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The Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) replaces a conventional tire-and-rim arrangement with a wheel assembly that suspends its outer rim and tread from the hub using pneumatic cylinders. It is an engineering proposal aimed chiefly at large off-road mining vehicles—not a near-term replacement for passenger-car tires. GACW says it is progressing toward commercial deployment in 2026, but company-reported trials and plans do not establish broad availability or independently verified performance.
What is an Air Suspension Wheel?
The ASW moves suspension into the wheel assembly. In the 2018 description by Loz Blain at New Atlas, it is a full hub and wheel replacement, rather than an inflated tire and tube. Pneumatic cylinders mounted eccentrically connect the hub to the outer rim and tread. The design is therefore intended to provide cushioning at the wheel itself, rather than relying only on a tire’s air pressure and the vehicle’s separate suspension.
New Atlas described the cylinder settings as adjustable to tune vertical firmness and lateral flex. The system can also flex under torque, which the article characterized as a soft torque coupler. These are reported design capabilities, not proof of comparative performance in every operating condition.
How the wheel and tread are assembled
The outer tread attaches to the rim in sections, rather than as one conventional pneumatic tire. New Atlas said tread material could include rubber, polyurethane, urethane, or steel, depending on the application. That modular approach is part of the proposal: the tread can be selected for the job, while the cylinders provide the wheel’s suspension behavior.
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- Vehicle Compatibility - RETRUE Air bags rear suspension kit for 2007 to 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 2WD 4WD (Not High Country and Not Denali models, Year 2015-2018), 2019 Silverado 1500 Light Duty "LD" Model Only, perfect replacement for the Firestone Ride-Rite 2430 kit
- Air Ride Suspension Kit - Offering an impressive load-leveling capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, increase spring rate more effectively than traditional or original, reduce the amount of shock and vibration, improve vehicle stability to provide a safer and more comfortable ride
- Effortless Installation - Our air spring bag kit features pre-drilled holes and no drill required, ensuring a hassle-free installation process. With included comprehensive instructions and labeled parts, just turn on some tunes and have a blast with the install. Tips: automated tools will speed it up
- Customized Air Pressure - Allows you to fine-tune the air bags pressure from 5 to 100 psi, levels vehicle front-to-rear and side-to-side for optimal balance and ride comfort
- Reliable Customer Support - At RETRUE, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rest assured that we stand behind our products with unwavering confidence. If you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Because the ASW replaces the conventional wheel-and-tire setup, it should not be understood as a tire that simply fits an existing car rim. Vehicle compatibility, system integration, and application-specific validation matter; the available descriptions do not establish a universal retrofit.
Why mining vehicles are the main target
Large mining trucks operate in demanding off-road conditions, and their oversized tires can bring substantial purchase, replacement, and downtime costs. GACW says it has developed the wheel for off-road mining vehicles since 2011. Its company history reports an initial gold-mine test in South Africa in 2015, followed by field tests in South Africa, the United States, and Chile. The company’s 2024 annual report likewise describes mining-truck applications.
Rank #2
- Vehicle Compatibility: RETRUE Air bags rear suspension kit Compatible with 2019 to 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 2WD 4WD, Silverado 1500 High Country 4WD and GMC Sierra 1500 2WD 4WD, Sierra 1500 Denali 4WD, perfect replacement for the Firestone Ride-Rite 2609 kit (Compatible with Silverado LD or Sierra Limited models use kit RAS2430) (These kits are not compatible with Duramax models)
- Air Ride Suspension Kit: Offering an impressive load-leveling capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, increase spring rate more effectively than traditional or original, reduce the amount of shock and vibration, improve vehicle stability to provide a safer and more comfortable ride
- Effortless Installation: Our air spring bag kit features pre-drilled holes and no drill required, ensuring a hassle-free installation process. With included comprehensive instructions and labeled parts, just turn on some tunes and have a blast with the install. Tips: automated tools will speed it up
- Customized Air Pressure: Allows you to fine-tune the air bags pressure from 5 to 100 psi, levels vehicle front-to-rear and side-to-side for optimal balance and ride comfort
- Reliable Customer Support: At RETRUE, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rest assured that we stand behind our products with unwavering confidence. If you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
In March 2026, GACW reported a winter trial in Minnesota and progress toward commercial deployment during 2026. That timeline is a company-reported plan, also covered by PR Newswire and International Mining. A reported trial and deployment target do not, by themselves, demonstrate broad market availability or provide an independent head-to-head performance assessment.
What the cost figures do—and do not—show
New Atlas published several historical estimates in 2018 to illustrate the potential economics of mining-truck tires. They are not current quotes or guaranteed savings, and the modeled totals depend on assumptions:
Rank #3
- Vehicle Compatibility - RETRUE Air bags rear suspension kit for 2011-2016 Ford F250 F350 2WD 4WD and 2011-2013 Ford F450 2WD 4WD, perfect replacement for the Firestone Ride-Rite 2597 kit
- Air Ride Suspension Kit - Offering an impressive load-leveling capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, increase spring rate more effectively than traditional or original, reduce the amount of shock and vibration, improve vehicle stability to provide a safer and more comfortable ride
- Effortless Installation - Our air spring bag kit features pre-drilled holes and no drill required, ensuring a hassle-free installation process. With included comprehensive instructions and labeled parts, just turn on some tunes and have a blast with the install. Tips: automated tools will speed it up
- Customized Air Pressure - Allows you to fine-tune the air bags pressure from 5 to 100 psi, levels vehicle front-to-rear and side-to-side for optimal balance and ride comfort
- Reliable Customer Support - At RETRUE, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rest assured that we stand behind our products with unwavering confidence. If you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
| 2018 New Atlas figure | What it represented | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| About US$38,000 | Estimated price for one Caterpillar 797F tire | A 2018 estimate reported by New Atlas, not a current supplier quote. |
| About US$2.66 million per truck | Modeled 10-year conventional-tire budget | The model included an input tire price of US$110,000 each from company comparison spreadsheets using 2009 pricing; New Atlas noted those tires were cheaper by 2018. |
| About US$1.815 million per truck | Modeled 10-year ASW budget, including an initial wheel set and two tread replacements | The scenario produced a modeled difference of about US$845,000 versus its conventional-tire case; it was not an independently verified total-cost-of-ownership result. |
For a real fleet decision, those figures are best treated as an example of the cost categories to examine, not as a present-day business case. A current comparison would need like-for-like data on the full system purchase price, service life, tread changes, maintenance, downtime, puncture or blowout exposure, and operating performance. The cited material does not provide an independent, current head-to-head study.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Could it work for cars or wheelchairs?
Passenger cars
The 2018 New Atlas feature did not present the ASW as an imminent passenger-car tire replacement. In the article’s words: “It does seem clear the Air Suspension Wheel is unlikely to take over as a car tire replacement any time soon.” That was Loz Blain’s editorial assessment, published January 30, 2018—not a formal industry forecast.
Rank #4
- Applications: Fit for Dodge Ram 1500 Pickups 2009-2018 RWD 4WD, for Ram 1500 CLASSIC 2019-2024. Not fit if vehicle is equipped with factory air suspension
- Stability and Comfort: Air helper spring kit provides extra stability and improved handling while hauling and towing by reducing wear and tear, eliminating squat, reducing trailer sway and eliminate bottoming out
- Adjustability: Up to 5,000 pounds of load leveling capability, air adjustable from 5 to 100 PSI. It will depend on different road conditions to adjust, provide a safe and comfortable ride
- Enhanced Durability: Crafted from multi-ply rubber, it ensures superior sealing and enhanced durability. With a rubber thickness of 4-4.5mm, this kit offers excellent resistance to wear and tear, preventing leaks and ensuring a long-lasting, smooth ride
- Extra Protection: An internal jounce bumper is built inside the air spring, it can prevent damage when driving with an empty air spring and provide additional stability while towing or hauling heavy loads
Wheelchairs
New Atlas raised wheelchair use as a possible application, describing potential benefits such as a more comfortable ride and improved ability to cross uneven ground or curbs. The article also noted unresolved questions, including whether torque flex could waste energy during forward motion and what a wheelchair-sized unit might cost. The available material discusses wheelchair use as a possibility; it does not establish an available wheelchair product or validated performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Vehicle Compatibility - RETRUE Air bags rear suspension kit for 2022-2026 F250 4WD 2WD；2017-2025 F250 4WD；2022-2026 F350 4WD 2WD；2017-2026 F350 4WD；2017-2026 F450 4WD 2WD, （2WD/4WD Fits both single and dual wheel applications. Will require spacers forlifted applications) perfect replacement for the Firestone Ride-Rite 2625 kit
- Air Ride Suspension Kit - Offering an impressive load-leveling capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, increase spring rate more effectively than traditional or original, reduce the amount of shock and vibration, improve vehicle stability to provide a safer and more comfortable ride
- Effortless Installation - Our air spring bag kit features pre-drilled holes and no drill required, ensuring a hassle-free installation process. With included comprehensive instructions and labeled parts, just turn on some tunes and have a blast with the install. Tips: automated tools will speed it up
- Customized Air Pressure - Allows you to fine-tune the air bags pressure from 5 to 100 psi, levels vehicle front-to-rear and side-to-side for optimal balance and ride comfort
- Reliable Customer Support - At RETRUE, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rest assured that we stand behind our products with unwavering confidence. If you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Your satisfaction is guaranteed
What to check before treating it as a tire alternative
- Application fit: The strongest documented use case is large off-road mining vehicles; do not assume that the same configuration suits passenger cars or wheelchairs.
- Whole-system economics: Compare the purchase and operating costs of the complete wheel system with conventional tires under the same fleet conditions.
- Service and downtime: Establish expected service life, tread replacement procedure, maintenance needs, and the time required to return a vehicle to work.
- Evidence quality: Separate company-reported trials and plans from independently verified results, and ask for application-specific data before relying on performance or savings claims.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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