Upgrading Your Ride: The pros and cons of an Air Suspension system for your ute or SUV

Upgrading your ute can be confusing. Which system is best? Which one is right for you? This short article will help to clear any confusion and present you with the obvious choice.

Ready to upgrade your ride?

When is it time to upgrade your suspension?

1. Roll and sway: If you’re getting excessive body roll when cornering, nosediving when you hit the brakes, or bottoming out from small bumps, it could mean your ute due for a suspension upgrade.
   
   
2. Sag and squat: The clearest sign your ute needs an upgrade is sagging in the rear of your vehicle either when it’s heavily loaded or when you’re towing.
   
   
3. Suspension overload: If your current suspension older than the other 4×4 accessories – things like bull bars, canopies, winches, drawers, or long-range fuel tanks – on your ute, then odds-on your suspension system will require a suspension upgrade.
   
   
4. Tyre wear: A poor suspension system will create excessive bounce and unpredictable handling, resulting in excessive tyre wear. If your tyres need replacement before their time, it’s a sign that your suspension isn’t doing its job.
   
   
5. Miles on the odometer: The older your vehicle is, the more likely it will need repairs and replacements.
   

The more you overload your vehicle over time, the more you will need a suspension upgrade.  

What are the pros and cons of an air suspension?

The Pros:

• Comfort

Car and truck manufacturers are increasingly turning to air bag suspensions as a viable alternative. Doing away with conventional springs allows for a much smoother ride, something you can’t get with metal springs. After all, you are - quite literally - floating on a cushion of air!

• Flexibility

Do you want to arrive at the next family reunion with your vehicle riding impressively low to the pavement while at the same time avoid the inevitable scrapes from a large speed bump? No problem. An air bag suspension allows you the best of both worlds with the flip of a switch. If a heavy load has the rear end of your ute squatting lower than usual, the height-control valve (part of the ECAS*) will keep the load level and stable.

The Cons:

• Installation

The biggest drawback of an air bag suspension has always been installation. Fortunately, the newer air bag suspension kits have reduced the need for cutting and drilling. However, you will need to drill holes to mount the compressor, manifold, and tank. If you own a car or utes, there’s going to be problems with space, not to mention the noise factor whenever the compressor decides to kick in.

• Expense

If you want the smooth ride that air bags offer, you’re going to have to pay for it. Without including labor, you’ll be looking at a couple of thousand dollars. If you decide to install it yourself to save on labor costs, there are quite a few components in the box. If you’re not a gear head, the task is probably above your pay grade.

• Reliability

Airbags take a pounding. Unless they’re high-quality, they will eventually leak. If they decide to burst on a road trip, it could compromise your brakes, reduce control of your vehicle and lead to an accident.

• Maintenance

You need to think twice about using an air bag on your vehicle if you’re the type to ‘set it and forget it’. This complex system is expensive and needs plenty of TLC! Regular checkups are imperative in order to protect your investment.

How do airbags compare with Timbren rubber springs?

Installation:

Due to the complexity of its design, air bag suspensions for utes usually require a professional installation. Timbren SES truck helper springs, on the other hand, are easy DIY upgrades that require ordinary hand tools and take less than 30 minutes to install.

Expense:

A complete airbag suspension will cost you about $2500 plus installation. Timbren SES truck helper springs retail for about $300.00.

Reliability:

Air bag suspensions are vulnerable to air leaks. And without a reliable air supply, you’re looking at loss of control and a serious accident. Timbren SES truck helper springs, on the other hand, are absolutely bulletproof.

Maintenance:

In order to protect your investment, suspension air bags require regular checkups. Timbren SES truck helper springs require zero maintenance.

Choose a Timbren SES suspension upgrade and avoid the problems associated with airbags.

Airbags or rubber springs: Which one is best for you?

• If you’re looking for a suspension upgrade that offers you the biggest bang for your buck, look no further than Timbren SES rubber springs.
  

• And because rubber springs are so reliable, Timbren SES suspension upgrades come with a Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day Money-back Guarantee.

For more information on Timbren SES suspension upgrades, visit Timbren.com