Are you trying to decide which helper spring upgrade to get for your truck? Not sure which is best for you? Today we’re going to take a deep dive into the pros and cons of airbag suspensions for trucks. Hopefully by the end of this short article, you will know if an air bag suspension is right for you.
What is an air ride suspension?
An Air Lift suspension system is comprised of basically five components:
- Air bags
- Air supply
- Air tank
- Air compressor
- Height control valve
Before we try to explain how they work, let’s take a quick look at the basic working parts of an Air Lift suspension with onboard air supply for the rear suspension:
- First of all, the 2 airbags - one for each side of the truck - are connected by air lines to the air tank and the compressor via the height control valve.
- When the level of compressed air in the tank drops to a certain level, the height control valve kicks in the compressor and the air tank is filled once again.
Air Lift upgrades are adjustable. In other words, by adding compressed air into the airbags, you are able to lift or lower the frame of the truck to the desired ride height.
Air Lift adjustable air springs replace the original bump stops, engineered to fit with your existing suspension. They work well with either leaf spring or coil suspensions helping to eliminate squat and provide you with a more comfortable ride when towing or hauling a load.
Air Lift's air suspension kits for trucks offer better weight distribution by leveling the load. This provides more control for steering and braking while towing.
What are the advantages of air suspension springs?
What are the main reasons for using an air bag suspension?
Comfort
Airbag suspension upgrades provide one of the smoothest rides. You are - quite literally - floating on a cushion of air!
Flexibility
An air bag upgrade allows you to adjust the suspension when the rear end of your truck is squatting too low. The height-control valve (part of the ECAS*) will keep the load level and stable with the flip of a switch.
*The Electronically Controlled Air Suspension also features height sensors (height-control valves) used to automatically control the vehicle's ride height.
What are the disadvantages of air helper springs?
Installation
The biggest drawback of an air bag suspension has always been installation. Fortunately, the newer air 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 light-duty truck, 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 labour, you’ll be looking at a couple thousand dollars. Installation will cost you another 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.
What is the alternative to an airbag suspension?
There are several products on the market that help with ride quality, load leveling, and stability. The best alternative overall is Timbren SES suspension upgrades. Here’s why:
Unlike an airbag system, Timbren SES suspension upgrades don’t depend on compressed air to enhance the ride. In fact, they’re a better alternative to air ride because they’re more reliable than air – in fact, they’re bulletproof!
If you have a few common tools and know how to remove a bump stop, Timbren SES suspension helper springs are easy to install. The basic components of an average SES suspension kit are:
- 2 Aeon® springs
The following quick comparison explains why Timbren SES upgrades are the best alternative:
Airbags
- Price: $2500
- Progressive spring rate: NO
- DIY installation: NO
- Improved ride quality: YES
- Durability: NO
- Lifetime Warranty: NO
- 100-day money back guarantee: NO
Timbren SES
- Price: $297
- Progressive spring rate: YES
- DIY installation: YES
- Improved ride quality: YES
- Durability: YES
- Lifetime Warranty: YES
- 100-day money back guarantee: YES
At the end of the day, Timbren SES suspension upgrades give you the biggest bang for your buck. Check out the benefits you receive when you install an SES upgrade:
- Affordable - most Timbren kits are under $300.00
For more information on how to get your hands on a set of Timbren SES helper springs for trucks visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com
