Best 12V Tire Inflator?

[Expedition Dave]

Looking for the "best" tire inflator that can run off of a 12V car socket. Obviously, truck rated and looking to be able to reinflate 35 inch tires from 10PSI back to 35PSI in a reasonable amount of time and not overheating.

Amazon has some that are into the $200-300s and was hoping to spend less than $100-150, but will entertain what you guys are using and look accordingly.

I was looking at this right now, but it seems too "cheap"?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KNYVPJP/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

 

[Hamfisted]

It gets pretty good reviews. But down in that price range you're not going to get Ingersoll performance from any of them. What will make the job easier though, is putting a quick release chuck on the end of the air hose. Then you don't lose half the air you just put in the tire trying to unscrew their threaded tire chuck.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PLI4BA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078WVQL31/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I use this Jump-N-Carry thing. It has it's own battery and can serve as a jump starter if you need that. It's a little more than you wanted to spend though but the compressor performance is pretty good too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KPU8F2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ExplorerTom]

I ran this pump (or its cousin the MF1050) for years on my Explorer.
https://superflowair.com/products/mv-50-air-compressor-1

It worked. It’s cheap. Definitely slowed down as it got hot. The first tire would air up quick. The 4th tire would take probably twice as long if not longer than the first.

Just upgraded to this pump. Haven’t really used it yet.
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smittybilt-5-65-cfm-air-compressor-2781/_/R-DSBP-2781

Friend of mine has one. Last time we were out, he aired up his tires and then aired up my 4th and was done before I aired up 3.

And cigarette lighter plugs may not have big enough wire to handle the current needed for a good compressor. The ones that clamp to the battery (or are direct wired) work better.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I have this one (on sale for $39.97): https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...on-Inflator-Deflator-Tool-Only-P747/308746324

Battery options are plentiful, but as one example you could get this one for $99 on sale w/ charger: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Lithium-Ion-4-0-Ah-Battery-and-18V-Lithium-Ion-Charger-Kit-P2065N/313892757

You can also pick up a used charger on eBay for about $8-10 and then get a new 2-pack of the 4Ah batteries for about $80 on sale (Home Depot or Direct Tool Outlet [maker of Ryobi]).

I know it doesn't meet the cigarette lighter requirement, but the LiI batteries hold a charge for a long time and it's a genuinely good portable inflator.

 

[JasonH]

Project Farm has an inflator test on YouTube.

 

[Trainmaster]

I've used dozens of different ones, as the railroad I worked for couldn't seem to hold on to them.

Without exception, the only one that ran more than a couple of hours and filled a tire in three minutes instead of twenty was the Australian-made ARB.

They were so good, I bought them for my cars and use them to air-up after riding on the beach. Real lifetime tools will never let you down. Pricey, but the rest proved to be $30 Chinese junk.

Read the reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-CKMP12-P...436&keywords=arb+ckmp12&qid=1617551712&sr=8-2

 

[Expedition Dave]

I checked out your recommendations, which led me to a lot of videos and research today. I ended up going with the VIAIR 300P as it seems to have some of the best AMAZON and YouTube reviews, and was actually cheaper than the competition with faster shipping. It also had the some better features, too.

I will let you know how it works out. Thank you for your opinions!

 

[mwl001]

Excellent choice. I didn’t want the hassle of hooking to the battery but viair is from what I can tell the best brand out there. Especially if you need high pressure or large volumes.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I ended up going with the VIAIR 300P.

2.3 cfm. Not fast. Basically what that MV-50 pump I posted above puts out. Maybe because the Viair is more expensive, maybe it has a better heat sink and will maintain 2.3 cfm for a set of 4 tires.

 

[Expedition Dave]

I watched a lot of videos yesterday on the Smittybuilt (saw 3 copies of it too under other names, but same unit). It was heavier, had proprietary attachments, and had a few other downfalls IIRC. For me I needed by Friday as well due to travel. On AMAZON, the VI will be here Wednesday where the Smitt might be here by early next week and had a tire deflator included. The VIAIR was also $20 cheaper and seemed to keep its airflow up longer? E.T.

I will test it, time it, and report back. I am hoping it will air up my 34s from 15 up to 35 PSI in under 2.5 minutes x4 w/o losing steam.

 

[ExplorerTom]

I did a driveway test with my 2 pumps about a month ago. Aired 2 of my 35s down to 15 psi and aired them back up to 32 psi.

My MF-1050 pump (2.3 cfm) did it in 4:21. My Smittbilt (5.5 cfm) did it in 3:23. This was in Denver at an elevation of 5500 feet.

this was only 1 tire for each pump. I know the MF-1050 slows way down when it gets hot.

I’ll be curious to hear how yours performs.

 

[HalfMoonGH]

I have the rectangular shaped Ryobi 18V inflator so I don't have to use power from my vehicle. It works just fine, and is speedy enough for me. I have an RV and it was able to get the pressure up high enough for those tires.

 

[mwl001]

I have the rectangular shaped Ryobi 18V inflator so I don't have to use power from my vehicle. It works just fine, and is speedy enough for me. I have an RV and it was able to get the pressure up high enough for those tires.

I went with the DeWalt (similar to the Ryobi) because 65PSI is all I'll ever have to fill in my current situation. Works great and can also inflate low pressure applications. Never seems to overheat.

 

[LG_123]

I’ve had a few of the 12v pumps die unexpectedly or suddenly not want to inflate past 20psi so I keep a small bike pump in the trunk for real emergencies. It could take hours to fully inflate all four tires but you’ll never be truly stuck. Roadside bike pumps are $20-50

 

[rjdelp7]

The Air Dragon. I found this at Ollies for $16. Plugs in to 12V or has a built in battery. It has a long cord and a nice case. It stops at the pressure you set on a digital screen. Inflates very fast.

 

[Cyclone]

My Expedition picked up a nail last week on I-95 coming back from Florida. I spotted it in NC and it was fairly fresh (some of the nail was still protruding, bent at an angle). The tire was still holding air, so I left it in and picked up a compressor and a plug kit at the next Advanced Auto that I came across. The brand they carry was "Slime". Ugh, Slime, what a name for a compressor co. Well they also make that Green tire sealant goop that can be used. Well, while I don't use the goop, I did not want to be caught without a compressor if the tire started to lose air. They had about six models of compressors from the $19 Variety to a $147 dual model.

I decided that I was ok with their "Elite Heavy Duty" model which came in around $79. So I put it the truck and kept on rolling. Well I made it home to MD and the next day pulled the nail and plugged the tire. I broke out my $79 Slime Green Compressor and decided to try it out. I was surprised to find out how much I liked it. My other compressors are not very impressive, so that isn't saying much. But slime model had the Digital gauge, preset fill limit, was relatively quick, and was much quieter that my other compressors. I did not like that its power cord was not very long. I was able to reach the rear driver side wheel from the Expeditions rear outlet, so the cord is "long enough" for this. But my other compressors have like 20' cords. The Slime does come with a curled up green "air hose extension" that will give it more reach.

It did also come with a small nylon case/bag to contain it when not in use. I like that so I can keep in the truck with its cords coming undone and spreading around (like my other compressors) despite how I wrap them up. I like the digital gauge too as my other compressors have that small 1.5" dial gauge where the different between 20 - 40 PSI is tiny area of the face and I get down in there to see if I'm at 31 or 37 PSI. This one I set it to 35 PSI and turn it on and it will cut off when its at 35. No guessing when to stop the compressor, no having to run again for a few mins because you were 2 PSI short, no having to let air out cause you left it running too long and now you're at 39 PSI. Nice. Plus it was quieter. Its not silent, but I would have to walk away from the others to have a conversation, but this one I wouldn't have to. Nice again.

I can't speak to its longevity, but so far, like I said, I'm surprised at how happy I am with this one.

 

[RussD89]

I used to buy whatever was available that pumped air. After them not working at the most convenient times (sarcasm), I tried a viair 84 (with the battery clamps) around 4 years ago. Was quite happy with it. My father pulled rank and acquired it from me. Got another (cig plug), wound up giving it to my aunt when her other brand quit working. I now have my third that stays in the wife's car or goes in the boat when we're gonna be using the atvs for hunting (travel to where the atvs are parked is by boat). I will be adding another viair, probably the 300, to keep with me and stop borrowing hers. lol