Best Suspension Upgrade Option for Towing with a 2021 Chevy Silverado 5500

Published 11/16/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle

(849)

$573.81

Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Remote - Bluetooth - EZ Mount

(611)

$533.36

Question:

hi, I regularly pull a 30ft gooseneck trailer with 30k GVWR behind my 2020 chevy 5500 hd flatbed. i keep it pretty loaded down and get a lot of bucking on the highway. wondering what the best recommendation for shock absorption might be. I am also considering adding air bags to the rear suspension on the truck. any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you for your time and help. have a wonderful day!

asked by: Patrick M

Expert Reply:

In order to better help the truck support the weight of the trailer and improve ride quality i.e. getting rid of issues like bucking or shock absorption, it's hard to argue against air bags as they can be adjusted for each load to provide the best possible mix between comfort and support. I recommend the Firestone Ride-Rite Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs part # F56ZR which are the only air bag option for this vehicle. These are actually a custom fit so there's no drilling required and they're the heavy duty version proving support up to 7,500 lbs (pin weight).

Please note, if you want to be able to adjust the air bags from inside the cab and on the fly I do recommend going ahead and combining these air bags with an air compressor kit although this isn't required. If you do decide to this I recommend the Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs part # AL25980EZ which is wireless so it's an easy install.

expert reply by: Conner L