Journey Better the Magazine // Issue Four

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY AS MUCH AS THE CAMPSITE.

FROM OUR CEO & PRESIDENT

As we celebrate the end of the rst quarter here at SuperSprings International, I’m excited once again to be welcoming you to issue 4 of the Journey Better magazine. I’m constantly reminded of the things in my life that are cause for gratitude – my family, this country, over 20 years in business with SSI – the list goes on.

I’m grate l for the work done by Brenda Ely on this magazine to highlight our company, our products, and especially the stories that remind us of why we do this – to make journeys better all over the globe.

As you read through this issue, I want to say a special thank you to the businesses that continue to trust us as their standard suspension solutions and their partnership over the years. I want to also congratulate our President, Adam Weisner, on securing the rst trailer manufacturer to add Trailer SumoSprings as standard equipment – Brinkley RV.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have and that it creates excitement and gratitude as it did for me. We have work some work le to do on becoming the world’s best known suspension brand, but as you’ll see here, we’re well on our way!

Cheers,

GERRY LAMBERTI Chairman & Chief Executive O cer

on the last 5 years of my time with SuperSprings International and thinking about how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown. Reading through this fourth issue of our magazine makes me stop in gratitude and reflect on where we are today. The team we’ve built, the progress we’ve made, and the brand we continue to develop have been nothing short of incredible.

When I joined SSI in 2018, I knew our products were something special, I knew the culture was like nothing I’d been a part of, and I knew we were still at the very beginning of taking this brand to the top. Our entire team has been on a non-stop mission since then to change journeys in every corner of the world.

This issue is particularly exciting for two reasons. First, I am thrilled to be announcing our inaugural original equipment partnership for Trailer SumoSprings with Brinkley RV. The second  is the ever-changing and exciting world of RVs and camping. This issue is packed ll of stories of how our products are transforming journeys in vans, trucks, trailers, and RVs of every kind.

I’m excited for you to read this issue and look forward to hearing how we’ve made an impact to your story soon.

Journey Better,

ADAM WEISNER President

I love looking back

TACOMAFORCE - OLDTOWN, IDAHO

A clip from TacomaLife with SumoSprings

COACHMEN RV - MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA

A clip from The Journey Better Series | Featuring Coachmen

Modi ing Your Class C Motorhome for a Better Driving Experience with

by Mlowell of Axle Addict

MY CLASS C WAS HARD TO STEER

I bought a 2021 Entegra Odyssey 33'6" and I love it, but during our rst road trip, I noticed how active I had to be while driving the RV on the highway. I found I had to ght the steering wheel whenever a semi truck approached my side. I felt like I had to turn into the truck, so that the RV would maintain a path on the road and not get blown o the road. I just thought it was a normal thing with our new Class C.

I did some research in 2021 to see what I could do to make the drive more pleasant, and not something I would dread. I did come across some products on etrailer.com. Meanwhile I made some shorter trips where the steering issues were not so noticeable.

Then in April 2022, we took o to Fort Wilderness at Disney in Orlando. The ride down was not too bad. However, the ride back was rough. It was eight or more hours of ghting the steering wheel and RV to keep it on the road. Basically, the wind was up around 10-15 mph, and the semi trucks just kept blowing by. I fought the steering most of the way back, and was exhausted.

It was time to research again and hope lly nd a product or products that would make a di erence, and that I could install myself and not pay an arm and a leg for.

A NEW STEERING STABILIZER AND SUMOSPRINGS MADE A DIFFERENCE

A er researching and reading a lot of reviews and similar stories, I decided on replacing the steering stabilizer and adding SumoSprings.

CLASS C RV SUSPENSION ENHANCEMENT NO. 1: STEERING STABILIZER

The rst part that I installed was a new steering stabilizer by Bilstein. What a di erence in just the product itself compared to the stock OEM stabilizer; just the sti ness in the cylinder was a big di erence. I purchased mine from Summit Racing, but you can get them from an auto store, Amazon, or etrailer.com.

The installation process was not that bad. It took longer trying to gure out how I could get under the front end enough to remove and install the new stabilizer. Make sure, when you are installing the new stabilizer, to turn the steering all the way to the le .

I also had to place a small bottle jack to jack up the front end a little, so that I could install the bolt on the passenger side.

We took a short camping trip to FDR State Park a er the installation, and I felt like the new steering stabilizer made a di erence in handling by itself. Before I always felt like I had to drive with both hands on the steering wheel, but on this ride I was comfortable and could enjoy it much more, and I used only one hand.

CLASS C SUSPENSION ENHANCEMENT NO. 2: SUMOSPRINGS

Next, I purchased the front and rear SumoSprings.

SumoSprings are designed to enhance your RV's load-carrying ability and stabilize the sway that happens in windy driving, or when semi trucks pass by. They improve driver control and comfort.

The rear SumoSprings come in di erent colors which designate their density. The density a ects the amount of weight they can handle.

Blue: 40 density. For light and medium duty Black: 47 density. For medium and heavy duty. Yellow: 54 density. For medium and heavy duty.

Both the front and rear installation were pretty basic. I think the hardest part was just getting into a good position under the RV to be able to remove the original stock bump stops. The installation was maybe an hour, possibly less.

MY ROAD TRIP TO DESTIN WITH NEW STABILIZER AND SUMOSPRINGS

The true test a er installing these parts was our 200-mile trip to Destin, Florida, this past June. We also included for the rst time flat towing of our Jeep.

What a di erence the new steering stabilizer and SumoSprings made in the overall comfort and driveability of our Class C RV!

I felt like I could actually enjoy the drive without constantly ghting the steering wheel. I felt like the modi cations I made were well worth it. I would recommend anyone doing exactly the same for their Class C, or Class A, if they have the same issues I had while traveling.

OEM BUMPSTOP

OEM BUMPSTOP

THREE COLORS. THREE SPACERS.

Do you have a custom build that you want to add SumoSprings to but don’t see a product for you? Introducing Builder Kits. These kits are speci cally designed for applications that we do not currently o er or custom builds and can be mounted in a variety of ways on the front or rear of your vehicle.

Each kits comes with your choice of density SumoSprings (Blue -40, Black -47, or Yellow -54) and zero, one, or two 1" spacers. Knowing that each SumoSprings is 5" tall and 4" in diameter, select the appropriate set up for your gap. We recommend have ½" to 1" of air space at right height when installed.

These kits do not come with any hardware or mounting bracketry for the installation so you get to nd/build your own that works for your unique set up. We recommend using Grade 8, 3/8 hardware or similar.

As always, Builder Kits o er all the same bene ts as all our other SumoSprings. Handmade from our micro-cellular polyurethane, they are designed to reduce rear-end sag, decrease vibration, stabilize sway, and so en harsh rebounds. They are a progressive spring with a very so initial engagement. That means that as more weight is added, the harder they get and the more they push back, providing support and control when you need it without a ecting the factory ride when unloaded.

While a Builder Kit may not be the right solution for everyone, our goal is to make SumoSprings available for more applications. If you do install a Builder Kit, let us know how you did on our website. Still unsure if this solution is right for you? Call, email, or chat with us on our website.

For more information on Builder Kits watch our Learning Series Video, BUILDER KITS Is it an Option for Me? where Adam explains what a Builder Kit is and gives you help l details so you can decide if it’s a good option for you.

Choose your desired height & SumoSprings density:

Not sure what height? Size up and test the ride with and without spacers.

A Ford Transit Conversion Suspension Upgrade featuring &

by Brenda Ely, Multimedia Designer

THE BIG PROBLEM

Since the beginning of the cargo van conversion era, VanLifers have been running into the same problem. The stock suspension on most cargo vans is not designed to be carrying all the weight of heavy conversions. From plumbing to electrical and hiking gear to paddle boards and everything in between all that weight puts immense stress on the suspension, and as the builds get more and more elaborate the maximum weight capacity is hit even quicker. Leading up to the problem, how to upgrade the suspension to counter all that weight.

Marcel and Vendi have converted a Ford Transit Van and are now at the maximum legal gross vehicle weight. A er driving around for a year they noticed the ride quality had started to degrade. The weight of the conversion was taking its toll on the suspension. Fitted with the stock parabolic spring and factory bump stops, the weight has compressed the rear suspension essentially eliminating the gap that was once there, causing the ride to become less than enjoyable. With the weight even heavier on the driver side the factory bump stop had worn down nearly flat.

®

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video by Marcel & Vendula of Salty Vanventures

THE FIRST UPGRADE - SUPERSPRINGS

When it comes to upgrading the suspension on a van the rst thing you will want to do is remove the sag. This involves upgrading the parabolic spring, which is di erent from a leaf spring in that you can not just add another leaf to the spring pack. To upgrade the actual parabolic spring itself would require getting one custom build and replacing the existing one, which can cost thousands of dollars, take a long time, and nding a manufacturer that would do it. Enter the SuperSprings, this steel helper spring is a bolt on solution that reduces rear-end sag and includes a patented roller shackle on each end that allows for self-adjustment as weight is changed.

THE SECOND UPGRADE - SUMOSPRINGS

Once the sag is reduced with the SuperSprings and the van is back up closer to factory ride height, the ride quality can still be improved upon even more with SumoSprings in the front and rear. Compared to the factory bump stop this SumoSprings is nearly twice the size! Adding these SumoSprings in the rear will reduce the sway from all the weight that is added higher up in the build and to the roof as well as Coil SumoSprings in the front coil springs to help sti en the suspension and make turning corners smoother.

A BASELINE

In an e ort to see how much of a di erence these suspension upgrades would make, Marcel took their van out to show what the current suspension was like and he said,

A er driving on bumpy dirt roads, over large dips, and on curvy highways, Marcel also took measurements for comparison later.

“I can feel every single one of tho se bumps, even driving at highway speeds hitting a small pothole feels like someone just punched your spine!”

FACTORY BUMP STOP vs SUMOSPRING

THE INSTALLS

Really the only tools needed to do this installation are a socket set, a jack, C clamps, and some jack stands. Starting in the rear, we are going to jack up the back and use the jack stands, then take the wheel o . Then remove the existing factory bump stop and mounting components. With that out of the way add some blue thread locker (included in your kit) to your SumoSpring threads and screw it on. It’s that easy. Marcel used one spacer with his SumoSpring so that there would be about half an inch of space between the spring and the contact plate when at ride height.

Now on to the SuperSprings. With the roller bolt assembly removed, position the SuperSpring on the existing spring and secure the roller bolt through the shackle hole that gives you the desired pre-load tension (lower hole equals less pre-load and upper hole equals more pre-load tension). Now clamp the other side of the

SuperSpring with C clamps lowering the spring until the roller bolt assembly ts at the desired shackle hole. Once everything is in place care lly remove the C clamps, reinstall the wheel, and lower the vehicle to the ground.

Lastly, the front. Adding Coil SumoSprings to the front end of the van will give the suspension even more help and keep the wheel from hitting the wheel arch like Marcel and Vendi had experienced. With the front jacked up, wipe the coil spring with some soapy water and insert the end of the Coil SumoSpring into the middle of the coil spring with the shallow groove up and the deeper groove down. Once it is started keep working it into place until the Coil SumoSpring is wrapped all the way around the coil spring and positioned about half way up the coil spring. Lower the vehicle and the installation is complete.

SOME ADJUSTMENTS

A er the rst test drive with the suspension upgraded Marcel was not completely happy with the ride quality still. He had put the roller bolt assembly of the SuperSpring on the middle hole thinking that they would want some more pre-load tension. This caused the ride to be sti er than they would like. This is an easy x though because SuperSprings are completely adjustable to your ride preference. Once he moved the roller bolts to the lower hole of the shackle the SumoSpring was able to kick it up a notch and engage with the rest of the suspension more creating a smoother ride that wasn’t quite as sti .

MIDDLE HOLE MORE PRE-TENSION LOWER HOLE LESS PRE-TENSION

THE TEST DRIVE

From the moment Marcel and Vendi le their driveway they could feel the di erence the upgrade made to the suspension. From the paved roads to the dirt roads they felt that the ride was so much smoother, less bumps, less body roll, and better handling on the corners. Massive improvements in the ability to take a turn without having to slow down as much because before it felt like the whole van was going to roll over. “I’ve noticed an exponential increase in the drive quality,” stated Marcel. Here are the measurements of the van before and a er the upgrade so you can see the di erence in the ride height.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Marcel was really stoked about the improvements in the ride quality of this van. As more people add more weight to their van conversions, doing these simple upgrades to the suspension will give back the ride quality and prevent the extra wear and tear that happens to these vehicles so that they can get back to having better journeys.

ABOUT MARCEL & VENDI OF SALTY VANVENTURES

We are Marcel and Vendula and we come from opposite sides of the world. Marcel is from Australia and Vendula from the Czech Republic. We met and fell in love in 2017 while both hiking the Ho Chi Minh Trail in a remote part of Vietnam. A er a whirl wind 5 days together, we jumped right into the deep end and began our life in New Zealand where we designed and built our rst campervan in 2018. From that moment we knew we didn’t want to live what some would call a “normal” life. Our passion for travel, freedom and creativity led us to the van life. It wasn’t easy, we had many set-backs and we faced a lot of doubts, but we can tell you now that our commitment to creating our life the way we wanted was the best thing we’ve ever done and will ever do. Since then we have travelled the world and are now living and working in our 3rd van conversion while travelling Australia. Follow along with their travels and van builds on YouTube and Instagram @salty_vanventures and saltyvanventures.com

U-BOLT FLIP KIT

SSR-624-40

BEST SELLING

SSF-604-40

BRINKLEY RV FIRST TO ADD

JOURNEY BETTER

Brinkley RV

and SuperSprings International (SSI) have announced an exclusive partnership today with the addition of suspension upgrade Trailer SumoSprings as standard equipment on the newly released Model G toy-hauler. Brinkley RV has committed themselves to relentlessly pursuing the ultimate customer experience and partners with manufacturers who do the same. When the opportunity arose to team up with SSI, who’s brand promise is to make the ‘Journey Better’, both Nate Goldenberg and Adam Weisner were excited put that customer- rst approach on ll display. SSI products are standard equipment across the motorized RV segment, covering most large brands including Winnebago, Thor, Coachmen, and others on Class A, B, and C. With today’s announcement Brinkley RV becomes the Mrst and exclusive OEM partner for towables.

Commenting on the announcement, Brinkley’s Co-Owner & Operating Partner, Nate Goldenberg shared “This is the type of partnership that makes sense for us. When I rst spoke with Adam years ago, I knew we shared a passion for the customer experience and creating things that stood out from the crowd. When we launched Brinkley, I knew I wanted SuperSprings International and the Trailer SumoSprings product to be part of the story...”

protection for things like glass shower doors, cabinets, and other items that bounce around while driving to the campsite. In addition, the testing included a 60mph pass-by with a semi-truck to simulate the “suction” feeling you get on highways. It’s in these scenarios where the testing showed a 133% reduction in vertical axle displacement on average with some sections reduced by over 400%. This revealed a dramatic reduction in body roll and sway with Trailer SumoSprings installed.

Nate Goldenberg, Brinkley RV Co-Owner & Operating Partner

“We’re bringing back customer experience and product design to an industry that has unfortunately shi ed in focus over the past few years”, noted Brinkley’s Director of Marketing, Jeremiah Borkowski. He continued, “Brinkley is on a mission to build an exceptional experience and unmatched attention to detail. Every Brinkley RV is designed by an industry-leading expert who passionately focuses on making the experience truly memorable. That’s why we’ve pledged to live the lifestyle right alongside our customers and tweak the product based o our own camping experiences.”

SuperSprings International has had tremendous success with Trailer SumoSprings over the last several years – a product that has been designed and tested to transform the towing experience. SSI put the product through rigorous third-party testing at the Navistar Proving grounds, and the data that came back con rmed what SSI’s customers had been experiencing. On average, Trailer SumoSprings reduces g-force vibration in a trailer by more than 68%. That reduction in vibration is a huge bene t in extending the life of the components in the trailer, reducing wear while driving, and provides

SSI President, Adam Weisner commented on the announcement, “Today’s announcement is a big deal. In many ways, Trailer SumoSprings have been a personal project for me as it was the rst product I experienced when I joined back in 2018. The rst time I towed my trailer with my family, we were stunned at the di erence. I knew then this product would become something really special. Nate and I have been talking for several years, so when he called me last summer and told me about how Brinkley RV was innovating the experience, I was in. In a market where towables sometimes can be built as cheaply as possible, it’s refreshing to see a brand truly investing in a customer experience focused, high quality, data-proven product. Many brands invest in the bells and whistles and ignore the ndamentals. Suspension on trailers hasn’t changed much because they’re sold parked. Anyone who has towed a trailer knows how much damage comes from the rolling earthquake. Brinkley RV is investing not only in designing a beauti l, innovative, and nctional towable but building it on a solid foundation with the addition of Trailer SumoSprings.”

Trailer SumoSprings will be added as standard equipment to every Model G 5th wheel unit leaving the Brinkley RV plant in Indiana. The rst units are expected to be available for purchase in Q2 2023. For more information and a look at the Brinkley RV experience, visit them online.

“This is an unmatched suspension solution for trailers and we’re really proud to be the rst to bring this type of journey to the OEM level.”

—

“In a market where towables sometimes can be built as cheaply as possible, it’s refreshing to see a brand truly investing in a customer experience focused, high quality, data-proven product.”

— Adam Weisner, SSI President

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

KARL

Really took a lot of the excessive bounce out of my heavy Northpoint 377RLBH, certainly smooths out the ride.

DWIGHT

My friend who has the same 43 . 5th wheel said these were a must to have. He helped me install them & we have traveled approximately 500 miles so far on our 2 month trip. Have noticed a big di erence.

JOHN

The ride was greatly improved with the Trailer SumoSprings on our RV.

ALAN

I installed both sides in 1 hour. My tow vehicle feels less bumps from the trailer bouncing. The trailer is much more stable in corners and quick lane changes.

DAVID

They were super easy to install and the instructions were right on the money.

TSS-107-47

Trailer SumoSprings are a maintenance-free suspension enhancement built to create a better journey by reducing G-force in your towable by 68%. Handmade from micro-cellular polyurethane, they are designed to remove sway, hop, & body roll while increasing overall driver control and comfort while towing.

The TSS-107-47 is designed for trailer frames with a GAWR of 5,000-8,000 lbs with the spring sitting on top of the axle tube. The Black SumoSprings shouldn’t be compressed past 65% of their original height in order to keep ll memory rebound.

NOTE:

This product is designed to work on most trailers with the springs mounted above the axle. The factory spring plate must not be wider than 4-1/4 ". Because of the varying build designs from di erent trailer manufacturers, there are occasionally some models that this product will not t. For installation of Trailer SumoSprings the gap between the top of spring plate and bottom of the frame must be between 5.3 " and 6.55 "

PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

> Trailer SumoSprings for Trailer Axle; GAWR: 5000-8500 (Spring-Over Axle Con guration)

ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Does your trailer have a Spring-Under or Spring-Over axle con guration?

Do you have a travel trailer? YES

NO

is your trailers GAWR?

OUR BEST SELLING TRAILER SUMOSPRING

Now you’re all set! Order your Trailer SumoSprings and get ready to JOURNEY BETTER

Well that’s awkward... no worries we have suspension solutions for hundreds of vehicles!

ARMIS RV GUARDIAN

Armis

RV Guardian,

the American-made trailer enhancement, has made the move to include Trailer SumoSprings as standard in their all-steel RV protector. The owners of this Texas based company have spent the last 20 years repairing RVs and towable campers as a result of tire blowouts. With intimate knowledge of the investment and work that goes into maintaining and repairing RVs, Derek Grant, Chairman of the Board and President of Armis RV has designed a way to proactively protect the RV. Armis is a patent-pending axle-mounted tire shrapnel containment shield system that stops serious RV damage should a tire blowout occur.

Seeing how Trailer SumoSprings drastically reduce vibration and mitigate axle-droop in the event of tire failure, Armis recently made the move to add the suspension upgrade as part of their product. “Our goal is to better protect your adventures and keep you safe on the road”, stated Armis President, Derek Grant. He continued, “I’ve seen too many family's hard-earned time-o devastated by tire blowouts that rip through their RV...

Trailer SumoSprings are a maintenance-free suspension enhancement built to create a better journey on towables by reducing the G-force a ecting the towable by 68%. They are designed and built by SuperSprings International from micro-cellular polyurethane and remove sway, hop, & body roll while increasing overall driver control and comfort while towing. The suspension

upgrade is tted to the trailer by mounting above or below the trailer leaf spring assemblies and create a cushion between the axle and trailer frame. This addition reduces wear and tear on body- frames, windows, doors, closets, mounted TVs, and other components. Reducing sway and bounce in the trailer also limits early wear and tear o en preceding tire failures.

below a

SSI President, Adam Weisner commented on the announcement, “Our commitment to making the journey better is at the root of all we do at SuperSprings International. Armis RV has created a unique product that protects RVers against tire blowouts – one of the most common issues campers face. My family and I have experienced it personally in our trailer, so this was an easy partnership to get behind.”

ARMIS RV Guardian is an authorized SuperSprings International retailer located 30 minutes east of San Antonio.

“Trailer SumoSprings enhance the protection and safety Armis RV Guardian delivers.”

— Derek Grant, Chairman of the Board and President of Armis RV

“Armis RV has created a unique product that protects RVers against tire blowouts – one of the most common issues campers face.”

— Adam Weisner, SSI President

MEET THE TEAM BENITO

Benito started at SuperSprings International 13 years ago as a warehouse worker, assembling SuperSprings. This was back before SumoSprings had been released and the SuperSprings, our namesake product, were gaining traction in the United States. As the company grew and new products such as the SumoSprings and Coil SumoSprings were launched, Benito was at the forefront of the operation. He was one of the rst people to start building the new kits in the SumoSprings warehouse. Reminiscing he stated,

Today, Benito is the SumoSprings Warehouse Lead, which he shared was one of his proudest accomplishments at SSI. His years of experience building our SumoSprings kits and attention to detail is evident in every kit. Whether he packaged it himself or it was done by one of the employees he trained, SSI’s high standards are delivered in every SumoSprings kit, from the packaged nuts and bolts to the pristine box it comes in.

When asked what is the best lesson he has learned in his career so far, Benito responded, “You never have to be afraid of changes, even though your language is di erent, with a good attitude, commitment and dedication to learning new things, you can achieve any goal.” Benito prides himself on being humble, responsible, and respect l. He appreciates the way that SSI treats their employees and the support they provide to be able to grow more in his work performance. He also stated,

Fun Facts About Benito:

What is something not many people know about you? I play the sousaphone, tuba, and clarinet.

Where’s your favorite place in the world? Disneyland.

When he is not at work, Benito enjoys spending time with his family and playing musical instruments. Benito learned to play music at the age of 8 and attended a music school for 6 years. He participates in a 16 member, regional Mexican band that enjoys playing cumbias, sones, and romantic songs for events such as weddings, birthdays and in nightclubs. ��

“I remember this one time I had a concert with the band that I play in, and when I went up on stage I stepped wrong and fell, taking every instrument down with me. Someone had managed to record the whole thing and when I looked at the video, instead of being embarrassed it made me laugh a lot.”

Benito’s personal mantra, “You don’t get to the top by surpassing others, but by surpassing yourself.”

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? The power to cure terminal diseases to help people su ering from serious illnesses.

What’s your favorite food? El pozole rojo.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Cristiano Ronaldo. I like soccer and he is my favorite player!

When the Sumo side opened, I remember the rst kits I made were the Coil SumoSprings.”

I like my job because I have been able to learn new things and that keeps me being a part of SSI.”

SUMOSPRINGS INSTALLATION REPORT AND REVIEW

by

Suspension issues

can really take the n out of truck camping. These issues include sway, rear sag, porpoising, and jarring bumps from uneven roads. Unfortunately, correctly matching your camper with your truck, as important as it is, doesn’t guarantee a quality, stress-free ride. This is because a truck camper can create all kinds of issues regardless of whether its under or over your truck’s GVWR. There’s no doubt about it. Correctly matching a truck camper with a truck is just phase one, phase two is getting the ride of the truck and truck camper camper combo just right. One of the better engineered products that addresses these annoying, potentially damaging suspension issues is a product called SumoSprings, made by SuperSprings International, an American company based out of Carpinteria, California.

The SumoSpring is a hybrid, a revolutionary suspension product that performs several important nctions rather than just one. On one hand the SumoSpring works like a standard bump stop, on the other hand like an air spring or air bag. Unlike an air bag, however, the SumoSprings doesn’t require compressed air to work. Instead, the air found in the SumoSprings is contained within the compound itself, which consists of a proprietary closed-cell micro-cellular urethane. This durable, “closed cell” construction results in a ride that is less harsh on the road than standard rubber bump stops, yet smooths out the “rough edges” of travel like a good set of air bags. If you’ve ever encountered a surprise hole or bump in the road or an unusually rough railroad crossing, you know how important this feature can be.

Mello Mike of Truck Camper Adventure

But the SumoSprings do so much more when it comes to supporting your truck and camper. Like a shock absorber, it also provides additional damping properties for your rig. The progressive property of the spring means you get more support when hauling a truck camper, less support when you’re not. Furthermore, SumoSprings reduce side-to-side body roll, resulting in a more stable, safer driving experience like a sway bar. Moreover, SumoSprings are maintenance-free, will not leak, and do not require airlines or compressors, meaning SumoSprings are much easier to install and maintain than standard air springs.

The maintenance-free aspect about the SumoSpring deserves more than just a mere mention. While the Air spring is an excellent option for truck camper owners looking for an adjustable solution, not everyone needs an adjustable solution and the complexity and maintenance associated with it. This is because many truck camper owners keep their campers on their trucks ll-time or close to it. This is where the beauty of the SumoSpring really shines. Like a standard bump stop, it’s always there, on-call, ready when you need it. Just install it and forget about it. No air pressure checks are needed. We had an air bag fail once on the road and it wasn’t n. With the SumoSprings you never have to worry about that happening on your outings.

SumoSprings are o ered in a variety of heights, diameters, and densities to accommodate various loads and work, including o erings for both front and rear axles. Distinguished by color, SuperSprings International o ers three di erent densities: blue, black, and yellow. Blue SumoSprings provide the least amount of support, black a moderate amount, while yellow o ers the most support (we decided to go with the black Rebel on our truck). Three di erent types of SumoSprings are also o ered, called the Rebel, Maxim, and Solo. Obviously, getting the right density of SumoSpring is important because the SumoSpring isn’t adjustable like an air bag.

The design of the Rebel SumoSpring used on the rear axle is clever in its simplicity. The Rebel comes in two-pieces, consisting of separate male and female pieces that interlock and work together when compressed under a load. The beauty of this approach is that the design allows unrestricted wheel travel and will not a ect the ride of your truck when the camper is unloaded, a HUGE plus. Moreover, unlike the standard sway bar, rear axle flex is in no way hindered by the SumoSpring, another plus for those who like to take their rigs o -road.

Of course, suspension modi cations like the SumoSpring will neither increase the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) nor raise the payload capacity of your truck. The SumoSpring is designed to enhance the vehicle’s road handling and load carrying performance only. In other words, it should not be used to address a woe lly inadequate GVWR and payload rating of your truck. If you need more payload, buy a truck with a larger GVWR.

SUMOSPRING INSTALLATION

I like to learn how things work and the best way to do that is to do the installation yourself. For our 2013 Ram 3500, we installed black Rebel SumoSprings on the rear axle, while blue Solo SumoSprings are installed on the front. On a scale of 1 to 10 for di culty, I’d have to give the Rebel SumoSpring installation a solid 3. It’s pretty quick and simple. Anybody handy with a wrench can do it though you’ll need a floor jack to li the frame of the truck up several inches. This extra clearance is needed to perform the installation, which includes mounting the Rebel SumoSpring top to the frame rail and the Rebel SumoSpring bottom to the axle. The instructions were clearly written and easy to understand with no “gotcha” moments or need to call the SuperSprings International’s hotline to get installation answers and advice. Overall, the installation took a good two hours

for both springs not including the time it took to remove the OEM bumpstops. Oh, while you’re at it, be care l not to pinch the brake lines when installing the axle assemblies.

HOW THEY’VE PERFORMED

As for the front axle, you’ll be happy to know that installing the Solo SumoSpring is even easier. Overall, I’d have to give the di culty a di culty rating of 1. With the exception of a floor jack, no tools were needed for the job, simply wedge them into the existing bump stop hole by hand, a process that takes only a few minutes. The best way to approach the installation is to install them from the back. There’s more elbow room that way. It goes without saying that you’ll spend more time jacking up the front of the truck than installing the Solo SumoSprings. It’s that easy.

the were

As for the Solo SumoSprings in the front, we have to say they’ve been a revelation. At rst, we were kind of resistant to getting them, thinking that we really didn’t need them. But the SuperSpring International rep insisted and we’re glad we listened. As you know, the front axle takes the initial brunt of any bump or hole encountered and the SumoSprings Solos have been terri c in cushioning such blows. We encountered one particularly rough railroad crossing in western Kansas that totally caught us by surprise. The SumoSprings on the front axle really saved our bacon and prevented who knows what kind of damage from occurring to our rig. Of course, the real bene t of having the Solos on the front axle is that they can give you enough time to adjust your speed to reduce the impact on the rear axle, but only if you’re going slow enough.

SUMOSPRING VERDICT

It seems like truck camper owners are always on the lookout for the perfect suspension product—one that keeps the rig level and eliminates sway while at the same time providing the rig with a so and smooth ride. Finding products that can do these things is important as it improves the overall driving experience and protects the truck and camper from the rigors of the road. In the past, we’ve had to accomplish these tasks with two or three products. With the SumoSpring, you only need one. This greatly simpli es the search for truck camper newbies, reduces cost since only one product is needed, and simpli es overall installation and maintenance. Yes, you still need to take challenging road surfaces cautiously and a little slow, but with the SumoSpring it’s nice to know that you have an “insurance policy” when it comes to so ening your ride and protecting your investment. What would we rate the SumoSpring? On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest, we give the SumoSpring a rating of 5 stars. The SumoSpring is the ultimate truck camper suspension product and comes with our highest endorsement.

SOLO SUMOSPRINGS USED ON THE FRONT AXLE

MINUSCULE RAM 3500 OEM BUMPSTOP

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LEVEL UP. STAY THERE.

JOURNEY BET TER

LEVELING KITS

The rst F-150 kit built for towing. Up front; adjustable shocks for up to 2 inches of front li . In the rear; SumoSprings, the airbag alternative. Get clearance to add bigger wheels and tires while keeping a level stance even when you tow a boat, trailer, RV or load up throughout the year. This is the solution to level up and stay there.

SEMA 2022 NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

LEVELING KIT FROM SSI

by Randy Bolig of Ford Muscle

Not only is this weight putting unneeded stress on your suspension, but it can also create unsafe driving conditions. Luckily, the situation is easily remedied with the help of SuperSprings International’s (SSI) new F-150 leveling kit that is designed for trucks that tow and haul stu .

At the 2022 SEMA Show, SSI was happy to announce the rst F-150 leveling kit that is designed to aid those towing or hauling. “What we saw on the market was people selling leveling kits but this doesn’t help combat sag when hauling anything,” says Adam Weisner of SSI.

According to Adam, the front strut/shock supplied with the kit allow you to keep the stock ride height or raise the nose up to the aforementioned 2 inches higher. The included, rear SumoSprings will help support any load you want to carry. The SumoSpring isn’t your traditional “helper” spring, as it is a formula of closed-cell polyurethane foam and heavy-duty additives to form the spine of your springs. This blend gives the SumoSprings the ability to compress up to 80-percent and expand up to 20-percent, delivering a progressive spring rate. Whether you’re hauling a pile of bricks, a half-ton of car parts, or towing a heavy trailer, Sumo Springs can help keep that load level.

SumoSprings are the world’s rst and only “airless airbag” suspension system for trucks and vans and does not require inflation. Once you install them you can forget about them. SumoSprings are a suspension enhancement designed to level loads, reduce sway and improve the ride and handling on trucks, vans, buses, and RVs. The more you load them the more support they provide.

“What we have here is our new Journey Better leveling kit, which gives the truck owner the ability to raise the front of the truck up to 2 inches, and includes our Sumo Spring helper spring for the rear of the vehicle.”

When you load the bed of your pickup or hook it to a heavy trailer, does your F-150 get a little saggy?

CO LS FOR A BETTER JOURNEY

by David Guest of Camping Trade World

More and more RV users and campers are becoming aware of the importance of good suspension, and that’s in no small part down to the growth of SuperSprings International in the market. The company’s Director of Marketing, Tom Bateman, explains why a complete suspension upgrade could bene t your customers.

If you have seen any of SuperSprings International’s (SSI) products before it was most likely the iconic blue, black, or yellow micro-cellular polyurethane SumoSprings. Or maybe the company’s namesake product – the SuperSprings, a simple bolt-on steel helper spring – may also be familiar to you. But the improvements that SSI can o er to an RV, or a car or truck used to tow an RV don’t end there. SSI also manufactures heavy duty replacement coil springs that can help your heavy towing machine live a longer, happier and more sag-free life.

Unlike SSI’s other aforementioned products that are an addition to a vehicle to improve its suspension and ride smoothness and e ciency, the SuperCoils replace original equipment on your vehicle, making them an even more serious upgrade.

explains Tom Bateman. “Pretty much all coil springs will eventually lose their load carrying capacity and will need to be replaced – enter the SuperCoils. They are designed to remedy sagging and overworked original equipment front and rear suspension coil springs. SuperCoils have a linear/constant spring rate consistent with other coil springs.”

says Tom. “The answer is that you can use both – and we’d actually recommend that. SuperCoils are a replacement for factory coil springs. SumoSprings are an enhancement to your suspension. Sagging or over worked coil springs should be replaced with SuperCoils. Vehicles needing additional load support and/or increased ride comfort should consider using SumoSprings in conjunction with coil springs or SuperCoils. Most popularly, SuperCoils complimented with SumoSprings Solo (in place of factory bump stops) are a great suspension solution.”

“In simple terms, coil springs will sag over time with heavy & repeated use,”

“A common question we get asked when people rst learn about SuperCoils is whether they should use them or SumoSprings,”

TOW VEHICLES SHOULDN’T BE OVERLOOKED

With all the hype around the growth of the campervan, RV and motorhome market that is sweeping the global industry, it could be easy to forget or overlook the importance of the towing vehicle. Whether you use a truck, a 4x4, or just a heavy-duty car, ensuring that it is up to the task of towing your caravan or RV, or even just up to the task of driving a car ll of heavy camping kit or a roof tent out into the wilderness, is super important. A lot of that is where the idea for SuperCoils came from – it was a natural progression for SuperSprings International.

“We have de nitely noticed a lot of interest from the camping and towable RV market in SuperCoils over the last year,” explains Tom. “People are more focused on maintaining their vehicles and making sure they continue to perform with longevity” Perhaps, this could be put down to the recent increase in cost of living, partly caused by global uncertainty relating to international conflict, and also supply chain problems in the vehicle industry. Instead of going out and buying a new truck or 4x4, it appears more people than ever are keen to do some DIY upgrades and maintenance on the vehicles they already have to keep them in tip-top shape. This is where the SSI advantage of being a made in America brand comes in – its products are always available and the proof of that is in the fact that the company is growing exponentially despite all the turmoil going on in the world. The company reported record-breaking growth of

EDUCATION IS KEY

A large part of why SSI products have really gained traction is the education surrounding them. Tom and the team have seen rst-hand

SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL HAS ACHIEVED THE ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFICATION

The highest level of quality is always on the minds of the team at SSI and making the e ort to show that comes with the newest certi cation — ISO 9001.

For over 25 years, SuperSprings International has been building suspension solutions in the USA with the vision to make the journey better for every customer. Over recent years the company has been through various leadership and structural changes, setting new sales records, securing almost a dozen OEM partnerships, and growing the brand into an internationally acclaimed solution.

“ISO standards for our business has been on our radar for quite some time and this quali cation is part of our strategy for continued growth and presence internationally”, says SSI CEO Gerry Lamberti. “I am thrilled that it has nally come to fruition and...

areas of the business. At the base of the certi cation is a commitment to customer focus and continued improvement to the organization.

ISO 9001 is a global standard that establishes a company’s commitment to quality by meeting quali cations across multiple

“At SSI, we're committed to making the journey better in every aspect of our business”, states Adam Weisner, SuperSprings International’s President. “Our team has always been committed to maintaining quality standards. Achieving the most current ISO 9001 certi cation is another step forward for us as we expand our business into new markets domestically and internationally. Through this certi cation, we show a commitment to provide products and services that meet international requirements and demonstrate e orts toward continuous improvement. A special thank you and congratulations to Harlene Jason, who led these e orts as Quality Manager, as well as the entire SSI team on this wonder l achievement.”

Achieving this certi cation is a validation of the high standards we’ve upheld all these years”.

— Gerry Lamberti, SSI CEO

Achieving the most current ISO 9001 certi cation is another step forward for us as we expand our business into new markets domestically and internationally.”

— Adam Weisner, SSI President

“ LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE, AND THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER. ”

U-BOLT FLIP KIT WITH SUMOSPRINGS INSTALLATION GUIDE, REVIEW &

OVERVIEW

by Konrad Chojnowski of TrailTacoma.com

THE NEW SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL

U-BOLT FLIP KIT WITH BLUE SUMOSPRINGS

BUMP STOPS FOR 2ND & 3RD GEN TACOMA

We all know that certain parts or modi cations that we do to our Tacomas are out of necessity, and not just because they are flashy and look cool. Sometimes you don’t even get to see the parts unless you go crawling around under your rig. Things like skid plates, add-a-leaf kits, upper control arms, U-Bolt flip kits, and the topic of this article: rear bump stops. Speci cally, we will be looking at SuperSprings International’s SumoSprings which they refer to as a “bump stop replacement” but for simplicity, we’ll refer to them as bump stops.

They may not be a glamorous part of your truck, but they can make a signi cant improvement in ride quality, stability, and overall performance when compared to the factory Toyota bump stops. They also help supplement the load-carrying capacity of your 3rd

Gen Tacoma. If you think of it like that, it’s hard to see why they so o en get overlooked. Unless you tow pretty regularly or are looking into suspension li s, then you probably haven’t even thought about a bump stop upgrade for your Tacoma.

In this article, I’ll cover what bump stops are, what they do, and why you may need or want to upgrade yours.

WHY ADD A U-BOLT FLIP KIT?

The answer here is super simple. If you’re modi ing your truck to hit the trails, you want to get all the clearance and protection possible.

This U-bolt flip does two main things. One, increases ground clearance (which decreases the potential for catching components on rocks, etc.) and two, protects the U-bolt threads.

FOR 2ND & 3RD GEN TACOMA

TOOLS & MATERIALS

This install doesn’t require too many tools, and SSI provides you with everything you need in terms of hardware.

In regards to tools, you’ll need the following.

> Wheel Chocks

> Floor Jack

> Jack Stands

> Mechanic’s Tool Set (deep socket for U-bolt nuts)

> Metric Allen Key Set

o -road and overland builds but also to anyone that uses their truck to haul heavy loads.

The upgraded bump stops serve a hand l of purposes such as reducing the sag while under load, reducing sway, increasing the truck’s load carrying capacity, increasing stabilization, and protecting against hard bottom outs.

STEP 1. REMOVE WHEEL & SUPPORT TRUCK SAFELY

The rst step is simple. Jack your truck up and toss some jack stands underneath it for support. Throw your tire under the truck for good measure. Chock the wheels.

STEP 2. REMOVE OEM U-BOLTS & BUMP STOP

The U-bolts hold the leaf springs to the axle. The U-bolts also hold

A close-up of the OEM bump stop and a ermarket U-bolts from Ironman 4X4. The Ironman leaf pack is much larger than factory and requires a new set of U-bolts. In any case, this kit comes with new U-bolts that are long enough to accommodate even the thickest leaf springs. So you won’t need to save anything, no matter what.

Grab the provided U-bolts, four nuts and washers, and the new mounting plate. Make sure to center all of it correctly before tightening down. You really want to make sure all of the parts are

To remove the factory setup, identi the nuts that hold the U-bolts to the axle. You will need a deep socket to remove them. Remove the four nuts entirely, and then take o the U-bolts, the mounting

Here is a shot from underneath. Just to help visualize how to place the U-bolts. It’s worth noting that these U-bolts come standard with more length to make sure you have enough thread. We had both the older and shorter U-bolts and the newer and longer ones, but to avoid trimming the excess, we used the shorter ones, which had just enough thread engagement to be completely safe.

Grab your SumoSpring, the provided bracket, and nut. Assemble it all together with a little bit of Loctite on the nut.

STEP 4.

STEP 5.

Using the two provided zinc-plated bolts and two Nyloc nuts, attach the SumoSprings to the U-bolt and mounting plate you installed earlier. Tighten them down – and you’re done! Replace your wheel and drive o into the sunset.

COMPLETE KIT INSTALLED

Just like that – you’ve got extra ground clearance and all the bene ts that come along with an upgraded set of rear bump stops. As you can see, the install is straightforward and only requires basic tools. The passenger’s side is the same as the driver’s side.

QUICK REVIEW & IMPRESSIONS

The real di erence with this kit will be felt under heavy loads, uneven roads, and especially on the trail where you see more frequent cycling of the suspension. Once we made our rst run to Home Depot (shortly a er this install), the di erence was noticeable, especially with the truck loaded down.

We installed this kit on my buddy’s truck, so we didn’t have a chance to do any wheeling yet, but I’ve experienced several vehicles that are running this kit. A huge bene t that you won’t feel until you’re out on the trail is how well these absorb the deeper ruts and whoops. Especially with the factory bump stops, bottoming out is a very unpleasant experience. You can hear and feel the impact. Makes you cringe a little and feel like you’re going to break something. With this new kit, that is a thing of the past.

The micro-cellular polyurethane SumoSprings are much larger than the factory bump stops, much so er (the factory ones feel like rocks), and completely maintenance-free. All of those features make this upgrade a no-brainer. As I said before – shiny new parts like ll suspensions are awesome, but to really dial in the back end of your truck, this U-bolt flip kit and bump stop package is a must.

Which SumoSprings Should You Buy? Blue OR Black?

This is a common question asked about these SumoSprings kits. The answer is pretty simple.

The vast majority of us will be running the blue ones. They have a 1,400 lb. capacity at 50% compression. Even if you have a pretty heavy truck bed camper, you’ll be okay. The black is reserved for those who are carrying extremely heavy loads or towing around more than 50% of payload capacity. To each their own, but the black version is VERY sti .

FINAL THOUGHTS

A simple install, a quality company, and a world of di erence when it comes to using your truck both on and o -road.

SumoSprings have been around for a while, and not just for the rear of the vehicle. These guys also make a nice kit for the front of your truck. With the addition of the U-bolt flip kit, we see a solid product added to the lineup of products from SSI. Regardless of your needs, these guys have a product that will complement your suspension and improve the driving experience.

YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS & WE’VE GOT ANSWERS

We want to address some of the most common questions we hear from you. If you have a question you think would be help l for a wider audience that we can answer in ture issues, let us know by emailing marketing@superspringsint.com.

DO TRAILER SUMOSPRINGS WORK ON SINGLE AXLE TRAILERS?

Trailer SumoSprings work on single axle trailers as long as they fall into these parameters:

Spring-Under Axle Con guration:

The gap between the top of the leaf spring and bottom of the frame must be between 7.4" and 8.65".

Spring-Over Axle Con guration:

Will not work on spring plates wider than 4.25" & the gap between the top of spring plate and bottom of the frame must be between 5.3" and 6.55".

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

IT is right there in our name, Internationally does not just mean Mexico and Canada for us, we ship all around the globe.

IF I DON'T SEE MY VEHICLE LISTED FOR AN APPLICATION WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Check to see what type of suspension you have on your vehicle, if it is a coil spring we o er 7 di erent sizes of Coil SumoSprings to t your vehicle. If it is a leaf spring please call customer service. A SumoSprings Builder kit or other option might be right for you.

DOES THE NEW SSA55 SUPERSPRINGS KIT FOR ALL SPRINTER APPLICATIONS INCLUDE THE MOUNTING KITS THAT ARE MENTIONED ON THE WEBSITE?

Yes! The ITL-5 is Leaf Pack Clamp tool used for installing the SSA55. This kit will also come with a P12KT which is the Mounting Kit for this installation.

REAL LIFE STORIES FROM THE ROAD

A COMPLETE SUSPENSION REVIEW

&

by Brenda Ely, Multimedia Designer Kevin & Taylor Mathers of Mathers on the Map

You may remember

Taylor and Kevin of Mathers on the Map from the second issue of our Journey Better magazine, but in case you missed it they have a lly converted 2015 Mercedes Sprinter Van that was heavy and in need of a complete suspension upgrade. A er installing SuperSprings in the rear as well as front and rear SumoSprings, let's check in to see what they think of the ride.

Kevin jumps in the van, still dirty from installing the SuperSprings and his rst words…

Now that’s what we like to hear from our customers. The excitement of a smoother ride with less sway is sure to put a smile on your face.

“This is feeling good, I’m pretty stoked”

Have you ever intentionally hit a speed bump in the Home Depot parking lot or the random curbs in your neighborhood just to feel how nice your suspension rides?

Kevin has. That is exactly what they did on a rainy day to test out the complete suspension upgrade.

And their reaction to it? Kevin and Taylor both thought that it felt nice! That’s probably not the reaction you would expect as you drove over a speed bump, especially in a van that has so much extra weight that it had been jarring you around at the slightest dip in the road. They both felt the improvement in ride while sitting the driver and passanger seats, making the ride more enjoyable all around.

To recap SuperSprings are a simple, bolt-on, steel helper spring that eliminates rear-end sag and stabilizes sway & body roll. They are built from high-grade shot peened steel and allow you to load up without sacri cing your ride quality. SuperSprings includes a patented roller shackle on each end that allows for self-adjustment as weight is changed. This is particularly help l for vans that have been converted, like the Mathers, where the weight inside the van is constantly changing with water, gear, and them!

Kevin could feel the change in the suspension and described it as being a lot tighter in the back, with less sway. “Usually you get a little bounce back and forth as you do a little turn or waves, and you just don’t get that anymore”.

An extra bene t, Kevin noted that before this upgrade they would hear the air escape from the shocks as they became lly exhausted and now they don’t hear it anymore because of the support from the SuperSprings.

And to complement the SuperSprings, the pairing of the SumoSprings in the front and rear. SumoSprings are manufactured from micro-cellular polyurethane, and they reduce rear-end sag, decrease vibration, stabilize sway, and so en harsh rebounds. This is a progressive spring with a very so initial engagement. That means that as more weight is added, the harder they get and the more they push back, providing support and control when you need it without a ecting the factory ride when unloaded.

“The SuperSprings tightened it up in the back. You can really feel the strength of these things.”

“There was such a drastic di erence, There wasn’t much sway, there wasn’t much rock”

FRONT

Kevin and Taylor told us that they had just returned from a road trip to Baja, Mexico which consisted of hours on dirt roads that were washed out and bumpy to no end as well as countless topes. Some to the point where Taylor felt sick and others where the van was so loud because everything in it was violently shaking everywhere. Parts of their trip where they experienced this were documented in their videos and are shown above.

Once they felt how drastically this suspension upgrade helped on even just the speed bumps in the Home Depot parking lot they knew that their ride quality could have been much better on their road trip.

Overall they were very excited to have the complete suspension upgrade in their van conversion and couldn’t wait to go on their next road trip.

ABOUT TAYLOR & KEVIN WITH MATHERS ON THE MAP

Taylor and Kevin started Mathers On The Map mainly as a travel blog, but also a blog about teaching others how to essentially travel for free. They had a goal of traveling to 30 countries before they turn 30 which they sucessfully completed! In 20 19 they started converting a 20 15 Mercedes Sprinter Van, which they named Merl, and a er almost a year the conversion the van was complete and they were ready to explore America in it.

To follow their journey and for full blogs and videos about their van conversion, featuring our SuperSprings and SumoSprings, follow them on Instragram and YouTube @mathersonthemap.

“Now we’re ready to go o -roading.”

Check out these review videos featuring Mather on the Map

FREEDOM IN MOVEMENT

Tom Bateman, Director of Marketing

A story about van-travel becoming the means to overcome life’s challenge.

These are the words of long-time Coachmen van owner, Dean. You see for him, van-life isn’t a fad, an excuse to post Instagram pictures by the beach, or a cool way to see the county. For Dean, his Transit van is his freedom and relief from a life-long physical disability.

“It really came from when I was a kid. I was born with a disability. I couldn’t really walk, and I couldn’t run, so the bike became very important to me. I would bike everywhere, even two-doors down, I would take the bike. So now, having the van, it’s like an exponential version of that.”

Coachmen RV

in Middlebury Indiana are a world-class builder of recreation vehicles, from vans and Class A motorhomes, to trailers and 5th-wheels. Sure, vans are cool and owning a motorhome is a symbol of the American dream, but what too o en gets overlooked is the type of life can be created with the building of these homes on wheels.

Sitting with Nick Recchio, we were able to get a little more insight on why people have gravitated toward these converted box vans in recent years. Nick comes from the world of Class A motorhomes where he’s working with 300 sq of living space, and yet a er a short time getting to know these Class B vans and leading the division, he put into words what everyone was already feeling. “For the money, there isn’t a better Swiss Army knife in the RV segment.” It’s that simple. In a crowded, busy, loud, and fast-paced world people are craving simplicity and freedom. That’s what Coachmen knows, and that’s what they deliver.

There’s a hand l of premiere van builders, so what makes Coachmen di erent? There’s a lot of quality products coming out of the Elkhart, Indiana area not to mention more across the county, but as Coachmen Class B plant manager, John Frey, puts it, “we wanted to step it up.” John worked as a carpenter before joining Coachmen. That means his love for custom cabinetry, superior wood selection, and the hand-cra ed feel in the coach is obvious and makes for di erent home inside the van. For Nick, his goal has and continues to be adding the very best tools inside his Swiss Army knife. That means staying close to the blogs, the forums, the customer feedback, and quickly implementing what makes these vans the best.

The whole team is obsessed with creating this freedom in movement, and since the owners are the ones in the vans, they’re also the ones with the ideas for improvement. “That’s who we should be listening to all the time”, says Nick. “I talk to them every day and it’s a positive thing. We get the best insight from our owners. It’s awesome that we have this closeness. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

So where does SuperSprings International t into this journey? How are we contributing to the creation of simplicity and freedom in movement? Nick recalls that when he rst joined this division, he crawled under one of the vans and noticed that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis he was looking had some seriously underwhelming suspension. Especially for a chassis that was about to get everything including the kitchen sink thrown at it. So, a er doing his own research, namely talking to his community of van owners, he took a chance on adding SSI products to every single Class B van in his lineup – front and rear. Seems to have worked out too, because as he puts, “We preach the simplicity and e ectiveness of the SumoSprings system. It is without a doubt, the best suspension for a Class B”.

And that’s not where it ends for Nick and his team. His passion for creating freedom doesn’t just include 4 wheels, a steering wheel, and pull-out bed. For him, it means creating the single best line of vans that move people to a lifestyle of freedom in movement. “I’ve learned throughout my career that quality is king. It’s time to build the best possible products and make sure our customers are 100% satis ed.” Nick’s passion is building something that gives his customers the freedom they want, and in his book, adding SumoSprings “makes it last a

NICK RECCHIO GENERAL MANAGER FOR COACHMEN CLASS B

JOHN FREY COACHMEN PLANT MANAGER

marathon; his version of hiking to the top of a mountain. “It’s about feel. Knowing that with your hand on the wheel, and you give it a little [insert umph noise], it just tucks in. You know it’s not going out. It just feels good.”

movement look like for you?

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA

View of Lake McDonald from Apgar Village