Why Airbags Are a Smart Upgrade for Your Vehicle
Installing airbags in your vehicle is one of the most effective ways to improve rear load support and towing stability. Whether you’re towing a trailer or carrying occasional heavy loads, airbags give you greater control, improved safety, and a more comfortable ride.
How Do Airbags Work?
Airbag suspension systems are simple and highly effective. They allow you to adjust rear support depending on your load requirements. You can inflate or deflate the airbags:
- Manually at the rear of the vehicle using a basic air valve and any standard tyre pump or compressor
- Or via an onboard compressor system with in-cab controls for adjustment at the touch of a button
This flexibility means you can run a comfortable, factory-style ride when unloaded and increase support only when you need it.
Options to Suit Most Vehicles
We offer airbag solutions for most makes and models, including:
- Leaf spring vehicles
- Coil spring vehicles
- Lifted vehicles
We’ll ensure the correct kit is matched to your setup and intended use.
Certification Requirements
All airbag installations require certification. For most vehicles, this is a straightforward process and can be completed alongside the installation, making it seamless and hassle-free.
When Are Airbags a Great Option?
Airbags are ideal if you:
- Tow larger trailers such as caravans, motorhomes, or boats
- Carry loads that vary — tools, equipment, rooftop tents, or touring gear
- Want to avoid upgrading to heavier rear springs that create a firmer, higher ride when the vehicle is unloaded
Airbags allow you to maintain comfort day-to-day while still having the capacity you need when it counts.
The Complete Solution with NZ Offroader
NZ Offroader can manage the entire process for you, including:
- Supplying the correct airbag kit for your vehicle
- Professional installation — from basic rear inflation valves to full onboard air systems with in-cab control
- Managing the certification process
If you’re looking for better load control without compromising everyday ride comfort, airbags are a smart and versatile upgrade.
Get in touch with our team to discuss the right setup for your vehicle.
Coil Assist and Leaf Assist Airbags
These systems are designed to work with your vehicle’s existing suspension, whether that be a coil spring or leaf spring design, by helping the vehicle return to height after load is applied and the suspension starts to experience sag. When suspension sag occurs, bottoming out is much more frequent causing a rough and uncomfortable ride. With more weight in the rear and less weight on the front axle, it will effectively cause the front end to feel ‘floaty’, severely impacting the steering, handling, and braking performance of the vehicle. Airbags allow you to level the rear of the vehicle, which will improve the vehicle’s overall ride, comfort, stability, and safety.
Full Air Suspension
Factory coil springs are designed to carry minimal load, primarily focusing on user comfort. While countless aftermarket coil spring options exist, there’s no single spring that will suit all conditions and weight limits without affecting the vehicle’s ride quality or handling. Full airbag suspension kits are reliable, robust, variable rate springs that will cater for a wide range of loads (up to the approved GVM limit).
When paired with an Electronically Controlled Air Suspension System (ECAS), the constant ride height adjustment delivers a premium level of comfort, drivability, and increased stability. Depending on the vehicle and the application, you can lower or raise the vehicle for height clearance when off-roading, entering undercover car parks, or hitching a trailer. Another key feature is the Horizon Levelling, which is an add-on that will allow you to level the vehicle or caravan perfectly by a single button press on the handheld remote.
Load-Up Springs
These are generally used in vehicles for a plug-and-play height levelling solution. The Load-Up Springs are micro-cellular polyurethane springs that are designed and specified for automotive suspension applications. The load carrying and shock minimising capabilities of the Load-Up product improves safety and handling of your vehicle under load whilst being able to survive the harshest of conditions. The parts gradually compress to one-third of their size during suspension compression, which means that they can work like a spring making them ideal for those looking for a solution that requires little to no ongoing maintenance or operational input. These are extremely popular in fleet vehicles like traffic control vehicles or where some vehicles don’t have the required space to suit an air spring, like a Hyundai i-Load.