Auxiliary Air Springs, Reinforced Springs, Reinforced Replacement Springs or Helper Springs – Which Solution Is Right?
Motorhome, van, pickup, SUV or truck – which chassis solution is right for your vehicle?
Many vehicle owners face the question of whether an auxiliary air suspension, reinforced spring, heavy-duty replacement spring or auxiliary spring is the right solution.
All systems improve driving comfort, stability and safety, and support the chassis under heavy loads. The optimal solution depends on the vehicle, the load and the intended use.
Auxiliary air suspensions, reinforced springs, heavy-duty replacement springs and auxiliary springs are particularly often retrofitted to vehicles such as Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE, Ford Transit, Ford Transit Custom, Renault Master, Opel Movano, Nissan Interstar, Mercedes Vito, VW Transporter, VW Caddy, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, VW Amarok, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Iveco Daily and Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.
Especially for motorhomes based on Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter, MAN TGE and Ford Transit, auxiliary air suspensions, reinforced springs and auxiliary springs are among the most popular chassis improvements.
Typical reasons for retrofitting include a sagging vehicle rear, high continuous load, living cabins, rear garages, bicycle racks, scooter racks or trailer operation.
Reinforced springs, heavy-duty replacement springs and auxiliary springs
Reinforced springs, heavy-duty replacement springs and auxiliary springs support the standard suspension and improve driving stability, comfort and safety under heavy loads.
Depending on the vehicle and system, the standard springs are replaced by reinforced springs or supported by additional springs.
Important: Reinforced springs and auxiliary springs do not increase the permissible total weight of the vehicle without a corresponding load increase. However, they improve driving stability and support the chassis under heavy loads.
Advantages of reinforced springs and auxiliary springs
• Maintenance-free
• Permanent improvement of driving stability
• More driving comfort
• Less rolling and sagging
• Improved chassis support under heavy loads
• Ideal for vehicles with permanently heavy loads
• No air lines or compressors required
• Lower acquisition costs than air suspensions
Typical designations
Different terms are used depending on the manufacturer:
• Reinforced springs
• Heavy-duty replacement springs
• Auxiliary springs
• Helper springs
• Load springs
• Heavy-duty springs
• Reinforced coil springs
• Reinforced leaf springs
All these systems pursue the same goal:
More driving stability, more driving comfort, more driving safety and less sagging under heavy loads.
Auxiliary air suspensions – support and stabilization under load
Auxiliary air suspensions support the existing leaf or coil springs with air bellows. The air pressure can be adjusted to the load.
Especially in motorhomes, vans, pickups and trucks, auxiliary air suspensions provide more driving stability and better chassis support under heavy loads.
Advantages of auxiliary air suspensions
• Support for the existing suspension
• Improved driving stability under heavy loads
• More driving comfort
• Less sagging of the vehicle rear under heavy loads
• Reduction of rolling and side tilt
• Adaptation to different load conditions
• Particularly suitable for vehicles with changing loads
Important: Auxiliary air suspensions also do not increase the permissible total weight of the vehicle without a corresponding load increase.
Which solution is suitable for motorhomes?
Many motorhomes based on Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, VW Crafter or MAN TGE are used with permanently heavy loads and place high demands on the chassis.
Reinforced springs or auxiliary springs are particularly suitable for vehicles with permanently heavy loads and offer a robust, maintenance-free solution.
Auxiliary air suspensions are particularly interesting for motorhomes with changing loads, rear garages, bicycle racks or scooter racks. By adjusting the air pressure, the suspension support can be adapted to different load conditions.
Which solution is suitable for vans and pickups?
For vans and pickups, the optimal solution depends primarily on the use.
Permanently heavy loads
Recommendation:
• Reinforced springs
• Heavy-duty replacement springs
• Auxiliary springs
These systems offer permanent suspension support and are particularly low-maintenance.
Changing loads
Recommendation:
• Auxiliary air suspensions
Auxiliary air suspensions are particularly suitable for vehicles that are often loaded differently or tow trailers.
Typical vehicles:
• Ford Transit
• Ford Transit Custom
• Mercedes Vito
• VW Transporter
• VW Caddy
• Toyota Hilux
• Ford Ranger
• VW Amarok
• Isuzu D-Max
• Nissan Navara
• Mitsubishi L200
Which vehicles are suitable for auxiliary air suspensions, reinforced springs and auxiliary springs?
Auxiliary air suspensions, reinforced springs and auxiliary springs are often used in the following vehicles:
Motorhomes and vans
• Fiat Ducato
• Citroen Jumper
• Peugeot Boxer
• Mercedes Sprinter
• VW Crafter
• MAN TGE
• Ford Transit
• Ford Transit Custom
• Renault Master
• Opel Movano
• Nissan Interstar
• Mercedes Vito
• VW Transporter
• VW Caddy
Pickups
• Toyota Hilux
• Ford Ranger
• VW Amarok
• Isuzu D-Max
• Nissan Navara
• Mitsubishi L200
SUVs
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Suzuki Vitara
• Nissan Patrol
• Mitsubishi Pajero
Trucks and heavy motorhomes
Auxiliary air suspensions and reinforced spring systems are also used in trucks, expedition vehicles and heavy motorhomes to improve driving stability and support the suspension under heavy loads.
• Iveco Daily
• Iveco Daily 4x4
• Mercedes Atego
• Mercedes Vario
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter
• MAN TGL
• MAN TGM
• Volvo FL
Typical applications
• Motorhomes with rear garages
• Motorhomes with bicycle racks or scooter racks
• Panel vans and campervans
• Tradesmen's vehicles
• Delivery vehicles and vans
• Pickups with living cabins
• Towing vehicles for caravans
• Trailer operation
• Travel vehicles and expedition vehicles
• Trucks and heavy motorhomes
Comparison at a glance
|
Feature |
Reinforced springs / Auxiliary springs |
Auxiliary air suspensions |
|---|---|---|
|
Maintenance-free |
✓ |
– |
|
Driving stability |
✓ |
✓✓ |
|
Driving comfort |
✓ |
✓✓ |
|
Permanently heavy loads |
✓✓ |
✓✓ |
|
Changing loads |
– |
✓✓ |
|
Less sagging of the vehicle rear |
✓ |
✓✓ |
|
Acquisition costs |
Lower |
Our recommendation
Reinforced springs, heavy-duty replacement springs and auxiliary springs are particularly suitable for vehicles with permanently heavy loads.
Auxiliary air suspensions (Semi-Air-Springs) are the ideal solution for vehicles with changing loads, a greater demand for comfort and the desire for better driving stability under load.
For many motorhomes, vans and pickups, auxiliary air suspension is the most flexible solution, as it supports the existing suspension and noticeably improves driving behavior under heavy loads.
Are you unsure?
We would be happy to advise you on the selection of the right chassis solution for your vehicle.
✉️ mail: erich@horvath4x4.com
We are happy to help you choose the right auxiliary air suspension, reinforced spring or auxiliary spring for your vehicle.