Anyone who drives with a trailer behind them or works with them on the road knows that special maintenance habits need to be practiced to keep your trailer safe and secure on the road. Improperly maintained air-ride suspension systems can cause severe damage to your trailer, making it unsafe to operate on the road. Here are some tips to ensure proper air ride suspension system care.

Before you hit the road you should always double check your trailer to make sure every component is in working order. Here are a few things to double check before taking off:

• You need to check the suspension system by listening and looking for any signs of any leaks
• Inspect your axels and height control valve before and after use
• Inspect shock absorbers and air springs

The health of your trailer's suspension components are crucial. Keeping track of them can be really beneficial and help to avoid further damage or accidents.

Making sure other aspects of your vehicle are in good shape can also help your air suspension to operate at its highest level of efficiency. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

Clean Your Tires Regularly

It is essential to clean your tires regularly. This will reduce the amount of dirt and grime accumulating on them, which could clog or damage the air ride suspension system. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions on properly cleaning your tires.

Monitor Tire Pressure Monthly

Monitoring tire pressure monthly is one of the essential steps in maintaining your air ride suspension system. Doing so will save you money on costly repairs and extend the life of your tires by up to two years. 

Tire pressure can drop due to various factors, such as age, leaks, and temperature changes. Under-inflated tires wear out much faster and are less fuel efficient. Over-inflated tires are harder on the drive train (transmission) and make it difficult to steer when turning.

Inspect Exhaust Pipes Regularly

Exhaust pipes don't last forever, and depending on the trailer, they may need to be replaced more often. Therefore, inspect them regularly to ensure the pipe isn't leaking or causing any other problems. Ideally, the exhaust pipe should be checked once a month; if there is any damage, it must be fixed immediately. 

Also, if you notice that your air ride suspension system doesn't work well, you might have an exhaust leak somewhere along the line. Be sure to keep an eye out for this problem because, if left unchecked, it can cause significant safety issues for you and those around you.

Balance Wheels Yearly

Balance your wheels once a year to ensure the tires rotate under the trailer as evenly as possible. This will improve traction and prevent premature wear on your tires. Cleaning your wheel bearings every six months is a good idea, too. Just be sure to follow the owner's manual instructions to do so. When cleaning them, use only approved wheel bearing cleaners and cleaners that your air ride suspension system manufacturer recommends. Never remove the grease from grease zerks, or damage can occur to your air ride suspension system and wheel bearings. 

Use High-Quality Synthetic Oil

Cush recommends using the highest quality synthetic oil possible. Synthetic oils are engineered to flow better at a wide range of temperatures, improving your trailer's performance and increasing your suspension system's life. When changing the oil on your air ride unit, use the recommended filter-changing procedures as found in the manufacturer's owner manual. 

Carry an extra set of valve caps with you in case you need them. After installing new valves on your air ride unit, ensure they are torqued according to specifications in the owner's manual before operating the air ride unit again.

The Bottom Line

A well-maintained air ride suspension system will last significantly longer than a neglected one. One of the best parts about an air ride suspension is that it is not very complicated to maintain. Proper maintenance like these five tips can help prolong the life of your trailer's air-ride suspension system. 

Cush Suspensions has been providing premium products and services to its customers since 1973, including top-of-the-line air ride suspension systems for trailers, commercial trucks, and heavy equipment haulers. They provide their customers with full service, from design and engineering to manufacturing and installation. Their dedication to customer satisfaction has helped them become one of the industry's most trusted names. 

Call Cush today if you are interested in learning more or want more information on their air ride suspension systems!