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Air springs, or inflatable rubber devices, replace steel springs in vehicle suspension systems. They allow for adjustable ride quality and are used in heavy equipment and show vehicles. They can also increase a pick-up truck’s payload capacity while maintaining drivability.
An air spring is an inflatable rubber device that takes the place of a steel spring in vehicle suspension systems. Often referred to as an airbag, an air spring is an inflatable device shaped like a rubber balloon. One of its first uses was on semi-trailer beds and other heavy equipment. When the air spring is inflated to its full potential, the ride is very rough and the vehicle rides high on the suspension. When air is removed from the air spring, the ride becomes much smoother and the vehicle lowers much lower on the suspension. An onboard air compressor and storage tank supply air to the air spring while suspension and dash-mounted switches activate the system, adding or removing air to fine-tune ride quality.
The benefit of an inner tube lies in the ability to adjust the ride quality of the vehicle. If you operate a vehicle with extra weight, it is possible to add air to the spring and increase the vehicle’s ride height. It is also possible to add or remove air from one spring and switch to another to even out the vehicle’s ride height. This is especially useful on uneven terrain or soft, unstable terrain.
While the purpose of the inner tube began as a means of transferring weight from one axle shaft to another to meet load restrictions on certain highways, the latest trend finds the system in show vehicles. Following in the footsteps of custom car designers’ hydraulic systems, the air spring is the latest craze in custom car and low-ride technology. By adding air to the springs, the vehicle runs at normal ride height. By flipping a switch and deflating the air springs, the vehicle can be lowered until its chassis is virtually on the ground.
Custom air compressors and holding tanks provide enough air at the flick of a switch to allow springs to inflate and deflate at any time. This makes it possible for the vehicle to bounce by rapidly adding and removing air from the springs. This is a much more mechanically reliable method of what has been called “jumping” vehicles compared to older hydraulic technology.
When added to a pick-up truck’s suspension, springs allow for a much higher payload while maintaining drivability. Whether pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load, the truck is much easier to control and operate with the addition of air spring suspension.
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