Journey Better the Magazine // Issue One

THE

MAGAZINE

HANDMADE IN THE U.S.A.

FROM THE CEO

GERRY LAMBERTI CEO, SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL

2020, what a year. One for the history books. It was challenging for the world, and I am grate l that SuperSprings International has the agility in it’s leadership to not only ride the year out, but do so with fantastic success. Before we could come up for air, 2021 was here in ll force and the wave continues!

As a company, we continue to build on the successes of 2020 as we cement our business foundations and incredible company culture. In June we brought our company together for a day of recognizing our company DNA and celebrating the people that make SuperSprings International possible. In establishing the ve elements that de ne our culture, we’ve created what we believe to be the ber of our people: those who embrace a tribe mentality, that strive to sculpt a better version of ourselves and our company, where we own our workplaces and take on an adventurous spirit while standing tall and communicating our message. We make the journey better through innovating suspension that works.

As a company, we’re in the best place we’ve ever been; from a now recognized brand to an internal culture that keeps our people coming back for more! 2021 has already proven to be a year of sales beyond my wildest expectations, and we’re only half way through. This is a tribute to the work put in across all departments and a dedicated leadership team.

I’d like to say a special thank you to the whole team at SuperSprings International. Sales and Marketing, you leave no stone unturned in pursuit of our passion to change lives through better journeys. Operations, congratulations on breaking company record a er company record as you move product across the globe. Data and Tech Ops team, your attention to detail and expertise have brought immense value and insight. Finance, we wouldn’t know how good things were without you. Thank you all.

It’s time to change the world one journey at a time.

CONTENTS

7 11 14

THE WEEKEND WARRIOR COMPLETE SUSPENSION SOLUTION

SumoSprings from nose to tail. The right set up for towing and your camping setup.

NAVISTAR PROVING GROUNDS TESTING OUR TRAILER SUMOSPRINGS

We did it. We got objective data. Now we know how good these are on paper, and on the road.

EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT MEET MARK

A er 13 years on the job, it’s time you all hear from the man who named the SumoSprings.

16

THE FIRST ONE AN EXCLUSIVE DEALER PARTNERSHIP

United RV in Texas becomes the rst dealership to o er Trailer SumoSprings as standard on towables.

21

V ERY ONE SIDED SUPERSPRINGS HALF KITS

An insight on using our steel solution half kit to solve for heavy one-sided applications; like a crane truck.

26

A NOTHER ONE COACHMEN CLASS C JOINS THE LIST OF OEM S

Starting in September, the Class C division at Coachmen will be adding our products to the lineup.

CONTENTS

OUR FEATURED DISTRIBUTOR: MEYER DISTRIBUTION

Johnny from Meyer gives insight to the partnership and mutual support.

STORIES FROM THE ROAD JEEPLIFE: A NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE

We partnered up with Robby in Idaho Falls to get the honest feedback of a true Jeeper.

SUMOSPRINGS ON A 5TH GEN 4RUNNER INSTALLATION & OVERVIEW

40 27 36

NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE A CHECK-IN FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Brenan from Trail4Runner provided a ll install with gorgeous imagery and an honest overview.

THE RIGHT CHALLENGE UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR PRODUCT

Michael, our COO, gives insight into how we’re answering the need from operations.

31 43 45 39

Dynad Distributing in the Netherlands share some of their success and feedback from Europe

CHASING PASSION A CALLING WITH A MEANING

The story of a Rodeo athlete nding passion in training the next generation of competitors.

YOUR QUESTIONS OUR ANSWERS

We’re bringing you answers to the questions we’ve heard you ask.

HAYDEN, NORTH IDAHO

A clip from the latest Journey Better Episode: Brats Watch the whole series - superspringsinternational.com/video

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO

No more white knuckle driving : Trailer SumoSprings

The Weekend Warrior Complete Suspension Solution

By Adam Weisner, Chief Commercial O cer

Before I started working at SuperSprings International, I was a customer. I drive a 2016 Ford F-250 4×4 and pull a 28 foot bunkhouse travel trailer. My family and I love to go out on long drives and explore this wonder l country we are so blessed to live in. We purchased our trailer in 2015, and have since been to 11 states and on too many trips to count. All that and we are just getting started.

THE TRUCK, THE TRAILER, AND THE PROBLEM

We decided on a bumper pull trailer because we wanted the extra room in the truck bed, and because at the time it was the best floor plan option for us, our three kiddos (bunkhouse to the rescue), and two dogs. One thing we noticed during our rst few trips out was that my truck was sagging over 2.5 inches when the trailer was on (even with an equalizer hitch), and when driving on the highways I could really feel the wind blowing the trailer

around behind us, especially when a big rig would pass by. A er talking to several trusted friends and fellow RVers, we were convinced we needed to move to a h-wheel, and possibly get air bags for my truck. I’m generally someone who does a lot of research before I buy anything, and so, I set out to nd solutions.

Around that same time I had been talking to someone in the suspension business I knew for some years, speci cally asking about their products to help solve my towing problems. A er talking through their options, which were not ones I had heard of at the time, and seemed non-traditional, I decided to give them a try. A few weeks later, I was getting SumoSprings installed on my F-250, and Trailer SumoSprings on my travel trailer.

For the F-250, we went with blue Rebel SumoSprings in the rear, and Coil SumoSprings in the front. We measured before and a er and I

I solved my suspension problems with a maintenance-free, complete solution for truck and travel trailer: Front, Rear, and Trailer SumoSprings.

of sag. Also, because I opted for the front Coil SumoSprings in the front I no longer felt the rocking and bouncing in the front of the truck when I went over freeway bumps or expansion joints on bridges. To complete the total suspension package, I went with Trailer SumoSprings on the travel trailer and wow, they made a huge di erence. The wind shakes on freeways almost completely went away, and they eliminated the big shake when the big rigs passed by. So instead of making the jump to a new h-wheel, and airbags that require consistent monitoring – I solved my suspension problems with a maintenance-free, complete solution for truck and travel trailer: Front, Rear, and Trailer SumoSprings.

PLACEBO OR THE REAL DEAL?

One occasion in particular really demonstrated the di erence the changes made. We had camped in West Yellowstone for a few days (one of our favorite spots) and hooked up to head back home to North Idaho. We made the drive back up 90 through Montana and into Idaho around winding roads, making multiple stops, getting el, food, and stopping for the always-hated-by-dads, bathroom breaks. We got home and parked

and unhooked the trailer and started to unpack. I went inside the trailer to grab my MacBook and noticed that it was on the floor, leaning against the side of the master bed plugged in and charging. I questioned myself for a second, then remembered that I had never moved it o the floor before we le the campground. It had made it all the way back from Yellowstone to North Idaho, seven hours and over 430 miles, without falling over or moving from the spot I le it in, leaning against the bed. I had to call my wife in to look at it and ask her if she set it back up during one of our stops. She didn’t. Right then I knew that putting SumoSprings on both my truck and trailer had completely transformed the towing experience, and that I needed to tell everyone I knew about it. Thank lly, a few months later I joined the company, and I’ve spent the last 3 years being in the awesome position to tell everyone about SuperSprings International. What a journey it’s been.

I hope this is help l to any of you out there with a truck and trailer looking for a better ride.

Adventure always. Journey better.

“putting SumoSprings on both my truck and trailer had completely transformed the towing experience...

®

SPRING UNDER AXLE APPLICATIONS

TSS-106-40 OR 47

SPRING OVER AXLE APPLICATIONS

TSS-107-40 OR 47

BLUE [-40] FOR GAWR OF 3,000 - 5,000 LBS BLACK [-47] FOR GAWR OF 5,000 - 8,000 LBS

NAVISTAR PROVING GROUNDS NEW CARLISLE, IN

AT THE NAVISTAR PROVING GROUNDS TESTING THE TRAILER SUMOSPRINGS

railer SumoSprings aren’t new in 2021. They’re not even new in 2020. but with demand increasing, we’ve seen a ermarket sales of this product soar to a record of 370% YoY. This is thanks to an e ective product, customer testimonials on forums and Facebook groups, and most recently a increased e ort on marketing. What we hadn’t done until May of 2021, was obtain objective third-party data to prove once and for all, why these things are the real deal.

THE WHY

Breaking into the towable RV market can be di cult, and one thing o en requested when meeting with manufacturers is to provide testing data.

This bolt-on upgrade doesn’t just provide vibration reduction, sway control, and increased driver control; it limits damage to the trailer caused by road transit. As Adam Weisner, our Chief Commercial O cer noted, “A suspension focus can deliver far-reaching bene ts. RV’s incur interior damage from the rattle and roll of road conditions and the jolt and shake on the RV leads to things like dishes breaking, window treatments detaching, and undersink plumbing loosening and causing water leaks.”

On the other hand, there have been multiple stories of Trailer SumoSprings providing so much vibration control, that watches and cell phones le on nightstands have withstood 20 hours of driving across the country without so much as nudging the edge.

Understandably, when explaining why trailers need a suspension upgrade, it’s not unreasonable for the manufacturers to want some data to back up the claims. As much as we’ve heard rst-hand from the consumer, we also love data, and were more than happy to oblige. With no surprise, Trailer SumoSprings performed in brilliant fashion in New Carlisle, Indiana.

“It’s important to measure G-force vibration at the smallest levels because that is the largest contributor to RV issues during the rst year and beyond.

Testing the Trailer SumoSprings on the Grand Design, double-axle Momentum Travel Trailer.

We lmed the whole test. The video results will be available later this year (2021).

When we decided to pull the trigger on some testing, we knew we were in for some interesting results. Grand Design RV committed to loaning us a double-axle Momentum Travel Trailer and we secured a 2021 Ford F-250 single-axle Super Duty truck to tow with.

NaviStar Proving Grounds in New Carlisle Indiana is no stranger to rigorous testing. Formerly the Studebaker testing track constructed in the late 1920’s, we were con dent in the rich history and expertise of NaviStar and the team that supported our project.

A er two days of instrument set up on the trailer, Adam flew to Indiana to oversee the testing, joined by CEO Gerry Lamberti and Creative Director, Tom Bateman.

The tests included a semi-trailer pass by with each vehicle traveling at 60mph, a durability test over cobblestones, dirt road simulations, uneven road conditions, and various other torturous surfaces to evaluate the Trailer SumoSprings under scrutiny. The test was designed to examine the springs on two fronts: rst, to see how the trailer would move side-to-side, from tail to top, and what type of sway was present. Secondly, we wanted to see if we could see a reduction in G-force vibration. This one was especially important to us, given the feedback from users praising the springs ability to reduce vibration and what that means for extending the life of the trailer. As Adam noted,

“If you took a house, picked it up, and shook it, the whole thing would rattle and loosen. It’s important to measure G-force vibration at the smallest levels because that is the largest contributor to RV issues during the rst year and beyond.”

THE RESULTS

While we were con dent that we would see positive testing results, there’s nothing quite like good news! A er working with the talented team at NaviStar and having our Director of Data, Justin Tevis, decipher the results, what we suspected was con rmed in an objective conclusion.

Trailer SumoSprings showed over 100% higher average displacement at every interval. This means that at any given point, the distance between the trailer frame and the factory suspension was on average, double. At one particular point, that displacement was 462% higher which shows a decrease in spike loading and reduction in events that cause lasting damage.

Our proudest result was (drum-roll please...) Trailer SumoSprings reduced G-force in the trailer by an average of 68%. What we were sure was there before, is now con rmed beyond any doubt.

“Trailer SumoSprings reduced the G-force in the trailer by an average of 68%.

ABOVE

A semi-truck passes the travel trailer, each traveling at 60mph, to test wind and sway BELOW

An on-board live feed to the data capture records speed and movement of the springs

ABOVE LEFT The instrumentation capturing the data was set up on the island inside the trailer. ABOVE RIGHT Each axle was lmed with Go Pro cameras to show the movement during each test throughout the proving grounds.

TESTING DATA

Trailer SumoSprings part number TSS-107-47 were tested on a double-axle Grand Design Momentum Travel Trailer, towed by a 2021 Ford F-250 single-axle Super Duty truck. The test was performed at the NaviStar Proving Grounds in Elkhart, Indiana on May 18, 2021.

All data was provided by NaviStar.

Data showed that the average reduction in G-force was 68% when the trailer was tted with Trailer SumoSprings.

HIGHER AVERAGE DISPLACEMENT AT EVERY INTERVAL

HIGHER DISPLACEMENT BETWEEN SECOND 4-5

TSS-107-47 installed on top of the leaf spring

- 8 SECOND CHUCKHOLE RUN COMPARISON Trailer SumoSprings vs. Original Equipment Springs

MEET THE TEAM MARK

You’ve probably heard the phrase, ‘our employees make our business possible’, and o en it feels like a cliché. That’s because clichés are usually ll of truth. That’s the case at SuperSprings International, and in particular with one of our irreplaceable team members, Mark.

Mark has been with SuperSprings International since 2003, starting out by covering California sales territory, which soon became the whole West Coast region, before settling into his role now as the Sales & Support Manager for the team in Carpinteria, CA.

In his role now, Mark is integral to the team in his vast knowledge of the products, installation, tment, and applications. Mark is the go-to-guy for just about every real-life question on our product suite.

When asked what Mark loves most about SuperSprings International and his role here, he remarked, “The bottom line is, it's the unique assemblage of people with their talent and desire to succeed. Being able to use my experience to assist both our customers and my fellow employees. That’s it.”

Most people wouldn’t know, but not only has Mark been instrumental in product development for our fastest-growing product line, he helped name them — SumoSprings! During the early stages of the design, “we were viewing an undercarriage video of the product in action, and I casually mentioned that the spring looked like a sumo wrestler.”

With no name for the up-and-coming product, and thanks to Mark’s astute observations, the name SumoSprings was born.

Of course, Mark isn’t all work, and when he’s not underneath a truck or auditing installations, his number one go-to is “spending time with my wife of 25 years — just being outdoors.”

Mark’s highlight of his time with SuperSprings International so far? “Being involved in the development of our SumoSprings product line. It’s a great thing and it’s still ongoing!”

“ we were viewing an undercarriage video of the product in action, and I casually mentioned that the spring looked like a sumo wrestler.

“ spending time with my wife of 25 years — just being outdoors...

BETWEEN EVERY TWO PINES IS A DOORWAY TO A NEW WORLD

From the beginning, Adam Weisner, SuperSprings International Chief Commercial O cer has been determined to nd the right partner for Trailer SumoSprings. The goal wasn’t the most sales or the quickest exposure. The goal was a company who is as passionate as we are about making the experience of driving a trailer better. Much better.

Adam found that partner in United RV of Fort Worth, Texas. What started as a connection on a Facebook Group has grown into the rst exclusive partnership for SuperSprings International with our fastest-growing product; the Trailer SumoSprings.

THE FIRST ONE A TRAILER SUMOSPRINGS EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP

end up trickling down to the dealerships and then dealers sell them as extras. This is a really unique situation.”

“We’ve spent the last few years building a partnership and getting our heads together trying to gure out how we can deliver a better end experience. The team at United RV believes enough in our Trailer SumoSprings (a product that’s up 600% this year) – they are going to be putting them on every towable unit that leaves their lot, exclusively. I think that this is a component of leadership, a di erentiator.”

“I was looking to partner with someone who knew our product,

Every single new leaf-sprung towable RV that leaves the United RV lot is now equipped with Trailer SumoSprings, a product proven to improve the ride of RVs and prolong their life by reducing bouncing and vibration.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PARTNERSHIP

These are the types of deals that have the potential to change the way consumers think about how they buy RVs forever. As Adam Weisner put it, “No one has ever done this before, regarding trailer suspension. Typically, these kind of modi cations happen at the manufacturer level then they

believed in our product, and as passionate about the customer experience as we are. Partnerships are a nny thing. You have to do them with the right people at the right time. That’s why we’re excited about it.”

PEOPLE MAKE PARTNERSHIPS HAPPEN

The genesis of what is now an exclusive partnership was with Jim Vititow, United RV’s Service Director, accepting Adam’s request to send a set of Trailer SumoSprings to test. Jim has a strong online presence, particularly in Facebook Groups he manages, and Adam wanted to get Jim’s and others

United RV in Texas becomes the rst dealership to o er Trailer SumoSprings as standard equipment.

“ Partnerships are a nny thing. You have to do them with the right people at the right time. That’s why we’re excited about it. — Adam Weisner

honest feedback on their experience with Trailer SumoSprings in the wild.

Fast forward three years (and many, many sets of springs sold) and with thanks to Jim’s excitement for the product and his passion for making peoples experience better, Jim and the team at United RV are making history with SuperSprings International.

“On every RV we sell we include high-quality components, such as Maxxair vent covers and Mud Dauber screens, and we do this to protect the customer. We want to protect and prolong their investment – we have a genuine interest in helping people enjoy their RV. Adding SumoSprings to that mix is rther enhancing this philosophy,” explained Jim.

When asked about the partnership, Jim noted, “We’re very picky about who we do business with. When it comes to putting our logo with another company’s logo, we haven’t really ever done this before. So, this partnership with SuperSprings International is a enormous step. This is us

staying out front – us asking ourselves what can we do di erently, how can we stand out from the crowd? If there was any doubt that this wasn’t going to be a massive success for both parties then we wouldn’t have entertained it”

A ROLLING START

To get things o the ground, United RV used their open-house days at their dealership to release the new partnership. Buyers came from surrounding areas to purchase trailers that they knew would come standard with Trailer SumoSprings. With a growing brand awareness around SuperSprings International products, targeted marketing, and Jim’s activity on Facebook Groups, there was hardly a slow start to this partnership.

“ This is us staying out front – us asking ourselves what can we do di erently, how can we stand out from the crowd? — Jim Vititow

TOP LEFT: Every trailer tted with Trailer SumoSprings will display this exclusive branding. ABOVE RIGHT: The TSS-107-47 sits on top of the factory leaf pack suspension and lls the entire 5+” gap. BELOW: A drone shot shows the United RV dealership in Fort Worth, Texas.

“ we have a genuine interest in helping people enjoy their RV. Adding SumoSprings to that mix is rther enhancing this philosophy. — Jim Vititow

SuperSprings International has been on a rapid growth curve for the last three years, with SumoSprings appearing on more and more RVs around North America, resulting from both consumer sales as well as new manufacturer relationships. The partnership with United RV is a way for both companies to ride the wave of momentum that has been created around these products.“The more people drive away with SumoSprings tted on their RVs, the more people will be talking about the bene ts they provide – in person and on the forums – it is a win- win situation for us and for SuperSprings International,” explained United RV Vice President Kevin

“I’m really excited about putting it on all our towable inventory and really excited to pitch it. It gives us something that nobody else has on every piece of inventory on our lot. We’re just getting o the ground, it’s

The road seems littered with opportunity in this partnership with both sides ready to deliver for the customer. It’s a chance for United RV to become an authority on SuperSprings International products and with their e-commerce side of the business blossoming, it’s the perfect time.

As Adam concluded, “This agreement speaks to the commitment United RV has to its customers and to truly delivering a di erent experience – that’s something both our companies stand behind.”

“ It gives us something that nobody else has... We’re just getting o the ground. It’s going to be a great partnership for a long time. — Kevin White

BELOW: The Trailer SumoSprings in action - the TSS-107-40 providing support during a drive and closing the gap.

Manufactured for the Transit, ProMaster, and Sprinter, SumoSprings reduce sag, body roll, sway, and vibration.

Designed, built, and supported right here in the U.S.A. Zero-maintenance. Backed by a lifetime warranty.

SUPERSPRINGS SSA17 ON THE FORD F-550

By Peter Garcia, Sales & Service Manager

Unrivaled by any other a ermarket auxiliary springs, SuperSprings are a unique self-adjusting suspension stabilizing system for vehicles with rear leaf springs. As the rst product line o ered by SuperSprings International over 20 years ago, SuperSprings have become a well-known suspension solution, especially for commercial use in the automotive industry. SuperSprings have continued to be re ned over the years, thanks to an attentive engineering team and valuable feedback from devoted SuperSprings users. The SSA17 is one of those SuperSprings kits, and one of the most popular options of the various styles and sizes produced by SuperSprings International. When it comes to leveling loads and reducing body roll, this kit will convincingly get the job done, the rst time around! With 77 active SuperSprings kits currently, the SSA17 is the 18th most used kit year to date. Here are some of the reasons why.

ORIGINS & REVISIONS

First released back in 2009, the SSA17 has seen a few revisions along the way to relevance. Originally featuring a ll eye-wrap where the blades of the SuperSprings completely wrapped around the eye bolt to increase the strength and ability of the kit, the most updated version has since been “relaxed”. As the SSA17 is a double-bladed spring kit (one blade meticulously stacked on another), the strength with which it was rst designed

became a bit too much as Ford, and other notable vehicle manufacturers increased the capability of their various work trucks over the years. Now,

“ We are constantly making improvements ... as well as working to solve the problems that vehicle builders and up tters run into.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

PART NUMBER: SSA17

SuperSprings for Ford F-450/F-550, Chevrolet/GMC Kodiak/TopKick 4500/5500 | Le /Right Pair | 5000 (lb) Additional Load-Leveling Ability | Made in the USA

I MPORTANT NOTES:

For chassis cab/cutaway models only. Do not use on pickup or van models. May be used on trucks equipped with top overload spring.

only the top blade of the SuperSprings wraps around the eye bolt, allowing it to t onto a chassis cab with or without top overload springs. To increase flexibility and operational clearance to O.E. features, SuperSprings International rther re ned the SSA17 by shortening the blade length and customizing the shackle con gurations to perfectly match the most common models it was designed to be tted on. This is just one example

of the agility of the engineering team of SuperSprings International, when it comes to responding to continuous manufacturer changes to the body, frame and suspension. As Chad Bussanich, our Engineering Manager, put it, “We are constantly making improvements and creating new products to t the ever-changing designs and new vehicles from the automotive manufacturers, as well as working to solve the problems that vehicle builders and up tters run into with their products.”

HELPFUL HINT: FULL KITS VS. HALF KITS

A key naming and build detail SuperSprings International utilizes to cater to multiple truck types, is the “.5” a er a SuperSprings part number. For example, SSA17.5 would signi a half-kit; one SSA17 spring set-up to be installed on one side only rather than two spring set-ups for both the le and right sides. The shackle assemblies on half-kits are con gured in such a way that is assumed it is being used to accommodate a truck that is leaning heavily to one side or the other, but typically built with a passenger side installation in mind. Using a heavy half-kit on the leaning side, with a lighter half-kit or no kit at all on the opposite side to o set the varying weight quickly became a popular solution for applications with additional weight on one side or the other such as trucks with tools boxes, water tanks, and crane trucks.

SO, WHY WAS THE SSA17 RELEASED, AND WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS IT IMPACTS THE MOST?

Ease of installation, tment, and e ectiveness are all reasons for need for a kit like this. Like all other SuperSprings installations, the downtime and extra costs associated with breaking apart the spring packs to add an additional leaf or two at a spring shop is completely avoided. They can be installed before or a er the truck is built, and do not require any disassembly or modi cations to the factory suspension. They t a wide variety of trucks and cover a large group of build styles. However, Mark Jutson, our Sales & Service Support Manager quickly points out, the SSA17 was

particularly designed to target Class 4 and Class 5 cab chassis models being up tted for various commercial vocations. Most commonly amongst those, would be its tment to one side of a chassis to correct asymmetrical weight seen on crane body applications. One of the most common trucks seen with these kinds of builds is one of the leaders in Working-America –the Ford F-550 Super Duty. Mark goes on to say, “The release of the SSA17 was the direct result of the very apparent need within the medium-duty commercial truck market for a leaf spring enhancement solution that mirrored the simplicity and successes of our SuperSprings line on light-duty trucks.”

GOT SAG? SWAY LESS.

With the automotive a ermarket world being the beast it is these days, it takes highly reliable parts, products and solutions to everyday problems such as the SSA17 to propel companies, businesses, and services forward and onward. Di erent entities that nd consistent assistance from the SSA17 include, but are not limited to: original equipment manufacturers, specialty truck equipment manufacturers, truck and van up tters, and dealerships and fleets of all sizes. Although there are speci c types of vehicles the SSA17 boosts more than others, the versatility and durability of this kit allow for the ultimate personalization to provide users extra load support and reduce body roll without compromising ride quality on multiple types

ABOVE Mark Jutson, our Technical Support Manager installs the SSA17 at Royal Truck Body in Los Angeles, California.

“ a leaf spring enhancement solution that mirrored the simplicity and successes of our SuperSprings line on light-duty trucks.

of applications. If you have a Ford F-450 or F-550 and are looking for something to alleviate most, if not all symptoms that are caused by heavy

1979 VW LT28D OLDEBROEK, NETHERLANDS

Coachmen Class C to introduce SuperSprings International suspension as Standard Equipment

oachmen RV is no stranger to the product suite of SuperSprings International. Currently, every single Class B van that leaves the Coachmen facility in Middlebury Indiana comes with our suspension front and rear, as standard. Additionally, certain Class C gas motorhomes built on the F53 chassis use our SuperSprings steel solution.

With that said, Luke Handyside, National Sales Manager for the Class C division at Coachmen, has made the decision to build select Freelander, Leprechaun, and Cross Trail XL models with SuperSprings International products front and rear as standard, starting September 2021.

When asked why he made the decision to change the existing suspension package, Luke told us that, “the reason [they] started looking at new suspension systems was to see if [they] could improve on the user’s driving experience even more than [they] already have.” Luke went on to say that the Coachmen was the rst OEM to o er an upgraded

While each division operates as it’s own unique business unit, when one division nds a solution that changes the game, word gets out. This is what happened at Coachmen, with Nick Recchio in the Class B segment making the suggestion for Luke to give us a call. In Luke’s words, “since they were having a lot of success with it, we decided to test them on our Class C motorhomes and quickly realized the handling and performance bene ts over the air bag system, not to mention the reliability.”

suspension system with airbags on a Class C motorhome. He noted that “Coachmen has a history of leading with industry rsts” and pointed to examples such as the Azdel composite sidewalls and CrossFlex roof material. “What we found with SuperSprings International totally blew us away though, and that’s pretty hard to do!” Luke added.

There’s a reason customers come to Coachmen RV; they have become synonymous with the highest quality and “industry best ride” as Luke would put it. “With signi cant improvements to handling, and a smoother ride that selfadjusts as you drive” Luke argues that SuperSprings International suspension provides a, “tremendous improvement in reliability... [since they] are truly maintenance free. No more lling air bags, checking air pressure, or adjusting for the perfect ride, just forget about all of that and enjoy the journey.”

We couldn’t say it any better.

“ What we found with SuperSprings International totally blew us away... and that’s pretty hard to do!

ABOVE Every Coachmen Class C Motorhome tted with SuperSprings International suspension products will include the custom badging as shown here.

“ tremendous improvement in reliability...

THIS QUARTER’S FEATURED DISTRIBUTOR

Peter, our Sales & Service Manager caught up with Johnny Hayes, Purchasing Manager for Meyer, to nd out more about the company and why they are a rst choice in distribution. Here’s how some of their conversation went.

Peter: Who is Meyer Distributing and what do you do?

Johnny: “We’re a family owned National Automotive and RV Distributor that delivers into the lower 48 states. We deliver next day on our own truck fleet.”

Peter: What makes Meyer Distributing di erent, and stand out from the rest?

Johnny: “It’s our shipping ability. Ease and quickness of delivery. Our supply is better than most all others right now. We follow up on leads quicker than anyone else. We’re very easy to deal with on all fronts – no comparison there — and we have breadth of product options.”

Peter: How long have you been working with SuperSprings International?

Johnny: “We’ve been partnering since 2005. We initially chose to work with SuperSprings International because it was a natural t — we need your product and you have a solid reputation and a well respected name in your product category.”

Peter: What challenges are you looking to solve for your customers by using our products as a solution?

Johnny: “For people that are hauling heavy loads — they need rear load support — yours is a go to brand in the product category.

Peter: What does Meyer like most about our products?

Johnny: “No warranty issues! It just works! We know we are dealing with quality product.”

Peter: What separates our products from similar alternatives that you carry?

Johnny: “You can set it and forget it — it’s essentially maintenance free. Great bang for the buck!”

Peter: Tell us something about Meyer that you’d like to be known!

Johnny: “We’re here to be a great, easy to work with partner, with 82 locations to serve our customers. Plus having our own truck fleet means we can get product to the door by the next day in most cases.”

#followbetter

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, it doesn’t really matter what your favorite is. We’re on them all @superspringsinternational.

Our goal is to make a di erence people’s lives by making their #journeybetter. Take a picture, make a video, write a blog, whatever it is, and tag us so we can follow along.

Jeeplife with SumoSprings | Night & Day Di erence

SuperSprings International

• 36K views • 4 months ago

We were honored to partner with @o road208 to hear rst hand from an experienced Jeeper what SumoSprings actually do for the ride. SumoSprings are the bump stop replacement you cannot destroy....

HANDMADE | Episode One: SumoSprings - How It’s Made

SuperSprings International

• 92K views • 3 months ago

SumoSprings are an American-made suspension solution created from a unique micro-cellular polyurethane. This gives the suspension a progressive spring rate as opposed to a linear or ‘flat’ curve rate....

NO SHAKE. NO RATTLE. NO ROLL. TRANSFORM YOUR COACH .

ON THE FORD F-53 ®

Improve handling and increase load support without worrying about maintenance. Ever.

This Ford F-53 chassis suspension upgrade provides the same load-leveling ability, vibration reduction, and sway control as all of our SumoSprings.

The days of white-knuckling your way to the campsite are over.

SUMOSPRINGS FOR THE 5TH GEN 4RUNNER

COMPLETE INSTALL & OVERVIEW

SumoSprings are a line of bump stops designed and manufactured by SuperSprings International. They are o ered for the Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and Tundra, along with many other makes and models. SuperSprings International has o ered load-carrying enhancement suspension parts for many di erent trucks, and SUVs since 1998.

With a platform such as the 4Runner, we have many di erent options when it comes to building out these rigs. Whether you want to build a badass rock crawler, a ll-blown overland build, or just to enhance the ride quality of your daily driver, SuperSprings International has an option for you – and that’s what makes them truly unique.

WHAT ARE SUMOSPRINGS?

SumoSprings are a product line that SuperSprings International o ers and

By Brenan Greene Owner/Editor of Trail4Runner.com

There are two di erent density options to choose from; Blue and Black. The blue SumoSprings are made of a so er density material, while the black is made of more rm density material. The blue SumoSprings take less weight to compress which results in a so er unloaded and loaded ride. The black SumoSprings have a higher density, meaning there’s more material packed into the same size SumoSpring, which in turn necessitates more applied weight to compress it. This is what gives the black version a higher load rating, but also what creates a sti er unloaded ride. In most cases, the blue version will apply to most 4Runner drivers on the road.

TIMBREN VS. SUMOSPRINGS

Timbren o ers a reliable a ermarket bump stop that I’m sure many of you are familiar with. These bump stops are progressive, which means that the more they compress, the more they resist compression. This is actually what o ers a better ride, more so o -road.

The main di erence in the SumoSprings is that although they are also a progressive bump stop, they adjust automatically to load or compression. This comes in handy on the trail because this type of bump stop won’t limit your travel as much as the competitors. Also, the SumoSprings provide a much smoother contact patch on the axle. We found them to be noticeably smoother than the Timbrens.

OFFROAD CAPABILITIES

As I mentioned before, these bump stops have a progressive spring rate that adjusts automatically. This means that the patented micro-cellular urethane is continually adapting to how much load is upon it at any given time. This alone is a huge bene t when it comes to o road applications because you will have more control of your up travel.

If you plan on o -roading your 4Runner, then you should invest in a ermarket bump stops. The bump stops by SumoSprings are a perfect alternative to stock bump stops as they provide the protection you need from harsh bottom-outs all while providing enhanced ride comfort. Even the mild to rough terrain getting to the actual trailhead is going to be much more enjoyable with a set of these.

provides a plush ride over bumps and rough roads while providing complete control of the vehicle. When you hit something like a speed bump, the SumoSprings will help soak up the bump, but when you’re doing a lot of cornering, the SumoSprings will help provide rigidity.

If you are going with an overland build, then consider getting some SumoSprings bump stop replacements plus Coil SumoSprings. These inserts are installed into the middle of the coil spring and have a similar purpose as airbags. They will sti en your suspension, which keeps the 4Runner from handling like a boat when it’s loaded down.

TOWING

If you plan on towing frequently, some kind of spring reinforcement is needed. The reason for this is the 4Runner was not designed to support a ton of weight. Airbags, or in this case airless airbags, are designed to support the weight while towing, which in turn gives you more control. This is a must-have for those long trips while pulling a camper or even short trips towing your boat to the lake.

While towing, these bump stops act as airbags but without the air. This will not only provide a much more enjoyable ride, but your rear-end will no longer sag. If you are looking at towing, you may want to consider the black SumoSprings bump stops. The bump stops we received are the blue SumoSprings. The black SumoSprings are designed to support more weight.

There are many guys who have installed airbags for towing but unlike airbags, SumoSprings are guaranteed to not pop or lose air. If you’ve ever owned airbags, you also know how sketchy it can be working on them. Not to mention, the amount of time an install takes.

If you are looking to increase the stability of your 4Runner while towing heavier applications, you may want to consider getting the Coil SumoSprings as we mentioned above. These won’t support the weight of a trailer, but they will prevent harsh bottom-outs, body roll, nose dive, and more.

ONROAD CAPABILITIES

On-road driving with the SumoSprings is just as enjoyable as o -road driving. The highly durable closed cell microcellular polyurethane material

SumoSprings have shock damping properties which means the ride quality o -road is going to be a night and day di erence.

LEFT: Timbren Active O road® rubber bump stops RIGHT: SumoSprings SSR-623-40

INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

TOOLS & MATERIALS - 13mm Gear Wrench

- New Hardware (provided) - Blue Loctite (provided)

- Breaker Bar (optional) - Impact (optional) 1 2 3

The install for the SumoSprings is very straightforward. I took the tire o on one side just to get better pictures, but on the other side (passenger side) I le the tire on and it wasn’t any more di cult. If you choose not to take the tires o then the only tool you’ll need is a 13mm gear wrench

STEP ONE:

REMOVE THE FACTORY BUMP STOPS

A er you have parked the vehicle on a hard, level surface and engaged the emergency brake, place blocks in front and behind the wheels to prevent rolling. Observe all safety precautions and wear safety glasses.

Raise the rear of the vehicle allowing the axle to hang freely and rest the frame on the safety jack stands rated for the weight of the vehicle. Removal of the rear wheels is optional. Starting on the driver’s side, unscrew the two bolts and remove the factory bump stop from the underside of the frame.

STEP TWO:

ATTACH SUMOSPRINGS TO MOUNTING BRACKET

Attach the mounting bracket to the top of the SumoSprings using the supplied M8 hex bolt and washer a er applying a drop of blue thread locker to the threads of the bolt. Use the center of the three holes on the top part of the bracket.

STEP THREE: MOUNT SUMOSPRINGS

Attach the assembly to the underside of the frame using the supplied M8 hex bolts and washers a er applying a drop of blue thread locker to the threads of the bolts. Be sure to position the bracket so that the SumoSprings is o set 1/2” outboard (toward the wheel). Don’t tighten down the bracket all the way just yet.

STEP FOUR:

CENTER SUMOSPRINGS ON AXLE

There are slotted holes in the bracket for the bump stops which allow you to move the bracket le or right in order to center the bump stop on the axle. Keep in mind that when the axle flexes, it also rotates forward a little bit with the factory 4-link.

As you can tell in the picture, the previous bump stop was a bit too far forward. With the axle level, place the new bump stop a little bit in front of it and tighten down the hardware. When the axle comes up in this position, it will be centered with the new bump stop.

STEP FIVE: PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER

If the rear wheels were removed, you can now reinstall them. (Torque wheel nuts to manufacturers spec). Clean up all your tools and call it a day. Before you take it for a spin, ensure emergency brake cables are not touching the SumoSprings. Secure any cables out of the way with zip ties or by re-routing. Ensure all A/C lines, brake cables, and frame are clear of contact or interference.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, we are extremely impressed with the quality of these SumoSprings. We replaced our Timbren bump stops (a very reputable company) with a set of these Blue SumoSprings on the rear of the white 4Runner. The bump stops feel great both on and o the road. I noticed a smoother contact while wheeling around the rocks over the Timbrens. When wheeling with the Timbrens, you can literally feel the bump stop hit the axle – it’s better than stock but the Blue SumoSprings are much smoother.

The thing that stood out to us about SumoSprings is the fact that they have three options available for the 4Runner. No matter what route you go with your 4Runner build, SumoSprings has an option for you.

These really have stabilized our sway, improved the overall driver control, ride comfort, and will enhance load carrying ability if we tow anything.

All the adventures with none of the maintenance.

AIRLESS AIR SPRINGS THAT REDUCE VIBRATION, FIX REAR-END SAG, AND SOFTEN HARSH REBOUNDS.

DESIGNED, BUILT, AND SUPPORTED IN THE USA. ZERO-MAINTENANCE. BACKED BY A LIFETIME WARRANTY.

BETTER

THE RIGHT KIND OF CHALLENGE

Unprecedented demand for product places heightened focus on operations e ciencies.

t’s not a secret that SuperSprings International is on a record-breaking growth curve. In fact this year, we are up almost 90% year-over-year, and that’s on top of a record breaking 2020. But with that type of growth and demand, we are navigating the challenges that come with that excitement.

Michael Stickney, our Chief Operations O cer, leads the company in ensuring that we continue to deliver the same high quality service that people have grown accustomed to with SuperSprings International. Michael has been in the Automotive A ermarket Industry for over 30 years, starting out in the warehouse, giving him the unique vantage point for his role now. He noted that, “the increase in demand has a ected us in so many ways all at once from Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Production, Shipping and Order Ful llment. With the type of increases we are having, our production department is putting in outstanding e ort to keep up on orders and deliver in the same way that our customers have grown to expect.”

Naturally, with growth in sales comes growth in human capital. We are honored to be in a place where we can employee more people and be a part of growing the American economy. “We have such an awesome

team working here”, continued Michael, “they are proving that by taking the increased business in their stride. Additionally, we have brought on new talent to the SuperSprings International team which puts us in the best position for continuing growth.”

Having the level of growth we are experience has placed an impetus on building a robust operations process that can swerve us as we scale. That means a course correction and “changing our status quo on the way we’ve done things for years, while maintaining the DNA of what makes SuperSprings International the company we are today. This is our time to shine and keep up with the challenges we welcome on a daily basis,” said Michael.

Undoubtedly, the most exciting part of our growth the unknown, or in other words, the amount of growth that we are in for. Challenges and changes are where we grow, and where we get to move to the next level as a company. As Michael put it, “I am looking forward to the ture and taking the SuperSprings International rocket ship to the moon! ”

“ With the type of increases we are having, our production department is putting in outstanding e ort to keep up on orders. — Michael Stickney, COO

REMOVE SAG. INCREASE STABILIT Y. TRANSFORM VANLIFE.

Designed and manufactured to reduce rear-end sag, body roll, sway, and vibration, SumoSprings are ready for adventure a er adventure. With no air-lines or compressors, this is a zero maintenance, o -grid solution, built to outlast the van.

Let’s create a better Vanlife.

We design and build various front applications for vans. A common issue for vans in the front, is that there is a tendancy to lean too far in the corners and ‘dip’ into a turn.

SumoSprings limit some of the space that allows the unwanted front movement of the van.

Less roll. More control.

Vans are an impressive vehicle to create a life in, especially when you can t everything including the kitchen sink. All that weight, however, creates a di erent driving experience.

Rear SumoSprings create load-leveing and weight capacity, reduce sway and body roll, and provide damping and vibration reduction.

This is suspension built for adventures.

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@supersprings.com.

SHOULD I USE SUMOSPRINGS OR SUPERSPRINGS?

Both! But it depends....

Generally, we recommend our SuperSprings steel helper springs for commercial applications, especially because they are most o en a constant load application. With recreational use, we’re just about always recommending SumoSprings. SuperSprings are manufactured from shot-peened steel, specialize in load-leveling ability, assist with sway control, and the ideal solution for work truck/van applications that are constantly loaded.

SumoSprings are made from a closed cell micro-cellular urethane which is progressive in nature. This material makes them the perfect t for recreational vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and gas motorhomes, van builds, and Jeeps to name a few. They really shine on applications where added weight is a variable - meaning sometimes you’re towing, sometimes you’ve loaded the bed, sometimes you’re o roading etc. Features that SumoSprings provide that you won’t see with the SuperSprings, are vibration reduction and damping, which make the driving experience night and day.

There’s always exceptions to any “rules” or recommendations. We highly suggest visiting our website for more information and/or giving our sales & service team a call with speci c questions.

HOW DO I BECOME AN AUTHORIZED ONLINE RESELLER?

We love that you want to partner with us! Before you get started listing everything on your website, marketplace, mobile application, or any other online forum, let’s make sure you’re all set up on our end.

The application process is simple and quick.

VISIT US ONLINE:

www.superspringsinternational.com/selling-online

EMAIL US AT:

brandprotection@supersprings.com

HOW CAN I FIND PRICING?

If you’re buying for your personal truck, Jeep, or SUV - everything is available to purchase from our website with the pricing right there.

For our business partners - we want to make things as easy as possible for you to get the information you need to succeed. Pricing, product data, and application data for all active SuperSprings International parts can be found online.

www.superspringsinternational.com/resources

We also enjoy getting to know you and your needs better, so you can contact our sales & service team by,

EMAIL support@supersprings.com

PHONE 800.898.0705

DOES SUPERSPRINGS INTERNATIONAL ENFORCE A MINIMUM ADVERTISING PRICING (MAP) POLICY?

The short answer: Yes.

SuperSprings International views the reselling of our products as a partnership. In an e ort to better serve our partners, protect your business, and curb the proliferation of online marketplace price, product, and customer service degradation, we work hard to promote and sell our products with a clearly communicated MAP. We also ask our partners to do the same.

We take our partnerships seriously. We provide marketing assets and materials, sponsor co-branded ads, and promote the social media accounts of our authorized online sellers.

REAL LIFE STORIES FROM THE ROAD.

JEEPLIFE : NIGHT & DAY

By Tom Bateman, Creative Director

eople would ask me all the time, ‘how’s those SumoSprings for the Jeep?’ Honestly, I didn’t know. I thought they’d probably be really good. A er all I’d seen them in use on trucks, SUVs, vans and ridden in them and knew how good they were. But Jeeps, I couldn’t con dently look at an avid fanatic and tell them, ‘this is an upgrade you need for Jeep right now.’ That had to change. I had to know how SumoSprings for the Jeeps performed.

Enter Robby and his 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL.

SETTING THE SCENE

Robby runs the service department for a Toyota dealership in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Since our marketing department is North Idaho, Adam and I made the 7-hour trek down south to install SumoSprings bump stop replacements on Robby’s Jeep - front and rear - and then take it into the wild for a day. And what a day it was.

There’s some things to consider when playing in the Jeep market. First, the point is to make these things even more capable for o -road

adventure, so limiting any kind of travel or articulation in the suspension is out of the question. Next, the existing bump stops on the front are located in a cup, inside the coil. Getting them out and a replacement installed means making more of a determined e ort to li the Jeep, disconnecting the sway bar and drag links, and lowering the axle to get the coils out and the SumoSprings in.

The question I kept asking myself was if this upgrade was going to make enough of a di erence to justi the e ort. Well, I’ll spoil the endingyes; yes it was worth every single second. And I’m not just saying that as the marketing guy who works for the company. I’m saying that because Robby brought a friend who had the exact same Jeep minus the SumoSprings, and it was utterly miserable in his Jeep compared to the absolute breeze in Robby’s.

It’s smoother out here than at 9 psi. “

SO WHAT DID WE DO?

A er installing the front and rear kits, we went to one of Robby’s favorite local spots; an area where we could do some proper overlanding, rock crawling, and test these things out the right way. We lmed the whole thing, and had Robby talking about his experience on camera. To test the upgrade, he le his tires aired up (not what you typically do when rock crawling) and quickly pointed out that, “it’s smoother out here than at 9 psi.” Then I heard a phrase from Robby we’ve been accustomed to hearing (though never for the Jeep) — “It’s just a night and day di erence.”

explained it was that, “it’s weired because you know when it happens, but it’s not harsh; it’s super so . I can feel it, but it doesn’t shake me around. Probably the best term is every con dence in the ride.” I knew what he was feeling. I was feeling the same thing. It was pleasant. I was happy to be in his Jeep. I had spent enough time in the friends Jeep to know how bad the ride was without SumoSprings.

As we kept hauling over what was clearly supposed to be a slow crawled, rock-infested dirt clearing, I wanted to know why Robby thought this was a necessary upgrade for his Jeep. Without hesitating he told me that he had “a lot of ability to feel like you’re in more control of how the Jeep’s moving, and operating, and doing it’s own thing. It’s tighter, but so er; well

Robby maps trails, and in fact this was his 20-something-th time on this trail which meant he knew it very well, and knew how fast he usually drove on it. I sat in the passenger seat holding a camera while he told me that, “usually a lot of this I would just crawl over, or down. But right now I don’t really mind giving it some speed. I’m able to go a little faster. I have a lot more con dence in taking some harder drops.”

I then asked him if he could feel the SumoSprings engaging and working with the factory suspension to change the ride quality. The way he

a night and day di erence.

it’s weird because you know when it happens, but it’s not harsh; it’s super so .

BELOW: Robby takes drops on a familiar trail with more con dence.

LEFT: SumoSprings SSF-403-54 on the front.

RIGHT: SumoSprings SSR-405-47 on the rear.

I came to nd out - and this will be no surprise to anyone in the Jeeplife scene - that Robby had spent thousands of dollars on this thing. Everything you could upgrade, replace, or change had been upgraded, replaced, and changed. This was a serious piece of overlanding equipment. And yet interestingly, he hadn’t touched his bump stops. Robby had mentioned that he’d heard poor reports on the hydraulic bump stop replacements that are common - lots of noise and not a lot of support. He wasn’t interested in that investment. So when we agreed to test the SumoSprings on his Jeep

he was already intrigued. There’s no way he - there’s no way either of usthought they’d be as impressive as this. Robby even confessed that, “my bump stops have been a huge part I overlooked. Like, just all the stu I have done and I le the bump stops stock. I feel like I probably should have done them a long time ago.”

People still ask me, ‘how’s those SumoSprings for the Jeep?’ But now my answer is easy. I use the same phrase Robby does...

it’s a night and day di erence.

probably the best term is, every condence in the ride.

ABOVE: This is where Robby added some speed to the trail. Smooth jeeping. BELOW: Robby (right) scoping the best route before heading down.

DYNAD AUTO ACCESSORIES, NETHERLANDS

Written by Miguel Angel Casas Prosper, International Sales Consultant

We’ve been an international company from the beginning. A er all, the SuperSprings steel product was rst introduced in South Africa over 25 years ago. But since Adam Weisner, our Chief Commercial O cer, took charge of growing international business in 2018, SuperSprings International has exploded into global awareness under Adam’s leadership. With increasingly strong presence in Europe, the Middle-East, and Latin America, Adam invited me to nurture our international growth and open new doors for business on every continent.

When asked to bring news from around the globe on customers we partner with, the choice was obvious; Dynad based in the Netherlands.

WHO IS DYNAD?

Specializing in supplying accessories to the motorhome industry and light commercial vehicles segment, Dynad is a key presence in Europe for applications such as taxis, disable vehicles, and cargo vehicles.

Dyand Import Export BV is a family business that was started over 35 years ago in the Netherlands. The name ‘Dynad’ stands for ‘Dynamic Drive’ with the company getting it’s start by selling cruise control and stinger radar detectors. Since then, the company has evolved into an importer and exporter of accessories for the European RV, caravan and yacht markets.

A er more than a decade of partnering together, I asked David van Dijkhuizenwhy, CEO of Dynad Auto Accessories, why he chooses to partner with SuperSprings International. He stated, “SuperSprings International products make a di erence in the EU market with innovative technology.” David has found great success in our SumoSprings product, particularly the SSR-313-54 kit designed for the Fiat Ducato (RAM ProMaster in the US).

“We did a benchmark with other supposed alternatives, but their products were not as good as the SumoSprings. With the SumoSprings the users really feel the progressive suspension and dramatically increase their driving comfort. Customers love the lifetime warranty and the easy-quick t system. Being able to equip both axles in less than an hour is a great advantage. Without a doubt the upgrade using SumoSprings is bringing the vans to a luxury level”, stated David.

A customer of Dynad picks up SumoSprings for his Citroën Jumper Class C van

AROUND THE GLOBE

NEWS FROM THE NETHERLANDS

CREATING BELIEVERS

One of the biggest roadblocks in expanding our international markets, is educating new users on the technology and bene ts of our products. We’ve had great success across the US, and a hand l of international countries, but there is no question that 99.5% of people who need our product still don’t know we exist. The proven method to creating believers in our product, is for them to use it and feel the di erence. Those who have, are sold out on what this product does.

As we have in the US, we have started to market ourselves and build brand awareness outside our domestic reach. We have seen huge success in marketing, placing great emphasis on video content and social media. This is a strategy we are now replicating across the globe and

expect it to be equally as rewarding. We have found that creating enthusiasts on various social media channels such as Instagram and YouTube is far more advantageous than we expected. This approach continues to pay dividends in recommendations, and has opened doors to working with RV manufacturers across the US and Canada.

GROW, GROW, GROW

It’s an exciting time to be part of a company that is growing at over 150% internationally YoY, especially because this is just the beginning! We are honored to deliver solutions that genuinely improve peoples’ driving comfort.

We’re still expanding our product o erings and don’t always have an available solution. All that means is we have an opportunity to develop new solutions where didn't have one before. The customer focus is key in all our activities and this is what allows us to continue such an exciting growth outside the US. One thing I hear over and over, our customers are very impressed with the speed we provide feedback and solutions.

“Without a doubt the upgrade using SumoSprings is bringing the vans to a luxury level”.

ABOVE This is nished install of the SSR-313-54 SumoSprings on the RAM ProMaster chassis. In Europe, this is the Fiat Ducato and Citroën Jumper.

BELOW David takes to the booth, educating customers on SumoSprings at the WTC Expo in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

CHASING PASSION

Tom Bateman, Creative Director

A story about discovering a calling that forever impacts the lives of young women.

This is her lifestyle, not some side passion we think looks nice. It’s not something she does in her spare time when she gets home from a day at the o ce. The acreage is her o ce, the saddle is her desk chair, and Angie has given her entire life to this industry and these young women.

Discovering an unrelenting passion in what she does from sunup to sundown isn’t convenience, it’s what gets her out of bed day a er day.

hard and play hard — but like it is for anyone with a burning passion for something, you can’t just turn that o and settle for second best. Angie said it herself,, there’s no silencing the “horse-crazy girl” inside.

With 18 years now as the owner and operator at Bridle Path, Angie provides trail rides, private lessons, and horse sales. This pays the bills and is a sure way to be around the 2,000lb creatures she loves more than anything. But does it scratch that itch?

Angie’s no stranger to this lifestyle — she’s has been riding since age 3. “My mother was never into horses but a big supporter, and my dad is a team roper, so I was always surrounded by it. I took it to the next level than anybody did in my family,” said Angie. “My mom has a picture of me at 3-years-old in braided ponytails, and I’m barrel racing at a rodeo right here in Rathdrum at the old singer rodeo, and my shirt says, ‘First-Class Brat’. Isn’t that nny that I have a business now called Brats!”

“ My mom has a picture of me at 3-years-old in braided ponytails, and I’m barrel racing at a rodeo right here in Rathdrum at the old singer rodeo, and my shirt says, ‘First-Class Brat’.

“

I’m a competitor. I love to compete.

They have to get up at ve o’clock in the morning and get those horses and themselves ready. It’s not for the faint of heart. If it’s cold, you suck it up because you’re a cowgirl.

ABOVE Looking up over the 20 acre property and some of the horses at Bridle Path in Hayden, ID. LEFT Angie shows some love to her current competition horse. BELOW The Brats in action — learning the basics of barrel racing.

and I’m going to show up with Bridle Path horses, and with my name on them, they were going to show up as a professional. That means collars cu ed, western shirts on, girls with their hair tied back. They have to get up at ve o’clock in the morning and get those horses and themselves ready. It’s not for the faint of heart. If it’s cold, you suck it up because you’re a cowgirl. And the response I’ve had from these kids is just, amazing.”

It sounds a little less romantic when you put it like that. A little less frolicking in the pasture, and a lot more like early mornings and heaps of e ort. But no one ever said doing something you love, something truly worth doing, would ever be easy. “That’s really what I love to instill in these girls. If this is your sport, you show up, and you do it.”

For Angie, this is her passion, her calling, her mission in life or whatever we call it. What we romanticize, Angie lives every day. The sunrise, the ranch, all that hay, the horses, and as she explained, “I’ll literally be standing, lling a water trough, and I’ll look over at that acreage and all those horses, and the sun’s just right — as it’s setting or rising — and I go, ‘wow; I am so lucky… I’ve got the best job in the world. I really do.’”

“

I’ll look over at that acreage and all those horses, and the sun’s just right — as it’s setting or rising — and I go, ‘wow; I am so lucky… I’ve got the best job in the world. I really do.

PARADISE, MONTANA

Driving along the Clark Fork River