One great piece of recovery gear that’s often overlooked among casual or beginning off-roaders is the portable air compressor. Recovery gear is all of the essential stuff you need to have in or on your Jeep to help you when things don’t go as planned on the trail, or sometimes to help make sure they do. Essential is the keyword here, this is something you shouldn’t overlook. If you’re tackling serious trails you should definitely have a portable air compressor with you, unless you’re tackling the trails with fellow off-roaders who do.
Today we’re going to give you the rundown on what a portable air compressor is and why you need one for those of you who aren’t yet aware, before going over what to look for when shopping for one. Then we’ll highlight a few of the best options for off-road Jeeps on the aftermarket today. So keep reading if you’re ready to make sure you have all the essential recovery gear you need.
Why You Need a Portable Air Compressor
Earlier this summer we talked about the best air pressure for driving over rocks and sand, and in it we discussed the importance of airing down. We won’t go over it all again, but the important thing to know is that you’re going to want to have different air pressures for different activities. Having a portable air compressor with you makes sure that you’re always ready to drop or raise your air pressure for any given situation.
Furthermore, tires aren’t the only thing air compressors are good for. If you have air-locking differentials it can help with those, it can help reseat tire beads if and when you need that, plus it can help you inflate all sorts of other gear you bring along with you. Air mattress for camping? Bicycle for mountain biking? Et cetera!
What to Look For in an Off-Road Compressor
When shopping for a portable air-compressor for your off-road vehicle, there are a few key specifications that you want to keep in mind. Here they are:
- Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM)
- A higher CFM means faster inflation, so you won’t waste as much time. You should look for at least 2.0 CFM at 0 PSI for most tires, but if your tires are oversized you might want to shoot for higher – 3.0 for 35-37” tires, 4.5 for 38-40”.
- Duty Cycle
- This indicates how long the compressor can run before it needs to cool down. If an air compressor has a 33% duty cycle at 100 PSI, it means it can run for 20 minutes per hour.
- Portability
- While this isn’t a spec as much as a feature, you’re going to want to make sure the unit you purchase is compact in size, has long hoses and perhaps even a carrying case. These things will make trail use much easier.
- Power Source
- The most ideal power source is to run off 12V DC via battery clamps.
Top 3 Off-Road Air Compressor Options
Now that you know everything you need to know about portable air compressors, it’s time for you to pick one. There are plenty available in the aftermarket space, but we’ve put together a list of our top 3:
- Viair 400P Portable Compressor
- CFM — 2.30
- Duty Cycle — 33% at 100 PSI
- Weight — 8.5 lbs.
- Features — 25’ hose, carrying case, 3-piece inflation tips kit
- Sort of the total package, it comes with everything you need, it’s lightweight and it’s fast — can inflate a 35” tire from 0-30 PSI in less than 6 minutes.
- Smittybilt 2781 12V Air Compressor
- CFM — 5.6
- Duty Cycle — 40 minutes at 40 PSI
- Weight — 20.3 lbs.
- Features — pressure hose, carrying case, heavy-duty easy clip connectors
- With high output and a rugged build, this is the ideal option for oversized tires and heavy-duty use.
- ARB CKMP12V2 High-Performance Compressor
- CFM — 3.08
- Duty Cycle — 50% at 100 PSI
- Weight — 15.4 lbs.
- Features — air hose, waterproof case, fittings
- Built for serious off-roaders, this one is capable of powering air lockers and reseating beads with ease.
If you have any questions about portable air compressors or when and why you should adjust your tire pressure, don’t be afraid to give us a call right here at LiftedJeeps.com. We look forward to helping you however we can!