Air compressors are the ones to call when you suddenly have flat tires during your overland travel. They also reinflate tires after airing them down for off-road driving. Basically, your air compressor supplies air to your tires for them to function optimally, even in extreme conditions.
So, we took a look at the options for portable air compressors to take while out on your overlanding expeditions.
The top five portable air compressors for overlanding or off-roading are:
- Viair 400P-RVS Automatic 12V Air Compressor
- Smittybilt 2781 Off-Road Air Compressor
- ARB CKMP12 Twin Air Compressor
- Wolo Sherman Tank and Compressor
- Kensun AC/DC Portable Air Compressor
Let’s take a closer look at our choices and why we chose these air compressors.
The Top 5 Air Compressors For Off-Roading
The leading brands when it comes to air compressors are Viair, Smittybilt, and ARB. Let’s see what air compressors from these companies are the top-performing ones.
Viair 400P-RVS Automatic Tire Inflator
The Viair 400P-RVS Automatic 12V Air Compressor is particularly designed for Class C and smaller RVs. When used in overland travel, it works optimally for 35″ tires. The kit includes a tire inflation gun and gauge, a built-in pressure switch, an air hose, RV accessories, and a case. To use this air compressor, you can simply hook up the heavy-duty battery clamps to your vehicle’s battery. Start the engine, connect the tire chuck to a tire valve stem, and then turn the Viair 400P-RVS on.
PROS
- has 33% duty cycle; works for 20 minutes at 100 PSI before needing to rest
- maximum air pressure of 150 PSI
- supplies 80-90 PSI for just 46 seconds
- has an air hose length of 30 feet
- has automatic shut-off function
CONS
- the 2.3 CFM is a bit slow for huge tires
- a little bit expensive
Check the price here.
Smittybilt 2781 Off-Road Air Compressor
Smittybilt has been in the off-road aftermarket industry since 1956. The main goal of Basil Smith, the founder of the company, is to develop equipment for SUVs and trucks to help drivers on their off-road journeys. The Smittybilt 2781 is just one of the many products designed by this company to help off-roaders get the most out of their adventure trips. This air compressor is mainly portable with its storage bag, but it can also be permanently mounted on your vehicle if you want it. The minimum power to run this air compressor is 12V.
PROS
- anti-vibration rubber feet
- a powerful compressor at an affordable price
- 24 feet long coil
- auto-thermal cut off switch
- airflow of 72 liters per minute
- 40-minute duty cycle and a 20-minute rest cycle
CONS
- lack of accessories like a battery, which you have to purchase separately
- the storage bag is of low quality
Check the price here.
ARB CKMP12 Twin Air Compressor
ARB is Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of 4×4 accessories. Because of their high-quality products, their popularity reached the USA and other countries around the world. The company takes pride in quality, reliability, and practicality. They offer a lot of accessories for trucks and SUVs. Not only that, but they also have products for camping like tents, which are perfect for overlanders. It is indeed a one-stop-shop for both off-roaders and overlanders.
The High Output Portable Compressor from ARB is available in both portable and mounted versions. The portable ARB Twin Air Compressor Kit comes with a 19 ft air hose, battery clamps, an inflation kit, and a durable and waterproof carry case. The twin motors of this air compressor have internal thermal protection against extreme temperature damage, so you can be sure that it will really last a long time and be safe to use.
PROS
- 100% duty cycle
- sealed so it’s moisture, dust, and splash resistant
- multi-functional with a 1-gallon air tank
- 2.65 CFM
CONS
- expensive
Check the price here.
Wolo Sherman Tank and Compressor
If you want an air compressor system that is mounted on your vehicle for permanent use, you might want to go with the Wolo Sherman Tank and Compressor. It’s an all-in-one high-pressure onboard air system to fulfill all your needs for inflation. You don’t have to worry about the complicated installation of onboard air compressors because the Wolo Sherman Tank and Compressor can easily be mounted on your vehicle with the two steel mounting brackets welded to the tank. The heavy-duty 1-gallon tank is painted black to prevent rust and corrosion.
PROS
- very affordable given the package
- multi-functional
- all-in-one
CONS
- not beginner-friendly, too complicated to use
- CFM of 1.3 is too slow
- a duty cycle of only 10% at 100 PSI
Check the Price here
Kensun AC/DC Portable Air Compressor
If you’re looking for an air compressor that you can use both at home and on your overlanding trip, then go for a Kensun AC/DC Portable Air Compressor. For those who have full-time jobs and just want to try overlanding for a weekend trip, this is something practical. After your overlanding trip, you can use it to inflate balloons or air mattresses inside your house. KENSUN (https://kensun.com) tells you to drive with confidence with their heavy-duty and reliable automotive accessories. What sets them apart is the unique and simple design of their 8 inflator systems.
PROS
- an analog gauge that is easy to read
- affordable
- multi-functional
- up to 120 PSI
- unique AC/DC Option, switching with 12V car plug and 110V wall plug
CONS
- short air hose
Check the price here
With all the rough terrain and obstacles on your adventure trip, you will need tires that can pass through them. A good air compressor can give you that. There are lots of air compressors available on the market. How do you choose the perfect one for your 4×4? Let me guide you. We’ll talk about air compressors and what kind of air compressor does overland use. So, buckle up! Let the adventure begin.
What Are Air Compressors Used For?
Air compressors have two main purposes: to fix flat tires and to reinflate tires after airing them down for off-road driving. The air pressure you put inside your tires is measured in pounds per square inch or PSI. Different road surfaces require different PSI for road safety and comfortable driving. Your air compressors work by satisfying the PSI you want for your tires. Air compressors can also help you change the air pressure of your tires for sudden changes in terrain during your off-road driving. They not only serve your tires but they can also be used to inflate air mattresses and other items you have that only function when inflated.
Why Do You Air Down Tires Off-Road?
The recommended tire pressure for normal-day driving is between 30 and 35 PSI. This will work when you are driving on concrete and smooth road surfaces. But this is not the reality of overlanding, because most of the time, your overland vehicles will drive through rocky and rough terrain. The general rule for offroading is to air down tires for better grip. The lower the air pressure, the better the tire’s grip on the road surface. Airing down tires is for safety and for comfortable off-road driving.
In overlanding, the right air pressure for your tires depends on the kind of terrain you will drive through. It is recommended to let out 25% of the air in your tires, somewhere between 15-20 PSI. Most overlanders don’t follow this recommendation because the terrain varies a lot. They just air it down and test the vehicle. If it’s comfortable enough for driving, then that means it’s the right tire pressure for that road.
Things to Consider When Choosing An Air Compressor
There are things you need to know about when finding the perfect air compressor for your tires. Air compressors vary according to uses, sizes, speed, and other features. Here are things you should look at when finding the best air compressor for your vehicle.
Different Kinds of Air Compressors
You can choose from onboard compressors that you can mount on your vehicle, portable ones that you can take anywhere, and portable CO2 and nitrogen tanks that can inflate tires much faster than the other ones.
The Size of Your Tires
If you have 33″ or 35″ tires, it is ideal to choose an air compressor that can match the size of your tires.
Air Pressure Needed or PSI
Air compressors can supply different volumes of air.
Speed Of The Air Compressor or Cubic Feet Per Minute
The CFM tells you how fast an air compressor can inflate a tire.
What’s Included In The Kit
Check what the kit comes with. Does it come with a gauge to let you measure PSI? Is it a perfect set to make inflation an easy task for you?
Deflation Mechanism
It would be great if the air compressor could also offer you some help airing down your offroad tires, i.e., the tire chuck has a built-in deflator.
Voltage
Air compressors for offroading usually use either 12 or 24 V. The higher the voltage, the better the performance.
Duty Cycle
Air compressors work on and off to prevent overheating. The duty cycle tells you how long an air compressor will go on and off during an hour of work.
What Is The Best Air Compressor For Overlanding?
For a comfortable and safe overlanding experience, you need a high-quality air compressor. In times of flat tires, changes in terrain, and off-road driving, your air compressor is the one to rely on. Portable air compressors are preferred over onboard air compressors, especially when overlanding, where you save space in your vehicle as much as possible. You can also take it anywhere you want for other purposes.
After closely examining the top 5 air compressors for offroading, one product stands out among the rest. No wonder it’s the top-rated air compressor on the market, with a rating of 4.8 on Amazon. The Viair Portable Compressor is the best air compressor for overlanding because you really get what you pay for.
