In selecting springs for commercial vehicles, it is essential to consider the fundamental principles of the suspension system as a whole, as well as the specific spring characteristics. This paper discusses the applications of these principles; also, it compares the many types of springs available, including single leaf, multileaf, and two-stage leaf springs, and coil, rubber, and pneumatic springs.
Among the considerations stressed are: the relationships of spring static deflections to vehicle pitch frequency and oscillation center location, the questionability of two-stage leaf springs, the disadvantages of single tapered leaf versus multi-leaf springs, the advantages of coil springs in low weight and variable rate, and why pneumatic springs are ideal for large load range, heavy commercial vehicles.