Recognizing Signs Of Trouble With Your Trailer's Air Suspension
Air suspensions have taken over the commercial trucking industry due to their many advantages, including greater versatility and more effective cargo protection. Air suspensions also tend to be highly reliable, but they aren't necessarily trouble-free. If you operate your own trailer, then you'll need to be capable of recognizing the signs of trouble before they severely impact your cargo or trailer.
Understanding the Basics
Air ride suspensions are relatively sophisticated, but they consist of a few key components that are easy to understand. Each wheel typically has airbag "springs" that can inflate or deflate as necessary, allowing the trailer's ride height to adjust based on load or driving conditions. In modern suspensions, a dual circuit design allows each side to adapt as needed independently.
Note that most air suspension designs still include traditional hydraulic shock absorbers to provide damping. These shock absorbers keep the trailer from swaying and control the motion of the air springs. The air springs themselves hold the overall ride height and stiffness of the trailer's suspension, serving essentially the same role as traditional coil springs.
Additionally, your trailer's air suspension uses the same air compressor as your truck's brakes. When you attach the trailer, your truck's compressor pressurizes the springs to the necessary level. Inflating your springs in this way requires several air lines and valves that run from the front of the trailer back to the axles.
The Symptoms of a Failing Air Suspension
Air ride failures on a trailer are similar to air suspension failures on passenger vehicles. If your air springs are faulty or leaky, you'll likely notice a problem on one or both sides of the trailer. When all of the springs seem deflated, the issue may be with the leveling valve that automatically adjusts ride height based on the trailer's load.
Symptoms can sometimes be more subtle, however. Air springs that cannot inflate fully may allow for extra roll when taking corners, or you may notice your trailer bouncing more over rough road surfaces. These issues indicate an underlying problem with the air ride system, either in the air springs themselves or in the plumbing used for pressurization.
Remember that your trailer's suspension protects your cargo, but it also ensures that your wheels remain firmly planted on the road. Driving with suspension problems can make your entire rig more challenging to control, creating a hazardous situation for you and other drivers on the road. Always diagnose and repair any trailer suspension problems you notice as soon as you can.
Contact a company that offers semi trailer repair services to learn more.
