Towing

  One of the first things truck owners do with their new half or three-quarter-ton truck is install a leveling or lift kit. As well as look to get bigger tires and other modifications. So does adding a leveling kit affect towing and loading up? The answer is yes it does and we have suspension to fix it. First, a leveling kit is made to bring the front of the truck up and make it level. A lift kit will also level the truck but, it raises both the front and the rear. The reason people level their trucks is that, from the factory, it comes with something called a rake. Which is when the back of the truck sits higher than the front. Manufacturers expect truck owners to really load up the bed or tow. So, when they do the truck sags and you end up with a level truck. That means when you add a lift or a leveling kit and load up, now you’ve got a sagging problem. Level Up And Stay There The good news is there are many ways to fix the rear end sag on your truck. And that’s true whether you have a lifted truck, a level truck, or even a stock truck. Our Journey Better Leveling Kits not only level your truck but they keep you there. So rather than selling a problem and a solution separately, we’ve created a leveling kit that’s built for towing. These leveling kits are designed to give your truck the level stance and room to add bigger tires that you’re looking for but they don’t create a sagging problem or a negative ride comfort when you load up. So when you get your truck level you can add bigger tires and can keep it level even when you’re towing the boat, camper, or a bunch of fire wood. Eliminate The Rear-End Sag If you already have a lift or leveling kit we actually have a solution for you. For a long time, the go-to in people’s minds for dealing with a sagging truck was airbags. That’s not a bad solution but it also comes with lines, leaks, minimum air pressures, air compressors, and maintenance for the life of those bags. SumoSprings are the airbag alternative. They’re a fit it and forget it solution with zero maintenance and a lifetime warranty. Now because SumoSprings aren’t made from rubber and they’re not a bag filled with air nothing else really performs as they do. That’s really a game changer when you’re loading up the truck or towing a trailer. Especially, because these have been track tested and proven to reduce vibration by almost 70%. Already Loaded Up? If you’ve got a truck that’s constantly loaded or you’re towing a lot you might consider looking at our SuperSprings steel helper springs. These are an add-a-leaf alternative that bolt-on and are designed to add spring rate to the existing leaf pack on your vehicle. SuperSprings eliminate rear-end sag, and reduce body roll, but the caution here is that they might negatively affect your unloaded ride quality if you’re not constantly loaded up or constantly towing. Sign Up For More Tips, Adventures, And Exclusive Offers Embark on a better journey with Outback Kitters. Sign up for our newsletter to receive professional tips, product updates, and exclusive offers.

SumoSprings, renowned as an airbag alternative, often leave enthusiasts curious about the meanings behind their colors and how these nuances impact the overall application. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll embark on a journey to unveil the secrets of SumoSprings’ colors, delving deep into their densities and shedding light on how to make the most informed choice for your vehicle. Unveiling The Innovation: SumoSprings Composition Diverging from the conventional rubber, SumoSprings stand out as a testament to innovation. Crafted from micro-cellular polyurethane filled with millions of tiny air bubbles, these suspension marvels boast a maintenance-free design coupled with a robust lifetime warranty. What sets SumoSprings apart from rubber bump stops is their identity as progressive springs, delivering support precisely when needed while preserving your factory ride quality. This departure from the norm prompts us to use the term “density” instead of the more common “durometer” associated with rubber components. Understanding The Density Of SumoSprings Understanding the density of SumoSprings involves unraveling the manufacturing process intricacies. Carefully integrated air pockets in the material create a progressive spring characteristic. The various colors assigned to SumoSprings correlate with different air pocket densities, resulting in a spectrum of lighter to heavier densities. This unique feature empowers us to fine-tune load capacity, ensuring optimal performance tailored to your specific needs. Understanding The Colors: Three SumoSprings Densities SumoSprings come in three distinctive colors, each offering a unique density rating: Blue SumoSprings: Embodying the lightest density, identifiable by part numbers ending in -40. Black SumoSprings: Representing a medium density, distinguished by part numbers ending in -47. Yellow SumoSprings: Flaunting the heaviest density, identified by part numbers ending in -54. Choosing Wisely: Why Size Isn’t Everything In the realm of SumoSprings, the color holds the key to performance, debunking the myth that bigger equates to better. Opting for a higher-density load support might seem appealing, but it can have a detrimental impact on your unloaded ride quality. Our mission is to guide you in selecting the right color based on your setup, vehicle specifications, lifestyle, and intended usage. Should you require assistance in this crucial decision-making process, our team is just a message away. Tailoring Your Selection: Matching Your Needs While our content often features the versatile blue SumoSprings, renowned for providing excellent support, vibration reduction, and addressing sagging and body roll, the choice of color hinges on your unique requirements. Blue: Tailored for weekend warriors towing trailers, offering support without compromising daily drive quality. Black or Yellow: Ideal for vehicles consistently loaded, such as vans or trucks with permanent campers, providing additional support and vibration reduction. To further demystify the colors, watch our insightful video where we illustrate the distinctions between the colors. The Path To Perfect Selection: Leveraging The Application Guide Navigate the array of SumoSprings options effortlessly by leveraging our application guide. It serves as your compass, guiding you to the perfect SumoSprings kit for your specific vehicle. Need personalized guidance? Don’t hesitate to reach out; our dedicated team is here to ensure your journey on the road is not just smooth but tailored to your exacting standards. Use our application guide to see what we have for your vehicle.

1. Know Your Towing Vehicle’s Capabilities Before you even think about hitching up your travel trailer, it’s crucial to understand your towing vehicle’s capabilities. This goes beyond just knowing the make and model – you need to check your owner’s manual or consult the manufacturer’s specifications for precise towing capacity. Overloading your vehicle can lead to handling issues, reduced fuel efficiency, and, most importantly, safety concerns. By adhering to your vehicle’s limitations, you can ensure a smoother, safer towing experience. 2. Choose The Right Trailer Selecting the appropriate travel trailer is essential. Your choice should align with your towing vehicle’s capacity. Lightweight trailers are generally easier to tow, but if you have a more substantial, robust towing vehicle, you can consider larger, more feature-rich models. Always confirm the weight limits and compatibility between your vehicle and the trailer to avoid any surprises or difficulties on the road. 3. Load Distribution Matters How you load your travel trailer significantly impacts its stability on the road. Strive for a well-balanced load with heavier items positioned low and centralized. Proper weight distribution minimizes sway and makes your trailer more manageable during turns and stops. Consider investing in weight distribution hitches or sway control systems for added safety. 4. Practice Backing Up Backing up a trailer can be a nerve-wracking experience for first-timers, but practice makes perfect. Find an open, empty space to hone your skills before you hit the road. Remember that when you turn the steering wheel, the trailer moves in the opposite direction. Patience and practice will help you navigate tight spots and campsites with confidence. Here are some helpful tips for backing up a travel trailer: Choose the Right Location: Find an open, empty parking lot or a quiet area where you have plenty of space to practice. Look for a location with clear lines or markers on the pavement to serve as visual guides. Get a Spotter: Having a spotter outside the vehicle can be immensely helpful, especially as you’re learning. The spotter can provide real-time guidance and watch for obstacles you might not see. Practice Straight-Line Backing: Start by practicing straight-line backing. This involves moving the trailer directly backward without any turns. Begin by positioning the trailer straight behind your towing vehicle. Use your side mirrors to monitor the alignment, and then slowly reverse while keeping the trailer in line. Use minimal steering adjustments to maintain a straight path. Use the Bottom of the Steering Wheel: When making steering adjustments while backing up, use the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the trailer to go left, turn the wheel to the left; if you want it to go right, turn the wheel to the right. This can help you avoid overcorrections. Practice 90-Degree Backing: After mastering straight-line backing, move on to 90-degree backing, which is useful for parking in tight spots. Position your towing vehicle and trailer so that they form a right angle. Begin to reverse and, as the trailer starts to turn, make gentle steering adjustments to guide it into the desired parking spot. Continuously check your mirrors and adjust as needed to keep the trailer on track. Correcting Mistakes: Expect to make mistakes as you practice. If the trailer starts to jackknife (forming an acute angle with your towing vehicle) or go off course, don’t panic. Stop, pull forward, and correct your steering. Sometimes it’s easier to reset and start again. Develop Spatial Awareness: Understanding the spatial relationship between your towing vehicle and the trailer is essential. As you practice, you’ll develop a better sense of how much you need to turn the wheel to achieve specific trailer movements. Be Patient and Take Your Time: Backing up a trailer is a skill that requires patience and practice. Don’t rush the process. Take your time to build confidence and become more comfortable with the movements. Communication with Your Spotter: Maintain clear communication with your spotter. Use standardized hand signals or simple verbal commands to convey your intentions. Make sure you both understand what each signal means. Real-World Practice: Once you’ve gained confidence in an open area, practice backing into real-world scenarios like your driveway or a campsite. These practical experiences will help you refine your skills and adapt to different situations. Remember that backing up a trailer is a skill that improves with practice. Start in low-stress environments and gradually work your way up to more challenging situations. Over time, you’ll become more confident and proficient at maneuvering your travel trailer in tight spots and busy campgrounds. 5. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly inspect the tire pressure on both your towing vehicle and the trailer. Adequately inflated tires are vital for safe towing. Proper tire pressure not only enhances handling but also reduces the risk of a tire blowout. Consult your owner’s manuals for the recommended pressure levels, and always perform these checks before every trip. 6. Plan Your Stops When towing, anticipating your stops is essential for safety. Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front, and brake early to avoid sudden, jarring stops. Plan your route with ample rest areas and safe stopping points, allowing you to take breaks and stretch your legs. 7. Monitor Your Speed Maintaining a safe, steady speed is crucial when towing. Avoid excessive speed, as it can lead to sway and reduce your control over the trailer. Stay within recommended speed limits, and always adapt to road and weather conditions. Keep in mind that towing can affect your stopping distance, so exercise caution. 8. Use Mirrors And Stay Alert Visibility is key when towing, so invest in extended mirrors to enhance your view of the trailer and the road behind you. Staying alert is equally important. Consistently check your mirrors to monitor traffic and the trailer’s behavior. Avoid distractions, and always stay focused on the road. 9. Invest In SumoSprings For A Smoother Ride For an even smoother towing experience, consider SumoSprings and Trailer SumoSprings. These innovative suspension products are designed to improve stability, reduce sway, and enhance ride comfort. They work by providing progressive load support, effectively reducing bounce and jarring movements caused by uneven roads or crosswinds. With SumoSprings, your towing vehicle and trailer can operate more harmoniously, creating a safer and more comfortable journey. 10. Take It Slow Patience is the golden rule when towing a travel trailer for the first time. Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and embrace the journey. Plan your route in advance, and allow extra time for unexpected delays or interesting detours. By taking it slow, you’ll not only reduce stress but also ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience on the road. Read more