i've built pipe bumpers for guys, you use a 6" pipe cap the ends and insert a fitting to it. most guys that do t, have an OBA system, so they have the compressor right there feeding the tank as you drain it to fill the tire. but it can also work just like the portable tanks you buy at the store.

me personally i have a 10 gal tank in the bed that is fed from my OBA system, with a york compressor,

 

type in air tank bumper into google images. it doesnt have to be pipe you can use square tubing too. and all you have to do is know how to weld, any weld you do should be water and air tight on anything.

 

well ok having a compressor takes it from kinda dumb to fine lol, i thought you sit at home and put air in the dang pipe then fill your tire on the back roads when needed, aka stupid as hell lol. never mind the pipe idea with a compressor is a good idea.

 

lol i think it is a good idea either way, and you will too lol next time you come out to your truck and you have a flat tire and it is pouring rain or throwing snow, and all you need is is some air in it lol,

or you can have a portable tank in your bed that rolls around and has the risk of getting stolen.

PS. a 6" inside pipe 5' long is holds 7.5 gallons of air. more than enough if filled to 125 psi to fill up one factory tire from flat to about 35 psi.

their is a down fall though you have to carry around a hose.

 

I'm building a bumper next time I can get to my bosses house. Something like this.


Simple, tough, usable, and I've been thinking about putting a pipe on there to make into an air tank. Or make a rear bumper out of pipe. Or maybe even a headache rack. But it would probably be to bulky.

But since I live in urban Florida, surrounded by a55holes. What happens if I have someone rear end me?? What does drill pipe at 100 psi do when punctured?? Just let the air escape really fast?? No chance of blowing anything through someone's window is there??

 

yea its a good idea, i like the idea of an on board air compressor myself. im not a fan of the pipe bumpers so id have to get a tank mounted in my bed or inside my toolbox.

 

I wonder if an air horn compressor could keep me well stocked with air??

Idk. Maybe hook up something in my toolbox.

 

how much would a bumper like that cost to build? im just talking about getting the supply's and putting it together yourself.

 

if split open in a wreck the air would prolly just come out real fast and not do anything. but stranger things have happened in this world.


i'm not a fan of tube bumpers either, that is why my tank is in the bed. but they are very practical, i pull heavy trailers so i have a over kill rear bumper, and i'm holding out on the front to build a winch deck bumper.

 

I'm thinking 200-300 for steel and welding rods.

I don't know what a good thickness would be. Hoping fordtrucknut can help me out on this. I want it to be able to handle a 15,000# winch. Although I'd just put a 10 or 12 on it. All I need.

I was thinking 1/4" for the front plate and 3/16" for the sides. And make the stinger out of some square tubing or get someone to bend some pipe for me.

I need to reinforce the front of my frame. Probably box it. And make the mounts 6-8" longer and put an extra 1/2" bolt through it. That should make it strong as hell.