We all want our driving experience to be smooth and comfortable and want our vehicles to ride well. That’s exactly what shocks are for. In this article, we’ll try to figure out what the best shocks for towing look like, learn the differences between air shocks and coilovers, and explore their advantages and disadvantages.
Air Shocks Vs. Coilovers
These two types of suspension systems are leading the market right now. They are reliable, long-lasting, and (relatively) easy to install. Both devices have their upsides and downsides, though, and you as a driver should know about them to be able to make an educated decision. Let’s talk about that next.
Air Shock Suspension
Advantages
Air shocks have many advantages over coilovers. For starters, there are fewer moving parts in air shocks compared to coilovers. That means they are more reliable thanks to the simplicity of the construction. More than that, air shocks provide a smother driving experience, which you will appreciate while driving on rough roads. Air shocks perform better in luxury cars, too. Lastly, they automatically adjust themselves to ensure a smooth, comfy ride.
Summing up, air shocks offer:
- Auto adjustment
- More comfort
- Reliability
Disadvantages
Air suspension systems have some disadvantages as well, of course. Compared to coilovers, they are more expensive, and that’s a big con. Next, they require more maintenance, which can be overwhelming sometimes. Finally, when it comes to off-roading, it’s better to go with coilovers instead of air shocks.
Here are the cons:
- More expensive
- More maintenance is required
- Not suitable for the off-road
Coilovers
Advantages
Like air shocks, coilovers also have a few advantages. First, they are less expensive and require less maintenance compared to air suspension systems. Second, experienced drivers will appreciate the abundance of adjustment options that coilovers provide. Last, but not least, when it comes to handling and stability, coilovers are the best choice for performance driving.
Summing up, coilovers are:
- Less expensive
- Easier to maintain/install
- Highly customizable
- More stability on the road
Disadvantages
Compared to air shocks, coilovers cannot provide the same level of smoothness and comfort. Besides, coilovers are more complex. They require the driver to have some experience with adjusting/fine-tuning the suspension system. And they are known to be less reliable than air shocks.
Here are the cons:
- Less comfort
- More complex
- Less reliable
Conclusion
For the off-road junkies, pro-drivers, and experienced riders that want more control over the vehicle, coilovers are the obvious choice. They provide more adjustment options and can be fine-tuned. They also cost less than shocks. Air shocks, on the other hand, automatically adjust to the conditions on the road to provide more comfort. And they do it very well.
So, if you want your commutes to be comfortable and you don’t want to deal with the suspension system, air shocks are your best bet, despite the higher price
