I’ve got an ARB in my Colorado and my Tundra. I just purchased a Viair 400p for my work vehicle and it seems to be decent quality.

The ARBs have been great. Years and years of use with no issues.

 

edit; went on a rambling rant about over price stuff

 

It may be unorthodox, but if I'm headed offroad and may need to air-down, I take a Ridgid handheld battery powered compressor with a monster 12AH battery. That same battery can power a Ridgid handheld LED spotlight which I also carry. Granted that the tiny piston takes longer but it has worked so far without the need/complexity of having an onboard dedicated compressor.

 

I don't have an ARB but my understanding is that they are rated at 100% duty cycle for the twins and brushless units... so you do get what you pay for.

I carry a bs 120v unit and run it off my inverter. I also don't do anything crazy offroad....

 

I air up/down a LOT so speed is important to me. The NAPA twin compressor is both fast and affordable. I could not more highly recommend it

I can air all 4 of my 33’s from 17 back up to 35psi in less than 10 mins including the 5min setup, tear down, and switch between tires. My friends use the same one for 37’s.

It’s not the best option for permanent onboard air due to size and weight but there are plenty of people that have permanently mounted it…just takes a little more engineering.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_MTWM10215C

 

I bought one of these too after using a small Viair compress. I was very impressed with how quickly it airs up my ties.

 

did a search here for compressor and all i see are AC related threads....

I'm considering buying a new 12V compressor to keep in the truck for airing up after airing down. I'm further considering hard wiring a plug for it outside the truck.

What are people using for a compressor these days. I see the ARB offerings seem to be the most popular, but dang they are pricey. Are they worth it? There are also a heap of cheap Autozone ilk type compressors on the market. There must be a few good alternatives between the cheapos and the $$$, right?

Thoughts?

I bought this one from Harbor Freight after reading reviews and comparing specs. The thing is a beast (heavy too) and has a continuous run time of 40min! Unlike some with a short run time (and then mandatory cooling time), you could air up a whole group with this. It's heavy because you need the mass of the iron to absorb and dissapate the heat. The only downside is that it doesn't have a quick disconnect for the valve stem, and modifying the lines is a little tricky because I believe I read that some of the sizes are odd. Regardless, I highly recommend it.
12V, 125 PSI High-Performance Inflator

 

Having a setup like this is great for airing up/down too.

 

MORRFlate has listed this recently. PRICEY, but, really, the way it SHOULD be done. You set the pressure, whether for inflation or deflation, and let it do it's thing while you do other things. I plan on doing something similar and a LOT cheaper (non digital), but I'd probably buy this...except it's backordered until Sept.
Air Hub AutoMagic Digital Air Controller • MORRFlate

 

This, for example will do what that does, is integrated into the compressor and is less $$

 

Does one at a time, probably doesn't work on DEflation, and how accurate is it? I already have a nice compressor, so I'm just looking for a manifold that takes care of the rest. I'll look into designing and building my own, but if the MORRFlate one is close, or Jaco makes theirs, I'll look at those.

 

I air up and down a lot. I had built in twin ARBs in my g wagon and 80series. For the last 5 or 6 years I’ve been using this battery craftsman. It works great and more versatile than a built in. I have two of the 4ah batteries.

CRAFTSMAN® Home

Official website for CRAFTSMAN®. Explore power tools, outdoor equipment, hand tools, storage products and more.

www.craftsman.com

 

Huh, THAT'S pretty cool. Being an offroad noob, I initially was going to get a 110VAC pancake compressor, but quickly found out that the pathetic 400W plug in the bed wasn't going to cut it. I wouldn't have thought that a battery powered one would be good enough for multiple air-ups of all 4 tires.

 

I can air up all four 1-2 times per battery depending on how low I go. In the sand I go down to 12-15 psi and can only get all 4 up one time. The batteries charge well off the 110’in the bed. With 2 batteries I’ve never even had the slightest concern.

 

I can air up all four 1-2 times per battery depending on how low I go. In the sand I go down to 12-15 psi and can only get all 4 up one time. The batteries charge well off the 110’in the bed. With 2 batteries I’ve never even had the slightest concern.

Nice! I'm pleasantly surprised, that's pretty handy/cool. If the bed socket had the power of the Taco hybrid (1,400W I think), I would have bought a regular pancake compressor so I could use it around the house etc. I'm happy with the HF one I bought as I know that as long as the engine is running, I can use it for 40min straight and air up friends as well. But the battery idea would have appealed to me if I'd know about it, and I might have considered it.

 

wow, i also didnt realize that a pancake compressor that ran off batteries was even a thing! thanks for the education on that.

 

All the 10.6/5.6 CFM 50% duty cycle compressors are probably the best bang for your buck (MORRFlate, EZ Flate, SSW, Thor's Lightning, Overland Vehicle Systems, Rough Country).

The next level up is probably the Rough Country twin, or Black Taurus twin. These are 100% duty cycle compressors.

Twin Motor Air Compressor Kit | 12 Volt | 6.16 CFM

Twin Motor Air Compressor Kit | 12 Volt | 6.16 CFM

www.roughcountry.com

Onboard Automatic Twin Air Compressor 561

High-performance Dual Motor Compressor, specifically designed for permanent installation in vehicles requiring exceptionally high airflow, including off-road vehicles, mobile workshops, and work vehicles. The compressor features compact yet robust motors, engineered for ultimate reliability and...

b-taurus.com

 

All the 10.6/5.6 CFM 50% duty cycle compressors are probably the best bang for your buck (MORRFlate, EZ Flate, SSW, Thor's Lightning, Overland Vehicle Systems, Rough Country).

The next level up is probably the Rough Country twin, or Black Taurus twin. These are 100% duty cycle compressors.

Twin Motor Air Compressor Kit | 12 Volt | 6.16 CFM

Twin Motor Air Compressor Kit | 12 Volt | 6.16 CFM

www.roughcountry.com

Onboard Automatic Twin Air Compressor 561

High-performance Dual Motor Compressor, specifically designed for permanent installation in vehicles requiring exceptionally high airflow, including off-road vehicles, mobile workshops, and work vehicles. The compressor features compact yet robust motors, engineered for ultimate reliability and...

b-taurus.com

+1 for Thor's Lightning. It takes almost as long to get the hoses out and connect them as it does inflate or deflate all 4 tires. Usually run around 17-20 psi offroad, ~40 psi on road.

 

Buy the best your budget can handle. I had the basic Smittybilt compressor when I first started. Thing got hotter than the sun and it wasn't until I was airing up at elevation in Colorado that I realized flow numbers matter. I had that compressor for maybe 6 months before I went ARB Twin and I've never looked back after ~9 years. With the ARB you still need to budget for a mount, quick connect fittings, hose, inflator and/or gauge. Pricey yes, but it has never let me down in over 6 years. I've done four trucks (16 tires) in one non-stop session before. Took <30 min. The Smittybilt would have done maybe 5-6 tires in that time.

This past weekend I aired up my 35's (~17psi worth) and a friend's 32's (~14psi) in the time it took another friend to do his 33's with a Viair (not sure what model). That's not to say Viair is bad. They are very good and reliable, budget friendly compressors. Just compare specs while you shop, and shoot for something with 100% duty cycle and decent flow.

If you are wanting to do an external plug, make sure you check amperage ratings. Compressors are power hungry under load. I would say a minimum of 10awg for a single body compressor. When I had my Smittybilt, I did an Anderson Powerpole SB50 with 10awg wire and a 30amp inline fuse. Mounted one connector plug under the front bumper for easy access. They even make neat little dust covers.