Airbag Assist Suspension 101: The Ultimate Guide To Airbags

When it comes to giving your ride a boost, airbag suspension (aka air suspension) is the game-changer you didn’t know you needed!

This cool tech has been making waves in the automotive world. Whether you're a car fanatic or just wondering how your vehicle manages to glide smoothly over bumps, this guide will take you on a fun journey through the world of airbag suspension.

Plus, we’ll bust some common myths along the way to clear up any confusion. Buckle up—it’s going to be an enlightening ride!

What Are Airbags?

No it's not the airbags that protect you in a crash. These go under the vehicle and assist with various suspension problems.

Airbags come in all shapes and sizes, made from durable rubber or polyurethane, and are incredibly versatile. They fit a wide range of vehicles and suspension types, whether nestled inside coil springs, or between leaf springs and axles.

In 4WD vehicles, trucks, and caravans, airbags work alongside existing suspensions to prevent spring sag and boost stability, especially when towing or carrying uneven loads. They can also replace traditional suspensions, offering adjustable ride heights for everything from show-stopping lowriders to practical raised heights for better clearance and load management.

Plus, airbags excel at vibration isolation. Long used in industrial applications, they outshine traditional cylinders with their durability, resistance to harsh conditions, and impressive stroke-to-collapsed height ratio. Whether you're upgrading your 4WD, truck, caravan, or innovating machinery, airbags are the versatile and reliable choice!

Check out this video from Airbag Man to explain!

How Do I Know If I Need Airbags?

How Does Airbag Suspension Work?

At its core, airbag suspension operates on a relatively simple principle: Inflating the airbags increases the lift back to it's usual height. So if you're towing or loading the car up for a holiday and the rear sags, you can inflate them to maintain a safe and comfortable ride. You can then deflate them when you don't need them, meaning you don't have to have a stiff ride when you aren't towing, packing the car for a holiday or any of the other uses for airbags.

Advantages/Benefits of Airbag Suspension

1. Enhanced Load Carrying Capacity: Airbag suspension helps distribute the weight of a load more evenly across the vehicle. This improves the overall load-carrying capacity without compromising safety or performance. It’s particularly useful for vehicles that frequently carry heavy or uneven loads, ensuring that the suspension can handle the added weight while maintaining vehicle stability. Yet, it's a total game-changer for folks who haul one-time loads and refuse to firm up their suspension just for a yearly gig.

2. Better Towing Performance (Reduces Sagging): Airbag assist suspension offers improved stability and control when hauling heavy trailers or caravans. The system helps keep the vehicle level, reducing sagging that often occurs when towing large loads. This leads to improved braking efficiency, better handling, and a reduction in the risk of trailer sway, making towing safer and more reliable.

3. Reduced Wear and Tear: Airbag assist suspension helps reduce excessive stress on suspension components like shocks, springs, and tires. This leads to less wear and tear, extending the lifespan of these components and reducing maintenance costs over time. The ability to adjust to varying loads also helps in maintaining a consistent level of performance, reducing strain on other mechanical systems.

4. Improved Handling and Stability: Airbag assist suspension enhances a vehicle’s overall handling and stability. When the vehicle is carrying a heavy load or towing, the airbag system ensures that the suspension remains level, preventing the rear end from sagging or the front from rising excessively. This improved balance results in better traction, more predictable handling, and a safer driving experience, especially when navigating corners, hills, or slippery surfaces.

5. Increased Vehicle Safety: With its ability to maintain consistent ride height and load distribution, airbag assist suspension plays a key role in enhancing the vehicle’s safety profile. It prevents issues like bottoming out, excessive sway, and reduced braking efficiency, which can occur with traditional suspension systems when heavily loaded. By maintaining a stable, level ride, airbag suspension reduces the risk of accidents caused by unstable load conditions or vehicle misalignment.

Disadvantages of Airbag Suspension

1. Maintenance: While generally reliable, airbag suspension systems require regular maintenance. The airbags themselves can develop leaks over time, and the electronic components can be susceptible to failure.

2. Cost: Like anything, airbag assist suspension costs money. However, finding a brand that is better quality, despite it costing a little more, will save you in the long run. Adding additional components, such as a modular air control kit, can increase both initial costs and maintenance expenses, but come with their own range of benefits.

3. Durability Concerns: Although modern airbag assist suspension systems are designed to be durable, they can be more susceptible to damage from road debris and harsh conditions compared to traditional suspension systems. This can be combatted with protective sleeves. Check out our blog on Kevlar sleeves here!

    

    

Main Applications of Airbag Assist Suspension

1. Off-Road Vehicles (4x4 and 4WD): Airbag suspension is popular in off-road vehicles due to its ability aid in towing, carrying heavy loads, and uneven weight distribution.

2. Commercial Vehicles (Trucks): Trucks often use airbag suspension to improve ride quality, stability, and load leveling, enhancing both passenger comfort and vehicle handling.

3. Caravans: Airbag suspension systems can significantly benefit caravans by improving load leveling and ride comfort, especially when towing or when the caravan is loaded unevenly.

Debunking Airbag Suspension Myths

As with any advanced technology, airbag suspension systems have their fair share of myths and misconceptions. Here are some of the most common misunderstandings:

Myth 1: High-Pressure/Kevlar Sleeves Are Only for Protecting Airbags

Fact: High-pressure sleeves, or airbag sleeves, serve a dual purpose. While they do protect the airbag from physical damage and abrasion, their primary role is to maintain the structural integrity of the airbag under high pressure. Put simply, they allow the airbags to carry more. We always recommend purchasing the high-pressure sleeves to give you the option to carry more.

These sleeves help ensure that the airbag maintains its shape and performance, even under the stresses of heavy loads or rough driving conditions. They are an integral part of the system, designed to enhance both safety and durability.

Already have airbags? Check out our blog to find out which sleeves you need!

Myth 2: Airbags Are High-Maintenance

Fact: Airbag suspension systems are generally not as high-maintenance as some believe. Modern airbag systems are built with durability and reliability in mind. Regular maintenance mainly involves checking for air leaks, ensuring the compressor and valves are functioning correctly, and inspecting the airbag condition.

However, these leaks are uncommon and airbags can last as long as 20 years!

With proper care, airbag suspension systems can offer long-term performance with minimal issues. Routine inspections and timely repairs can keep maintenance requirements manageable.

Myth 3: Airbags Increase Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)

Fact: Airbags themselves do not increase the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). The GVM is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to carry, including its own weight plus cargo and passengers.

Airbag suspension systems are designed to help manage the load and maintain a level ride height but do not alter the vehicle's rated GVM. Instead, they assist in distributing the weight more effectively and can improve the vehicle's handling and stability when loaded.

Need To Increase Your GVM? Click here to see if your vehicle qualifies

Myth 4: The Only Reason to Install Airbags Is to Carry Additional Load

Fact: While airbag suspension systems are excellent for managing additional loads and improving load-leveling, they offer several other benefits:

• Adjustable Levelling Control
• Safer Load Carrying
• Reduced Spring Sagging/Rear Sagging
• Reduce Bottoming Out
• Stabilise Body Roll
• Enhance Ride Quality
• Improved Steering
• Better Braking

Myth 5: Airbags Bend the Chassis

Fact: Properly installed and maintained airbag suspension systems do not bend the vehicle's chassis. It's as simple as that. This rumor is the largest and least substantiated.

They are designed to work within the structural limits of the vehicle and provide support without causing deformation. When installed by a professional, airbag systems are calibrated to work harmoniously with the vehicle's chassis. If a vehicle's chassis is bending or showing signs of strain, it is more likely due to improper installation or other underlying issues rather than the airbag suspension itself.

Overloading or improper usage can also ben the chassis. If you are unsure on how to use them properly or just want a second opinion, give our experts a call: 1300 662 920!

What Brand Should I Use?

At Direct Suspensions, we proudly recommend Airbag Man. Over the years, we have found them the most reliable, user friendly and best value for money. The iconic blue and red is pleasing to the eye, but is hidden away so that your 4x4 look isn't ruined.

Depending on the vehicle, we also sell Boss Air Suspension. We find they are the best solution for Dodge Rams because of their design and placement in the vehicle.

How To Install Airbags?

Installing airbag suspension is straightforward, with full step-by-step instructions included in all Airbag Man kits. However, Airbag Man recommends that a qualified professional handles the installation and maintenance. If you’re not certified but decide to tackle it yourself, make sure to use all necessary safety equipment and adhere to safety standards.

If you need a professional, you can get a quote from us on installation (located in Brendale, QLD).

Need An Installation Quote? Click here to fill out our quick quote form

Conclusion

Airbag suspension represents a significant advancement in automotive suspension technology, offering a blend of comfort, adjustability, and performance that traditional systems can’t always match.

While misconceptions can cloud their advantages, understanding the facts behind airbag suspension can help you make informed decisions about whether this technology is right for your vehicle.Airbag suspension is a testament to how far automotive technology has come in enhancing both driving comfort and vehicle performance.

Whether you’re enhancing a 4x4, a truck, a caravan, or a custom show car, airbag suspension offers a versatile solution to meet a variety of needs.