Drivers spend countless hours in their trucks, so it makes sense that they would want the best. One component that’s often forgotten is the suspension system, even though it plays a key role in driver comfort and the safe transport of goods.
Here’s what you need to know about the different truck suspension systems and which one is best for transporting:
How Do I Choose the Right Suspension for My Truck?
Choosing the right suspension system for your truck isn’t easy and requires a lot of consideration. Thankfully, RPM is here to help guide you through the decision-making process so that you can invest in the right system for your hauling needs.
What Should I Take Into Consideration?
When choosing a suspension system for your truck, consider the following factors:
- Your initial budget as some suspension systems cost more upfront than others
- Your desired level of maintenance as some suspension systems require less maintenance than others
- Your typical loads as some suspension systems are better for fragile loads, and some are better for full loads
What Are Truck Suspensions?
Truck suspensions are an important piece of a functioning truck along with the engine, brakes, transmission, battery, alternator, and radiator.
Truck suspensions utilize springs and other components to promote a smooth and safe ride for both driver and cargo.
What Are the Different Components of Truck Suspensions?
Your truck’s suspension system comprises several different components. It’s important to identify these different components and how they contribute to the overall suspension system. Here’s a quick rundown to help:
- Springs: The springs are one of the most important components of a truck’s suspension system. Springs are flexible and can help the truck adjust to the road so that the driver and the cargo don’t feel as much impact from bumps or holes in the road.
- Wheels and tires: The wheels and tires are also important components of a truck’s suspension system, and the tires are the only components actually to touch the road as the vehicle is driving. As a result, the wheels and tires incur most of the impact of the road.
- Shock absorbers: Shock absorbers help the springs adjust to bumps and holes in the road. The springs would cause the truck to bounce up and down without shock absorbers after sustaining an impact. With shock absorbers, the springs are supported and stay relatively stable.
- Rods and linkages: Rods and linkages are designed to connect the different components of the suspension system.
Bushings, bearings, joints, and arms: Bushings, bearings, joints, and arms are designed to keep the linkages connected to the bigger components of the suspension system. They are also designed to help certain components slide and twist when absorbing impact and adjusting to the road.
How Do You Use Truck Suspensions?
The best thing about truck suspensions is that they quite literally do all the heavy lifting themselves. The driver doesn’t have to worry about manually operating another vehicle system with a properly functioning suspension system.
Instead, truck suspensions automatically adjust to the conditions in the road, including cracks, bumps, and potholes.
What Are the Main Types of Truck Suspensions?
There are two main types of truck suspensions to choose from: leaf spring and air ride. Each of these systems comes with its own set of pros and cons that you need to consider when choosing the right suspension system for your truck.
1. Leaf Spring Suspensions
The first type of suspension system is known as a leaf spring suspension. This suspension system is made up of steel leaves attached to the trailer's frame to help it adjust to shocks from the road.
The steel leaves are made up of several layers of flexible steel strips that form an arc shape with the longest layer at the top and subsequently shorter layers after that.
Leaf spring suspension systems have a long history and can be traced back to medieval times, known as carriage or laminated springs. Leaf spring suspension systems were the primary suspension system used on most vehicles through the 1970s.
And although these systems may now be considered “outdated,” they still come with tons of advantages for trucks, including:
- Lower upfront purchasing and installation costs
- Lower maintenance costs, especially within the first six to seven years of ownership
- Longer lifespan requires less frequent replacement, which can be costly
- Lighter load to further cut down on costs when hauling a high volume of heavy loads
At the same time, leaf spring suspension systems also come with a few disadvantages that you need to consider, including:
- Less functionality when it comes to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments may result in a rough and bumpy ride
- Less resale value if you go to sell a trailer with a leaf spring suspension system
- More exposed parts that are at a greater risk of rusting, corroding, and wearing down
2. Air Ride Suspensions
The second type of suspension system is known as an air ride suspension. This suspension system comprises air-based components like valves, airlines, and air springs bags instead of metal-based components like steel leaves. These components are then powered by an electric pump or compressor that pumps air into the valves, lines, and bags.
Air ride suspension systems are a more recent invention, with development dating back to World War II for military equipment like aircraft and trucks. Air ride suspension systems are also commonly used in low-riding sports cars.
Since air ride suspension systems are considered more modern and advanced than leaf spring systems, they come with a unique set of advantages, including:
- Smoother ride for both the driver and the trailer
- Longer trailer lifespan since the trailer takes on less vibration
- Safer transport of fragile goods since there’s less movement and vibration in the trailer
- Even though air ride suspension systems tend to be more advanced than the alternative, they still come with some drawbacks, including:
- Higher costs — both upfront for purchase and installation and for maintenance throughout the years
- More breakdowns are repairs are needed for air ride suspension systems
- Heavier weight on the trailer can impact fuel efficiency and may require more fuel overheads
What Type of Suspension Is Best for Transporting?
So based on what you know about leaf spring suspensions and air ride suspensions, which one is the best for transporting? It really depends on what you’re transporting, where, and when.
- Suppose you’re primarily transporting fragile goods that require extra care. In that case, you may want to consider getting an air ride suspension system for a smoother ride that decreases the likelihood of damage from shocks, bumps, and vibrations.
- Suppose you’re primarily transporting heavy goods and want to limit your weight as much as possible to boost your fuel efficiency. You may want to consider getting a leaf spring suspension system for a load that’s substantially lighter.
- Suppose you tend to transport less-than truckloads rather than full truckloads. In that case, you may want to consider choosing an air ride suspension system as this system is better able to handle lighter weights with more irregular distributions.
- If you’re primarily transporting goods through regions with rough roads, then you may want to consider getting an air ride suspension system to make your ride more pleasant. States with some of the worst roads include California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. Alternatively, states with some of the best roads include Oklahoma, Idaho, Indiana, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, and Tennessee.
- Suppose you’re primarily transporting goods through regions that experience adverse weather during certain times of the year. In that case, it may be worthwhile for you to invest in an air ride suspension system. For example, northern states during the winter and midwestern states during the early summer.
- If you’re just starting out in the trucking industry and are looking to save as much money as possible while you establish your career, then you may want to choose a leaf spring suspension system to save money upfront and in maintenance costs.
- If you’re planning on selling your truck or trailer in a few years and want to get a good return on your investment, then you should go with an air ride suspension system that tends to have a better resale value.
Why Are Suspensions Important for Transporting?
Suspension systems are used in all vehicles; however, they are particularly important in trucks used for transporting. For starters, the drivers of these vehicles are spending hours behind the wheel. To make the driving experience more bearable, they need a good suspension system so that they don’t have to feel and hear every single bump in the road.
Additionally, the products transported in these vehicles need to remain stable throughout the entire transportation process. They should not be moving around every time there’s a small bump in the road.
Shippers entrust drivers with the safe transportation of their products, and a good suspension system plays an important role in maintaining their integrity while on the road.
Are Suspensions Reliable During Transport?
Suspension systems can be incredibly reliable during transport with proper maintenance and operation. As a driver, you don’t want to worry about your suspension system's function when you’re taking sharp turns in the mountains or driving over rough city roads.
Instead, you want to trust that your suspension system will do its job to support you and your load.
How Do Suspension Lifts Work?
A suspension lift is a modification that’s performed on a vehicle to raise the ride height and improve the overall performance of the vehicle. Performing a suspension lift can also provide more room for bigger wheels and tires while increasing road clearance.
Suspension lifts work by raising every part of the vehicle anywhere from two to nine inches, depending on the kit used. These kits can be incredibly expensive and often require a mechanic's professional installation that further increases the cost.
Are Suspension Lifts Bad for Trucks?
There are both pros and cons to installing suspension lifts. When properly installed, suspension lifts can provide you with a better ride. However, improperly installed suspension lifts can leave you with a rougher ride.
On the other hand, installing a suspension lift changes the truck’s center of gravity and rises above the ground. This can make it easier for the truck to roll if you suddenly swerve or brake hard. Installing a suspension lift also adds weight to your truck, which can then affect everything from your fuel efficiency to the wear of your tires.
So, installing a suspension lift is really based on your preference at the end of the day.
What Are the Functions of a Suspension System?
Suspension systems are an incredibly important component of a safely working truck. Here are the three main functions of a suspension system that demonstrate why they’re so important:
- Suspension systems support the load of the truck so that it doesn’t dip or drag too close to the road
- Suspension systems provide stability to the truck so that it can safely handle curves, turns, and elevation
- Suspension systems cushion the ride to protect the cargo and provide a comfortable ride for the driver
What Should I Do for Suspension Maintenance?
No matter what type of suspension system you have, you need to ensure proper function. Here’s a short list of things that you should be doing to maintain your suspension system and prolong its lifespan:
- Thoroughly inspect the inflation levels and tread depth of your tires every 1,000 to 3,000 miles for any signs of irregular deflation or wear that may be related to the suspension system
- Rotate and balance your tires every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, keeping in mind that tractor tires may require more care and attention than trailer tires
- Have your wheels aligned every 50,000 to 60,000 miles and thoroughly inspect the condition of your suspension system
- Check the levels of your power steering fluid at every oil change, which should be around every 25,000 miles
How Do I Know If My Suspension Needs to Be Replaced?
Even with proper maintenance, suspension systems don’t last forever and will eventually need to be replaced. Here are some signs that your suspension system has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced:
- Uneven tire wear: The first sign of a worn suspension system is seen in your tires. If your suspension system isn’t working properly and balancing your truck evenly, you might see more worn patches than surrounding spots.
- Low frame: Another sign of a worn suspension system is a vehicle frame that’s lower to the ground than usual. The frame may also lean to one side or corner of the vehicle when it’s parked.
- Bumpy ride: A telltale sign that your suspension system needs to be replaced is that your truck is riding bumpy as the system can no longer absorb and adjust to the bumps in the road.
- Unstable body: A concerning sign of a worn suspension system is an unstable vehicle body that tends to move around when you stop, start, or turn the vehicle.
- Oil leaks: The last sign of a worn suspension system is seeing or feeling oil that’s leaking onto your shocks.
The Bottom Line
No matter which suspension system you choose for your truck, you can make the most of it by partnering with a top logistics provider like RPM. RPM allows drivers to instantly book loads through an easy-to-use mobile app where drivers can access one-to-one support, digital capture of all documents, and fast payment processing. Click here to find out more information about driving for RPM.
