Frequently Asked Questions

BOSS air suspension in the U.S.

Where can I buy BOSS air suspension in the United States?
From Arch Country Auto. We're the exclusive U.S. distributor of BOSS Air Suspension, based in St. Louis, Missouri. We sell BOSS load assist air bag kits, replacement air bags, compressors, air tanks and controllers on archcountryauto.com, with free shipping on every U.S. order.

What is BOSS Air Suspension?
BOSS is an Australian air suspension brand. It makes load assist air bag kits, replacement air bags, 12V and 24V on-board compressors, aluminum air tanks and pressure controllers for pickup trucks, vans, 4x4s and classic cars. According to BOSS, it has sold more than 45,000 kits.

Are the BOSS products on Arch Country Auto genuine?
Yes. As the U.S. distributor, every product we sell is genuine BOSS. Each one is covered by our one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, with support from our team in St. Louis.

Can Arch Country Auto help me choose a kit?
Yes. Send us your year, make and model and we'll check fitment before you buy. Call +1 (314) 365-0695 (8am–4pm CST, Monday to Friday), email support@archcountryauto.com or use our contact form.

Choosing air bags

What do rear air bags do on a truck or van?
Rear air bags, also called air helper springs or load assist kits, fit between the axle and the frame and work alongside your springs. When a trailer or a heavy load makes the rear sag, you add air to bring the vehicle back to level. That restores ride height, headlight aim and steering feel, and reduces bottoming out. When you unload, you let the air back out.

Do air bags increase towing capacity or payload?
No. Air bags help carry and level a load, but they don't change your vehicle's towing capacity, payload or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Those are set by the vehicle manufacturer. Always stay within them.

Can I use air bags with a fifth wheel, gooseneck or slide-in camper?
Yes. Fifth wheels, goosenecks and slide-in campers put heavy weight over or near the rear axle, which is the load air bags are made to level. Add air until the truck sits level, and use the two valves to balance a load that sits more to one side.

Do I still need a weight distribution hitch with air bags?
If your vehicle or trailer maker calls for one, yes. Air bags level the rear of the vehicle, but they don't shift tongue weight forward onto the front axle the way a weight distribution hitch does. The two work together.

Are BOSS load assist kits a full air ride or lowering system?
No. BOSS load assist kits are helper kits for vehicles that tow or haul. They level the vehicle under load. They aren't built to lower a vehicle or to replace the whole suspension with air ride.

What's the difference between single, double and triple bellow air bags?
A bellow is one round section of the air bag. Most BOSS vehicle kits use double bellow bags. Triple bellow bags are taller and travel further, so they suit lifted trucks and vehicles with a bigger gap between the axle and the frame. Single bellow bags are the most compact. Read our replacement air bags for each bag's size and rating.

How much weight can a BOSS air bag support?
BOSS air bags are rated from 2,400 lb to 4,500 lb per bag, depending on the model. Each vehicle kit lists its rating per side. The rating describes what the bag can support, not what your vehicle is allowed to carry; your manufacturer's payload and towing limits still apply.

What do the numbers in BOSS air bag names mean?
The first two digits give the rating: 24 means 2,400 lb, 25 means 2,500 lb and 26 means 2,600 lb per bag. The last digit gives the shape. The 2400, 2500 and 2600 are double bellow bags, the 2401 is a single bellow, and the 2403, 2503 and 2603 are triple bellows. The 4500 is rated 4,500 lb.

What's the difference between a bare and a complete air bag?
A bare air bag is the bag on its own, for replacing a bag on brackets you already have. A complete air bag adds top and bottom plates and the bolts to mount it. Air fittings are sold separately.

Which vehicles do BOSS air bag kits fit?
We carry vehicle-specific kits for:

• Ford: F-150, F-150 Raptor, F-250 and F-350 Super Duty, Ranger (2022+), Ranger Raptor and Transit (FWD)
• Chevrolet and GMC: Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Colorado
• Ram and Dodge: Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 (leaf and coil rear), Ram 3500 cab chassis and ProMaster
• Toyota: Tacoma, Tundra, T100, Land Cruiser V8 (leaf rear) and Land Cruiser 300 Series
• Mercedes-Benz: Sprinter vans, cab chassis and duallies
• Buick: 1946–1953 models, front and rear

Each kit lists the exact years it fits. For other vehicles, see our universal kits or ask us.

Are BOSS kits for the front or the rear?
The rear. Every BOSS vehicle kit we sell is for the rear axle, where towing and cargo weight sits, except for the 1946–1953 Buick, which has both a front kit and a rear kit.

What comes in a BOSS air bag kit?
A typical BOSS vehicle kit includes two BOSS Extreme Series air bags, four vehicle-specific brackets (two upper, two lower), mounting hardware, SAE J844 air line, two Schrader valves on a stainless steel panel and fitting instructions. Each product page lists its exact contents.

How much does a BOSS air bag kit cost?
At Arch Country Auto, most BOSS vehicle kits are $395, and triple bellow and specialty kits are $445 to $455, with free shipping within the U.S. Current prices are on each product page.

How do BOSS kits compare with other air bag brands?
All the major brands sell bolt-on rear air spring kits that level a loaded truck or van. BOSS kits include the bags, vehicle-specific brackets, SAE J844 air line and two Schrader valves on a stainless steel panel. BOSS tests its bags to over 600 psi. In the U.S., BOSS is sold by Arch Country Auto with free shipping and a one-year warranty. BOSS also makes kits for less common vehicles, such as the 1946–1953 Buick and the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series.

Installing and using air bags

How long does it take to install a BOSS air bag kit?
About 2–3 hours for most vehicles. Most BOSS kits bolt on to existing mounting points, with no drilling. Every kit comes with installation instructions.

Can I install a BOSS kit myself?
Yes, if you're comfortable with basic mechanical work. Most kits bolt on with no drilling, and any suspension or truck accessory shop can install one for you. If you get stuck, call us.

How do I inflate BOSS air bags?
Through the two Schrader valves supplied with the kit, the same type of valve as a tire. You can use any tire air line or pump. To adjust pressure without leaving the cab, add a compressor kit with an in-cab or automatic controller.

Can I add a compressor later?
Yes. Every BOSS kit works with a tire air line from day one. You can add a compressor or an in-cab or automatic control kit at any time.

Can I drive with no air in the bags?
Keep at least the lowest pressure in your kit's range (5 psi on most BOSS kits) at all times, even when you're not carrying a load. That keeps the bags in shape. Add more air only when you load up or hitch a trailer.

Will air bags make my ride harsher?
Not at low pressure. With the bags near the bottom of their range, the ride stays close to stock. More pressure makes the rear firmer. Adjust it to suit the load, and let air out when you unload.

Why are there two valves?
One for each bag. Inflating the left and right bags separately lets you level a vehicle that's loaded more heavily on one side, like a slide-in camper or a service body.

How do I find an air leak?
With the bags inflated, spray soapy water on the valves, the air line fittings and the air inlet on each bag. Bubbles show the leak. A common cause is an air line that wasn't cut square or pushed fully into its fitting. Check your bag pressure before each trip.

Compressors, tanks and controllers

Which BOSS compressor should I choose?
It depends on how long it needs to run:

• PX01: compact, 15% duty cycle at 100 psi. For topping up air bags.
• PX02: 1/4 HP, 50% duty cycle. For air bags and occasional tire top-ups.
• PX06: 12V, 100% duty cycle, so it can run continuously.
• PX07: 3/4 HP, 100% duty cycle, in 12V and 24V. The largest BOSS compressor, for tires, air tools and on-board air systems as well as air bags.

See all BOSS compressors.

What does duty cycle mean on an air compressor?
The share of time a compressor can run before it needs to cool down. A 15% duty cycle compressor can run about 9 minutes in each hour. A 100% duty cycle compressor can run continuously within its working pressure range.

Do I need an air tank for air bags?
No. A compressor can fill air bags directly. A tank stores compressed air, so you can adjust the bags quickly and the compressor runs less often. A tank is also useful for tires, air tools and train horns. BOSS aluminum air tanks come in 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 5 gallon sizes.

How do I control air bags from inside the cab?
There are two options. An in-cab inflation kit adds a compressor, buttons and a pressure gauge, so you can add or release air while you drive. An automatic controller kit sets and holds the pressure for you, with the left and right sides controlled separately. See air bag compressor kits and controllers.

What does a pressure switch do?
It turns the compressor on when tank pressure falls to the lower setting and off when it reaches the upper setting. BOSS pressure switches come in 70–100, 110–135, 110–150 and 150–180 psi ranges.

Shipping

Where do orders ship from?
St. Louis, Missouri.

How long does delivery take?
Orders ship within 1–3 business days. Delivery within the U.S. then takes 1–5 days, depending on your location.

How much is shipping?
Shipping is free on every order within the U.S.

Do you ship outside the U.S.?
Yes. International shipping is charged at the customer's cost. Contact us for a shipping quote before you order.

Returns and refunds

How long do I have to return an item?
30 days from the date of delivery.

What can be returned?
Items that are unused, in their original condition and original packaging, with proof of purchase. Used or installed products, and custom or special-order items, can't be returned.

How do refunds work?
When your return arrives, we inspect it and let you know whether it's approved. Approved refunds go back to your original payment method and can take 5–7 business days to show in your account.

Is there a restocking fee?
Returns for a refund are subject to a 15% restocking fee. Replacement orders aren't charged a restocking fee.

Who pays return shipping?
You do, unless the item is defective, damaged or we sent the wrong one. Original shipping charges aren't refunded.

Can I exchange an item?
Yes. If an item is defective or arrived damaged, we'll replace it and cover the shipping. If you ordered the wrong item, we'll exchange it for the correct one, and you pay the shipping. Replacements and exchanges have no restocking fee. Contact us to start an exchange.

My order arrived damaged or wrong. What should I do?
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos, at support@archcountryauto.com.

Full details: Returns & Refunds Policy

Fitment

How do I find the right kit for my vehicle?
Browse by make: Chevrolet & GMC, Ford, Ram & Dodge, Toyota, Mercedes Sprinter, Buick. Each kit lists the models and years it fits.

What if my vehicle isn't listed?
Look at our universal kits, or contact us with your year, make and model.

My truck has a lift. Which kit do I need?
Where we offer one, choose the triple bellow version. Its extra travel suits lifted suspension.

Do I need a compressor?
No. BOSS kits fill through Schrader valves, so any air line that fills a tire works. A compressor or an air bag compressor kit lets you adjust pressure on the road.

How much air pressure should I run?
Only enough to level the vehicle for the load. Each kit lists its working range: most run between 5 and 45 psi, and some between 15 and 45 psi.

Warranty

What warranty do BOSS products have?
BOSS products bought from Arch Country Auto are covered for one year from the date of purchase against manufacturing defects. Normal wear and tear isn't covered. To make a claim, contact us at support@archcountryauto.com or +1 (314) 365-0695 with your order number.

Contact

Phone +1 (314) 365-0695 · Email support@archcountryauto.com · 8am–4pm CST, Monday to Friday · 2036 Congressional Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146