How To Choose The Best Portable 12 Volt Air Compressor For Off-Roading | Inside Line

The best way to increase the performance of your 4x4 is to air down the tires off-road. Just as important as airing down is having a reliable way to air back up your tires when you are done with the trail. In this video, I will cover what to look for when researching 12-volt air compressors and showcase a few that I've had great luck with over the years.

00:00 Introduction
00:09 Why Portable
00:33 3 Things to look for
00:43 CFM
01:00 Duty Cycle
02:06 AMP Draw
03:14 Air Compressor Hoses
04:11 Air Chucks
04:53 Viair Portable Air Compressors
08:05 Rough Country Twin Motor Portable Air Compressor Kit
09:54 Air Compressor Speed Test
12:18 Wrap Up

[Dschopshop]

I was looking for reviews on the new rc air compressor and this was very helpful

[ridenhigh]

I just bought this compressor today. Specs are exactly the same as the ARB twin which I have also. Looks pretty heavy duty and should fill the bill nicely for portable air.

[nathanklemm]

Thanks for the video!

Would also love to see your take on the Morrflate 10.6 pro

One thing to think about is the tire valve limiting factor. I have heard shrader valves will only handle 1.5~2 cfm at 30 psi. So if you have a big monster pump, your air up time will still be limited. You can improve that by going with a 2 or 4 tire hose kit (now you can do 6~8 cfm!) or find some extra big valve stems. Either of those options will also lower your back pressure on the pump which will let any pump run cooler. One commenter mentioned power tank valves but I think Apex makes some bigger stems as well

[shannonspence]

Milwaukee M18 air compressor is a great option. 100% portable. Works with all M18 batteries.

[jean-sebastienlatouche]

Great info as always. I currently use a small compressor that takes way too long to fill my stock 33's on my Gladiator and I will surely upgrade to this RC unit. It was not bought for the Jeep initially so I had no expectations of performance. Buy once, cry once situation that I will happily go for.

[Flashgordy]

Another super helpful video, thanks!! I picked up a Ridgid 18v air compressors shortly after getting my truck just to have something. It does the job, take about 20 mins to air up my 37x13.5 MT’s from 10 to 30 psi. Can do all 4 on a single 4ah battery if it’s full. Nice thing about that is it comes with a very long cable to plug into a cigarette lighter if/when needed. I know I’ll eventually upgrade, but for $70 on sale.. might just get a second Ridgid and out the $ into fancier parts like your CV front axles 😂

[gx]

Man I’m SUPER glad you made this video!
An air compressor is the next item on my build list and I have been looking at that Rough Country air compressor since it came out. Seems like a great compressor!
I’ve noticed that they also make one where you can mount it under the hood.
I’m still debating which to get. I just got the Rough Country 12, 500lb winch and absolutely love it! Looks and works great with my new Arcus Front Bumper 😊

[bdd]

I have used a little dewalt 20v compressor for the last three years. Because I already had batteries and a charger it costs less than $70. It doesn't seem to have a duty cycle as it will run until the battery goes dead. I've used it on 100° days and never had it overheat. It takes about twenty minutes to air four 35's from 8 to 30 lbs, and will do this at least three times on one 4ah battery. It's more compact than any of these, doesn't require your vehicle battery, and doesn't need or have a long air hose to get tangled up or damaged. I keep thinking about " upgrading " my air compressor, but feel like I'd be going backwards with any of these.

[tyleryarbrough]

I'm just getting into this sport, and this is a GREAT primer! Thanks!

[enigma]

Ill never go back to having a truck without onboard air. 200psi Viair powers everything I need,

[SkylinersYeti]

I look at those small tanks and wonder if they really make much difference when you fill 4 large tires? I understand that the valve stem limits actual air flow to each tire. That is why many are going to faster compressors filling multiple tires at the same time.

[trevorlanphar]

I expect this is a lot like the ARB Twin, which means after it hits temperature it slows down because it uses only one lobe at a time.
It's not 100% duty cycle on both, it's 50%. So it starts with both lobes running, and after a few minutes goes to using one at a time, pumping half the CFM.
It's still a cool pump, and maybe it hits all four of your tires in that time. But if you are helping a buddy or airing up from really low, that will really affect your time.

[krashnpa]

The Napa 10.6 twin compressor or one of the other clones would be great here and is super fast compared to these options. Not that there is anything wrong with these.

[GamingwithKentuckianJD]

my f450 requires 80 psi of air what would be best for it and be able to get to my inner tire. thanks

[bigoof]

I know it's an old video but how would these fair with those 4 way inflation hose kits that are all the rage right now? would something small like this pump 4 tires at once?

[faisalmohammed]

hi, can I install the air compressor upside down ? Will it work properly ?

[mikecash]

Which method wheels are those(offset/back spacing) and lift kit combo are you running on the gladiator your doing the compressor test on?

[pattkinder]

Powertank F.T.M.F.W.!!!

30 seconds per tire with the monster valves on my 37x13.50R17s.✌️😎

[jackcaldwell]

What about those 4 hose in to one port that air 4 tire at once ?

[darthvollmer]

Napa 10.6 with diy 4-flate for the win. Hose diameter plays a role here ( smaller turns out better for a 4-flate ). @Ali_Mansour_Editor duty cycle is less important when you feed all 4 valve stems at the same time. All four of my factory 33's go from 20psi to 37psi in something like 2:30min ( it's crazy impressive for a portable solution ). The only thing faster that I know of would be an air-tank attached to a 4-flate system. I think I've seen some calculations on the size of the air tank ( attached to that compressor ), and how big it would have to be to provide a significant value, and I don't see how something that small would provide much benefit for airing up tires given the throughput of the standard schrader valves.