If you are in the market to replace your heavy-haul suspension system, you have two options: the original suspension that came with your truck, van or trailer, or an aftermarket suspension system.

The latter can increase efficiency while reducing wear and tear and save you money in the long run.

Before deciding on the heavy-duty suspension upgrade, it is essential to analyze the pros and cons.

Determine the usage of your vehicle or trailer to understand what type of suspension system best fits your needs.

This post discusses aftermarket heavy-duty suspensions and their significant advantages over stock suspensions,  making them ideal for your truck or trailer.

The Difference Between Stock Truck/Trailer Suspension Systems & Aftermarket Suspension Systems

Both systems work on similar principles: leaf springs or air suspensions compress to absorb bumps, control the wheel's motion, and keep the vehicle level.

The fundamental and significant difference between the two systems is the additional durable leaves or airbags that are  mounted on a heavy-duty suspension. This allows your truck or trailer to carry more weight, tow more weight, and absorb more road impacts.

The Significant Advantages to Heavy-Duty Aftermarket Suspensions

• Aftermarket heavy-duty suspensions always fit your vehicle.
• Their design makes them perform, and last, under extreme conditions.
• You can customize them to suit your specific needs or mount them on your existing frame.

The five significant advantages to heavy-duty aftermarket suspensions are:

1. Less wear and tear on other parts

Heavy-duty suspension designs look to meet the demanding applications. They will last longer under regular use, reducing costs associated with replacing them more frequently.

They offer a softer ride that reduces wear and tear on other vehicle parts.

2. Improved Handling and performance

Aftermarket suspensions make your truck or trailer more stable while driving on poorly maintained roads or off-roads. Under this condition, your handling improves significantly and offers better steering control, especially while hauling heavy loads.

3. Comfort

A well-designed aftermarket suspension system will make your ride smoother by absorbing bumps in the road without compromising stability or performance. It reduces driver fatigue and makes them more comfortable behind the wheel.

4. Increased stability and safety

A stiffer suspension keeps the vehicle planted on the ground. It prevents rollovers when drivers lose control while driving down hills or turning too sharply at high speeds.

5. Increased load-carrying capacity

Aftermarket heavy-duty suspensions ensure that your vehicle will no longer sag, sway, or squat. They are stiff, stronger, and resist bending to carry more weight safely.

Aftermarket Mechanical/Leaf Spring Suspension Systems

Leaf springs absorb shocks and vibrations in heavy commercial vehicles.

They enhance the capability of the suspension to move with the terrain of the roadway, ensuring there's no energy transfer from the wheels to the chassis.

Benefits of Custom Engineered-Mechanical Suspension Systems

1. The design of the suspensions can meet your specific application
2. Reduces wear and tear
3. Reliable and high quality
4. High efficiency that reduces downtime and improves performance

Aftermarket Air-Ride Suspension Systems

Air-ride suspension systems use durable polyurethane and rubber material airbags on each axle. The dual compressors pump air into each flexible bag, enabling them to absorb bumps and vibrations efficiently.

Air-ride suspensions are smooth, quiet, extend truck or trailer life, and provide higher rates per mile.

For more info about custom engineered suspension systems, check out our website or contact one of our suspension experts.

Benefits of using engineered air-ride suspensions

1. Quality ride: The smooth, quiet ride and minimized push-pull provide the driver comfort and reduce fatigue.
2. Load protection: Air-ride suspensions absorb bumps and vibrations, thus protecting the cargo in transit.
3. Less trailer bouncing minimizes wear and tear and extends the life of your truck/trailer.
4. They give confidence on the road by offering security against any manufacturing defects.
5. Air-ride gives you the advantage of net higher rates per mile hauling loads.

Add-On Lift Axles Can Add Capacity to Your Existing Suspension System

Utilizing lift axles allows you to increase the load capacity of your trailer, eliminating the need for multiple trips, and reducing operational costs. Some benefits of using auxiliary lift axle suspensions include:

• Improved Fuel Economy: Eliminate resistance of one axle's tires when empty or lightly loaded.
• Increased Payload Support: When you are hauling more weight, the lift axle helps better disperse the increased payload.
• Improved Brake & Tire Wear: When the lift axle is in-use, it helps reduce wear and tear on the other axles.
• Load Transfer Adjustments: Lifting and lowering the axle height allows you to change the center of mass for more efficiency.
• Reduced Toll Costs: Certain states allow for reduced toll rates when the lift axle is not in-use.

Aftermarket heavy-duty suspensions are the best option designed to enhance your riding experience, whether your truck is new or used.

If you're interested in a custom suspension solution, contact one of our knowledgeable engineers today! Cush Suspensions specializes in OEM and aftermarket suspensions for trucks and trailers to help drivers achieve optimized ride quality.