Compressor vs. Compressed Air Tank

[rballard5]

I am trying to decide to get either a compressor or compressed air tank to air-up my Jeep tires when going off road. I am told that the compressors can be time consuming, taking as much as 30 minutes to air-up tires when coming back onto pavement. A compressed air tank takes a matter of seconds. Having an air compressor mounted in my Jeep is expensive. Carrying a portable compressor takes up valuable room in the back of my Jeep. Also, a portable compressor needs to plug into the cigarette lighter which is a 12 volt system and can be very time consuming. Is this true? I do not know the answer to this question.

The compressed air tank fits on a rack so does not take up room in the Jeep. The downside of a compressed air tank is it needs to be refilled. However, one 10 pound tank can fill 30 tires which should be plenty for a road trip to say, Montana for 4 days.

The compressed air tank is the same price as the portable compressor. I am writing this to get opinions on which way to go. Do I go with the compressed air tank, or the installed compressor? I do not want to deal with a portable compressor, although both the installed and portable compressor operate off of a 12 volt battery.

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[yokramer]

I mean if you buy the cheapest compressor and only air up 1 tire at a time I can see that long but my ARB dual compressor under my seat airs up all 4 35s at the same time in <4mins and I can bullshit with people while ti does it. I also have air that I can air up other people and if I ever need air actuated stuff its right there. I also dont ever have to refill a co2 tank.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I was going to go the Powertank option but decided against it because I didn't want to do the math after each trip to see how much I used and how much I had for the next trip, the cost and limited places to fill it up, the space it takes in the back, and the worry that someone would steal it if I had the top off. I went with an onboard ARB dual and can inflate all 4 37" tires from 12 to 33 psi in just a few minutes.

And have unlimited air to blow the dirt out of my engine bay (and filter) after the trail ride or blow the water out of the gaps after a car wash

 

[rballard5]

I mean if you buy the cheapest compressor and only air up 1 tire at a time I can see that long but my ARB dual compressor under my seat airs up all 4 35s at the same time in <4mins and I can bullshit with people while ti does it. I also have air that I can air up other people and if I ever need air actuated stuff its right there. I also dont ever have to refill a co2 tank.

Okay, I appreciate your feedback. I am unfamiliar with the abbreviation, ARB. If I go with a compressor I am looking at the ROUGH COUNTRY TWIN MOTOR AIR COMPRESSOR KIT. Are you familiar with it?

 

[Roky]

ARB twin….. it’s the top shelf unit most jeepers go with…….

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...jRy3RhPxv7N8EW8GjdjufLVoCs6lBnHxQQmE_HyinCPhf

 

[Ratbert]

The compressed air tank fits on a rack so does not take up room in the Jeep.

It still takes up room, right?

My ARB Twin (like @yokramer's) is under my passenger seat, so from my perspective it takes up no usable room.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking the overall time saved with a bottle is in the neighborhood of five to ten minutes.

Airing down / up is a social thing. Get something where you do all four at once so you can chat about what you're going to do or just did. Don't be the asshole that airs up and bails while others make dinner plans with their new friends.

p.s. Consider correcting the "are" to "air" in the thread's title.

 

[vaJLUR]

I have a moreflate tensix something or another, airs up four 37s from 10-28psi in a few minutes.

 

[Terrymo]

A 10 gallon air tank is roughly what 22” x 13” x 15” (just guessing) or split that into two 5 gallon tanks. That’s a fair amount of real estate. Unless this is a one time offroad trip you’re going to end up with a decent air compressor anyway. You don’t want a cheap compressor that plugs into a cigarette lighter. Buy once cry once. Lots of good air compressor threads.

 

[rballard5]

It still takes up room, right?

My ARB Twin (like @yokramer's) is under my passenger seat, so from my perspective it takes up no usable room.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking the overall time saved with a bottle is in the neighborhood of five to ten minutes.

Airing down / up is a social thing. Get something where you do all four at once so you can chat about what you're going to do or just did. Don't be the asshole that airs up and bails while others make dinner plans with their new friends.

p.s. Consider correcting the "are" to "air" in the thread's title.

You have answered my question. I was leaning towards the compressor, I just needed a little encouragement. I'm always on the road alone, just me and the wife. I'm fine with taking the extra time as opposed to the bottle. No worries about running out of air. Everything you and others said made sense. Thank you,

 

[Ratbert]

You have answered my question. I was leaning towards the compressor, I just needed a little encouragement. I'm always on the road alone, just me and the wife. I'm fine with taking the extra time as opposed to the bottle. No worries about running out of air. Everything you and others said made sense. Thank you,

Consider going wheeling with a group of four or so other Jeeps. It can be fun! You'll also learn a lot.

 

[Prot]

The ARB brushless twin compressor has significantly higher output than the previous models.

And to the OP, you should familiarize yourself with ARB’s numerous products as they are a premium brand.

 

[yokramer]

Okay, I appreciate your feedback. I am unfamiliar with the abbreviation, ARB. If I go with a compressor I am looking at the ROUGH COUNTRY TWIN MOTOR AIR COMPRESSOR KIT. Are you familiar with it?

This is the kit I run and has been all over the country doing wheeling trips. It takes up no extra space cause its tucked away under the passenger seat and just works.

https://innovativeatproducts.com/pr...ith-arb-twin-compressor-ckmta12-package-deal/

 

[Terrymo]

Another vote for ARB twin under the passenger seat. I bought mine in June of 2021 for my truck and swapped it over to my Jeep. Still going strong.

 

[bllprk]

I have a tank and compressor. The tank is super fast and amazing. Except to get it filled.

I went to this budget VEVOR compressor.

3min - 35” Tires - 10psi to 30psi

video link

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

I have several mounts for the ARB and ViAir compressors available for the JL and JT. If you need help with anything let me know. Most of the mounts are designed to keep the compressor out of the way or hidden so you would be losing space and most people would not know you have them mounted. The Rough Country compressor has the same mounting bolt patter as ARB so it will work with any of my twin compressor mounts. I have a new mount coming soon for mounting behind the tire carrier on the tailgate, it is not on the website yet.

Let me know if I can help!
Jeremy

https://813fabrication.com/collections/air-compressor-mounts-and-accessories

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