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Can you use the air bag compressor for filling tires with air? [ANSWER: NO]

thestuarts

thestuarts

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I searched the forum for the answer, but my searching skills aren't the best, so forgive me if this question has been answered before.

My 2019 3500 has the auto-leveling air bags. The air tank seems to have a bleed off valve. Is it possible to attach an air hose to the air suspension tank to use it for filling tires, or should I just buy a standalone pump like a VIAIR? If it is possible, what is the max PSI I can expect out of the tank?

Thanks,

~ Alan

EDIT: I updated the title to reflect the answer.
 
Last edited:
thestuarts said:
I searched the forum for the answer, but my searching skills aren't the best, so forgive me if this question has been answered before.

My 2019 3500 has the auto-leveling air bags. The air tank seems to have a bleed off valve. Is it possible to attach an air hose to the air suspension tank to use it for filling tires, or should I just buy a standalone pump like a VIAIR? If it is possible, what is the max PSI I can expect out of the tank?

Thanks,

~ Alan
Click to expand...
I don’t think you can. I would get a Viair. I got one and love it. Or purchase 150DB Train Air Horn Kit, 4 Trumpet Train Horn Kit with 120 PSI Air Compressor 1.5 Gal Air Tank for Car Truck Train Van Boat (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V225GWX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4sepDbA375KGH
And you get both in one.
 
You would have to modify the air compressor system to do it and that would void your warranty. I hav read on another forum that the air compressor is very small volume and wouldn’t work very well anyway. Buy an ARB or Viair compressor.
 
The HOFF said:
I don’t think you can. I would get a Viair. I got one and love it. Or purchase 150DB Train Air Horn Kit, 4 Trumpet Train Horn Kit with 120 PSI Air Compressor 1.5 Gal Air Tank for Car Truck Train Van Boat (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V225GWX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4sepDbA375KGH
And you get both in one.
Click to expand...

Looking into the Viair OBA, and wondering where you installed it? I know there is plenty of spaces where it can be mounted, but did you have to make any special brackets for everything to line up?

Here is what I am after, would appreciate if you have pics..

Amazon.com: VIAIR Heavy Duty Onboard Air System: Automotive

Buy VIAIR Heavy Duty Onboard Air System: Spare & Replacement Parts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
 
leo319 said:
Looking into the Viair OBA, and wondering where you installed it? I know there is plenty of spaces where it can be mounted, but did you have to make any special brackets for everything to line up?

Here is what I am after, would appreciate if you have pics..

Amazon.com: VIAIR Heavy Duty Onboard Air System: Automotive

Buy VIAIR Heavy Duty Onboard Air System: Spare & Replacement Parts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I did and bought. Tank and compressor installed right below drivers side doors on side panels.
 

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Then put 4 horns right smack in the hole in middle of truck blasting out passenger side. Should see people jump. It’s hilarious!!
 
Don’t mess with Factory compressor and tank. Voids all warranty. Better off going this way. Tank pressurizes up to 120lbs so I use it to fill tires too.
 
I only installed this kit. I had a Vixen as back up for RV tires but so far this one does just fine everything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The HOFF said:
That’s exactly what I did and bought. Tank and compressor installed right below drivers side doors on side panels.
Click to expand...

Perfect, that helps a bunch! Where did you get the brackets you used to mount the tank? I'm assuming the steps don't get on the way when they deploy?

Also, I see the compressor was screwed onto a metal sheet from the inside of the body? No issues there? Ive seen people drill on the frame of the truck (doesn't look like you did that) and that gets me a bit hesitant...

I love where you placed the fitting and gauge. I'm stealing your idea btw..

Lastly, is this pre-wired to the aux switches in the cabin?
 
The HOFF said:
Don’t mess with Factory compressor and tank. Voids all warranty. Better off going this way. Tank pressurizes up to 120lbs so I use it to fill tires too.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, yeah im leaving that alone. I got tempted at first when I saw how easy was to tap into it, but ill be installing a different system...
 
I ended up installing an all in one unit. Accuair Endo-ct and have been very pleased with it. It is very quiet and has the compressor mounted inside the tank, so you're only mounting one thing. I mounted it on the rocker panel under the drivers side door. I ran power, an on/off switch, intake tube up into the fender, and a quick connect to the hitch. By far the easiest air setup I have installed.
IMG_20190810_084421.jpg
 
To the original posted question, the answer is absolutely NO.
It is an entirely sealed, closed system. No air is brought in or out of the system, the system works by simply moving air in or out from the accumulator to the air shocks.

Should the system leak, it faults out and needs to be evacuated (pulled vacuum to eliminate atmosphere, like an A/C system prior to filling) and re-filled with dry gas.

The pump is also, as earlier suggested, a very very small CFM pump that would take far far longer than desired to ever fill a tire.
 
@leo319
No issues and works great. Train Horn is super loud, fills tank to 120lb and usually fills or tops off any tires needing. Takes about 3 min to fill tank completely when empty. Somewhere I have a small pin size leak because after 8 hours in office it kicks back on to refill on way home so it dropped below 70lbs. Haven’t found leak yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Philipclopez said:
I'm using VIAIR 400P. VIAIR 400P has a sufficient max working pressure of 150 PSI. With this PSI rating, it is enough to pump air to most tires.
Click to expand...
I have the same VIAIR 400P. It takes 20-30 minutes to increase 4 A/T tires from 50-65 psi. Works great, has auto shut-off when not pushing air so it doesn't heat up as much and has a longer usage time than compressors which are on continuously.
 
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