Question 1

What is Adaptive Kinetics?

Accepted Answer

Adaptive Kinetics is a fully active, closed-loop suspension system for heavy-duty trucks — 3/4-ton and 1-ton pickups through Class 5. Sensors inside every shock read the road 1,000 times per second and command each corner’s response in real time, with no driver input and no modes to pick. It’s a bolt-on system: no cutting, no welding, no permanent modification. It installs at your truck’s existing mounting points by an authorized upfitter, and it unbolts and transfers to your next truck.

Question 2

What’s the difference between fully active, semi-active, and adaptive suspension?

Accepted Answer

Semi-active and adaptive systems can only vary how firm an existing shock feels — they adjust damping within a passive design and always react after the hit. A fully active system senses the surface and commands the response at each wheel before the hit reaches the frame, the load, or you. Adaptive Kinetics is fully active: it commands damping, leveling, and ride height at all four corners, continuously and automatically.

Question 3

Is this air ride? How is it different from air bags or air shocks?

Accepted Answer

No. Air suspension carries your load on compressed air — which means compressors, air lines, moisture filters, and bags that need leak checks and eventually fail. Adaptive Kinetics does not rely on air springs to carry your truck. No airbag leak checks, no moisture filters, no compressor cycling at 2 AM.

Question 4

How does it compare to liquid-filled or compressible-fluid suspension systems?

Accepted Answer

Those systems are typically permanent, welded-in installations sold for one truck. When you trade the truck, the system stays with it or gets scrapped — and you buy it again for the next truck. Adaptive Kinetics is equipment, not a modification. It bolts on, bolts off, returns your truck to stock, and moves to your next truck. Over a million miles and multiple trucks, that difference dominates total cost of ownership.

Question 5

Damping or dampening — which is it?

Accepted Answer

Engineers say damping; most people search for dampening. Both refer to controlling how the suspension absorbs and releases energy. Whatever you call it, Adaptive Kinetics does it automatically, at every wheel, 1,000 times per second.

Question 6

Does it self-level? How much?

Accepted Answer

Yes — instant self-leveling at all four corners, in every direction, up to 33 degrees. Off-camber ground, uneven loads, heavy tongue or pin weight from a 5th wheel or gooseneck: the system levels the truck in real time. No switches, no manual air-up, no waiting on a compressor.

Question 7

How much lift and wheel travel does it have?

Accepted Answer

Standard Adaptive Kinetics kits deliver 8″ to 14″ of wheel travel, depending on your platform and configuration, with on-the-fly adjustable lift of up to 12″. Every standard kit also delivers 44″ of articulation. The system’s maximum travel — up to 28″ — is available through the PDS Custom Shop as a dedicated build. Travel and articulation are what keep all four tires on the surface, and tire contact is traction. A wheel in the air does nothing.

Question 8

Is it good for towing and hauling — 5th wheel, gooseneck, slide-in campers?

Accepted Answer

That’s the core use case. Real-time leveling under heavy tongue and pin weight, damping that firms under load and softens when the road allows, and no rear-end sag. It also solves the empty-truck problem — the harsh, rattling ride of an unloaded HD truck — because the system adapts to what you’re actually carrying instead of being sprung for a worst case you’re not.

Question 9

What about work trucks, ambulances, and overland rigs?

Accepted Answer

Same system, same benefit, different mission. Work trucks that live loaded. Ambulance and emergency vehicles, where stability directly affects patient care. Overland trucks that need wheel travel and self-leveling far from pavement. If the platform is a 3/4-ton through Class 5 chassis, Adaptive Kinetics fits the mission.

Question 10

Will it change how my truck drives every day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that’s the point. Because the system reads the road at every wheel and responds in real time, the truck rides level and controlled whether it’s empty, loaded, towing, or off pavement. There’s nothing to switch, tune, or think about. You drive; it works.

Question 11

Is it really bolt-on? What happens at trade-in or lease return?

Accepted Answer

100% bolt-on at your truck’s existing mounting points — no cutting, no welding, no drilling a brand-new frame. When you trade, or the lease is up, the system unbolts, your truck returns to stock, and the equipment bolts onto your next truck. Every system is serialized. Ownership follows the asset, not the VIN.

Question 12

Will it void my factory warranty?

Accepted Answer

Installing aftermarket equipment does not automatically void a factory warranty. Under U.S. federal law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act), a manufacturer must show that the equipment itself caused a failure before denying a related warranty claim — and because Adaptive Kinetics bolts on at factory mounting points with no cutting or welding, your truck can be returned to stock at any time. This is general information, not legal advice. Check your own warranty terms.

Question 13

What’s the warranty on the system?

Accepted Answer

Base air shock assemblies: 10 years or 1,000,000 miles from activation, whichever comes first — a warranty designed to outlast several trucks, not one. Supporting system components, including the controller, sensors, wiring, sway bars, stabilizer, and gas handling components, are covered for 3 years from activation. The warranty belongs to the original purchaser and, because the system is serialized removable equipment, it moves with the system to your next truck — re-verify the installation, re-register, and coverage continues. Parts for covered repairs and for every scheduled rebuild over the air shock warranty period are supplied at no charge. See warranty terms for details.

Question 14

What maintenance does it need?

Accepted Answer

The schedule is simple: a service at every 100,000 miles and a rebuild at every 250,000 miles. Each includes an inspection of covered components. PDS supplies the parts for covered warranty repairs and for the scheduled rebuilds at no charge; labor is performed and billed by your installer at their rates. There are no airbags to leak-check and no moisture filters to swap. Your system is registered and connected at installation — no separate action needed — which is how it receives firmware updates and how developing faults are detected before they become failures.

Question 15

What does it cost to own compared to air ride, liquid systems, or running stock?

Accepted Answer

Our estimated total cost of ownership over 1,000,000 miles (four trucks at 250,000 miles each, hard-service duty cycle): ~$48,820 — Adaptive Kinetics, bought once and transferred truck to truck; ~$60,840 — stock suspension, repaired and replaced truck after truck; ~$156,000–$204,000 — welded-in systems, repurchased with every truck. That’s a fraction of the welded-in alternatives and roughly 20% less than letting OEM suspension run its course. Figures are estimates for comparison — see the full cost breakdown for line items.

Question 16

What does Adaptive Kinetics cost?

Accepted Answer

Systems start at $26,999. Three configurations cover the pickup platforms: Command — $26,999; Dominion — $29,500; Breach — $35,900. Fleet, emergency-vehicle, and Custom Shop builds are quoted to spec. Your quote is confirmed at reservation, and your deposit stays 100% refundable until your build is confirmed and started.

Question 17

How do I get one?

Accepted Answer

Reserve a serialized build slot. Production is limited to 100 build slots for the year, nationwide, assigned in order — your serial number is numbered to your name. A deposit of 10% of your quote holds your slot, and every dollar of it is credited to your purchase at delivery.

Question 18

Is my deposit refundable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your 10% reservation deposit is 100% refundable, held in escrow, right up until your build is confirmed and started. When your slot comes up, you confirm your configuration and pay the build fee — and you still have a 15-day full-refund window after that. After 15 days, cancellations are refunded less a 20% restocking fee. Clean terms, in writing, before you pay a dollar.

Question 19

How long until my system is delivered?

Accepted Answer

Once your build starts, the delivery clock is 12–15 weeks. You’ll know your slot position when you reserve, and we confirm your build date before the balance is due.

Question 20

Who installs it? Can my own shop do it?

Accepted Answer

Systems are sold and installed through our authorized upfitter network. Installation typically runs 20–24 shop hours — days, not the weeks of downtime welded-in modifications require — and because nothing is cut or welded, it’s reversible from day one. Your upfitter also completes the diagnostic sign-off and registration that activate your warranty. If you run a qualified shop and want to join the network, apply to become an authorized upfitter.

Question 21

Which trucks does it fit?

Accepted Answer

Heavy-duty pickups and chassis from 3/4-ton and 1-ton through Class 5, across the major HD platforms. Reserve early and our team confirms fitment for your specific truck, year, and configuration before your build slot comes up — while your deposit is still 100% refundable.

FAQ's

QUESTIONS
ANSWERED.

THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME –
FOR A LIFETIME

FAQ's

QUESTIONSANSWERED.

THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME –FOR A LIFETIME

QUESTIONS
ANSWERED.

THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME –
FOR A LIFETIME