Any experience with Rough Country Twin Compressor

[capn00]

I have been looking at options for a permanent under hood compressor solution for a while. While waiting, and hoping for a good Black Friday deal on the ARB Twin next month, I came across the Rough Country option recently. I already sourced a mounting bracket, so I am just looking to finish the kit with the compressor itself.

Physically it appears to be a similar design and footprint as the ARB, and while I understand the appeal and popularity of the ARB due to their pedigree, it is hard to look past this option that comes with a 3 year warranty but will install and function very similar to the ARB for hundreds less. I had also considered the EGOI2 unit, but I am pretty set on using one of the upfitter switches to control the compressor from the cab.

I have searched throughout Bronco6G.com for any feedback but didn't find any threads, so figured I would ask.

Here is a picture of the RC unit:

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[da_jokker]

I don't have any experience but for 1/2 the price, you could buy 2 before you break even with an arb.

On Amazon there are even other generic units that are even a bit less and you might be able to add an extra Warranty.

I would just look at the specs because some compressors are damn slow.

I'm surprised that Harbor Freight hasn't come out with one yet to match their Badlands winches.

 

[capn00]

On Amazon there are even other generic units that are even a bit less and you might be able to add an extra Warranty.

At least with Rough County, I feel like they might handle the warranty better than a 3rd party Amazon warranty; could be a bad assumption. I presume I will be able to get at least 10% off the RC somewhere by Black Friday, and at that level, the price will match the Amazon version that is more of a gamble.

I appreciate the feedback, and look forward to more discussion. I see no reason to not give it a shot at this point, but there may be someone out there that has a strong negative opinion based on previous experience.

 

[Tricky Mike]

At least with Rough County, I feel like they might handle the warranty better than a 3rd party Amazon warranty; could be a bad assumption. I presume I will be able to get at least 10% off the RC somewhere by Black Friday, and at that level, the price will match the Amazon version that is more of a gamble.

I appreciate the feedback, and look forward to more discussion. I see no reason to not give it a shot at this point, but there may be someone out there that has a strong negative opinion based on previous experience.

I've only had to use RC's warranty once and they were awesome about it, so that's worth something.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

I have been looking at options for a permanent under hood compressor solution for a while. While waiting, and hoping for a good Black Friday deal on the ARB Twin next month, I came across the Rough Country option recently. I already sourced a mounting bracket, so I am just looking to finish the kit with the compressor itself.

Physically it appears to be a similar design and footprint as the ARB, and while I understand the appeal and popularity of the ARB due to their pedigree, it is hard to look past this option that comes with a 3 year warranty but will install and function very similar to the ARB for hundreds less. I had also considered the EGOI2 unit, but I am pretty set on using one of the upfitter switches to control the compressor from the cab.

I have searched throughout Bronco6G.com for any feedback but didn't find any threads, so figured I would ask.

Here is a picture of the RC unit:

That's very interesting.

I know I questioned UDA when I saw there compressor but a TON of distributors carried it, as did a lot of 4x4 shops. So we jumped on board with the UDA. It had a different design so it seemed they were okay going against ARB's patent.

However the RC one looks like a carbon copy. I wonder if ARB is aware of this and what they are doing about it? I'm not sure what about ARB's compressor has a patent (design or function) but i'm curious to see if the RC one stays around or if they had some type of agreement with ARB.

LOOKS the same. Wonder how much of it IS the same. I know on the UDA they are different (probably made in different warehouses) and i've seen some knock-off ARB ones on amazon that seem to disappear quickly after being sold. RC isn't exaclty some fly by night operation so yeah this is definitely interesting. We don't sell RC but i'm still curious how long this compressor will be around for.

I can tell you the UDA version is just as fast as the ARB one, although it has a slower START up time (the pressure switch takes longer to kick in). So as you are checking your air pressure and going to air back up, it takes about an extra 1/2 - 1 second to kick back in. This added about 15-30 seconds of added time in our test when we put it against the ARB Twin.

Also the UDA has a power switch on it and a fixed coupler output. So that's a bit different. So different quality/lower price tag. This RC one seems to be identical to the ARB one though. My guess is another cheaper version of the ARB. But it might work for a lot of people on a budget.

 

[da_jokker]

At least with Rough County, I feel like they might handle the warranty better than a 3rd party Amazon warranty; could be a bad assumption. I presume I will be able to get at least 10% off the RC somewhere by Black Friday, and at that level, the price will match the Amazon version that is more of a gamble.

I appreciate the feedback, and look forward to more discussion. I see no reason to not give it a shot at this point, but there may be someone out there that has a strong negative opinion based on previous experience.

Just an fyi...the added on insurance that Amazon offers on purchases is through Asurion.

 

[capn00]

Just an fyi...the added on insurance that Amazon offers on purchases is through Asurion.

Correct, and when the original vendor has vanished I would just be fighting Asurion for some other replacement for weeks while out a compressor. I am probably just going to pull the trigger on the Rough Country around black friday (assuming they are still able to sell the compressor next month before ARB shuts them down...).

 

[Chritaka]

Has anyone tried the Rough Country twin yet? I was also looking at ARB, UDA and found this one... I want to use the Grimm engine bay bracket though. I'm not sure UDA will work with it given the switch and the outlet isn't adjustable.

 

[capn00]

Has anyone tried the Rough Country twin yet? I was also looking at ARB, UDA and found this one... I want to use the Grimm engine bay bracket though. I'm not sure UDA will work with it given the switch and the outlet isn't adjustable.

I ordered one during the Black Friday sales. I figured it was worth a shot as I only paid ~$300 delivered, and I will be installing with a Barnes 4WD bracket. I probably won't install until after Christmas though. I will jump back on here and give me thoughts at that time.

 

[Lak34ers]

I ordered one during the Black Friday sales. I figured it was worth a shot as I only paid ~$300 delivered, and I will be installing with a Barnes 4WD bracket. I probably won't install until after Christmas though. I will jump back on here and give me thoughts at that time.

Any update on install and quality?

 

[swooshdave]

I have been looking at options for a permanent under hood compressor solution for a while. While waiting, and hoping for a good Black Friday deal on the ARB Twin next month, I came across the Rough Country option recently. I already sourced a mounting bracket, so I am just looking to finish the kit with the compressor itself.

Physically it appears to be a similar design and footprint as the ARB, and while I understand the appeal and popularity of the ARB due to their pedigree, it is hard to look past this option that comes with a 3 year warranty but will install and function very similar to the ARB for hundreds less. I had also considered the EGOI2 unit, but I am pretty set on using one of the upfitter switches to control the compressor from the cab.

I have searched throughout Bronco6G.com for any feedback but didn't find any threads, so figured I would ask.

Here is a picture of the RC unit:

In reading the reviews on the RC site it appears a few people had failures but had the units quickly replaced.

 

[capn00]

Any update on install and quality?

I completed the install a couple of weeks ago. It went fairly smooth, with the only issue being the positioning of the compressor on the bracket. The holes on the compressor and bracket were probably about a 1/4" off but I was able to get it mounted without too much issue by inserting each bolt loosely and then tightening down a bit at a time. But, the hole location on the compressor and positioning of the bracket mounting holes pushed the compressor too far to the outside of the vehicle when orienting with the writing facing the front of the vehicle. I was getting just enough interference with the left side of compressor and the hood liner that I decided to just spin it around. That orientation with this compressor and this specific mount gives more clearance.

I also decided I liked the option to be able to control the compressor both from in the cab via Aux 6 switch and at the compressor itself with the included switch. Needing a good switch mount and also wanted have a better location to connect to the coupler in order to keep the gauge setup cooler to the touch during operation, I found this Coupler and Switch bracket from 4x4TruckLED's. It was perfect for my desired setup.

Sorry I am out of town right now, so I can't take new pics including the finished switch installation, but I will add some this weekend.

So far, operation has been smooth. I aired down to 14 psi and then bumped it back up to 35 psi in less than 5 minutes through a TireFlate 4-tire setup. Overall so far, VERY pleased with the setup for the cost. Even with the additional switch and coupler setup, I am well below the cost for an equivalent ARB setup, and with my limited use profile, this setup made sense for me.

 

[evovince]

@capn00
Any update on how you wired your switch and the Uplifter switch to work together? Do they work independently, or do you need to turn on the Uplifter and then it gives power to the switch in the engine bay?

Does your switch in the engine bay always stay lit?

 

[capn00]

@capn00
Any update on how you wired your switch and the Uplifter switch to work together? Do they work independently, or do you need to turn on the Uplifter and then it gives power to the switch in the engine bay?

Does your switch in the engine bay always stay lit?

I did end up wiring the compressor switch into the upfitter circuit (Switch AUX 6). It gives me the ability to turn on/off the compressor from at the engine bay or in the cab if I have AUX 6 "on".

Normal use is to have both the AUX 6 switch and the switch at the compressor are both in the off position. When I want to use the compressor, I engage AUX 6. This just energizes the circuit to the switch near the compressor, but does not turn the compressor on. Then, I can hook up the air lines, and engage the switch near the compressor to turn it on. I can then monitor the air pressure at the gauge attached to the air line, or I can sit in the cab and watch the tire pressure monitor on the dash. If standing at the engine bay, I can just turn off the switch at the compressor when at desired PSI. Or, if I am sitting in the cab, I would turn off AUX 6 when pressure is reached. I like the flexibility.

I have found that I left the AUX 6 switch in the cab in the on position a few times after using the compressor, but that is because I usually control the compressor from the engine bay switch and monitor pressure from the gauge there. There really is not an issue with that as the switch at the compressor is switched back off.

Here are a few pics of the finished installation:

 

[evovince]

I did end up wiring the compressor switch into the upfitter circuit (Switch AUX 6). It gives me the ability to turn on/off the compressor from at the engine bay or in the cab if I have AUX 6 "on".

Normal use is to have both the AUX 6 switch and the switch at the compressor are both in the off position. When I want to use the compressor, I engage AUX 6. This just energizes the circuit to the switch near the compressor, but does not turn the compressor on. Then, I can hook up the air lines, and engage the switch near the compressor to turn it on. I can then monitor the air pressure at the gauge attached to the air line, or I can sit in the cab and watch the tire pressure monitor on the dash. If standing at the engine bay, I can just turn off the switch at the compressor when at desired PSI. Or, if I am sitting in the cab, I would turn off AUX 6 when pressure is reached. I like the flexibility.

I have found that I left the AUX 6 switch in the cab in the on position a few times after using the compressor, but that is because I usually control the compressor from the engine bay switch and monitor pressure from the gauge there. There really is not an issue with that as the switch at the compressor is switched back off.

Here are a few pics of the finished installation:

That’s exactly how I want to wire mine too. How did you wire the Aux switch to the switch in the engine bay?

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