Air compressor recommendation - What do you like?

[Beast Handler]

I just purchased a 2020 Adventurer Overlander on a F550 chassis with the full BuckStop package & Liquid Spring suspension, BUT it needs a lot of mods to get it where I feel comfortable going off-grid. One of those is an air compressor and suggestions on how to get a tire changed. It has GoodYear G25 MSA 335/80R20 tires. Would love to hear your opinions and advice!

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi RIck,

Welcome to Overland Bound. Awesome rig.

Had a VIAIR 400P for some years. First portable and then - because I did not like to unpack and pack the thing everytime I need it - I fitted it permanetly. Never had to complain, good gear. It is still in service with a friend of mine. Now I run a ARB CKMA12 which came with the lockers anyway. The compressor supplies the front and rear lockers with air. In addition I have installed two standard workshop air supplies, a 2.5 gallons/ 9.5 liter air pressure tank and a mechanical manometer. Run the ARB CKMA12 since approx. 8 years now. Reliable and comparable small in size.

With your large tires, I would take a large compressor which decent duty cycle, perhaps one of the big Viair or the double compressor from ARB and probably also a pressure tank. Also take a look at the various options on the market with inflation/deflation systems that inflate/deflate more than one tire at the same time.

I think there will be more recommendations here soon and the guys with the big tires will surely have the right recommendation for you.

You will find plenty of information regarding air compressor setups in these forums. For example here:

Compressor - A or B ?

Hi All, I currently have a thunder compressor in the tray however due to its size I am removing it over the weekend. Would like to know the OB community take on option A TJM and option B ARB single tank. Happy to get ideas on other brands, only real requirement is small form factor and can bolt...

www.overlandbound.com

Bjoern

 

[Beast Handler]

Hi RIck,

Welcome to Overland Bound. Awesome rig.

Had a VIAIR 400P for some years. First portable and then - because I did not like to unpack and pack the thing everytime I need it - I fitted it permanetly. Never had to complain, good gear. It is still in service with a friend of mine. Now I run a ARB CKMA12 which came with the lockers anyway. The compressor supplies the front and rear lockers with air. In addition I have installed two standard workshop air supplies, a 2.5 gallons/ 9.5 liter air pressure tank and a mechanical manometer. Run the ARB CKMA12 since approx. 8 years now. Reliable and comparable small in size.

With your large tires, I would take a large compressor which decent duty cycle, perhaps one of the big Viair or the double compressor from ARB and probably also a pressure tank. Also take a look at the various options on the market with inflation/deflation systems that inflate/deflate more than one tire at the same time.

I think there will be more recommendations here soon and the guys with the big tires will surely have the right recommendation for you.

You will find plenty of information regarding air compressor setups in these forums. For example here:

Compressor - A or B ?

Hi All, I currently have a thunder compressor in the tray however due to its size I am removing it over the weekend. Would like to know the OB community take on option A TJM and option B ARB single tank. Happy to get ideas on other brands, only real requirement is small form factor and can bolt...

www.overlandbound.com

Bjoern

Thank you so much... still learning how to navigate thru the site.

 

[smritte]

I ran the VIAIR 400 for since it came out. Probably 15-20 years. Last year it didn't pump as fast. Still works though. I decided to upgrade to the ARB twin. I have friends who have had the ARB for 20 years. The VIAIR took a while to pump up 40's, the ARB was faster but neither overheated and shut down like I've seen the lesser ones do.
There's a number of compressors that popped in for the Overland fad several years ago but I haven't met anyone who has had them for very long and uses it as much as I do.
What you need to do first is figure out if your going to mount it or carry it. My VIAIR was carried in a 50 cal ammo can for half its life. When I got my Cruiser, it got mounted behind a panel and I routed air lines with quick release fittings. My ARB was used on one trip before I mounted it, that was a bit of a pain. If you end up with one of the off-brand huge ones, your going to want to mount it. I only wish the off brands had been around for at least a decade so I could chime in on their quality.

I've run the modified "AC" compressors as well as been around several people who have those. I had mine for about five years. They work but, their designed to be cooled by refrigerant flowing through them. Not only do they overheat badly, you need an oiler to mist oil into them so they don't seize. You need to add an oil catch can but, now you literally have burned oil smell and a trace of it in your tires. If you want to go with a mechanical compressor, go with an air brake compressor. They use engine coolant to cool the compressor.

I had considered one of the big newer electric ones but, the footprint is bigger than I want and if I "make room" for it then it dies, I will need to buy a trusted model and start over.

On another note, don't install an air tank unless you need one for air lockers or possibly air suspension that you continually adjust. Unless you go to at least a massive tank, you run out of air before one tire is filled and your straight off the compressor anyway. I ran a large semi truck air brake tank, mounted under one of my vehicles for several years before I finally removed it. I have a 40 gal tank on my home compressor. It will almost fill 40's with the compressor shut off.

 

[MidOH]

We use morrflate here.

Get a fullsized sledge hammer for wheels. I use a plain olde bottle jack most often. Sit on your butt, and use your legs and arms to get wheel on.