On Board Air...

[Hawkeyes3312]

Let me preface this with I totally understand this is a complete rookie question, but here goes: What criteria should I use to determine whether or not having on board air is something I need? I completely understand why you air down, etc. but I figure there has to be something that makes this a 'must' for some, a 'nice to have' for others and a 'do not need' for the rest. We plan to hit the beaches in NC as often as possible, but we've also found many of them have air available as soon as we leave the beach. Your expert opinions are appreciated!

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[Oscar Indy]

Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASY23I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DljTDbYXXXCWR

Onboard air is nice as it's mounted and easier to get going. For the occasional wheeler or beach bum get the one I linked above and put it somewhere and just use alligator clips. I've aired up 4 vehicles worth of 37s with it in one go an never hit the duty cycle or temp limit. It's not fast but it will last.

 

[Gobi Wan K]

On board air is a nice thing to have but honestly most people don't need it. I have done some pretty good wheeling and never had it. If you are away from access to air pumps than sure. If you are running air lockers, of course. If you are inflating rafts or something, sure. If you want some big train horns than of course. But battery powered tools now rival or exceed pneumatic tools so that isn't much reason anymore. Probably what most people would get the best out of is a portable unit like the one posted above. I have never had any trouble driving 5 or 6 miles from the trail to a gas station to air back up.

 

[Texops]

I have this one had a viair for years very good but just bit the bullet and moved up to this ARB portable. Really fast & i use it for camping, but i air down for Long Beach trails on Bolivar.

 

[MrJeep]

Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASY23I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DljTDbYXXXCWR

Onboard air is nice as it's mounted and easier to get going. For the occasional wheeler or beach bum get the one I linked above and put it somewhere and just use alligator clips. I've aired up 4 vehicles worth of 37s with it in one go an never hit the duty cycle or temp limit. It's not fast but it will last.

I can't stress enough how this little pump exceeded my expectations for its price. In the 90s there was nothing like this on the market so I bought two cheap pep boys 12v pumps and made my own Oba system that cost as much and was inferior to the Viair.

 

[Oscar Indy]

I can't stress enough how this little pump exceeded my expectations for its price. In the 90s there was nothing like this on the market so I bought two cheap pep boys 12v pumps and made my own Oba system that cost as much and was inferior to the Viair.

I've had mine for 5 years now and it has been fantastic.

 

[smlobx]

I have a house in Hatteras and go on the beach every time we go down there. As you said you can get air in several locations in every village. Having said that I do have the one listed below that will inflate my 35” tires on my F-350 to 80 psi in fairly quick order. I carry it when I’m overlanding in remote places.
The reason I don’t like fixed OBA is that if your buddy needs air then you have to go to him which may not always be possible. It’s much easier to just give him your compressor..

I have been on two different month long expeditions to some very remote places in Africa and everyone there carried portable compressors..
JMHO..

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672535_200672535
They also make less robust ones if you’re only going to 35psi or so.

 

[scotticus]

I just got the single stage ARB portable kit. Very nice, a lot quieter than I thought it would be. Accessories are okay, needs a inflator gauge. Way better than my crappy 12v lighter one!

 

[LongTimeListener]

Nobody needs a $900 compressor to wheel. A $175 Viair 400P is more than sufficient. Really, most compressors that attach to the battery (rather than the 12V outlet) should do the trick.

 

[scotticus]

Nobody needs a $900 compressor to wheel. A $175 Viair 400P is more than sufficient. Really, most compressors that attach to the battery (rather than the 12V outlet) should do the trick.

i mean the time savings is like 1 minute vs 2-3 per tire. On my old crappy one it was like 7-8 min a tire so the ARB is def an upgrade! I considered the on board dual unit with the built in stuff, think it’s like $680ish with the compressor, but half for something I can use portable and it takes a little bit longer. I’m not going out on trail every weekend. Those Viair units are great.

 

[Oscar Indy]

If you want to save time.... c02 is the best. 30 seconds a tire. I used to live near a welding shop that charged me a buck a lb to refill. Once I moved away it was so hard to find c02 I went to a mounted one. The only reason I went mounted on that rig was for space saving in the 2 door.

On this rig I'm going to run my 88p until someone comes out with a better system than what's available currently. My long term goal is a 2-5lb tank under the truck with a good skid and an ARB twin under hood. I want the tank for use with a blow gun. They are awesome for knocking trail dust off of me and clearing off gear in the bed of dust too.

2nd reason for the tank is I intend on an onboard water system and when I do I'll use air pressure to move that water. It's amazing what kinda flow you can get to a sink with a few psi of water at the ready.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I’ve got both portable and on board air on my JL. The advantage to onboard air is convenience on YOUR vehicle. I have my dual ARB wired into the aux switches and mounted under the floor of my rear cargo area in my JLU. I just push a button, go to the back and hook up my air line. With the portable unit I would have to pull everything out, open the hood, connect it to the battery and then start airing up. It’s simply a convenience.

On the downside, my portable unit is simply more useful for anything other than airing up my tires. It’s a single ARB that’s served me well for the last year.

 

[scotticus]

If you want to save time.... c02 is the best. 30 seconds a tire. I used to live near a welding shop that charged me a buck a lb to refill. Once I moved away it was so hard to find c02 I went to a mounted one. The only reason I went mounted on that rig was for space saving in the 2 door.

On this rig I'm going to run my 88p until someone comes out with a better system than what's available currently. My long term goal is a 2-5lb tank under the truck with a good skid and an ARB twin under hood. I want the tank for use with a blow gun. They are awesome for knocking trail dust off of me and clearing off gear in the bed of dust too.

2nd reason for the tank is I intend on an onboard water system and when I do I'll use air pressure to move that water. It's amazing what kinda flow you can get to a sink with a few psi of water at the ready.

Sounds like an awesome setup!

 

[Texops]

The twin arb portable compressor is not needed it’s what i wanted, i use it for camping blowing up rafts floats & beds. Also when I’m off-road Texas heat is scorching hot the quicker the better, compressed air would be the fastest.

 

[scotticus]

The twin arb portable compressor is not needed it’s what i wanted, i use it for camping blowing up rafts floats & beds. Also when I’m off-road Texas heat is scorching hot the quicker the better, compressed air would be the fastest.

You do you man! I won’t make anyone feel bad for getting what they want . I might still the twin setup with the IJK plumed solution.

And I’m moving back to Texas soon, yay heat

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