Your truck's suspension is a collection of parts that supports the weight of your vehicle, absorbs road shocks, and keeps the tires on the road. A vehicle's suspension system also maintains stability when you make a turn or go around corners. It's a pretty hard-working parts system of your truck. Your suspension gets even more of a workout when you tow.

Suspension systems have come a long way since the beginning of the automotive industry, and one type of system often used on trucks and SUVs these days is an air suspension--sometimes called an air bag suspension.

What are Air Suspension Kits?

An air suspension kit like the kits that Enthuze manufactures contains all the parts to help level your truck's stance and provide additional suspension support for a smoother and safer ride. Enthuze air suspension kits for trucks fit several different makes and models, including the Toyota Tundra, Ram 1500, and Ford F150. Check the fitment to make sure it fits your truck. Enthuze air bag suspension kits feature easy bolt-on installation, a limited lifetime warranty, and a super flexible air line to resist kinking.

How Does an Air Suspension Work?

An air suspension typically lifts the chassis of a vehicle over the axle by using pressurized air. A compressor or electric pump may power an air suspension to send air into rubber bellows or air springs to raise the vehicle. Air suspensions are often used in heavy vehicles, but are also in use for passenger trucks and SUVs that may be used for towing.

Air suspensions improve road handling, ride comfort, and drivability, especially while towing. Some air suspensions have the ability to be manually adjusted for different vehicle heights with cabin controls. Otherwise, an air suspension levels your vehicle's stance to provide more support and prevent suspension fatigue.

What Are the Benefits of an Air Suspension?

Air bag suspensions for trucks have many benefits. The biggest one is improved performance. An air suspension can help your truck's handling around corners and in general. This is especially helpful for towing. An air suspension system can also reduce wear and tear on your truck's suspension components. Air suspensions reduce bouncing and vibration, which reduces pressure and friction on the rest of the suspension parts.

Air Suspension for Towing

Your truck's stock suspension design is made for safe towing and hauling. When towing or hauling a heavy load, the weight shifts rearward, bottoming out the rear suspension, and making braking more unpredictable. Adding an air suspension kit can make a huge difference in towing and hauling. The air bag suspension can alleviate the previously mentioned issues with towing and give you better control over the vehicle by adding load support.

You might be wondering if adding an air suspension system can increase your towing capacity, and the answer is a firm NO. Airbag systems are not for increasing towing or hauling ability, but rather to improve how your vehicle handles a heavy load. Air suspensions are for load leveling and making your vehicle easier to control when towing or hauling.

How To Install an Air Suspension

Removing and replacing air springs can be dangerous, and in general, it should only be done by a qualified service professional. Enthuze air suspension kits can be installed at your local Action Trucks location. With this being said, if you have the tools and experience to install an air suspension kit, detailed instructions are included with any air suspension kit purchase. Look for the installation guide link on the product page of the kit you purchased.

The following are basic steps to give you an idea of what's required. Actual installation should use specific manufacturer instructions.

Step 1 - Remove the rear wheels of your truck, supporting the vehicle frame on both sides and allowing the suspension to extend. It's not strictly necessary to remove the rear wheels, but it improves access during installation.

Step 2 - Remove the rear jounce bumpers on the frame rail.

Step 3 - Loosen the wiring harness guards on both sides.

Step 4 - Assemble the air spring's upper brackets according to instructions.

Step 5 - Assemble the air spring's lower brackets according to instructions.

Step 6 - Prepare the frame rail by tapping the existing 11mm hole behind the jounce bumper mounting cup with a thread-forming bolt.

Step 7 - Install the air spring assemblies. The instructions will be slightly different depending on if your truck has a 5th-wheel bracket or not.

Step 8 - Reinstall the wiring harness guards on both sides.

Step 9 - Adjust brake hard line clearance.

Step 10 - Trim J-bolts as indicated in your instructions.

Step 11 - Install heat shields.

Step 12 - Install air lines.

Step 13 - Check the entire system for leaks and replace the rear wheels. If leaks are found, they must be repaired and retested until there are no leaks.

The Enthuze kits do not use onboard air systems, but they can be easily added through popular truck parts retailers such as Action Trucks. Adding these parts allows you to raise or lower your air suspension from the cab of your truck by flipping a switch. Action Trucks also provides professional installation for Enthuze air suspension parts.

Rely on Enthuze for the aftermarket truck accessories you need to upgrade or repair your truck. All Enthuze truck accessories are manufactured to the highest specifications and subject to rigorous testing before being offered for sale. When you invest in quality Enthuze gear like air suspension kits, you know that you're getting the best in durability and reliability.

 

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