| If you’re a serious towing enthusiast, you | | | | • Quality of materials. Does the manufacturer use |
| probably already know the reasons why you should | | | | high quality premium parts that will hold up over |
| add an air ride suspension system to your | | | | years of heavy hauling? Avoid plastic fittings and |
| heavy-duty truck: a quality truck air suspension | | | | lower grade materials that may wear out or need to |
| system helps by cushioning a bumpy ride, leveling | | | | be replaced. Quality materials translate to greater |
| your vehicle, reducing wheel hopping, limiting trailer | | | | reliability and a longer life for your air ride suspensions |
| bucking and adding stability during braking. And, an air | | | | system, even under the harshest towing conditions. |
| ride suspension system helps you protect your | | | | • Ease of use. Is the system easy to use? Can |
| investment in your heavy-duty truck by preventing | | | | you easily adjust your suspension level? Are there |
| the harsh wear and tear caused by heavy towing. | | | | in-cabin controls to help you determine air pressure |
| But, before you make a decision to buy a product | | | | and load information? An air suspension system |
| that can have such a significant impact on your truck, | | | | that’s difficult to level and adjust will cause you |
| your trailer and your load, there are several factors | | | | added stress and unpredictability. |
| to take into consideration, including load capacity, | | | | • Articulation. Articulation, which is the up and |
| manufacturing quality, ease of installation, | | | | down tilt of the axle, is a critical feature to consider. |
| adjustments to your vehicle, warranty, and much | | | | If you should have an accident and your trailer winds |
| more. | | | | up in a hole, you want the axle to have maximum up |
| Here are a few tips for serious shoppers who are | | | | and down movement. Most systems have heavy |
| looking for optimum performance and value in a truck | | | | linkage between the front spring and the axle, which |
| air suspension system. | | | | prevents adequate articulation. |
| All Truck Air Suspensions are NOT Created Equal | | | | • Towing capacity. Look for the towing capacity |
| As you start shopping around, keep in mind that | | | | of the air suspension system and be sure it can |
| there are two main types of air suspension systems | | | | adequately handle the load you plan to tow. When it |
| on the market: | | | | comes to towing capacity, the bigger the air spring, |
| • Adjustable “helper” springs. This type of | | | | the more weight it can handle. Keep in mind that |
| system is generally comprised of an add-on helper | | | | your truck and trailer load should never exceed the |
| spring that aids in leveling the truck and reducing | | | | gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which is the |
| vehicle bounce, dip, or bottoming out when hauling a | | | | total weight of the trailer under fully loaded |
| heavy load or towing. The air springs can be | | | | conditions, including food, water, gear, etc. |
| adjusted, often with a service station air hose, to the | | | | • Installation options. How is the system installed? |
| truck’s load condition for more control and | | | | Does your truck’s frame need to be altered to |
| leveling support. | | | | install the system? Do holes need to be drilled? Can |
| Disadvantages: The helper springs are bolted directly | | | | the system be removed if necessary? Before you |
| onto your truck’s factory leaf springs. | | | | buy, be sure that installation won’t be a problem |
| Unfortunately, factory leaf springs deflect and twist | | | | for your or your truck. Find out if you can install the |
| under acceleration and braking. This axle | | | | system yourself or if it will require manufacturer |
| “wind-up” not only makes the truck drop | | | | assistance. If assistance is required, does the |
| when you accelerate, but it also makes the truck | | | | manufacturer provide you with a manual or access to |
| dive forward when you apply the brakes, throwing | | | | a dealer or installation specialist? |
| nearly all the weight of the truck and trailer onto the | | | | • Warranty and risk guarantee. Does your system |
| front suspension and brakes. Helper springs also tend | | | | provide a warranty that won’t expire before |
| to distort the natural spring frequency of the leaf | | | | you’ve had time to really test your system with |
| springs, actually making the ride worse in certain | | | | a long haul? Does the manufacturer stand behind the |
| situations. This type of air suspension system is best | | | | product? Does the manufacturer offer a no-risk |
| suited for leveling the ride and light or occasional | | | | guarantee if you are not satisfied with the system? |
| towing. | | | | Buyer Beware |
| Advantages: initial cost is less expensive. (Note that | | | | Buyers need to especially beware of the claims made |
| additional equipment may be necessary over time, | | | | by many helper spring manufacturers that their |
| offsetting the cost) | | | | systems are designed for heavy loads. In spite of |
| • Complete towing suspension system. This type | | | | the claims, the fact remains that these helper springs |
| of system is designed to both level the truck and | | | | are bolted directly onto your factory leaf springs, |
| improve the overall ride. Installing these kits involves | | | | which are NOT made for heavy towing. With this |
| removing the steel leaf spring on the truck and | | | | type of system, you run the risk of the leaf springs |
| replacing it with an entirely new air spring. Some | | | | twisting under heavy acceleration and braking. In turn, |
| manufacturers also replace front and rear shocks for | | | | this axle “wind-up” can make the truck drop |
| optimum performance. | | | | when you accelerate, as well a throw the truck |
| Disadvantages: More expensive. (Note: if you | | | | forward when you apply the brakes, throwing nearly |
| purchase a quality kit that comes complete with all | | | | all the weight of the truck and trailer onto your front |
| the bells and whistles for long-term performance, it | | | | suspension and brakes. If you merely want to level |
| may offset the initial expense) | | | | your ride, the helper spring makes a fine choice, but |
| Advantages: Truck’s steel leaf spring is removed | | | | if you are serious about towing heavy loads, you |
| and replaced with a new spring, which allows for | | | | need to consider a total performance towing |
| greater handling and control, stability, and safety, | | | | suspension system. |
| even when hauling the heaviest loads. Sometimes the | | | | Do a little research up front and you’ll avoid |
| manufacturer will install front and rear shocks to | | | | unnecessary wear and tear on your truck – and |
| match the frequency of suspension. | | | | costly repairs down the road. Your main consideration |
| Compare Important Features and Options | | | | should be overall ride performance, safety and |
| As with any product, each truck air suspension | | | | stability during heavy towing. If you’re serious |
| system claims to have the “latest and | | | | about towing, you need to be sure you are buying |
| greatest” features and benefits. It’s easy to | | | | an air ride suspension system that can do more than |
| get caught up in all the hype, but when you come | | | | level the ride; it needs to be suited for heavy towing. |
| right down to it, there are a few things that are | | | | Like many things in the automotive industry, using an |
| more important than others. Here’s a list of | | | | inexpensive aftermarket part often yields less than |
| major features and options to consider when | | | | optimal results. |
| comparison shopping. | | | | |