Everything You Need to Know About Air Suspension for Trucks

Updated on Aug 9, 2023

Have you ever heard the term “airbag” directed at a pickup’s suspension? No, aside from their pneumatic properties, these components aren’t anything like the life-saving devices found in your pickup’s steering wheel, dash, and seat bolsters. Regarding a pickup’s suspension, airbags are a completely different animal.

If you aren’t well-versed on the topic, air suspension can be a tricky concept; however, with a little guidance from our staff, you’ll be an expert in no time! In this article, we’re covering the basics of air suspension on trucks, including what this useful system is, the components that comprise it, and some of our favorite kits currently on the market!

What Is Air Suspension?

Air suspension is one of the most critical developments in trucking, but what exactly is it? In Layman’s terms, air suspension is pneumatically-assisted suspension; however, there are a couple of different styles to discuss.

Towing Air Suspension

First, let’s talk towing and hauling. Towing-centric suspension, like add-on airbag systems, is the most common form of air suspension, especially on pickups. These systems consist of durable rubber air bladders that work alongside your pickup’s other suspension components.

These bladders, or “airbags,” are installed between your pickup’s frame and rear axle; when inflated, the airbags stiffen up and support your pickup’s rear suspension, increasing rear ride height, reducing spring sag, and improving overall stability.

Depending on the kit, towing airbags can add hundreds to thousands of pounds of load-leveling assistance, keeping your trailer stable and level.

Full-Replacement Air Suspension

Then, we have full-replacement air suspension, often installed for aesthetic purposes on lowered and significantly lifted applications. These systems typically replace your pickup’s coil and leaf springs with air bladders, allowing you to raise and lower your pickup with air pressure! These systems typically require custom fab work and are commonly seen on show trucks; think about any massive SEMA build or body-dragging dually you’ve ever seen.

While aesthetically pleasing, full-replacement air suspension systems don’t offer much benefit in real-world use.

What Is Air Suspension Used For?

As previously mentioned, air suspension is used for two primary purposes: load-leveling assistance while towing or ride-height adjustment on a show-truck build. Whether installed alongside your pickup’s existing suspension or replacing the coils and leafs, air suspension acts as a spring beneath your pickup, supporting the body over the axles.

What Are the Components of an Air Suspension System?

While some air suspension kits are more complex than others, each features the same basic components. These include:

Airbags: Airbags, also known as air bladders, are thick, durable rubber bags installed between your pickup’s frame and axle. These components are filled with air by either a Schrader valve or an onboard air tank/compressor, providing load-leveling assistance or ride height adjustment.
Air Lines: Air lines supply air from the air tank/compressor or externally-mounted Schrader valve to the airbags. These durable lines are traditionally manufactured from thick nylon tubing for maximum durability.
Airbag Mounts/Crade: These components are used to secure the airbags to your vehicle’s chassis. Typically, airbag mounts and cradles are manufactured from heavy-duty steel for maximum strength and durability. They often feature a simple, bolt-on design that’s specific to your application, eliminating the need to cut or drill into your pickup’s frame.

Alternatively, several airbag kits include air compressors and air tanks that mount aboard your pickup. When wired into the electrical system and plumbed into the airbags, these components allow you to increase and decrease pressures with the push of a button! They also don’t rely on an outside air source, making you less reliant on gas station air pumps on long hauls.

Airbag systems with on-board air add several components to the above list, including:

Compressor: This product utilizes an electric motor to draw in external air, which it then places under a vacuum to reduce its volume.
Air Tank: Pressurized air is then placed into the air tank, which stores air until you increase pressure inside your airbags.
Pressure Gauge: The pressure gauge may be manual or digital; in either case, it monitors the air pressure of your bags, allowing you to verify that the PSI in the bags matches your load without ever leaving your pickup’s cab!
Air Management System: While not included with all onboard air systems, air management systems feature a standalone computer that monitors the pressure in your vehicle’s airbags compared to the load on the hitch or in the bed. They’re typically load-leveling and auto-adjusting, making towing and hauling a breeze!

How Does Airbag Suspension Work?

Air springs install either between your truck's leaf springs and frame or inside its coil springs. Working in conjunction with an air compressor, they provide additional support at the front or rear of your vehicle, allowing you to maintain a level ride height when hauling a heavy payload. These air springs are adjustable, giving you the ability to inflate and deflate the bags manually or via remote control. You can even adjust the bags individually, which improves handling when you're carrying a heavy, uneven load. This degree of control allows you to create the perfect balance of load support and ride comfort with no compromises.

Leaf Spring Air Suspension

Most trucks on the road today use leaf springs, a set of curved metal bars stacked together, as the basis of the rear suspension system. When a very heavy load is being towed or carried in the bed, the distance between the frame and leaf springs begins to close, which can lead to bottoming out if the truck hits any bumps or potholes. An air spring bridges this gap and helps shore up the suspension, greatly reducing the chance of bottoming out and vastly improving your truck's handling and braking when under a load.

Coil Spring Air Suspension

Coil springs, often found on the front of modern trucks and SUVs, can begin to sag if the vehicle is overloaded with equipment such as a heavy snow plow. Coil spring air bags help prevent this issue by installing within the spring itself. Once the bag is installed, it can be inflated to maintain a level ride and improve your vehicle's handling and safety.

Our Top Air Suspension Systems

If you’ve made it this far and you’re questioning which air suspension system to order for your pickup, you’re in luck! In the following section, we’re listing out our top air suspension systems.

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Kit

The Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bag Kit is a premium air bag system engineered for towing and hauling assistance. This kit includes everything necessary to install Firestone’s Ride-Rite airbags on your pickup, including brackets, air lines, all necessary fittings, and hardware.

While this kit doesn’t include an onboard air supply or management system, it offers full side-to-side adjustment to ensure a perfectly level and even load. Adjustment is quick and easy with the included Schrader valves, allowing for easy and quick pressure adjustments with an external compressor. These kits offer between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds of load-leveling assistance, ensuring maximum stability and minimum sag.

Features:

Rear-to-front leveling capability
Increases stability while maximizing load capacity
3,000 - 5,000lbs of load-leveling capacity per set
Can be adjusted for changing loads
Individual inflation valves for side-to-side adjustment
Installs between the frame and suspension
Improves steering control and braking effectiveness
Levels headlight beams and reduces tire wear
Reduces suspension fatigue and sagging
Reduces the chance of bottoming out
USA-made

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Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Bag Kit

The Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Bag Kit is a rugged, durable air suspension system geared toward towing and hauling heavy loads. Like the Firestone Ride-Rite kit, the Air Lift LoadLifter doesn’t feature an onboard compressor or management system; however, it includes airbags, lines, brackets, and all necessary hardware for a straightforward installation on your pickup.

This product features manual adjustability with the included Schrader valves; just install the valves in an easily-accessible location, like in the fender wells or on the rear bumper, and inflate the bags with a conventional compressor and tire pump, providing up to 5,000 pounds of load-leveling support!

Features:

Fits 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton trucks and vans with leaf springs
5,000-pound load-leveling capacity
Features an internal jounce bouncer
Available with stainless steel or plastic air lines
Includes roll plates, mounting brackets, and hardware
Easy installation
Limited lifetime warranty

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Firestone RED Label Air Bag Suspension Kits

Firestone RED Label Air Bag Suspension Kits are a premium, commercial-grade airbag system engineered exclusively for heavy-duty ¾ and 1-ton pickup trucks. Each kit includes everything necessary to install Firestone RED Label airbags, including all mounts, air lines, and fittings. Each kit is rated up to 7500 pounds per pair, leveling even the heaviest trailers!

RED Label airbags utilize commercial-grade bellows for maximum strength. Each airbag is pressure-tested before leaving the factory, ensuring leak-free operation and reliable service out of the box.

Features:

Levels rear-to-front
Stabilizes and maximizes your load capacity
Each air spring is pressure tested before leaving the factory
RED Label springs use commercial-grade bellows
Made using high-strength steel components
Mounts between the frame and suspension
Rated up to 7500 lbs per pair
USA-made

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Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Kits

The Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Kit is a simple, easy-to-install system engineered for coil-sprung rear suspension systems. These kits include small airbags installed within your vehicle’s rear coil springs; when inflated, this system adds up to 1,000 pounds of load-leveling assistance, ideal for light loads and half-ton applications.

Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Kits include everything necessary for installation, including airbags, air lines, fittings, and valves. They can be installed front or rear, whether your pickup needs a little help with a snow plow or your SUV needs a bit of load-leveling assistance for a travel trailer.

Features: