ROCKCRAWLER.com - Outback Air CO2 System

The Outback can be secured in a bracket which can be mounted just about anywhere in just about any position. However, the tank should only be used in a vertical position.

One of the all-time coolest modifications that you can make to your trail vehicle is to add an onboard air system. For years there have been many options for adding onboard air to just about any on or off-road vehicle. In general, these systems fell into one of two categories: expensive and cheap (literally and figuratively). There has not been a middle-of-the-road option for someone that wants a reliable system and doesn't want to invest a small fortune.

Meet the middle-of-the-road: the Outback Air CO₂ System. To be called “middle-of-the-road” may not sound to you like a very positive endorsement but this is not the case with the Outback Air. The Outback Air is an awesome tool.

At one extreme we have powerful electric and belt-driven compressors (as well as other CO₂ systems) that can be expensive and/or difficult to install. At the other end of the spectrum there are those inexpensive compressors that plug into your vehicle's power adaptor but provide very little power – and don't even think about running air tools on one of those puny things. Though the Outback Air System is not the first CO₂ system on the market and doesn't have the fanciest regulator or guard, the Outback system is positioned at a more comfortable price point for the masses, possessing an impressive blend between air, power and cost.

In the Garage
When I got my Outback I couldn't wait to use it. So, after having the tank filled (at a fire extinguisher service/supply store) I went into the garage in search of something use it on. I was in the process of upgrading to disc brakes on my CJ and the job was almost complete. All I had left to do was put everything back together. So, despite already having a compressor in my garage, I decided to use the Outback to run all of my air tools while reassembling the AMC 20.

The Outback ran the 3/8” pneumatic drive flawlessly and I had no problems cranking everything down. After all the bolts were snug, I followed with the torque wrench and it was time to put the wheels back on.

Similar to the 3/8” drive, the Outback had no problems snugging up the lug nuts with the use of an impact wrench. Although I would find later that there is a “power” difference between the Outback and my shop compressor when removing lugs, it easily tightened them back up.


Whether on the trail on in the safety of our garage, the Outback easily ran our air tools.

With that project finished and the sun still high in the sky I focused my attention on the Outback's next test - my wife's Suburban. I proceeded to do what any good husband would do. I took my tire deflators and completely flattened two of her tires. Unfortunately, I did not know that my tremendously loving and understanding wife was on her way out the door to go to a PTA meeting. Needless to say, she was not too pleased to come outside and see her grocery-getter with a pronounced lean due to the two flat tires.

Normally, I would have simply aired her tires back up but I had a thought…of course. This frightened my wife. I asked her to get the Outback out of the garage, attach the hose and explained that she'd be able to fill the tires herself. Being a good sport, she donned a pair of gloves, got out the Outback, hose and pressure gauge and started airing up her lame Suburban.


The tank is easily removed from its bracket. Simply attach the provide air hose and start airing up. My wife got out the tank, connected the hose aired up two tires from 0 psi to 33 psi and returned the tank to its bracket in less than six minutes. Editor's Note: We really resisted putting a thought bubble over her head.

I, of course, stood around and took pictures while timing her (she was only slightly amused). From beginning to end, it took my wife less than six minutes to get out the Outback, connect the hose, fill two tires from 0 psi to 33 psi and put the tank away. I thought that was pretty amazing. I'm seriously considering adding the Outback to my list of things to take on road trips – even when the Jeep stays at home.


The bracket mounts as easily in the back of the family truckster as your trail vehicle of choice. For road trips I've started adding the outback to my list of things to pack. If we have a flat on the road (Jeep, trailer, tow vehicle) air tools make the job fast and easy.

CONTINUED --->>>