditional airbag, a compressor with hoses and valves is used to fill up the balloon inside of the airbag. This requires maintenance so the airbag does not crack and/or leak and accessories such as a compressor to control the air pressure. The air inside of SumoSprings is captured in millions of air pockets inside of the patented micro-cellular urethane material. You could drill a hole through SumoSprings and they would still work. SumoSprings are completely maintenance-free, fully functional in temperatures as low as -22° Fahrenheit, and do not need to be removed during non-winter seasons.
Winter, Summer, Loaded, or Unloaded.
SumoSprings have a progressive spring rate. Without any added weight on your truck, SumoSprings still enhance your suspension. There is no harsh engagement; instead, the initial engagement of SumoSprings is soft. SumoSprings dampen vibration; so, your unloaded ride quality is improved as SumoSprings absorb and dissipate the energy from road shock. When you add weight (your snowplow and ballast as an example) onto your truck, SumoSprings compress. The more they compress, the more they resist (this is a progressive spring rate), working to level your truck. This same progressive resistance under greater loads also helps stabilize the truck and reduce sway. As SumoSprings compress, they dissipate the energy so there is no harsh rebound, and your wheels are not forced back toward the ground. This ensures that your level truck means a level snowplow.
“I installed SumoSprings on my Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. After installing the SumoSprings, I took my truck for a ride and noticed the front-end felt so much tighter than it did the day I drove it off the lot. No kidding. No sway, no rolling in corners. The truck felt and handled a lot better. I attached my plow and lifted it. Instead of having 3 1/2″ of sag, it only had about a half inch! What a huge difference! Truly amazing. I would highly recommend SumoSprings!” – Andy C., Minnesota.
Use our application guide to see what we have for your vehicle.
Comments 4
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your interest in Coil SumoSprings! I hope to help by answering your questions below:
Is it OK to use this kit with the front end Bilstein shocks?
– Yes, our products are not only designed to be used in conjunction with original equipment, but most aftermarket products as well, including Bilstein Shocks.
Is there a way to know how much of an increase in height (in inches) I will experience in the front of this vehicle before purchase (other users, your experience, etc)?
– No, every application is unique in the set-up, use, driving conditions, etc., so there is really no way for us to predetermine the amount of additional height from stock. These kits are primarily designed to help reduce sag, not give lift.
Will I have to “reclock” the front diff or arrange for clearance for the front driveline as it passed above the factory skid pads?
– There should be no need for this with the installation of any of our products, especially the Coil SumoSprings as the geometry of the vehicle is very minimally changed if changed at all.
Is a front end alignment required after the installation of your product?Is it OK to use this kit with the front end Bilstein shocks?
– Alignment should always be checked if the tires are removed. However, re-alignment should not be necessary simply because of the installation of our products.
Hope this helps, let me know if you need anything else!
These questions pertain to your front end Coil Sumo springs kit. I have watched the installation video and am comfortable with the installation.
I have a 2016 Toyota Tundra 4wd, full crew cab, short bed, SR5 TRO fitted with Bilstein shocks. The truck is at factory height in the front end, the rear is about 2.5 inches higher than stock (even with air bags deflated to 5 lbs) due to the installation of Air Lift brand air bags to tow a 25 ft 6K travel trailer (well within the weight specs for this vehicle). I am looking to level the front end of my truck with the current height of the rear end by using your front Coil Sumo Spring kit for both tire chain clearance and leveling. It appears there will be some “raising” or “leveling” with your product installed.I have several questions. In order of importance:
Is it OK to use this kit with the front end Bilstein shocks?
Is there a way to know how much of an increase in height (in inches) I will experience in the front of this vehicle before purchase (other users, your experience, etc)?
Will I have to “reclock” the front diff or arrange for clearance for the front driveline as it passed above the factory skid pads?
Is a front end alignment required after the installation of your product?
Looking to stabilize and Level 2011 GM2500HD with heavy Western Pro Plow 8′
Hi Richard,
Peter here, nice to meet you! We have multiple options for you, but there are a couple of important factors.
Is your Sierra 2500 HD 4×2 or 4×4?
Is the plow a seasonal, or year-round installation?
Thanks Richard!