Since Pismo Beach is now a regular destination for me and airing down the tires is a requirement, I'm looking at options for an on-board Air System. I've settled on a system by VIAIR with dual compressors plus an on board tank. It is a bit on the pricey side and might be more than I might use on a regular basis. However, with as many as 8 to 10 tires to fill (6 for the Dually plus 2 to 4 for a Trailer) I really want something that can handle these much volume without having to wait on a duty cycle. Right now I like this kit:Does anyone have experience with onboard air systems and care to share your thoughts?

How about a DeWalt or Bosch hotdog compressor, AC powered, and a 1500 watt inverter?

Back in my off roading days, including trips to Pismo, I had a York AC compressor converted to a air pump that was engine driven on my CUCV. Since your going electric the only thing I can add is to put air fitting at the front and rear of your truck. Sure beats dragging a hose around or having to move because you can't quite reach.

GordonThree wrote:How about a DeWalt or Bosch hotdog compressor, AC powered, and a 1500 watt inverter?I bring my Pancake compressor for the ATVs and have run it off the genset which is fine for that application. I used it once on my first trip to air up the truck and trailer and while yes, it did work, it took nearly an hour to do it likely to the detriment of my compressor and a lot of propane. Since then, I've gone to the Air Up station on the way out and pay the guy to fill up. It still takes 20 to 30 minutes (or longer depending on how many people he's servicing at once) but inconvenient plus I'm reliant on him to actually be there (not guaranteed). I don't believe that standard tanked air compressors from Home Depot are designed for a 100% duty cycle. What this means is that when filling 8 to 10 tires from 20psi to 80psi the compressor will get hot and shutoff to cool down which can add as long as 30 to 40 minutes. Or, the compressor may just run hot but at the risk of greatly shortened life. Either way, I'm running the truck or gen-set for a long time. The onboard air system although expensive and possibly overkill, saves me from having to lug around the compressor plus it should be able to handle filling all tires quickly and at my convenience.

1320Fastback wrote:Back in my off roading days, including trips to Pismo, I had a York AC compressor converted to a air pump that was engine driven on my CUCV. Since your going electric the only thing I can add is to put air fitting at the front and rear of your truck. Sure beats dragging a hose around or having to move because you can't quite reach.Great idea, I'm thinking of a fitting on both sides of the truck in the middle by the front camper tie-downs instead of the front and rear. The other part of this project is to come up with a kit to tie the duallys together and make the valve easier to access so I can attach a latch on chuck that doesn't require constant physical pressure to keep air flowing and fill both tires together. I haven't decided if this will be a permanent setup or just one I thread on and off while at the beach. Couple this with a pressure regulator so I can just connect the hoses and let it do it's thing while I enjoy a cold drink and I'm happy...I know this sounds lazy but believe me, after a full weekend at Pismo in the sun, it gets tiring to air up each tire manually by holding the chuck to the valve stem from 20 psi to 80 psi. Over 8 to 10 tires you have to keep constant pressure on that stem for 30 to 40+ minutes and that gets tiring! Having gone to Pismo four times now (with many more trips in the future) I'm ready to throw money at the problem.

I have had on board air on my truck for the last 20 years. I have not used Viar but from what I have seen they have at least some quality units. You want 100% duty cycle for sure. The bigger the tank the better but in reality you cant put a large enough tank in it to make up for a lower power/quality compressor so tank size is really not a problem as pretty much no matter what you are going to need your compressor running. Which means a good compressor with 100% duty cycle. Beyond that it is what are you willing to spend for speed or quantity of air. There are engine mounted kits that use a York (or similar) compressor for the pump. They can put out up to 8-10cfm at 150psi. The rub is getting it to fit under the hood with access to the belt to drive it. There is a company called Oasis that makes one that is electric powered however at $1500-2000 and 100+amps it is a bit more than most want.My compressor (outback extreme extremeaire compressor) has been mounted under the truck between the frame rail and the bed side the entire time I have had it. It is in a semi enclosed box (no top or back side) I made out of scrap sheet metal laying around. I have an air line going up to the front for my horns and another airline going to the rear bumper with a quick connect on it. On my previous truck I had a quick connect on the front of the truck as well but decided against it on this one as it really isn't needed for me at least. My rear connect with one of those coil hoses can easily reach my front, rear and trailer tires no problem.Tires hold a large amount of air so unless you go quite big it will still take a while to air up a bunch of tires My compressor is an extreme outback extremeaire but they have others as well as a few wiring and plumbing diagrams that might be helpfulhttps://www.extremeoutback.com/products/2/Air+Compressors.htmlI can say that if mine ***** out I would buy another one though I may go up in size to their Magnum since it has more air, they didn't have it at the time when I bought mine many years ago. Though for $200 I might be willing to wait a bit longer when I need to air up.

On-board Air Compressors | Good Sam Community

otrfun
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2019
Bedlam wrote:
This twin tank model 120VAC has been out longer for about half the price of the single tank: https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/4-gal-2-hp-125-psi-twin-tank-air-compressor-62763.html
The HF Central Pneumatic in your link is only 125 PSI (vs. 200 PSI for the HF Fortress). HF's own product review says the Fortress offers 300% more runtime vs. a standard 125 PSI compressor. The tank(s), lines, and compressor have to be much more robust to handle the much higher pressure---thus the higher cost for the 200 PSI Fortress.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 17, 2019
Anyone running a smittybilt DC compressor?

Clicky

High CFM but low duty cycle.
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2019
I’m kind of surprised that Viair is out of favor for many in this thread. That’s not what I hear everywhere else. I’m not really sure why the OP wants so much PSI. I think you’d probably want high CFM.

I’d go read some reviews on 4x4 sites.
BarryG20
Explorer
Jun 18, 2019
Not sure anyone is against viar as much as they are enamored with 120v units, which if you have a big ol dp or whatever with storage space out the ying yang they make more sense. However for those of us who have limited space, want the convenience of having it all the time even when we aren’t hooked to our trailer (or as op no trailer but a tc) with no fuss no muss just use it as it is always ready to go no getting it out, plugging it in, hooking it up to a battery etc. viar makes some decent units and have some decent reviews. They aren’t the best but they seem to advertise the most and are probably the most heard of and certainly would work for the majority of people. The op has quite a chore going for whatever unit he ends up with as 8-10 tires going from 20 to 80 psi in a 32,33 inch tire is one heck of a lot of air
adamis
Nomad II
Jun 18, 2019
Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm leaning towards the following options:

1. VIAIR Dual 485C with 2.5 Gallon Reserve Tank for $840.00. It flows 3.82CFM at 0 PSI and 2.09CFM at 100PSI.

2. Extreme Air Magnum Kit for $950.00. It flows 6CFM at 0 PSI and 2.6CFM at 100PSI.

3. Extreme Flow Belt Drive for $1500 (the compressor is only $425 but the mounting kit to attach to the engine is another $1100.00). It flows 8CFM at 100 PSI.

Considering the costs, the ExtremeAir Magnum looks to be pretty close to the best balance between performance and cost. The belt drive solution looks spectacular but the mounting kit is way more expensive than I can justify for this project.
zcookiemonstar
Explorer
Jun 20, 2019
The VIAIR looks like a nice setup and they make a good product but if possible with that many tires I would go with a larger or dual tanks.
otrfun
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2019
adamis wrote:
Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm leaning towards the following options:

1. VIAIR Dual 485C with 2.5 Gallon Reserve Tank for $840.00. It flows 3.82CFM at 0 PSI and 2.09CFM at 100PSI.

2. Extreme Air Magnum Kit for $950.00. It flows 6CFM at 0 PSI and 2.6CFM at 100PSI.

3. Extreme Flow Belt Drive for $1500 (the compressor is only $425 but the mounting kit to attach to the engine is another $1100.00). It flows 8CFM at 100 PSI.

Considering the costs, the ExtremeAir Magnum looks to be pretty close to the best balance between performance and cost. The belt drive solution looks spectacular but the mounting kit is way more expensive than I can justify for this project.
The Extreme Flow at 8 CFM is going to fill those tires dramatically faster than the other two. Me, I'd spend the extra $500 for the Extreme Flow. You're already in for $900-$1000. What's another $500 to do it really right--lol!
jimh406
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2019
Buy 6 smaller ones and have redundancy. :). Seriously though, it would hurt for the $1500 solution to fail, so it seems two that were 1/2 speed and hundreds less might be a better option.
Reality_Check
Nomad II
Jun 20, 2019
You got me interested enough to call.. for the Ford 6.7, under 1600 with shipping, etc. I think it's a pretty good deal. Thing runs off a pressure switch (I believe it's set at 110 - 145). I like that better than the constant systems I run on larger trucks.

Dual alt's might be an issue, but they think they have an option for that too.
ljr
Nomad
Jun 20, 2019
Oyabun wrote:
How about one of these https://powertank.com/

X2

You can fill a bunch of tires on one tank.

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