New 'smart' caravan airbag suspension debuts

Another trick new caravan airbag suspension system has hit the market, with Melbourne's Tuffride rolling out its new 'Stage 4-plus' Air-volution with DTC (Digital Towing Control) option.

Demonstrated in a recent video at the Crusader Caravans Melbourne dealership, which played a part in the development of the new locally-engineered system, the Air-volution option includes a large panel and touchscreen mounted inside a locker along the chassis, and boasts five pre-set ride select modes (camping low, rough terrain, tow comfort, tow sports, obstacle high), taking the guesswork out of choosing the right setting and ride height for any situation.

The Air-volution set-up also makes it easy with a digitised tyre inflation inlet and compressor, airbag lock-mode and drain push-buttons on the same panel.

"With five stages of control available, you can keep things simple with manual inflation or step up to On Board Air with wireless control and automatic ride height levelling," the Melbourne caravan suspension specialist said about the new hi-tech option.

"Using digital towing control (DTC), lift the van when you need extra clearance, lower it for highway stability, and adjust your setup as loads and conditions change along the way and as road conditions change.

"Tuffride's Air-volution with DTC converts your trailing arm suspension into both independent and load sharing suspension. With these benefits this makes Air-volution arguably the safest way to travel in... (varying) conditions like corrugations and potholes."

TuffRide's 'Crusad-Air' airbag suspension has been a standard feature on a number of Crusader and Dreamhaven models since early-2026, while the Air-volution option can also be retro-fitted to some older 'vans already fitted with airbags.

"It takes the airbag game to the absolute next level because it gives you autonomy with the remote, autonomy with a touchscreen, gives you autonomy with an app, and (it will eliminate) all that time bickering, arguing about getting the 'van level," explained Crusader Melbourne's Michael Valentino.

The Tuff-Ride Air-volution is available as an upgrade on suitably equipped models and adds up to $5300 (Stage 4) to the price of the Crusader caravan build.

Meanwhile, Tuffride also recently announced its new Adventure suspension, which it claims makes it the "first to pioneer a caravan suspension including disc brakes with ABS enabled to suit the Bosch TSC".

"With Bosch Trailer Safety Control incorporating ABS, sway mitigation and lane change control, (the new Adventure suspension's) advanced technology is designed to deliver greater control and confidence when towing."

Related: Cruisemaster delivers full caravan body control