Best 12V Tire Inflator?

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Expedition Dave

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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

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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

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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

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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.
 

Trainmaster

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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
 
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Expedition Dave

Expedition Dave

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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

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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

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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.
 
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Expedition Dave

Expedition Dave

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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.
 

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