Suspension upgrade for towing...

[Jarred]

Ok I have read a ton on here about suspension. I actually find it fine as is, if I weren't going to be towing a travel trailer. Here's my question. Would you upgrade the rear springs to heavier duty springs(if so, any suggestions?) or just go with sumo springs on the stock suspension? I will be swapping the shocks for Bilstein 5100s soon. I also have the Helwig sway bar on order and have upgraded the tires already. I'm not looking for the cheapest option, but the best and safest option. Thanks in advance!

 

[Randy Schmidt]

The ride quality on the Sumo springs with the CCD suspension is terrible. Or at least I thought so. Others have said it isn’t too bad.

 

[Jarred]

The ride quality on the Sumo springs with the CCD suspension is terrible. Or at least I thought so. Others have said it isn’t too bad.

What are you running on yours?

 

[Calidad]

The CCD and stiffer springs were probably pretty bad. I can’t imagine the ccd gear working well unless it was sport mode assuming the ccd shocks dial up their load / rebound control? I have CCD stock setup haven’t messed with it enough probably should tho. Just heard a neighbor was car jacked in the canyon near our house, he pulled over to let them pass they instead pulled ahead blocked the road got out with a shot gun and he and his passengers got out. Lucky they didn’t kill him. Dead zone for cell phones. All the locals are telling people to not pull over to let people pass, its a short 12 minute stretch with no possible passing spot unless you pull off, talking switch back paved goat trail basically but a major locals route over the hill. Has me thinking I need to drive the Expedition more in sport mode and get use to its handling. Might need to hustle it at some point...

 

[sjwhiteley]

The CCD and stiffer springs were probably pretty bad. I can’t imagine the ccd gear working well unless it was sport mode assuming the ccd shocks dial up their load / rebound control? I have CCD stock setup haven’t messed with it enough probably should tho. Just heard a neighbor was car jacked in the canyon ...

Blimey, that story took a left turn!

OP, I have the Sumo springs on non-ccd suspension. They seem to work OK, especially for the investment. I have a ~5k Travel Trailer with WDH and the Sumos seem to level it a bit easier.

I'm not sure there are other options, currently, besides what you have mentioned.

 

[JasonH]

Ok I have read a ton on here about suspension. I actually find it fine as is, if I weren't going to be towing a travel trailer. Here's my question. Would you upgrade the rear springs to heavier duty springs(if so, any suggestions?) or just go with sumo springs on the stock suspension? I will be swapping the shocks for Bilstein 5100s soon. I also have the Helwig sway bar on order and have upgraded the tires already. I'm not looking for the cheapest option, but the best and safest option. Thanks in advance!

The suspension is fine if your weight is distributed correctly between the axles. Many people inquire about the sumo springs because they have boats, or their WDH is not moving enough weight to the front axle so the rear sags. If anything, I would spring (see what I did there?) for upgraded struts over stiffer springs.

 

[mwl001]

The suspension is fine if your weight is distributed correctly between the axles. Many people inquire about the sumo springs because they have boats, or their WDH is not moving enough weight to the front axle so the rear sags. If anything, I would spring (see what I did there?) for upgraded struts over stiffer springs.

Exactly. Before you "settle" for wherever your weight is distributed, you best at least go to a scale and make sure you're not making a problem worse... leveling definitely "feels" like the problem is solved but in most cases it's not.

 

[Jarred]

The suspension is fine if your weight is distributed correctly between the axles. Many people inquire about the sumo springs because they have boats, or their WDH is not moving enough weight to the front axle so the rear sags. If anything, I would spring (see what I did there?) for upgraded struts over stiffer springs.

For a little clarity on this, are you saying you'd replace the front struts first? I'm admittedly semi ignorant to the complete parts list as I just picked up my 2020 expedition max a month ago, but as far as I have read it's struts in the front and shocks in the back. Does that sound correct?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Zig10]

I put the Sumos on mine within the first 500 miles of owning the car, so I may be just used to them by now (2 years, 19k miles). I think it rides fine with them (non-CCD suspension). Air shocks / air bags would be my preference, but I haven't been able to find them yet for this platform.

With the sumo springs and the Helwig sway bar it's actually a pretty good towing platform. My boat is around 7200-7500 lbs wet, and it does just fine at highway speed and around town. Admittedly, I don't tow through any mountains with it so I can't comment on that aspect, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so, either.

 

[JasonH]

For a little clarity on this, are you saying you'd replace the front struts first? I'm admittedly semi ignorant to the complete parts list as I just picked up my 2020 expedition max a month ago, but as far as I have read it's struts in the front and shocks in the back. Does that sound correct?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Expedition has an four-wheel independent suspension with struts all around. On mine, rebound on the stock suspension isn't as well controlled as it could be. But I also have 117K on the original struts, so it could just be that it's time for replacement. These struts degrade over time, so unless one is completely blown sometimes it's difficult to tell if a replacement is needed.

I wouldn't make any changes to the suspension before actually setting up the trailer properly by visiting a scale. After confirming the weights are distributed correctly, then determine what, if any changes you want to make. You need to be sure that suspension mods are not papering over an underlying issue. For example, people frequently complain about issues like sway, without knowing whether they have enough weight on the tongue, then begin looking for band-aids like a better WDH or stiffer rear. Get the weights loaded correctly by visiting a truck scale, then start looking at struts, springs, tires, etc.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

What are you running on yours?

Running a 5K pound boat and a 2.5k pound boat.

 

[MattB9418]

I tow a travel trailer that fully loaded would be 9k,so maxed out! I am waiting on my 5100s front and rear, and with those new LT tires. I just put on the sumo springs in the back and they are a great improvement for rebound damping. The back of the car does not oscillate nearly as much. Highly recommend them for 150bucks. I think with all three things my towing will be acceptable for me.

 

[Jarred]

I tow a travel trailer that fully loaded would be 9k,so maxed out! I am waiting on my 5100s front and rear, and with those new LT tires. I just put on the sumo springs in the back and they are a great improvement for rebound damping. The back of the car does not oscillate nearly as much. Highly recommend them for 150bucks. I think with all three things my towing will be acceptable for me.

View attachment 41493

Looks like you have Expy Max from the pic is that correct? I'm looking at a travel trailer that would max out at 8k lbs. Good to know what you've done. I'm going with the 5100s also, but not sure about sumo springs yet. I'm waiting on the rear sway bar, hoping for April delivery!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MattB9418]

Looks like you have Expy Max from the pic is that correct? I'm looking at a travel trailer that would max out at 8k lbs. Good to know what you've done. I'm going with the 5100s also, but not sure about sumo springs yet. I'm waiting on the rear sway bar, hoping for April delivery!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep, MAX with max tow. I just ordered the sway bar, the sumos for 160 are great, just to help with the oscillating.

 

[Scott Carden]

Expedition has struts on all four corners past 2003? Anyway I tow and my factory struts were not up to the task. 2014 EL King Ranch 4x4. So I upgraded to Goodyear ultra terrain tires. Bilstien 5100 struts on all for corners set to the highest position and fords latest revised coil for all four corners. I ordered a hellwig sway bar that is going to take months to get here, but the ride is great! Perfect for towing or not.

 

[techdude99]

...I just put on the sumo springs in the back and they are a great improvement for rebound damping. The back of the car does not oscillate nearly as much...

Is the oscillating side to side or front to back?

I tow a car hauler with a combined weight of around 5000 - 6000 lbs (depending on cargo) with the OEM tow package, stock CCD suspension, and Weight Safe hitch with no oscillation.

I have Sumo Springs and swaybars still in boxes because the side to side oscillation in the Max with just passengers is vomit enducing. I'm trying to decide which set to try first.

 

[MattB9418]

Is the oscillating side to side or front to back?

I tow a car hauler with a combined weight of around 5000 - 6000 lbs (depending on cargo) with the OEM tow package, stock CCD suspension, and Weight Safe hitch with no oscillation.

I have Sumo Springs and swaybars still in boxes because the side to side oscillation in the Max with just passengers is vomit enducing. I'm trying to decide which set to try first.

So my oscillating is forward back due to the very heavy trailer. The sumo springs really helped that. I have the rear sway bar to install to help with side to side. Today I get to pickup my expo that just got bilsteins 5100 all around along with e rated LT tires

 

[Deadman]

Is the oscillating side to side or front to back?

I tow a car hauler with a combined weight of around 5000 - 6000 lbs (depending on cargo) with the OEM tow package, stock CCD suspension, and Weight Safe hitch with no oscillation.

I have Sumo Springs and swaybars still in boxes because the side to side oscillation in the Max with just passengers is vomit enducing. I'm trying to decide which set to try first.

Thats the sway bars job. Its absolutely embarasing with the factory bar. My friend rode with me one day and said WTF is wrong with your car, its bobbing left and right so much that I'm getting sick. Its pathetic they allowed them to leave the factory on such tiny sway bars.

 

[techdude99]

So my oscillating is forward back due to the very heavy trailer. The sumo springs really helped that. I have the rear sway bar to install to help with side to side.

That confirms what I was thinking. Thank you.

Thats the sway bars job. Its absolutely embarasing with the factory bar...

RSB will go on first thing tomorrow. My wife had the same reaction as yours when I told her I could stop the bobble headed ridiculousness. I told her the cost and she said, "Order the fking thing now!"

 

[MattB9418]

That confirms what I was thinking. Thank you.



RSB will go on first thing tomorrow. My wife had the same reaction as yours when I told her I could stop the bobble headed ridiculousness. I told her the cost and she said, "Order the fking thing now!"

I am installing mine the next few days, just came in.