Which portable air compressor

[Tomt]

My VIAIR broke after 1 use, cheaply made watch out

 

[ShadowRaptor]

I’ve used Viair 400p auto and 450p auto in my Ford trucks, jeeps and Subaru.
Also ARB ( portable single and twin)
IMHO, you cant go wrong with the Viair 400p auto or the 450p auto.
(I had 33s and air up from 18psi to 36psi in less than 3 minutes each tire)
The ones I had were good quality, did not feel cheap or flimsy.
It’s also less db/noise compared to my ARB compressors.
(if you want actual cfm and duty cycle info its all available in the ViAir website)

Viair 450P auto:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X9EGFS/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

Viair 400p auto:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9B32M/?tag=fordraptorforum-20


Now for ARB...OP asked about portable, so these are the 2 I had
and have experienced with. You cant go wrong with either one.
In fact my arb twin is currently my Raptor’s onboard air system.
The twin can inflate and run small air tools, impact wrench, drill , cutoff wheel, etc.
(These are bit pricey tho)

ARB ckmp12 (single):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P9A35E/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

ARB ckmtp12 (twin with 1 gal reservoir):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KEVN00/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

 

[koly]

I've been using this ARB portable compressor for onward of 8 years or so. It's seen a decent amount of use, anywhere from 10-20 times per year.

Fills my 4 BFG 35" Mud terrains from 15psi to 40psi in ~12-15 mins, but slows down noticably as it gets hotter (and it can burn you fairly easily if you're not careful). [1st tire is about 1 & 1/2 mins, 4th tire is ~5-6 mins].

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=559

Cautionary tale about C02 tanks - make sure they're securely mounted and the nozzle is protected, *especially* if they're inside the vehicle. My friend hit a large pothole on the freeway and something jostled loose and opened/broke the nozzle - within seconds he was almost passed out and was barely able to pull over and get out, even after he almost immediately lowered his windows.

 

[PlainJane]

I have a Viair 400 P Automatic and it does a great job. I like the gun attachment that you don't get with the 400 P Portable. I use it to air down the tires. The gauge is not that great, but I don't think you need to be that careful on the tire pressures, plus or minus 1 lbs is good, ITS A TRUCK!

You can buy the "gun" attachment later if you decide its helpful.

 

[jondle]

I can't recommend CO2 enough. Faster and more portable than any compressor and less things to break while off road. I can fill my 37's from about 20 to 45lbs 4 times between refilling the tank.

 

[Phil O]

I can't recommend CO2 enough. Faster and more portable than any compressor and less things to break while off road. I can fill my 37's from about 20 to 45lbs 4 times between refilling the tank.

Point me in the right direction of where to find the tank and items you use for portable air...

 

[alcoolaid]

I have used a 400p and I can air up each tire in less than 3 minutes.

If you’re on a budget then 400p works but 440P would be faster although a bit more expensive.

 

[Ricoman]

So after airing down, other than on-board air, which portable air compressor do you use to air back up? I was looking at the Smittybilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal Air Compressor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K25GMG/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

or:
VIAIR 400P Portable Compressor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9AXR8/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

Would like to stay around $200 as I won't need it a lot.
Any experience on fill rate would be helpful.

thanks,

I have the Viair,researched alot on this site last year and found the 450043 is way better than the 400P....dont use mine often but it works great and comes as a complete kit.Got it on Amazon for $245 shipped....
Viair 45043 Automatic Function Portable Compressor

 

[gordo]

Why is Powertank so expensive? Are you paying for the name or is it a lot faster to fill?

 

[jondle]

I have a Powertank, but if I were to do it over, I would just put my own together.

Here is a good write up I found by Google'ing "DIY off road CO2"
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/build-your-own-co2-tank-system-high-quality-lowest-cost.479803/

I will say, the one issue I have with CO2 is they are so fast (iow, such high pressure), they tend to ruin the gauge built into inflators, at least cheap ones. I'm still looking for a really high quality one, but I just double check the pressure with a stand-alone gauge. I ordered a pressure gauge meant for compression tests that is good to over 300psi. I was going to give that a try.