Only 1 American Pickup Truck Manufacturer is Still Not Offering Air Ride Suspension
Semi-truck drivers have long known that air ride suspension is one of the best options for reliable towing and a comfortable ride. But half-ton pickup truck manufacturers have only offered this feature for a few years. You can get auto-leveling air suspension for the rear axle of the Toyota Tundra and heavy-duty Rams. You can also get four-corner air ride suspension on any Ram 1500 and one trim level of the Chevrolet Silverado. But Ford is still not offering air suspension on any trim of the F-150.
The Ram 1500 offers “Active-Level” four-corner air ride on every trim level
Ram introduced four-corner air suspension as an option on its 2013 Ram 1500. This system lets you lift the truck up for ground clearance or drop it down for better highway fuel efficiency. You can also use it to lower your truck, making it easier to get into or reach the bed.
Ram Trucks reveals, “As the 2023 Ram 1500 approaches highway speeds, the available Active-Level™ Four Corner Air Suspension—available on Crew Cab models only—automatically lowers the truck to help reduce drag and offer maximum efficiency. This feature also helps with accessing the bed and cab, entering parking spaces and hitching a trailer.”
Today, the system is available on crew cab Ram 1500s, at any trim level, but it will cost you $1,805. Owners don’t report much fuel savings in the truck’s more aerodynamic mode. But they do report that the air suspension makes hooking up to a trailer very easy. It also prevents the truck squatting while towing heavy loads.
Chevrolet offers air suspension on one Silverado
General Motors just released an all-new air suspension system. It is currently available on the electric GMC Hummer pickup truck, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban. You can also order it on the Chevrolet Silverado Z71 High Country–according to GM Authority.
At this time, it seems that GMC is saving this technology for its flagship truck, offering it on the Hummer EV but not any Sierra trim level. Perhaps GMC is waiting to see how many Chevy buyers opt for air suspension before it bothers offering it on the Sierra too.
The GM system is very similar to Ram’s setup. It includes air springs instead of coil springs and an onboard compressor. The driver can leave the system automated, select from pre-programmed heights, or even use a knob to raise or lower their vehicle.
Ford is not yet offering F-150s with air suspension
Ford F-150 owners have pioneered upgrading their trucks with air suspension. So why is Ford not offering it from the factory? The modification process may be a clue. Because almost every Ford F-150 still comes with rear leaf springs, upgrading it to air suspension requires some fabrication wizardry. In fact, only the SVT Raptor comes with rear coils. Perhaps we’ll see Ford offer that flagship truck with air suspension soon.
Next, learn which full-size ‘American’ pickup truck is still built in the USA or find out what can make the Ram 1500’s air suspension malfunction in the video below:
