Collection: Helper Springs and Load Support

How to choose helper springs

Helper springs sit alongside your factory springs and add support when the truck is loaded. They level a squatting rear end, cut bottoming, and help keep your headlights and steering where they should be with a trailer on the hitch. They do not raise your truck's payload or towing rating. Air Lift's own footnote is clear: never exceed the manufacturer's recommended Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Choose by answering three questions:

1. How heavy is the load, and how often? Occasional campers and small trailers suit a basic kit. Fifth wheels, goosenecks and slide-in campers on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks suit the heavier LoadLifter 7500 XL.
2. Do you want to adjust it? Air helper springs let you add air for a load and let it out for daily driving. Foam helpers like SumoSprings are automatic, with nothing to inflate.
3. What is your exact truck? Kits are specific to year, cab, 2WD or 4WD, and sometimes to trim, hitch or lift. A kit for a 2021+ F-150 will not fit a 2015-2020 truck.

Helper spring types compared

Prices are for complete kits in stock on our store in October 2026.

We also list replacement air springs, air lines and spacers, so you can rebuild a worn kit without buying all the brackets again. A Hellwig steel contact helper is listed too, at up to 2,000 lbs of support, but it is sold out at the moment.

LoadLifter 5000 vs Ultimate vs 7500 XL

Air Lift rates the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate at up to 5,000 lbs of load-leveling capacity and builds it for 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton pickups and vans with leaf springs. Its internal jounce bumper lets the bags work at 0 PSI if needed and softens hard hits. The LoadLifter 7500 XL Ultimate is rated at 7,500 lbs of load-leveling capacity and is designed for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, including fifth wheel and gooseneck setups. Air Lift says to keep a minimum air pressure in the bags, and systems with a compressor hold at least 5 PSI.

If you tow a mid-size travel trailer with a half ton, the 5000 or 5000 Ultimate is the usual pick. If you pull a big fifth wheel with a Super Duty, Ram HD or Silverado HD, look at the 7500 XL. See the full ranges on our Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 and Air Lift RideControl pages.

Sumo Springs vs air helper springs

SumoSprings, made by SuperSprings, are foam helper springs. SuperSprings describes them as millions of tiny air pockets trapped in microcellular polyurethane, so they compress and rebound under load with no air lines, valves or compressor. They come in three densities: blue for light loads, black for moderate to heavy loads, and yellow for maximum support on motorhomes, flatbeds and severe-duty trucks.

Pick air if you tow heavy and want to fine-tune. Pick SumoSprings if you haul a moderate load often and want nothing to maintain. For a deeper look at air setups, read air suspension vs coilovers.

Helper springs by truck

Here is how our in-stock complete kits break down by vehicle:

Shop by truck in F-150 towing air bags, Ram 1500 towing air bags and Silverado and Sierra towing air bags, or browse all towing air bags. Firestone kits have their own page: Firestone air springs and helper bags.

What else you'll need

• A way to add air. Basic kits use fill valves and a tire compressor. Air Lift and Firestone sell onboard compressors and controllers separately.
• Clearance parts on lifted trucks. Lifts, block changes and aftermarket leaf springs can change fitment. Air Lift sells cradles and spacers, Firestone lists helper spring spacers, and some of our kits list "w/ Block Lift" or "w/ Cradle" in the title. If you are lifting too, see lift kits for trucks.
• Healthy springs. Helper springs support worn springs but do not fix them. If your stock leafs are cracked or flat, replace them first: see leaf springs.

Install notes

Most bolt-on air spring kits install with hand tools, jack stands and sometimes a drill for a bracket, though some kits are no-drill. The slowest part is routing the air lines away from the exhaust and moving parts. SumoSprings and similar solid helpers often bolt to existing bump stop mounts and go in faster. After install, check air pressure regularly and inspect lines during oil changes.

Costs

Most LoadLifter 5000 kits on our store cost about $484 to $738 (typical price $502.99), Ultimate kits about $522 to $738 (typical $643.99), and 7500 XL kits $713.99 to $800.99. Sprinter and van kits run higher, up to $1,133.99. SumoSprings cost $311.99 to $368.99 and Firestone Coil-Rite kits $172.99 to $178.99.

Popular picks

• Air Lift LoadLifter 5000, 2019-2022 Ram 1500, $516.99: a straightforward towing kit for the fifth-gen Ram.
• Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate, 2021+ F-150, $643.99: adds the internal jounce bumper for current F-150s.
• Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 XL, 2020+ Silverado 2500/3500, $800.99: for heavy fifth wheel and gooseneck towing.
• Air Lift LoadLifter 5000, 05-23 Tacoma, $483.99: for Tacomas carrying campers or towing.
• SumoSprings SSF20247, 2015 to 2026 Chevy and GMC, $311.99: no air to manage.
• Firestone Ride-Rite Kit 2286, $483.99: an air helper kit rated up to 5,000 lbs.

Related guides

• Air suspension vs coilovers
• Spring rate explained
• Silverado leveling kit vs lift kit

Sources

• Air Lift: LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate
• Air Lift: LoadLifter 7500 XL Ultimate
• SuperSprings: SumoSprings
• Shock Warehouse: LoadLifter vs SumoSprings