Recommendations for portable tire inflator

Arb twin in a Milwaukee packout.

 

When ARB lockers first came out the compressors really weren’t designed to inflate tires. But we tried anyway. ARB realized the potential early on and upped their game. I’ve been using ARB products on all of my trucks since and am very happy.

 

They really are. Granted, you’re getting what you pay for and are getting the highest quality gear. It’s absolutely not a necessity though, obviously. I just like how fast I can air up and down.

 

I just received a

$221 Viair 400P - 40043 Portable Compressor Kit. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35" Tires

Viair 400P a couple days ago. Haven’t had a chance to use yet but every review I’ve seen has been very good.

 

They are pretty impressive except for the chuck that comes with them.

@Shellshock 's inflator / deflator DIY shames it:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shellshocks-diy-inflator-deflator.613122/

 

There is no reason why those kits should cost what they are charging.

A 10lb beer CO2 tank is $99.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/co2-tank-10-lb-aluminum.html

Am I expected to believe that a regulator, some hose and a few fittings cost $500+ dollars?

 

You can believe whatever you want. Until you get a kit in hand and use it and compare it to cheap DIY setups, there’s no convincing anyone that it’s worth the price. I’m not gonna sit here and argue about it.

 

People get duped into paying way too much for so-called "specailty" items that really aren't all the time.

One of persona favorites is taking a few small globs on synthetic wheel bearing grease and slapping it a container with the phrase "gun grease" on it. People will pay more for those couple of globs than the whole 16oz can it came from costs.

 

FWIW, Amazon

10 lb co2 Carbon Dioxide Aluminum Cylinder and 150 PSI Fixed Flow Regulator for Inflating Off Road Tires

https://www.amazon.com/Preece-Preci...4896423&sprefix=co2+regulator+for+tir&sr=8-10

 

How many fill up do you get with the co2 tank before you have to refill it?

 

It depends on your tire size, tank size and how many psi you’re putting in. Here’s a chart that breaks it down. For me and my 15 lb tank and 35s, I refill it every 5 trips or so, so I’m refilling it 2-3 times a year at $30 a fill.

https://powertank.com/pages/tire-air-up-chart

 

That's why I stepped away from the scuba tank that I was given. The inflation speed was great, but refills were a minor PITA. Not to mention VIPs and hyrdos.

For a while, I thought about doing it at home until I found out that it is a 12hr affair.

For the pay once side, I went with the inflator.

 

I hear you, that’s why co2 isn’t for everyone. For me, I go to a welding supply store 15 min from me and they fill on the spot. In and out in 5 min so it’s not a big deal. A minor downside to all the positives in my case.

I need the ability to easily reseat beads, run air tools, fill my tires stupid fast, and it’s also nice that it’s portable and silent.

If I went on trips more frequently than every 4-6 weeks, say I was driving on a beach every weekend, then I would reconsider. It would get too expensive to get it filled.

 

The dive shop used to fill mine while I waited. It was just when the fill card was used up, it was either buy one for about the price of an inflator or pony up as the hydro didn't have much time left on it.

I do miss being able to use air tools. Those things drained the tank though, and it was a big 120cf to start with. Since I was only ever using them around the house, I decided that I will get a compressor someday.


There's a butt for every seat. It's great that we have a massive range of options these days.

 

CO2 tanks require hydro testing at the same interval as scuba tanks.

 

I think it’s every 5 years? I’m not sure, haven’t gotten to that point yet. That’s one nice thing about PT is if their tank ever fails hydro, they’ll send you another one for free.

 

Yep. Familiar there with my beer mix tank. That 10lb'er will last a couple years.

 

Agreed, and that goes for most everything revolving around these trucks. It lets someone tailor their build to their needs, wants and budget.

 

Never had a steel tank fail a hydro. I've got a 20lb steel CO2 tank from the 80s. Al is a different story.

I cave dive so most of my scuba tanks are galvanized steel. My sets of manifolded 100cuft doubles didn't cost at much as the "powertanks". Ridiculous.

 

I’m surprised that steel is preferred over aluminum for cave diving. I would’ve assumed you’d want al for the corrosion resistance and lighter weight.