On-board air for bike tires/toys - fixed mount solution?

[bkaushansky]

I'm looking to mount a compressor/inflator. Primary use is bicycle tire inflation on a weekly basis (30psi although ability to get to 100 for my road bike would be nice), inflatable toys regularly during summer months, and 1-2 times per year tire inflation post trail trips.

I would like a hard mounted and hardwired solution. Optimally somewhere in the rear of the truck based on my usage needs, but if not plausible then underhood in typical location used by others. Just need suggestions if there's a way to run air-hose back to rear.

Looking at:
Smittybilt 2781 5.6cfm
SuperFlow MV-90 3.7cfm
TJM -13 2.75 cfm

I'm in NJ, so mounting underhood is a concern from a weather handling perspective.

Anyone have a experience with these models? There's a lot of thread talking about vehicle tire inflation, but that's not my primary purpose. Also, not sure where these units are made nor the quality control. I'm not against foreign made, so long as they are built well.

Thanks much.
B.

 

[Rightside Up]

Look at the ARB.

 

[bkaushansky]

The small on is spec'd for locker type application. The mid size is almost double the cost of the what I'm looking at with lower output although much more dependable. For true off-road work, absolutely, but for bike tires I can always use a hand pump if needed. This is more of a convenience purchase.

Look at the ARB.

 

[WanderlostOverland]

Look into Viair. We've been using them for a while now with great success.

 

[Rightside Up]

The small on is spec'd for locker type application. The mid size is almost double the cost of the what I'm looking at with lower output although much more dependable. For true off-road work, absolutely, but for bike tires I can always use a hand pump if needed. This is more of a convenience purchase.

Sounds like one of the cheap plug in the cigarette lighter ones would work well for you.
Or one that uses the plug in back.

 

[gundrted+t4r]

+1 for the Viair

BUT ... I'm looking at the same thing but I'm running into a few issues.

12v compressors are LOUD and take time to hook up and take down. It will be much faster to just get your hand pump and do it the old fashion way.

The compressors you outlined don't act like your average home compressor. There is no tank and no auto-shut off. The intended use is to hook it up to a tire and then turn on the compressor. Run the compressor for a while and then shut it off to check the tire pressure. Repeat until the tire is full. This is not practical for pumping up bike tires.

If you want to do things 'right', you would need an air tank and auto-shut off. The compressor fills the tank and then you use a presta air chuck or gun to fill the tire in question.

I'm still half looking at all this, but its a lot of money and time. Its way easier to just use a bike pump.

 

[bkaushansky]

You bring up a good point regarding the tank. So let’s just take cash out of equation. Small compressor under the hood with a pressure switch feeding a 1 gal tank in the rear compartment. I should have enough air to top off tires without issue.

Will a 1 gal tank be sufficient in filling a mattress or similar size inflatable?

 

[boyguan]

You bring up a good point regarding the tank. So let’s just take cash out of equation. Small compressor under the hood with a pressure switch feeding a 1 gal tank in the rear compartment. I should have enough air to top off tires without issue.

Will a 1 gal tank be sufficient in filling a mattress or similar size inflatable?

This required a different type of pump.

There are 2 types.

1. high volume, low pressure
2. low volume, high pressure

Air beds require #1. tires require #2.

I tried to inflate my air mattress with my car tire pump and it took 4-5 times as long. You cant use the high volume with car tires as it wont surpass the PSI in the tire.

 

[Bumbo]

You bring up a good point regarding the tank. So let’s just take cash out of equation. Small compressor under the hood with a pressure switch feeding a 1 gal tank in the rear compartment. I should have enough air to top off tires without issue.

Will a 1 gal tank be sufficient in filling a mattress or similar size inflatable?

I dunno about this one... unless ur talking about those very small thin camping mats or something.

Most tire pumps are high pressure low volume.

Most mattress pumps are very low pressure, very high volume.

 

[bkaushansky]

I know... I’m trying to replicate my full size IR compressor into a very small 12v version.

Maybe an old school foot pump is the way to go all around.

 

[Bumbo]

I know... I’m trying to replicate my full size IR compressor into a very small 12v version.

Maybe an old school foot pump is the way to go all around.

I have a 20 gallon compressor at home and I still curse the volume for real work.

1 gallon might be good for certain things but most smaller pumps have a lower max operating pressure anyways which takes away from capacity potential.

A good OBA setup with tanks you want at least 200 PSI.

That said, 1 gallon tank is nice for things like a quick blast of air for dusting off goggles and other gear. Still not enough to really run tools IMO, not without compressors that have volume for a fast refill as recharge takes forever.

 

[Agent_Outside]

For what you want I’d just carry a bike pump and the use the trunk mounted inverter to Plus in a regular air mattress pump for whan you need it. I know it’s not glamours but with the needs you described I don’t see any reason for the cost or complications or hard mount permant stuff when simple plug ins are perfectly adaquit.

If you want a fancy elaborate overlanding is life type of setup that’s cool too, but it certainly isn’t required to meet your needs.

 

[atchcraft]

I'm looking to mount a compressor/inflator. Primary use is bicycle tire inflation on a weekly basis (30psi although ability to get to 100 for my road bike would be nice), inflatable toys regularly during summer months, and 1-2 times per year tire inflation post trail trips.

I would like a hard mounted and hardwired solution. Optimally somewhere in the rear of the truck based on my usage needs, but if not plausible then underhood in typical location used by others. Just need suggestions if there's a way to run air-hose back to rear.

Looking at:
Smittybilt 2781 5.6cfm
SuperFlow MV-90 3.7cfm
TJM -13 2.75 cfm

I'm in NJ, so mounting underhood is a concern from a weather handling perspective.

Anyone have a experience with these models? There's a lot of thread talking about vehicle tire inflation, but that's not my primary purpose. Also, not sure where these units are made nor the quality control. I'm not against foreign made, so long as they are built well.

Thanks much.
B.

I have the Smittybilt 2781. It’s a great pump for the $ and, now that I’ve run it, I wouldn’t spend the $ for an ARB. Just for reference, I also run a power tank and have had a few different compressors over the years. So, I’m confident in that recommendation.

As a cyclist myself, I’ve thought about how I’d use my pump/tank for that. Road or mountain, you really don’t need a lot of air. I was going to mount it under hood, but I just tore out the rear panels, to remove my 3rd row, and found a huge space at the back, passenger side quarter panel. So, for me, that’s going to happen. The 2781 is going to be hard mounter back there. I’ve disassembled it a little bit, but if fits no problem. I also have dual 2gal. Tanks that are going where the spare tire used to be. That’s the next project after my cargo drawers.

 

[Moose.and.Me]

I run the ARB on my 4Runner, so as you can see it’s mounted under the hood. This is probably my favorite “modification” I’ve done. I primarily use it to air down/up. However, I’ve also used it to air up dive floats for Spearfishing in Baja. It also airs up the tires on my beach cruiser on Sunday afternoons when I’m headed to the local bar. I have absolutely no regrets about getting onboard air.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[111db]

You might find an older ARB somewhere like eBay or maybe craigslist For quite a bit less than a new version. The discontinued RDCKA will do what you want except for maybe air mattress for reasons already mentioned here.

Mine is mounted inside the rear passenger quarter panel, has been for 10 years.

 

[wcjeep]

ARB makes top notch stuff. I have an ARB bumper (Dodge),Air Locker (Jeep) and ARB Fridge. However, I think the Smittybilt compressor connected to small tank would be great for the 4Runner. My Dodge has an Air Zenith compressor. It's a bit overkill.

 

[spetka]

PRO tip: For Air mattresses and other high volume inflatables, use a hair dryer to fill the main volume, then finish it with compressor/pump/mouth.

Other than that, pretty much any compressor will do what it sounds like you want, even a SuperFLow

 

[e60ral]

or just spend $10 on a 12v or battery air mattress pump and not fiddle with a hair dryer

 

[gundrted+t4r]

PRO tip: For Air mattresses and other high volume inflatables, use a hair dryer to fill the main volume, then finish it with compressor/pump/mouth.

Other than that, pretty much any compressor will do what it sounds like you want, even a SuperFLow

sweet ... know I can pump up my bed and my hair will look good too :cheers:

 

[johnbt]

The VIAIR 400P-AUTO doesn't require you to run back and forth to the compressor. I have one. It isn't very noisy and the hardest part of setting it up is lifting the hood to get to the battery terminals. I use it for airing up at the beach. It's a nice little kit.

400P Portable Compressor | VIAIR

The 450P-A also has automatic shutoff.