Airbags for Towing: What They Help With and Their Limits | Boss Air

Airbags can help a tow vehicle stay more level when a caravan, boat or trailer places extra load over the rear axle. A correctly matched load-assist kit works with the vehicle’s existing suspension; it does not increase legal payload, GVM or towing capacity. Those limits, trailer brakes, tyre ratings and weight-distribution requirements still apply.

What load-assist airbags can help with

When a tow vehicle is loaded, rear sag can alter ride height and handling. With the vehicle-specific kit installed correctly and set to the supplied instructions, airbags can support the existing rear suspension and help the vehicle sit closer to its intended ride height. That can make the combination feel more controlled and help maintain a more consistent ride under load.

• Support extra load at the rear of the vehicle
• Help the vehicle sit more level when towing or loaded
• Allow pressure to be adjusted for different loads
• Provide a practical load-assist option for selected leaf-spring and coil-spring applications

They are not a substitute for correct loading, suitable tyres, working brakes or a properly adjusted tow hitch.

What airbags do not do

• They do not increase the vehicle’s legal payload, GVM, axle rating or towing capacity.
• They do not make an incompatible kit safe or correct an overloaded vehicle.
• They do not remove the need to balance the trailer or follow vehicle and trailer manufacturer limits.
• They should not be described as a guaranteed way to eliminate sway or improve fuel economy.

Choose the kit for the vehicle

Fitment depends on make, model, year, rear suspension type, suspension height and the kit design. Leaf-spring load-assist kits and coil-assist kits are not interchangeable. Check the application guide and individual product page before ordering. If the vehicle has a lift, factory air suspension, unusual suspension components or a GVM upgrade, confirm compatibility with Boss Air Suspension first.

Browse the Load Assist Kits collection to compare vehicle-specific applications. The right product page should state what is included, the lift range and any installation requirements.

Setting up for a tow

1. Load the vehicle and trailer within the manufacturer’s legal limits.
2. Check tyre pressures, wheel loads, coupling, safety chains, trailer brakes and lights.
3. Fit and route the kit according to the supplied instructions.
4. Adjust air pressure only within the specified range and set the vehicle to the required ride height.
5. Check the system for leaks before travelling and recheck the vehicle after the first drive.

Minimum pressure, maximum pressure and ride-height settings vary by kit, so there is no single pressure that is correct for every vehicle. Use the fitting instructions for the exact application.

Is air suspension right for towing?

Load-assist airbags may suit an owner who regularly tows or carries a variable load and wants adjustable support without replacing the vehicle’s entire suspension. The correct answer depends on the vehicle, load, suspension type and intended use. If the problem is an overloaded vehicle, incorrect trailer balance or a need for more legal capacity, airbags are not the solution.

For fitment help, contact Boss Air Suspension with the vehicle make, model, year, rear suspension type, lift height and intended load. Travel with confidence by matching the kit and setup to the vehicle rather than choosing by appearance alone.