Why should I fit Air Helpers
Air helpers are known by several names, including airbags, air bladders and air-assist suspension. Whatever the name, their purpose is the same: to provide adjustable support to a vehicle’s existing suspension when carrying a load or towing a trailer or caravan.
Air helpers do not replace the original coil springs or leaf springs. Instead, they work alongside them to help manage additional weight and reduce rear suspension sag.
Adjustable Suspension Support
One of the main advantages of the AmadaXtreme Air-Helper system is that the level of support can be adjusted according to the load.
When the vehicle is unloaded, air pressure can normally be reduced to approximately 0.3–0.5 bar, depending on the application, remaining load and condition of the existing suspension. At the recommended minimum pressure, the effect on unloaded ride comfort should be minimal.
When additional weight or trailer nose weight is added, the pressure can be increased to return the vehicle closer to its normal ride height.
Why Vehicles Sag Under Load
Most modern bakkies and SUVs use relatively soft spring rates to provide comfortable everyday ride quality. When the vehicle carries a heavy load or supports significant trailer nose weight, the rear suspension compresses.
This causes the rear of the vehicle to sit lower while the front rises, creating several potential problems.
Poor Headlight Alignment
As the rear drops and the front rises, the headlights point higher than intended. This can reduce night-time visibility and dazzle oncoming drivers.
Reduced Suspension Clearance
A sagging rear suspension sits closer to the bump stops. This makes it easier for the suspension to bottom out over bumps, producing harsh impacts that can unsettle the vehicle.
Reduced Suspension Travel
Rear suspension sag uses up valuable compression travel and moves the shock absorbers away from their normal operating position. Less travel remains available to absorb bumps and control vehicle movement.
How AmadaXtreme Air Helpers Work
Restoring Ride Height
AmadaXtreme Air Helpers provide additional support beneath the load, helping to level the vehicle and return the rear suspension closer to its original ride height.
This also brings the headlights closer to their correct alignment—keeping the light on the road instead of in the trees or the eyes of oncoming drivers.
Progressive Bump-Stop Protection
On applicable AmadaXtreme kits, the air helpers replace the original bump stops and also provide progressive bump-stop protection.
A conventional bump stop normally engages only near the end of the suspension’s travel. An air helper progressively increases its support as it compresses, helping the suspension manage the load more smoothly and reducing harsh bottoming out.
Recovering Usable Suspension Travel
Correct inflation returns the rear suspension closer to its intended operating position. This recovers usable suspension and shock-absorber travel, allowing both to control bumps and vehicle movement more effectively.
The result can be improved stability, handling and ride quality when the vehicle is correctly loaded or towing.
Support Matched to the Load
An air helper acts as an adjustable supplementary spring. Increasing the air pressure provides more support and raises the effective spring rate. Reducing the pressure decreases the additional support.
The correct pressure is not necessarily the highest pressure. Air helpers should be inflated only enough to support the load and return the vehicle towards its normal ride height. Excessive pressure can make the rear suspension unnecessarily firm and may negatively affect ride quality.
What Air Helpers Cannot Do
Air helpers cannot increase the manufacturer’s permitted payload, gross vehicle mass, axle-load limits or towing capacity. They also cannot correct poor load distribution, excessive trailer nose weight or worn suspension components.
The vehicle and trailer must still be loaded correctly and remain within all manufacturer-specified limits.
Are Air Helpers Worth Fitting?
Air helpers are particularly useful for bakkies and SUVs that regularly:
- Carry tools, equipment or camping gear
- Transport varying loads
- Tow caravans, trailers or boats
- Experience rear suspension sag or frequent bottoming out