Airmax Air Helper suspension kits use Firestone air springs and have long been a popular option for drivers who want extra support for payload. Once installed, the Firestone air springs can be adjusted to meet the demands of a given load. Adjustments for more or less pressure are made via air lines that extend from the Firestone air springs to the rear of the vehicle in manual/basic setups. If you only tow a few times a year, this is a cost-effective solution. If you are regularly hauling heavy loads or towing a camper, trailer, caravan or boat, we recommend using an on-board air compressor system. Air springs require a minimum air pressure at all times, typically 0.35 bar depending on the specific part and when unladen to prevent them from damage. You now have air at your finger tips and the ability to monitor the pressure at all times.
Firestone air springs are designed to maximize safe load carrying capacity, stability, and overall ride quality. They are designed and assembled in the USA. Firestone air springs use the same Firestone technology used on many heavy-duty trucks, trailers, and buses on the road today. That means you’ll get Firestone’s reputation for commercial grade durability, quality, reliability, and service.
One of the most valuable benefits of Airmax suspension kits is adjustability. With an increase or decrease in the amount of air pressure in each air spring, you can adjust the suspension for lights loads, heavy loads or no load at all. People often ask — do air helper springs really work? The answer is yes, absolutely. Airmax suspension kits offer a huge advantage for trips that involve uneven loads. For example, if the load you carry leans toward the right side or left side of the vehicle, the air bags can be adjusted to accommodate this issue. Why spend large amounts of money on replacing your complete suspension? There is a better solution, fit the variable load carrying Airmax Air helper suspension kit.
We are proud to inform you that all Airmax air helper kits sold from December 2022 will include a LIMITED LIFE TIME MANUFACTURE WARRANTY on Firestone RIDE-RITE™, SPORT-RITE™ and COIL-RITE™ air springs.
The Airmax Kit, components and accessories are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials. This limited warranty does not cover service or labour charges, freight or customs charges, lost wages due to down-time, neglect, misuse, abuse, misapplications, improper installation and failure due to external conditions or interference, overloading or alterations to the product and wear and tear.
Firestone air springs are designed to provide years and thousands of kilometres of trouble-free service. The durability of Firestone air springs is such that they will often outlast other maintenance items on your suspension, such as bushings, shocks, and other components. Ride-Rite™ air springs are warranted to be free of material defects and/or workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle on which it was originally installed. The hardware and brackets which accompany the air spring are warranted for a period of 2 years. Firestone offers a complete line of air springs, with products available for a variety of applications. Regular maintenance helps predict when failure is likely to occur, allowing you to find a solution to problems before they happen. Periodically check for rocks, gravel, sand or other abrasive debris between the convolutions and around bead plates. Remove the debris to help prevent abrasive punctures.
If your vehicle tows or transports uneven loads that cause the rear end to sag, you must level up with air springs. By adding air springs to your vehicle, you can enjoy various features and benefits like adjustable levelling control, elimination of spring sag, better braking under load, safer load carrying capacity, improved steering and handling, eliminate the body roll, prevent bottoming out, excellent ride quality when loaded, reduced tyre wear and lower maintenance costs.
If your existing springs or shocks are showing signs of fatigue and sagging from constant or varied load carrying, we recommend that you see a spring specialist to either reset or replace the suspension before installing your air spring kit. If your current springs and shocks are worn, you will notice the air springs are overworking to support the weight of the vehicle and the load being towed or carried, leading to air spring failure and incorrect operation.
You can add air springs if you have a vehicle with stock suspension or aftermarket suspension. Airmax will ensure that the load is distributed evenly across the suspension and chassis provided you operate your air springs correctly as specified in the owner’s manual.
If your existing springs or shocks are showing signs of fatigue and sagging from constant or varied load carrying, we recommend that you see a spring specialist to either reset or replace the suspension before installing your air spring kit. If your current springs and shocks are worn, you will notice the air springs are overworking to support the weight of the vehicle and the load being towed or carried, leading to air spring failure and incorrect operation.
You can add air springs if you have a vehicle with stock suspension or aftermarket suspension. Airmax will ensure that the load is distributed evenly across the suspension and chassis provided you operate your air springs correctly as specified in the owner’s manual.
If your vehicle does not have air springs and you are towing or carrying a load, or even just four-wheel driving with passengers and your vehicle is sitting low and uneven, you lose suspension travel due to the weight on the vehicle and shortening the gap between your chassis and axle potentially causing you to bottom out. When you add our air springs and inflate them to return your vehicle to its level ride height position, you eliminate that factor and regain the travel or flex you lost under load. The only way you will lose suspension travel is if you apply too much pressure to the air springs, causing the suspension to extend out past the standard height when it is not necessary. This will limit your suspension’s downward travel or flex.
All the Airmax air helper kits we supply are vehicle specific, the pressure varies depending on the load you put on your vehicle. The air pressure needs to match the load you are carrying, all you need to do is level the vehicle.
Firestone air springs ‘assist’ your existing suspension by distributing the load between the chassis and the leaf or coil springs and axel. There could be several reasons your air springs aren’t raising your vehicle to its standard ride height. Your vehicle may be overloaded with too much weight and you may have reached the maximum pressure of the air springs specified. Furthermore, if your current leaf or coil spring suspension is too old and has sagged over time, this can cause the air springs to bear most of the load preventing you from reaching your standard ride height position.
No, only overloading or unusual/reckless vehicle operation can result in a cracked or bent chassis. This is because our air springs are installed where the vehicle manufacturer anticipates the bump stop impact load will be applied.
The gross vehicle mass (GVM) of a vehicle is the maximum operating weight or mass specified by the manufacturer, which includes the chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers, and cargo but excludes any trailers. Never exceed the weight ratings for the overall vehicle (GVM) or individual axles specified by the manufacturer. For your vehicle’s specific GVM, consult the owner’s manual.
No, air springs do not increase GVM because they act as a suspension assist. However, if you get a complete suspension GVM upgrade and add our air springs to it, the air springs can carry weights up to your GVM.
Air springs do not increase the stated weight ratings of the vehicle for GVM, or the gross combined mass (GCM), individual axles, or tow ball loads.
