Thoughts on my tire inflator/deflator, possibility of selling?

Hey guys, not sure what forum to post this but I figured you 3rd gen guys would at least have some opinions!

So I've been looking at easier ways to inflate/deflate tires and I came across the MORRFlate but holy cow, $200 for the quad one?! I couldn't believe it.

I set out to make a comparable product for a better price and wanted some opinions.

First off I have deemed it the QuickAir. My fiance asked why I needed a Quick way to Air down and I thought that was a great name!

2nd, I have 2 models, the QuickAir and the QuickAir Pro. I'll start off with the QuickAir.

QuickAir:
The QuickAir uses 3/8 flexible hybrid hose and all connections are ferruled together to barbed fittings.

This means replacing a broken hose requires cutting and re ferruling (or using a hose clamp). The air chucks are a different style as well. I have been using these air chucks with no problems but I have noticed they like to get caught on more things.

Finally the 4 way fitting on the bottom is a cross and not the cool hexagon.

Building with these materials is cheaper in cost but not quality and I can sell these for $100 a peice.

QuickAir Pro:
Now on the the Pro model. The only parts shared between the 2 are the hoses and valves. Each fitting on the pro one can be unscrewed for easy hose replacements. The Tee fittings are very nicely machined and are way stronger then the round ones. They also have 3 female fittings meaning standard male hose can be screwed on to all ends (no need for special female ends)

The 4 way fitting is a cool hexagon which looks better and is a much larger chunk of brass.

The air chucks are the nicer Haltec ones you see on the MORRFlate.

The pro model can be sold for $150, which I think is a very good deal.


Product Images:
Here are some images of one i just made my father (he got a custom one with pro fittings, normal air chucks, and lime green hose):





Each one comes with the hose color of your choice:
blue:


turquoise:


orange:


lime green:


yellow:




They all offer a handy bag to tuck it away in too.



So what do you guys think? Is this something you guys would be interested in?

Thanks for any feedback and have a great day!

 

I do love the idea but honestly this seems like something a lot of folks around here would be able to rig up on their own. I don't wanna shit on your parade because it is awesome but I would make one myself. I'm also cheap though so there's that.

 

Totally get that, I'm the same way! I can tell you pricing it per component you'll be closer to $175/$200. If you buy bulk and have access to the right tools then yeah I guess you could build one cheaper, but you'll have left over parts.

 

Your venture has been done several times over by people. Like the above post.. Not trying to crap on your parade.

The limiting factor is the air compressor being used. if it's already slow on a single tire fill, it will be even slower on a four tire (at the same time) fill.

One example: https://morrflate.com/shop/morrflate-multi-tire-air-kits/morrflate-quad-4-tire-air-kit/

 

I was just hoping to get a cheaper option on on the market for those of us who aren't balling haha. But yeah, I see what you're saying.

 

What tools do you need besides some basic hand tools? The only thing I can think of is a crimper for the brass collars and personally I'd just run barbed fittings and hose clamps. I apologise if I come off like I'm arguing or something, just honestly curious and want to have a conversation.

 

haha. No problem, man. I totally get where your coming from. I give you props for the build and everything.

That said.. I don't mind my little single tire fill compressor. it gives me time at each wheel to check for any possible damage (tire, wheel, suspension, ect.) that may have occurred from said trail run

 

Yeah a crimper is the only special tool you would need. I didn't want hose clamps because when rolling the hose it can be easy to cut your hand or get them caught on things. They sell cheap crimpers but they are garbage. The Vice-Grip style don't work well at all so you'll definitely need to buy the next step up which is about $100.

As for cost, I spend about $123 on each pro one. However that's pricing parts out after buying them in bulk. Buying the exact amount of components online would cost about $180. Buying them in bulk packages cost about $190 but when I build the next one I don't need to purchase some parts, if that makes sens. And the ferrules are super cheap compare to hose clamps. I spend about $0.10 per ferrule where a hose clamp would be a lot more.

 

I just did a big Group Buy on the MORRFlate Kits at 25% off and free shipping.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/closed-group-buy-for-morrflate-inflator-closed.681429/

 

Thanks! I've spent quite a bit of time researching good components at good prices, lots of trial and error haha.

That's a fair point!

 

Agreed, fuck gear style hose clamps. Oetiker is my bare minimum

 

Imagine 25% off all the time

 

Even those can get ya if you aren't careful!

 

Agreed.

 

Maybe consider an option for just two connections? That would let someone work one side at a time and the cost would be a bit lower. Also, it would be helpful for when people run different pressures front to back.

 

I am actually working on one! As of now, you could use the 4 tire system and only connect it to 2 tires. The air chucks are default closed so you can maintain pressure in the system even if they aren't connected to the wheel. So far it looks like a 2 tire system would be between $50 and $75.

 

That’s getting into the price range that someone might just say “what the heck... I can do it myself and Save $10, or just order this”.

 

I still don't see how these are faster at airing down then this:



or this:

 

You can check the pressure of all 4 tires at once, you don't need to bend down more then twice per tire (great for people like me who have bad backs!), you can balance pressures, you can move air from a spare or other rigs, and when filling you just have to plug and wait!

Personally, I have never had good luck with the single tire deflators, they are just as slow and I have to unscrew it to check the pressure then put it back on and keep going. The ARB one is a little better, but you still have to move it from tire to tire to tire.

The best part is that I can click all 4 air chucks on and chat it up with friends or have a drink, very low involvement while deflating/inflating.

 

I think these are more for keeping pressures exact between your tires than speed.