Airing up after sandy roads: a decent inflator from Costco

[profdant139]

If you air down often, a powerful on-board compressor is the way to go: expensive, but worthwhile. Since I rarely air down (but sometimes must), I carry a small portable unit. I've purchased a couple of portable compressors from Harbor Freight, with poor results. However, Costco recently put this little Bonaire unit on sale for $29:

Bonaire inflator

Since Costco has a very user-friendly return policy, I took a chance, and this little unit is pretty good! I hooked it directly to my battery. I aired down my spare tire to 40 pounds. It took 90 seconds for the inflator to bring it back to 50 pounds. I did this a couple of times, just to double-check.

The unit is surprisingly quiet – the Harbor Freight compressors were much louder. The only downside is that after you run it for 10 min., it has to cool for 10 min. So re-inflating my truck tires would take a half hour, or more.

(Note to moderator: I put this item on the boondocking forum, since boondockers are the folks most likely to air down. But maybe it belongs on the tech forum? Anyway, feel free to move it.)

[garyhaupt]

Ductape...did they rub? Or do you have the 'gizmo'?


Gary Haupt

[Ductape]

I aired my dually down to 20 psi many times.

[pnichols]

garyhaupt wrote:
Another intersting point is that for rigs with rear duallies? nuh uh...can't air down...the rear tires will rub together. And yes one can buy gizmos that 'might' keep them apart but no gaurantees and fit is an issue too. I cannot mount them on mine.

Very good point, Gary!

I think of the non-tandem duallie air down problem every time I read about airing down - due to sidewall rubbing.

Airing down with duallies isn't an issue with tandem duallies ... as are on some rare motorized RV's ... but of course are on TTs and 5'ers.

Also - since duallies present put more surface area on the ground than single tires do - I wonder if under-loaded per square inch duallies on the rear of an RV actually need as much, or any, airing down in many soft surface situations?

[time2roll]

FWIW here is my opinion:

Cigar plug = weak
Clamps direct on the battery = probably decent.

I have the MV-50 pictured by RoyB. Modified to accept standard air hoses and fittings. Not used often but serving well now for 10 years.

And +1 for limited slip or locking differentials front and rear.
I have 2x Eaton TrueTrac.

[profdant139]

Lots of good info here -- thanks for all of the tips!

[dave54]

Lwiddis wrote:
Good, fair report. PS to moderator... I've never "aired down" in my life!

Used to. No longer.

With newer tire designs and computerized traction controls airing down is no longer necessary. It may actually reduce traction.

[garyhaupt]

Not to brag but thanks to the NPS I was booked onto a Four wheel Driving program in the Mojave Desrt. Part of my on the job traing. The instructor said "airing down is THE number one way to get one-self un-stuck in sand or snow". He also recommended airing down prior to getting stuck is even better. Lots of folks that do the off-roads travel as part of their regular path air down as soon as they leave the pavement. Most of those people also have on-board compressors..they don't take nearly the time of the small portables. Another intersting point is that for rigs with rear duallies? nuh uh...can't air down...the rear tires will rub together. And yes one can buy gizmos that 'might' keep them apart but no gaurantees and fit is an issue too. I cannot mount them on mine.


Gary Haupt

[cewillis]

profdant139 wrote:
The only downside is that after you run it for 10 min., it has to cool for 10 min.

That is the problem with a lot of more basic units --

With lockers at both ends, I haven't found it necessary to air down yet, even in deep sand. But I certainly would if needed to get traction.

[mrw8i]

I carry a Viair. I use it about 10x per year. I've had it about 5 years. I don't technically air down for off roading. However, I air down the truck when not pulling the trailer to get a better ride. No trailer 60-65 lbs, with trailer 80lbs. Trailer tires are 80lbs. Tire size as well as pressure matters when researching air compressors. Also, how long can you run it before you have to let it cool down?

Longer hose would be nice as I have to stretch from the truck batteries to the tires.

Just checked, I have the ViAir 400P, purchased Feb, 2012. It has served me well.

[kohldad]

After a bunch of research,
purchased a Viair 450. When I calculated performance, I figured it would take just under 30 minutes to raise all four 265/70R17 tires from 20psi to 80 psi, this included time to move from tire to tire. Actual performance was within a few seconds of the calculated performance.

They also make an RV version which is the same unit but includes a longer hose.

[Steeljag]

kohldad wrote:
PSI is PSI so doesn't matter if it's a spare or on the truck, the time will be the same.

While it may have only taken 90 seconds to air up from 40-50, it will take longer as the pressure increases. So far a valid test, try the 40-80 psi test. Plus, it is more common to air down to 30 psi or lower depending on how soft the sand is.

The problem with the cheaper units is they will fail when you need it most. Not so bad if you only air down at popular spots when there are others around you, but terrible if you travel out in the boonies where other help isn't close at hand. That is why I spent the money on a better unit, so when I have it when needed with little chance of it failing.

What make / model did you purchase ?

[LenSatic]

We carry one compressor in each vehicle. The Tahoe has a Black and Decker analog that is 9 years old. Our Jeep Wrangler is 5 years old and carries a Kobalt digital pump. We use both a lot but have never really had to air-down in sand. The Tahoe has Kumho Road Adventure MT51s and the Wrangler has Mickey Thomson ATZ P3s. Both handle sand and mud very well. We mostly use the compressors to top them and the trailer off and re-inflate the John Deere mower tires when they get a flat (which is almost DAILY!).

LS

[kohldad]

PSI is PSI so doesn't matter if it's a spare or on the truck, the time will be the same.

While it may have only taken 90 seconds to air up from 40-50, it will take longer as the pressure increases. So far a valid test, try the 40-80 psi test. Plus, it is more common to air down to 30 psi or lower depending on how soft the sand is.

The problem with the cheaper units is they will fail when you need it most. Not so bad if you only air down at popular spots when there are others around you, but terrible if you travel out in the boonies where other help isn't close at hand. That is why I spent the money on a better unit, so when I have it when needed with little chance of it failing.

[RoyB]

Used to do it all the time back in my JEEP Trail Days using one of those 12V Tankless portable Air Compressors. Roger on those getting red hot to touch after running for few minutes...


This is the one I am using now for blowing out my water lines when it gets down to freezing... This is a Q Industries model MV50 - Amazon

I use this with an AIR ADAPTER on the city water port.

This is rated up to 120lbs I think it is... Have aired up tires with it as well...

google image

Roy Ken

[Thom02099]

Airing down is recommended on the Medano Pass Primitive Road at the Great Sand Dunes NP outside of Alamosa CO. It's very sandy at the start of the road, less so as you get further along. There's an air station at the start of the road, but it would be a good thing to be able to air down/up, depending on how far along the road you want to go. I've not done the whole length, but the part that I did, I'm glad I aired down. Saw more than a few 4x4s that didn't and got stuck. YMMV.