Is the ARB Twin Onboard Air the best solution?

[LXGus]

I'm curious what you all think about this. I've spoken with plenty of folks who are happy with the ARB, even though it's considered expensive. I've used a cheap, twin portable compressor for a few years, and it seems faster, but I can tell it's on its last legs. It's time for me to install something more permanent. What air solutions are you running?

 

[Wicked0ne18]

I have a portable air compressor All Top brand. Works for me since I go on an off road trip once a year.

 

[Umbrarian]

Is the ARB Twin Onboard Air the best solution?​

I have the twin installed and I would not say it is the best solution. But it is the solution I wanted.

 

[KLF]

I have a significant investment in Makita 18V tools, so I picked up one of their cordless compressors, it lives in the truck back. It's been super handy, I've used it more than expected. I'm sure it's not as fast as the big ARB, though. But, the past 2 times I used it, the ARB wouldn't be able to do the job as I couldn't get my truck close enough.

That being said, I'm headed for a week at the Outer Banks next week, with an ORV Permit that lets me drive on the beach. It will be interesting to see how fast and how many batteries it takes to air back up.

Each has good and bad points, there's no perfect solution.

 

[peneumbra2]

Well, I have really big lungs, so...

 

[Sandroad]

I'm curious what you all think about this. I've spoken with plenty of folks who are happy with the ARB, even though it's considered expensive. I've used a cheap, twin portable compressor for a few years, and it seems faster, but I can tell it's on its last legs. It's time for me to install something more permanent. What air solutions are you running?

What's the use case? How often do you need a compressor? No sense buying and installing an ARB and hauling it around if you rarely need air. My portable Viair works great for the few times a year I need to have a compressor with me.

 

[LXGus]

What's the use case? How often do you need a compressor? No sense buying and installing an ARB and hauling it around if you rarely need air. My portable Viair works great for the few times a year I need to have a compressor with me.

I air down almost every trip. Some times multiple times a trip. 6-10 times a year I would say. We’re always packed very tight so storing a compressor in the back is always a tough challenge and worrying it may die at any point now isn’t something I need to burn brain power on. Reliable and convenient are my top two priorities.

 

[tbisaacs]

Outside of my fridge is probably the one mod I would not want to go without. Mine has been underhood since 2018 and only recently had to replace the connector on the harness because it was vibrating loose.

 

[Artie]

The convenience of the ARB twin mounted under the hood is something I would not want to do without. 10/10 would do again.

 

[TeCKis300]

I air down almost every trip. Some times multiple times a trip. 6-10 times a year I would say. We’re always packed very tight so storing a compressor in the back is always a tough challenge and worrying it may die at any point now isn’t something I need to burn brain power on. Reliable and convenient are my top two priorities.

How big are your tires? The volume needed for larger 34s and up can definitely justify a high volume pump. I mean when there are those of us that get impatient with the speed of airing down, it's because there's a lot of air in these bigger tires. If you can afford it, the Arb twin is a great choice. Sounds like you would use it enough too.

 

[Boston Mangler]

I have an ARB dual in my huge Ram5500 Camper with 42” tires, and had one hard mounted in my Tundra.

Both have worked flawlessy for years.

However, i am a "red tool addict" and got the Milwaukee M18 cordless one as a backup for my camper since its on bags, and a compressor failure would make for a bad day.

The Milwaukee works so damn good, its become my primary and never leaves the camper. In fact, i just bought a second one for the 200 and will not bother installing a hard mount compressor.

Its MUCH quieter, slightly faster, and doesnt require any hoses or fittings to fish out of the truck.

One HUGE advantage i like on the M18 over the ARB is the digital screen and PSI set, set it to 80psi (my rear bags) turn it on, and it auto shuts off when it reaches it. Set it to 95 (front bags) turn it on, shuts off when reaches it.

Its a ton easier and overall i prefer the M18 compressor if only had to choose one.

The ARB dual works, and definitely does the job but the mobility of a small but just as, if not more powerful option is the better choice, IMHO.

In the past, i have run them ALL, belt driven York (still the undisputed king of OBA), Oasis, Extreme Outback, ARB, etc....

I would rate the belt Driven York hands down the best, and then the Milwaukee cordless.

I also love the mobility of the M18 and have used it on various other projects without running hoses

This is the model i am talking about:

Milwaukee M18 18 V 150 psi Tire Inflator Mfr# 2848-20 - Ace Hardware

The Milwaukee Fastest 18V cordless tire inflator. The M18 inflator delivers fast, accurate, easy inflation with the portability to take anywhere. Optimized for passenger, light truck, and other medium-duty tires. Rated to deliver max 150PSI, the high efficiency motor tops-off 33 in. light truck...

www.acehardware.com

 

[Heckraiser]

I run a PUMA which costs less than half of the ARB and will do four 35x12.5x17's from 16 to 35psi in about 10 minutes (100% duty cycle). This compressor has been around forever and has many followers in the 80 section. Mine has been in service ~8 years with no hiccups. I've removed the tank since I don't run air tools off of it and hard-mounted it under the hood. I helped my stepdad install the ARB twin in his 4runner and its definitely a nice unit too, and everybody makes a mount for it, so there is less custom guesswork in mounting it up.

However, I think the big daddy of them all (excluding engine driven like a York) is the Morrflate compressor which moves a crapload more air than any other pump out there (10.6cfm) for the specific purpose of airing up all 4 tires at once. That way pressure is equalized between tires and you don't need to monitor each tire individually and change the chuck 4 times. It is also cheaper than the ARB, which frankly, I think is only priced at $600+ because nobody realizes there are other options out there (e.g. this thread and many others like it). If I didn't already have the PUMA, I would buy the Morrflate without a doubt. I have seen this compressor hard-mounted under the hood of a 200, so there's that.

ARB compressor is good, but here are at least a couple comparable (or superior) options for around half the price. These things matter to a cheap-ass like me.

 

[LXGus]

How big are your tires? The volume needed for larger 34s and up can definitely justify a high volume pump. I mean when there are those of us that get impatient with the speed of airing down, it's because there's a lot of air in these bigger tires. If you can afford it, the Arb twin is a great choice. Sounds like you would use it enough too.

My cheap Napa pump is way faster than the guys I adventure with who have the ARB twin. It’s just so cheaply made and inconvenient. Plus, I wouldn’t want to spend time with people who get impatient about this sort of thing. Definitely not the type of crew

I have an ARB dual in my huge Ram5500 Camper with 42” tires, and had one hard mounted in my Tundra.

Both have worked flawlessy for years.

However, i am a "red tool addict" and got the Milwaukee M18 cordless one as a backup for my camper since its on bags, and a compressor failure would make for a bad day.

The Milwaukee works so damn good, its become my primary and never leaves the camper. In fact, i just bought a second one for the 200 and will not bother installing a hard mount compressor.

Its MUCH quieter, slightly faster, and doesnt require any hoses or fittings to fish out of the truck.

One HUGE advantage i like on the M18 over the ARB is the digital screen and PSI set, set it to 80psi (my rear bags) turn it on, and it auto shuts off when it reaches it. Set it to 95 (front bags) turn it on, shuts off when reaches it.

Its a ton easier and overall i prefer the M18 compressor if only had to choose one.

The ARB dual works, and definitely does the job but the mobility of a small but just as, if not more powerful option is the better choice, IMHO.

In the past, i have run them ALL, belt driven York (still the undisputed king of OBA), Oasis, Extreme Outback, ARB, etc....

I would rate the belt Driven York hands down the best, and then the Milwaukee cordless.

I also love the mobility of the M18 and have used it on various other projects without running hoses

This is the model i am talking about:

Milwaukee M18 18 V 150 psi Tire Inflator Mfr# 2848-20 - Ace Hardware

The Milwaukee Fastest 18V cordless tire inflator. The M18 inflator delivers fast, accurate, easy inflation with the portability to take anywhere. Optimized for passenger, light truck, and other medium-duty tires. Rated to deliver max 150PSI, the high efficiency motor tops-off 33 in. light truck...

www.acehardware.com

Oh this is interesting. I hadn't considered a portable solution like this. Do you think it's powerful enough to inflate all 4 tires at once? I made a 4 tire inflate system that, when you connect all 4 tires and open a valve in the middle, it equalizes the pressure all around.

 

[TeCKis300]

My cheap Napa pump is way faster than the guys I adventure with who have the ARB twin. It’s just so cheaply made and inconvenient. Plus, I wouldn’t want to spend time with people who get impatient about this sort of thing. Definitely not the type of crew

Impatient is probably the wrong word and my crew is great and will help each other air up, including any new guys to the crew that don't have gear. I had a single Viair for 33s that became completely insufficient for 35s. Went to dual Viairs which might be an option here if you're so inclined to do more integration.

Just saying I've been there with a low volume compressor, taking 10 minutes a tire, x 4. While kids are starving and hangry cause we're getting off the trail late. Things that make second guessing airing down or not airing up/down enough, as it takes more time.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Oh this is interesting. I hadn't considered a portable solution like this. Do you think it's powerful enough to inflate all 4 tires at once? I made a 4 tire inflate system that, when you connect all 4 tires and open a valve in the middle, it equalizes the pressure all around.

I dont see why it wouldnt be. It inflates my 42" just as fast as the ARB.

Not sure though. Ive had those 4 and 2 hose octopus systems for inflation in the past, and personally think they more headache than they are worth, take up too much valuable storage real estate, and takes just as much time to unpack it, set it up, and tear it down and repack it, as just doing the tires separately.

People always focused on speed of air down and airing up. Not sure why. Who cares? No reason to be in a rush for anything.

Personally, i would rather have the additional space, and not bother with an octopus hose contraption and have it take a little longer, which is debatable and negligible when all said and done.

Also, i almost never have the same pressure front and rear. ESPECIALLY on my 5500 Camper.

I have the indeflate gizmo, which is awesome, but i rarely use it, other than to make sure my airbag suspension is perfectly balanced driver/passenger

Thats my opinion.

 

[LXGus]

I run a PUMA which costs less than half of the ARB and will do four 35x12.5x17's from 16 to 35psi in about 10 minutes (100% duty cycle). This compressor has been around forever and has many followers in the 80 section. Mine has been in service ~8 years with no hiccups. I've removed the tank since I don't run air tools off of it and hard-mounted it under the hood. I helped my stepdad install the ARB twin in his 4runner and its definitely a nice unit too, and everybody makes a mount for it, so there is less custom guesswork in mounting it up.

However, I think the big daddy of them all (excluding engine driven like a York) is the Morrflate compressor which moves a crapload more air than any other pump out there (10.6cfm) for the specific purpose of airing up all 4 tires at once. That way pressure is equalized between tires and you don't need to monitor each tire individually and change the chuck 4 times. It is also cheaper than the ARB, which frankly, I think is only priced at $600+ because nobody realizes there are other options out there (e.g. this thread and many others like it). If I didn't already have the PUMA, I would buy the Morrflate without a doubt. I have seen this compressor hard-mounted under the hood of a 200, so there's that.

ARB compressor is good, but here are at least a couple comparable (or superior) options for around half the price. These things matter to a cheap-ass like me.

Thanks! I built my own 4 tire inflate system that is similar to Morrflate's. It is awesome. And my compressor is the same form factor, but it was $115 from NAPA. It is way faster than everyone else's when we all stop to air back up. Do you know of anyone mounting the Morrlate in the engine bay? My goal is to have something permanently installed.

 

[Heckraiser]

Yes, I've seen it mounted in the empty space in front of the airbox. Same spot I mounted up my puma. Can't remember who, maybe @Killacaviar ?

I just looked up that Napa compressor. Definitely looks similar to the morrflate. Actually the specs are the same 10.6cfm too, which is ideal for the all-4-at-once strategy. Nice find Maybe the Morrflate is the same thing but with better QC and a warranty? There are a few reviews of the NAPA quitting early in life.

 

[Heckraiser]

People always focused on speed of air down and airing up. Not sure why. Who cares? No reason to be in a rush for anything.

I'm not a terribly patient person by nature, but I don't mind sitting in the woods with a cold drink while my tires fill up. However, as someone else mentioned, when you have company who's not quite as "into wheeling" as you are, once you reach the end of the trail and you need to get a grouchy spouse or child back to civilization, every minute counts, lol.

 

[Boston Mangler]

when you have company who's not quite as "into wheeling" as you are, once you reach the end of the trail and you need to get a grouchy spouse or child back to civilization, every minute counts, lol.

Nah, I don’t allow those types to come along

 

[Heckraiser]

I would be very lonely if I operated on the same principal