The increased towing and load carrying capacity of the new Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 has inspired All Air Suspension’s new Air Suspension Rear Leaf Spring Helper Kit.
These supplementary suspension kits allow the driver to maintain the correct vehicle height, with no spring sag, even under a heavy load.
“It is a bit of a trap for drivers new to towing, or carrying bigger loads, because a vehicle suspension that is perfectly good for normal lighter service can change markedly when it is more heavily loaded,” All Air Suspension’s general manager James Maslin said.
The company claims the kits will also decrease tyre wear and more evenly distribute natural brake wear.
Although the suspension kit doesn’t increase a vehicle’s load capacity it does improve both steering and handling of a vehicle which is typically compromised under a heavy load.
“Heavily or unevenly loaded vehicles can be subject to increased sway because of lateral forces, while trailer-imposed ball weight will cause headlights to shine up into the trees or blind other drivers,” Maslin said.
Manufactured by Airbag Man using reinforced Firestone air springs which fit between the chassis and axel, these kits improve the ride, safety and durability of work vehicles carrying heavy and uneven loads or towing trailers.
The adjustable airbags are used for front-to-rear and side-to-side levelling control of a vehicle.
“A perfectly good familiar vehicle can become a safety nightmare if its suspension is not properly set up to tow or cope with varying loads,” he said.
The importance of mine site vehicle safety has again been brought into the forefront of the industry’s mind as BHP joins the list of resource companies stipulating that entire vehicle fleets must have a minimum 5 star NCAP safety rating.
Widely used in the mining industry, these suspension kits have been specifically customised to fit the new Ford Ranger and Mazda BT 50 utilities.