How Do Heavy Duty Trailer Air Suspensions Work?

Unlike other suspensions on the market, Dexter’s Heavy Duty Air Ride Suspension System is meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with your trailer, eliminating the need to construct a trailer around the suspension. With capacities ranging from 23,000 lbs. to 30,000 lbs., our system can easily handle heavy loads. What sets us apart is our commitment to customization. With over 60 years of axle design and manufacturing experience, we have the expertise to craft solutions that precisely match your specifications. Our engineering support team is dedicated to bringing your vision to life, from the initial concept to the final product. In this article, we will review the mechanics of Dexter's Air Ride system and highlight its distinctive features. Additionally, we'll explore the various types of air ride systems Dexter offers and compare air ride and spring ride suspensions.

HOW DOES AIR RIDE SUSPENSION WORK?

Air Ride suspension systems employ an inflated airbag, or air spring, to support the weight of the trailer and its contents. The system achieves a balanced load distribution across all axles through precise air pressure control within the air springs. This uniform pressure leads to an even weight distribution, alleviating stress on the trailer and ensuring compliance with load regulations. Ultimately, Air Ride suspensions offer a reliable and efficient solution for maintaining stability and performance during transport.

HEAVY DUTY AIR RIDE SUSPENSION OPTIONS 

Dexter has three Air Ride suspension systems: the Smart-Axl, ISS Series, and LSS Series. Each suspension system is fully compatible with Dexter’s heavy duty axles.

Smart-Axl: A weight-optimized off-the-shelf suspension with standard Top Mount and Low Mount configurations available in capacities of 23,000 lbs., 25,000 lbs., and 30,000 lbs. This system stands out for its lightweight and durable design.

ISS Series: A fully customizable suspension system with over 25 base models ranging from 25,000 lbs. to 30,000 lbs. This series is available in Top Mount, Underslung, and Yoke Mount configurations, ensuring that we have the solution to meet your specific trailer needs.

LSS Series: A  flexible suspension system that comes without the axle installed, allowing for installation whenever and wherever needed. This system can be paired with Dexter's Smart-Steer® axles and is available in capacities of 23,000, 25,000, and 30,000 lbs.

AIR RIDE VS. SPRING RIDE

Air Ride suspension offers several advantages over Spring Ride. It provides consistent and accurate load equalization across axles, ensuring cargo protection and trailer load compliance. Additionally, it reduces stress on the trailer and other components, leading to extended lifespan and reduced maintenance. In contrast, Spring Ride utilizes leaf springs to support the trailer's weight, relying on an equalizer to adjust to the weight distribution across the axles. The Spring Ride system is not able to equalize or balance the load as precisely as the Air Ride system. Additionally, Air Ride is able to offer a smooth ride even when the trailer is empty, a feature lacking in Spring Ride, which tends to be stiff in such circumstances. This is because Air Ride adjusts to the load on the trailer, providing a more comfortable and stable experience overall.

CONCLUSION

In summary, Dexter’s Air Ride suspension system utilizes inflated airbags to evenly distribute weight across axles, a distinct advantage over traditional Spring Ride suspensions. Customers can select from three versatile systems: the Smart-Axl, ISS Series, and LSS Series, which are all compatible with Dexter’s heavy-duty axles. Ultimately, Dexter's Heavy Duty Air Ride Suspension System offers a superior, tailored suspension solution for many heavy-duty trailer applications.