Lets talk Co2

[tex]

After dealing with airing down and back up a handful of times last week I would like to look at quicker solutions to air back up. Thinking Co2 may be the best option.
The shop in Denver that did my alignment mentioned a company making a nice mount for a Co2 tank. Below is the link.
Power Tank Mount for Toyota 4Runner 5th Generation

The Power Tank packages are a little spendy and feel like there is probably some other, less expensive options out there but have not researched that yet.
Right now I am using a Master Flow 12v compressor and it takes close to 30 minutes to air up from 25 to 37 pounds. Also looking to go up to a 34" tire so those would take even longer.

 

[Silverback]

Just buy a better compressor.

 

[AlienXtx]

Nitrogen.
Thats what I use to carry.

 

[Silverback]

When it runs out you are fucked. Get a good compressor and if you don't want to wait for it, have a CO2 system as a backup. Those MasterFlows are decent, but how old is yours? Spent some coin and get a Viair, Puma, ARB, etc. Also put a 1-2 gallon tank under the truck.

 

[tex]

When it runs out you are fucked. Get a good compressor and if you don't want to wait for it, have a CO2 system as a backup. Those MasterFlows are decent, but how old is yours? Spent some coin and get a Viair, Puma, ARB, etc. Also put a 1-2 gallon tank under the truck.

My air pump is about 3 or 4 years old. It was in the $70 range and could not tell you the specks. It does okay airing up but its getting it out, hooking to battery and all that. I would say its probably 4-5 minutes per tire of actual air time.

 

[Anathollo]

My air pump is about 3 or 4 years old. It was in the $70 range and could not tell you the specks. It does okay airing up but its getting it out, hooking to battery and all that. I would say its probably 4-5 minutes per tire of actual air time.

Get an ARB dual air compressor.

 

[tx_shooter]

The Smittybilt compressor I have now will air up a 35" tire in less than two minutes. When we were using it at the Davis Park it filled up Brian's tires quick. My 4Runner's 32s were filled from 15 psi to 35 psi in less than a minute each. I spent more time moving from tire to tire than actually filling the tires. I put on a quick chuck to make it even easier. I am debating making a couple changes to the air hose so I can fill two tires at once. At 5.65 gallons per minute of air flow it fills tires fast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K25GMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Silverback]

My air pump is about 3 or 4 years old. It was in the $70 range and could not tell you the specks. It does okay airing up but its getting it out, hooking to battery and all that. I would say its probably 4-5 minutes per tire of actual air time.

I had a Masterflow in like 2008, it worked well. But I upgraded. I did the Oasis which is SUPER overkill... I still have two of them in the garage but they need to be rebuilt. Oasis as last I checked wanted $700 to rebuild each, that was 8+ years ago. I have a mid-range ARB for lockers and a dual ARB for other shit. I can easily plumb the dual into the lockers in case the mid one takes a shit.

 

[AlienXtx]

I got two small nitrogen tanks, they don't take up much room and you can get several full 4-tire air ups out of each and it will air up a tire in less then a min. The tanks are cheap to refill

 

[CowboyTaco]

I don't remember what I was watching, but there was a guy who had the dual ARB compressor and had switched to the CO2 (IIRC) and said that it was MUCH better. No noise, and less time to refill each tire. I don't recall the size of his tank either, but I think he said he could fill something like 20 tires before needing to refill the tank. So even airing down and up several times on a single trip was not really a concern. Plus, he still had the ARB as a backup in the event that his tank didn't have enough pressure.

I don't air down or up enough to justify spending the money. But if I did, the spare tank would be very appealing.

 

[Silverback]

I am all for having CO2 as a backup... but no way am I having it as the sole source of air.

 

[Anathollo]

I don't remember what I was watching, but there was a guy who had the dual ARB compressor and had switched to the CO2 (IIRC) and said that it was MUCH better. No noise, and less time to refill each tire. I don't recall the size of his tank either, but I think he said he could fill something like 20 tires before needing to refill the tank. So even airing down and up several times on a single trip was not really a concern. Plus, he still had the ARB as a backup in the event that his tank didn't have enough pressure.

I don't air down or up enough to justify spending the money. But if I did, the spare tank would be very appealing.

X2 on this. I think we watched the same episode The guy had a Jeep right?

I am all for having CO2 as a backup... but no way am I having it as the sole source of air.

Also X2 on this. The time it took to air up, I used to strap stuff down in the truck or give the truck a once over to make sure nothing was leaking or broken. If we were going between trails that were only a couple of miles apart then we just stayed aired down and drove slow.

 

[CowboyTaco]

The guy had a Jeep right?

I think it was a Tacoma, but I could be mistaken. I was thinking it might have been the guy who used the Jackery to power his Dometic.

I am all for having CO2 as a backup... but no way am I having it as the sole source of air.

I don't think anyone is advocating for getting rid of the air compressor all together. Just having the CO2 as a primary and the compressor as a backup.

 

[Oswego]

After dealing with airing down and back up a handful of times last week I would like to look at quicker solutions to air back up. Thinking Co2 may be the best option.
The shop in Denver that did my alignment mentioned a company making a nice mount for a Co2 tank. Below is the link.
Power Tank Mount for Toyota 4Runner 5th Generation

The Power Tank packages are a little spendy and feel like there is probably some other, less expensive options out there but have not researched that yet.
Right now I am using a Master Flow 12v compressor and it takes close to 30 minutes to air up from 25 to 37 pounds. Also looking to go up to a 34" tire so those would take even longer.

tanks, regs & mounts are cheap on their own if you just do the basics w/out adding unneeded gauges and other possible failure points. it's when you get into "packages" with all the bells and whistles Ive found the pricing goes way up.

Ive got a Cramer Decker model # 4002AX-150 150psi valve/reg with a quick disconnect hooked to a cheapo 3000psi aluminum tank from a restaurant supply store. forget where I got the stand.

only crappy part about tanks is getting them recertified/hydro tested but most don't even check. you can get them filled all over around here.

makes me wonder how much air I could get out of my 77 cubic inch 4500psi paintball tanks I know they would run a brad nailer for a looooooooong time

compressors are fine and all but just one more pc of electrical equipment that can fail. tanks to me are KISS

 

[CowboyTaco]

Maybe you should piece together a kit and sell it as "Oswego Overland Products & Services" and hope that no one notices the acronym.

 

[Oswego]

Maybe you should piece together a kit and sell it as "Oswego Overland Products & Services" and hope that no one notices the acronym.

all that old school high quality niche stuff is dying off for the future of electronics or a race to zero profit margins with substandard materials it seems. everyone's used to instant gratification at the push of a button and walla here's some cheap disposable shit from China at my door. I see it in a few of my hobbies especially camping/hammocking.

Ive got an arb compressor, but I also like the 2 is 1 and 1 is none aspect + Id prefer my compressor's life not get used up for anything but emergencies and it's intended purpose of running the locker. very similar to my thoughts on fridges taxing your batteries needlessly when an old school ice and great coolers are readily available.

either way you look at it a tank is a good back up to a compressor or the other way around if you want to keep a smaller tank on hand for emergencies and use a large compressor as your primary.

one thing you'll never beat a tank on is portability. It can go anywhere you can carry it. You can't plug a compressor into a tree....(same as my cooler debates )

 

[Silverback]

Maybe you should piece together a kit and sell it as "Oswego Overland Products & Services" and hope that no one notices the acronym.

OOPS! LMFAO!!

 

[TacoXpo]

I have 2 10# tanks - I LOVE CO2 and if I don't have one I have an ARB. For me the key thing is KNOWing your tires and what pressure is optimum for your tire, truck and terrain. I keep mine at 34-36 PSI on the road and ~20-19 PSI when off-roading. If I don't have CO2 I have the ARB. And in the words of the top ARB engineer as he was rebuilding my compressor COMPLETELY at the King of the Hammers 2 years ago - GET THAT THING out of your engine compartment. I haven't used my truck much since then but I need to get that thing relocated into my rear bumper or in one of the cubbies in the truck bed or someplace that it won't cook.

I love CO2 provided you have a place that will fill it for a reasonable price. Costs me about $12 net each time I fill. Seeing that I can air up very quickly with it, the price of my time, it's a reasonable price.

 

[TacoXpo]

@tex I have that mount (sans the extra 4rnr pc) and its good but there may be a better option out there - not sure. Also, if you use it alot, you will want to replace the rubber with 3/8 fuel line with a slit in it.

 

[CowboyTaco]

everyone's used to instant gratification at the push of a button and walla here's some cheap disposable shit from China at my door.

And when someone figures out that they can get instant gratification at the push of a button for something that isn't cheap disposable crap, they are willing to pay top dollar. I bet you could piece together a reasonable kit and sell it on TW for all the newbs who want to be overlandy.

OOPS! LMFAO!!

Yeah, he totally missed that...