How air lockers are renovating off-road driving

Every driver who loves taking their 4X4 off-road knows that familiar roads can offer new challenges even without traction. Being able to use traction while driving on an uneven track plays a huge role in keeping everyone in your SUV safe. Traction is the resistance between the track and your 4X4’s wheel, which gives you control over your unit. 

While your SUV is designed to receive drive (power) in all its wheels, the drive can be sent to only two tires at once without the help of differential (diff) locks. One differential locking system that has revolutionized off-roading is the air locker.

What’s an air locker, and how does it differ from an electric locker (e-locker)?

When your vehicle is stuck with one wheel on a slippery surface or suspended, the differential will only power the tire with little-to-zero traction. Unfortunately, this can work against you since you will find yourself in an even more challenging situation with two weeks with no traction.

However, with an air locker, you can send equal power to all the wheels. This will make it easier for the wheel with traction to move the SUV out of a sticky situation. 

The air-operated lockers(air lockers) provide maximum power to the four wheels simultaneously. They are paired with a compressed air source and can be activated using electric switches. These lockers function by locking the right and left wheels together. This guarantees that they won’t spin independently and will receive equal torque and power.

The ARB air lockers are the most powerful lockers in the market and the fastest to engage and disengage. They take about a tenth of a second to engage and secure your vehicle.

Another major difference between these two lockers is that the air locker doesn’t have an operating speed limitation. This means your SUV won’t lose its momentum before engaging the air locker and tackling rough terrain.

When can I use the air lockers?

Depending on the approaching angle, the driver’s experience, and the condition of the vehicle, drivers can engage this locking system at different times.

The best time to engage it is when driving on low-traction terrain, which can be either uneven or slippery. Once engaged, the air locker will help the SUV traverse any challenging terrain. 

Air lockers are designed to engage the rear locks before the front ones. This safety measure prevents drivers from accidentally locking the front wheel first, which can make it hard for anyone to control the SUV. Locking the front wheel accidentally can frighten you, as it will affect how you steer the vehicle. 

You can engage the rear air lockers when traversing a muddy bog hole or an incline, but you’re unsure if your vehicle can make it. If your SUV is still struggling, you can release the accelerator and lock the front wheels.

You should never engage the air lockers with your foot on the accelerator, as you can cause crash locking, which will damage your unit’s drivetrain or air locker. 

Another situation where you can engage the air lockers is driving down hills. A slippery, rocky slope can force your SUV’s wheel to lose grip, but if you lock the rear wheels, then you can descend peacefully.

Endnote

Installing an air locker can be quite costly, especially if you have to purchase an air-board compressor or air source separately. Its many benefits outweigh its installation fee, as it’s easier and faster to engage than most differential lockers.

However, you need some level of experience for you to enjoy its many benefits. Novice off-roaders should practice with an air locker before trying tough terrains.