Advice: tire inflator or air compressor

[Pweter]

New to the Jeep world (‘22 Sahara) and I just need advice on what path to go down. I do very occasional off roading for the time being and don’t see myself getting into a circumstance where I need to seriously air-down more than once or twice a year. Is there a large enough difference (other than price and inflation speed) between something like a cheaper Viair air compressor and a plug-in tire inflator that would warrant me buying one over the other? I’m open to whatever is best but I don‘t feel the need to keep an air compressor on board that can inflate all my tires in 0.25 seconds.. just whatever can get the job done as needed up to 33” tires. Thanks in advance

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[entropy]

Just buy yourself a cheap Viair compressor. 33s fill up fairly quickly and since youre not doing it too often youll be good.

What is a "plug in tire inflator"
?

 

[rcadden]

Viair 400p (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X9AXR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Relatively cheap, pretty compact, and portable so you can toss it in another vehicle as needed. Many of us on the forum use this one and it's a great little unit.

 

[Pweter]

Sorry quickly written and poorly worded. I was just referring to a generic “emergency” tire inflator that draws power from the 12v cigarette lighter.

I think I’m leaning toward the Viair

 

[jaymz]

Don't waste your money on anything that plugs into a 12vdc outlet. If it doesn't clamp directly to the battery - you will be unhappy with the results.


The Viair 400P is a great portable compressor. I recently purchased one and am completely satisfied. However, I also have a Viair 88P that I've been using for a few years. It's slower, louder and produces more heat, but for once or twice a year you can't go wrong for the sub $100 price tag vs. the 400P at nearly triple the cost.

 

[tshaw2009]

New to the Jeep world (‘22 Sahara) and I just need advice on what path to go down. I do very occasional off roading for the time being and don’t see myself getting into a circumstance where I need to seriously air-down more than once or twice a year. Is there a large enough difference (other than price and inflation speed) between something like a cheaper Viair air compressor and a plug-in tire inflator that would warrant me buying one over the other? I’m open to whatever is best but I don‘t feel the need to keep an air compressor on board that can inflate all my tires in 0.25 seconds.. just whatever can get the job done as needed up to 33” tires. Thanks in advance

So correct me if I'm wrong but you are asking if you should get this:

Or one of these:

Sorry I had to go there.

 

[Pweter]

So correct me if I'm wrong but you are asking if you should get this:

Or one of these:

Sorry I had to go there.

Oh man screw this whole thing I forgot about the bicycle pump in the garage. It’s lighter AND I get a workout? Deal

 

[tshaw2009]

Oh man screw this whole thing I forgot about the bicycle pump in the garage. It’s lighter AND I get a workout? Deal

Right? It's a win-win.

 

[jhackathorne]

I say Viair as well. Portable so it can be used in any vehicle and not just your Jeep. And more people can use it if needed. I/ve had mine for over 2 years and it still works like a champ.

 

[Murphydog]

I purchased the Viair and am totally pleased with it. I was never one to deflate my tires before, but this little compressor makes it a no brainer option. I have a stock Rubicon with 33 inch tires and I think it took me less than 10 minutes to un pack it, air back up to 37 from ~ 20 and put it back in the Jeep. I got the 400P on Amazon

 

[nU7OuxIx]

New to the Jeep world (‘22 Sahara) and I just need advice on what path to go down. I do very occasional off roading for the time being and don’t see myself getting into a circumstance where I need to seriously air-down more than once or twice a year. Is there a large enough difference (other than price and inflation speed) between something like a cheaper Viair air compressor and a plug-in tire inflator that would warrant me buying one over the other? I’m open to whatever is best but I don‘t feel the need to keep an air compressor on board that can inflate all my tires in 0.25 seconds.. just whatever can get the job done as needed up to 33” tires. Thanks in advance

I have the Viair 400p that is linked above. I kind of cringed a little because of the price of it compared to a $20 slime air pump.

I have the 33" tires and air down a couple times a year. I have to tell you, I'm glad that I bought the Viair one. It takes a few minutes per tire, but after seeing how hot that thing gets, I'm glad I spent the money on it. I didn't realize how much of a workout the pump gets.

 

[blink9cd]

Don't waste your money on anything that plugs into a 12vdc outlet. If it doesn't clamp directly to the battery - you will be unhappy with the results.


The Viair 400P is a great portable compressor. I recently purchased one and am completely satisfied. However, I also have a Viair 88P that I've been using for a few years. It's slower, louder and produces more heat, but for once or twice a year you can't go wrong for the sub $100 price tag vs. the 400P at nearly triple the cost.

I've never tried the 400p, but the 88p is rated up to 33s and worked well on my Willys 32s. Was not that long to do 4 tires. Agree it seems best for his use case

 

[Pweter]

I've never tried the 400p, but the 88p is rated up to 33s and worked well on my Willys 32s. Was not that long to do 4 tires. Agree it seems best for his use case

I’m thinking 88p. Sure it’s louder, hotter, slower but I didn’t buy a Jeep to get places quickly. For the money, it sounds like my best bet

 

[azwjowner]

Oh man screw this whole thing I forgot about the bicycle pump in the garage. It’s lighter AND I get a workout? Deal

Many years ago when I was new to airing down I had a stuck situation in the sand where I had to air down to 20 psi, and when it came time to air up my tiny 12v cigarette air compressor overheated after two tires. Luckily I had a bicycle pump in the back, so I pumped up the remaining two by hand....very slowly. Then I promptly went out and bought a Viair.

 

[J0E]

I use my 4 Ryobi 18v to go from 10 PSI to 35 in my 37's.

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