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

adamis
Nomad II
Jun 21, 2019
otrfun wrote:
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!

It is tempting but I was already splurging at the $1000 range. I think also I would like to keep the engine Bay as uncluttered as possible so I'm not paying a shop extra time to remove something in order to service the truck. It is still in the back of my mind as I haven't pulled the trigger just yet (I have a couple of weeks before I have to make a decision) so we shall see what might pop up till then.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 21, 2019
Well had a PacBrake air powered exhaust brake on our 2001 Ram 2500, got real use to having air where the truck was!
Jump forward to the new 2016 Ram 3500 DRW with factory exhaust brake, NO Air!! :S
Well hunted down a VIAIR system constant duty at 100 psi, and max pressure of 150 psi, with a 2.5 gallon tank. I chose to mount the tank and compressor inside the side panel of the bed on the passenger side.

I managed to do this install with only drilling a couple small screw holes in the new truck.

Bracket to support tank under bed, used bed mounting bolts, and two more unused 12mm-1.75 holes to attach.

Tank in place and compressor mounting bracket in place, clamped to box frame.

Engine bay air outlet.

Air outlet in bed.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 22, 2019
BarryG20 wrote:
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

X2
OP is asking about ON BOARD AIR, not a carry around 120V pancake compressor, nor a pack around weak a$$ pack around 12 volt system. A good 12v on board compressor takes some power, mine can draw 20 amps. My air is ALWAYS with the TV.
Currently I have a bunch of spare payload, but don't want to need a 120 Volt power source. be it generator or inverter. My VIAIR system with 2.5 gallon tank and 12 volt constant duty cycle at 100 psi.
Moomba2002
Explorer
Jun 27, 2019
Adamis: I run the Extreme Aire Magnum and can't say enough good things about the compressors and the customer service. If you need assistance you make one call and go right to the source. I have run my Magnum for over 6 years and not one failure and when they say 100 % duty cycle they mean it. Call and talk with George he is a wealth of information. I am in the process of putting together an Extreme Flow kit for new truck now!!
adamis
Nomad II
Jun 27, 2019
Moomba2002 wrote:
Adamis: I run the Extreme Aire Magnum and can't say enough good things about the compressors and the customer service. If you need assistance you make one call and go right to the source. I have run my Magnum for over 6 years and not one failure and when they say 100 % duty cycle they mean it. Call and talk with George he is a wealth of information. I am in the process of putting together an Extreme Flow kit for new truck now!!

Thanks for the feedback! I did like the ExtremeAir as it is one single pump versus the dual that the VIAIR required for similar air flow. It is a little more pricey but close enough for consideration.
discovery4us
Explorer
Jun 28, 2019
I installed a viair with tank on a previous truck and was very happy with it. Pricey but convenient and easy to use. I always have a trailer at Oceano dunes so a generator and pancake compressor also has worked well. I don't have a need for air that often now so I use the less convenient pancake compressor as it serves use at home and on the road and with the trailer space is not an issue.

On a side note they are having a meeting and vote in July that will probable result in closing about 30% of the Oceano Dunes riding area and decrease the amount of campers allowed by 30 - 40%.
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 28, 2019
Do you need the speed of dual compressors? Viair does make 100% duty cycle compressors.

If you want REAL power there is Oasis.
http://oasismfg.thomasnet-navigator.com/viewitems/air-compressors/xd4000-continuous-duty-air-compressors?

Compressor about 2G.
This thing will run a 1/2" impact gun with no tank.

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