Best UTV Spring Kit for Glamis Dunes — Setup Guide for Sand Riding
UTV Spring Kit Setup for Glamis and Sand Dune Riding
Glamis, Dumont, Algodones, St. Anthony — sand dune riding is one of the most demanding and most fun things you can do with a UTV. It's also one of the most specific suspension setups you'll ever tune for. The demands of dune riding are completely different from desert trail riding — and a spring kit that's perfect for Arizona hardpack can feel all wrong at Glamis if the rates aren't dialed for sand.
At Schmidty Racing Suspensions in Mesa, AZ, we tune spring kits for Glamis and dune riding specifically. Here's exactly what dune riding demands and how to set your UTV up for it.
What Makes Dune Riding Different from Desert Riding
Constant Small Compressions in Deep Sand
In deep sand your tires are constantly sinking and the suspension is constantly working through small compressions just from forward motion. This demands a very soft initial spring rate — the tender spring needs to be light enough to stay active and compliant through the constant small movements of riding in soft sand.
Large Face Hits and Table Top Landings
At the same time, dunes have some of the biggest hits you'll ever encounter — large face compressions, bowl exits, and table top landings that can send your suspension to full travel instantly. Your main spring rate needs to be firm enough to handle these hits without bottoming out.
This combination — very soft initial feel with very strong bottom-out resistance — is exactly what a dual rate spring kit does best. The dual rate design handles both demands simultaneously better than any single spring rate ever could.
Heat and Dusty Conditions
Glamis in October, November, and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend — the busiest dune riding season — means riding in warm conditions with fine abrasive sand dust that accelerates seal wear. Spring kits don't directly address seal wear, but correct spring rates reduce how hard your shocks work — which indirectly reduces heat and wear on the seals.
How We Spec Spring Kits for Dune Riding
When a rider tells us they primarily ride Glamis or Dumont, our spring rate recommendations shift specifically:
- Softer tender spring rates — for the constant small sand compressions and to maintain a plush feel through the choppy, unpredictable sand surface
- Firm main spring rates — for strong bottom-out resistance on bowl exits, face hits, and table top landings that generate the biggest shock compressions you'll encounter
- Crossover collar position — adjusted for dune-specific transition point that maximizes the dual rate benefit for this type of riding
Spring Kits for the Most Popular Dune Machines
Polaris Pro R at Glamis
The Pro R is one of the most popular dune machines running at Glamis right now. Our Polaris Pro R dual rate spring kits are built and tested for both desert and dune conditions — tell us your primary terrain and we'll adjust the spring rate recommendation accordingly.
Can-Am Maverick R at Glamis
The Maverick R's 24 inches of travel makes it an exceptional dune machine. Our Can-Am Maverick R spring kits use Swift Springs with rates specifically tested for the Maverick R's Fox IBP shock platform in dune conditions.
Can-Am Maverick X3 at Glamis
The X3 is arguably the most popular dune UTV ever built. We carry spring kits for both the X3 72-inch and X3 64-inch platforms — each engineered specifically for their respective geometry and shock configurations.
Polaris Turbo R at the Dunes
The Turbo R's added weight from the turbo system affects spring rate selection for dune riding. Our Polaris Turbo R spring kits account for this weight difference.
Also Important — Shock Service Before Glamis
Sand and dust are brutal on shock seals. Before every major Glamis trip, check your shocks for:
- Any oil weeping or leaking on the shock body
- Nitrogen pressure — low nitrogen means cavitation and lost damping in the middle of a dune run
- Shaft condition — any scoring or pitting accelerates seal wear dramatically in sandy conditions
Need a pre-Glamis shock rebuild or nitrogen recharge? We do quick turnaround service at our Mesa, AZ shop. Drop off before your trip or send them in. Browse our UTV shock rebuild seal kits for DIY service or contact us about professional service.
Get Your UTV Dialed for Glamis
Heading to Glamis or Dumont and want to make sure your spring kit is set up for sand? Call us before your trip — we can talk through your current setup and make sure your spring rates, crossover collar position, and shock setup are optimized for dune riding specifically.
Schmidty Racing Suspensions
8150 E Germann RD, Suite 104
Mesa, AZ 85212
(602) 920-1337
Sales@schmidtyracing.com
Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm MST
Browse all UTV dual rate spring kits at schmidtyracing.com — organized by vehicle make and model. Every kit ships with a lifetime warranty and setup specifications. Fast shipping from Mesa, AZ.
