Best Budget Air Compressor for Sand

[1st 75th ranger]

Looking to purchase a portable air compressor setup that won’t break the bank. I am gearing up for what I’d need to drive on the beach for fishing and pretty quickly learned my small air compressor that uses my cigarette lighter won’t cut it. I’d love to do a dual ARB setup down the line but that’s simply too much $$$ for the time being. What setups for ideally $100-200 could I go with? I don’t mind the added time of doing one tire at a time until I get a four hose setup, but some like Tricky Dick’s say they require it. I will say it’s fairly compelling with the total setup being approximately $200, although that’s still more than I anticipated. Originally was looking at the Viair 88 and then 300, but have seen some people say those won’t cut it for the stock badlands tire sizes. Also would eventually like to upgrade from my 33s to 35s so am bearing that in mind. Also eyed the Morrflate offerings as people seem to love those, but looks like another option that’ll require a hose kit. Final one I saw was the Thors Lightning that seems like it won’t need a hose setup from the get go at least.

Any help is appreciated!

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[Bill K]

Looking to purchase a portable air compressor setup that won’t break the bank. I am gearing up for what I’d need to drive on the beach for fishing and pretty quickly learned my small air compressor that uses my cigarette lighter won’t cut it. I’d love to do a dual ARB setup down the line but that’s simply too much $$$ for the time being. What setups for ideally $100-200 could I go with? I don’t mind the added time of doing one tire at a time until I get a four hose setup, but some like Tricky Dick’s say they require it. I will say it’s fairly compelling with the total setup being approximately $200, although that’s still more than I anticipated. Originally was looking at the Viair 88 and then 300, but have seen some people say those won’t cut it for the stock badlands tire sizes. Also would eventually like to upgrade from my 33s to 35s so am bearing that in mind. Also eyed the Morrflate offerings as people seem to love those, but looks like another option that’ll require a hose kit. Final one I saw was the Thors Lightning that seems like it won’t need a hose setup from the get go at least.

Any help is appreciated!

I have the Viaair 300P. Was pretty inexpensive, and I only do 1 tire at a time. Worked pretty well when I came off of the sand last year. Originally bought it for airing up my RV tires at 61 lbs and now it does double duty on the Bronco. Stock hose has a pressure gauge and air down feature I never knew what it was for til I took the Bronco on the sand

 

[cr117]

I know the bags that come with yours are kinda crappy. Do you know of a good bag (or hard box) that fits the compressor w/ 4 tire hoses?

The compressor, itself, fits in the Apache 3800 perfectly. I keep my hoses in a separate hose bag.

 

[Ibuprofen3293]

The compressor, itself, fits in the Apache 3800 perfectly. I keep my hoses in a separate hose bag.

Thanks for the picture to put it in perspective. I think I’m going to see if the 4-tire hose snakes can fit with the compressor in 4800 (since they are on sale until tomorrow).

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Looking to purchase a portable air compressor setup that won’t break the bank. I am gearing up for what I’d need to drive on the beach for fishing and pretty quickly learned my small air compressor that uses my cigarette lighter won’t cut it. I’d love to do a dual ARB setup down the line but that’s simply too much $$$ for the time being. What setups for ideally $100-200 could I go with? I don’t mind the added time of doing one tire at a time until I get a four hose setup, but some like Tricky Dick’s say they require it. I will say it’s fairly compelling with the total setup being approximately $200, although that’s still more than I anticipated. Originally was looking at the Viair 88 and then 300, but have seen some people say those won’t cut it for the stock badlands tire sizes. Also would eventually like to upgrade from my 33s to 35s so am bearing that in mind. Also eyed the Morrflate offerings as people seem to love those, but looks like another option that’ll require a hose kit. Final one I saw was the Thors Lightning that seems like it won’t need a hose setup from the get go at least.

Any help is appreciated!

Honestly here are our recomendations.

First, avoid anything from Dewalt, Milwaukee, etc... those are TINY TINY air compressors that just can't do the job. You'll sit there FOREVER.

ViAIR Air Compressors are some of the best portable air compressors around. AND they don't break the bank. I've had my same ViAIR 400P for about 17-18 years now. It actually sits in our display case because it's been beat up over those years and has seen a LOT of miles. We show it off because it takes a licking and... keeps on ticking.

All of the air compressors I'm talking about are here BTW: https://www.4x4truckleds.com/air-compressors/

ViAIR 400P: $239.95 - This is the one I have. It's good but the downside is you HAVE to keep the air compressor chuck pressed (or turn it off between tires). It does NOT have a pressure switch built in.

ViAIR 400P-Automatic: $299.95 - Same as above, but it has a built in pressure switch so you can leave it on and not have to worry.

ViAIR 450P-Automatic: This has a bit more OOMF. It'll be quicker then the 400P. Recommended over the 400P if you have a sasquatch package or larger tires.

We also have the MORRFlate TenSix Pro and portables. These are designed to work with their multi-tire inflation hoses though.

The TenSix is $230 and the TenSix Pro is $325. The difference is the Pro has a built in pressure setting system. You set the PSI, and walk away. It'll turn off when the tires hit that set PSI.

Then of course is the ARB Portables. A bit more $$ but come on, can't beat the quality.

Single is $412 and Twin is $990

 

[JTBros]

Update: just purchased a used Viair 450p from someone selling their RV for $50. Should be picking it up tomorrow and diving in then. Definitely will still be doing the quad setup but have loved hearing how bulletproof the Viair offerings are. Hoping I can mimic the under hood mount someone did on their Bronco with the 450c.

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Update: just purchased a used Viair 450p from someone selling their RV for $50. Should be picking it up tomorrow and diving in then. Definitely will still be doing the quad setup but have loved hearing how bulletproof the Viair offerings are. Hoping I can mimic the under hood mount someone did on their Bronco with the 450c.

DO NOT mount a ViAIR 450p portable under your hood. They are NOT designed to be mounted under the hood as they are portable air compressors.

 

[JTBros]

DO NOT mount a ViAIR 450p portable under your hood. They are NOT designed to be mounted under the hood as they are portable air compressors.

Dually noted! Was wondering if the difference b/w the two was just the base on them.

ps. hope to see ya out on the beach this summer

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Dually noted! Was wondering if the difference b/w the two was just the base on them.

ps. hope to see ya out on the beach this summer

I didn't realize you are a local. You should just come into our store and check out the compressors first hand. We have them all on display

ARB Portable Single
ARB Portable Twin
ARB On-Board Twin
ViAIR 400P Portable
ViAIR 450P Portable
MORRFlate Portable

All on display as soon as you walk in.

Can't argue with $50 for a used compressor but still... our shop's here for this reason, so you can see the products We also have tons of other Lights & Accessories on display and available

 

[JTBros]

I didn't realize you are a local. You should just come into our store and check out the compressors first hand. We have them all on display

ARB Portable Single
ARB Portable Twin
ARB On-Board Twin
ViAIR 400P Portable
ViAIR 450P Portable
MORRFlate Portable

All on display as soon as you walk in.

Can't argue with $50 for a used compressor but still... our shop's here for this reason, so you can see the products We also have tons of other Lights & Accessories on display and available

The $50 is definitely hard to beat, heck if I end up going with an ARB or something else down the line it’s still good to have.

I’ve actually been eyeing your fog light setup ever since converting to a modular bumper. Just waiting on some house renovations to finish first lol

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

The $50 is definitely hard to beat, heck if I end up going with an ARB or something else down the line it’s still good to have.

I’ve actually been eyeing your fog light setup ever since converting to a modular bumper. Just waiting on some house renovations to finish first lol

We've always got those in stock. Just remember when ordering to let us know your truck STARTED with a plastic/capable bumper so you get the OEM Fog Light harness. (unless you came from a plastic with NO fogs, then you don't have an OEM Fog light button)

 

[JTBros]

We've always got those in stock. Just remember when ordering to let us know your truck STARTED with a plastic/capable bumper so you get the OEM Fog Light harness. (unless you came from a plastic with NO fogs, then you don't have an OEM Fog light button)

Definitely makes sense, fully plan on utilizing that button as I had fogs before.

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