GunnarzF150

I'm looking to have the 12v portable air compressor for convenience to fill up low tires, emergency, other items needing air when away from home (bike tires, air mattress, etc). Not using lockers, or airing up after rock crawling, as a matter of fact, I have stock tires (35 PSI), but that may change in the future, and it's better to have more capability rather than less.

I want a compressor to use battery clamps, not cigarette plug, don't want compressor installed at this time, but may do so later, and a price point of under $75 would be ideal.

The following are some notes I have regarding compressors I'm interested in, and a few as reference, some of these have extensive web write ups/reviews/mods.

These 3 or 4 are same/virtually the same (all have exactly the same specs):
Q Industries
MV50 $55
Masterflow
MF-1050 Tsunami $52 refurb ebay
Smittybilt
2780 $80
Viair (may be a much better quality unit)
400P $200

Other notables:
Viair
87P $58
88P $68 (no storage bag)
90P $78
300P $150
450P $200 (the best portable?)

***CONSIDERING Viair 88P verses MV50/MF-1050*** Don't know if the quality of the name brand Viair of the slightly lesser specs of the Viair 88P make up for the possibly less quality/better specs of the MV50/MF-1050.

Willing to pay a few dollars for added options and some time to possibly "play" with a compressor to mod/improve it.

Anyone looking at these/have these? Input on topic?

Wisdom

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you could get away with getting a cheap 12v one, and cutting the 12v plug off and putting a pair of alligator clips on? Would probably be the cheapest route.

GunnarzF150

I'll purchase something better than the real cheap units since I figure I may have opportunity for more/heavier use in the future.

I'm mostly considering Viair 88P verses MV50/MF-1050 so I'm under $75. From what I've read I believe the MV50/MF-1050 are almost the same as Viair 400P, which is a very nice portable, but they are so much cheaper. And the 88P is a lighter unit, but has the Viair name (quality). That's what I'm looking to decide on.

GunnarzF150

Right or wrong, better or worse, my compressor thoughts narrowed to either the Viair 88P or MF1050/MV50 (Viair 400P knockoffs at ¼ the price). I wanted a portable, that has power for truck tires, but wasn't large sized. My use is for emergency/convenience fill ups/camping/bike tire/very infrequent, etc. Not air suspension/lockers/air up after off roading. It may not be carried in truck all the time as I live in the city, not rural.

I finally opted for the Viair 88P over the MF1050/MV50. It's smaller (better), but less powerful (worse) but still has very respectable specs. After cruising several forums I also believe there may be a higher quality aspect (better). The things I would like would be a detachable air hose (I may modify this), and maybe a soft case, or I may mount the compressor in the engine bay as a form of storage (wing nut detachable) since I'd need to open hood to connect to battery anyhow (it's not a cig lighter unit). My current tires are stock 35 PSI tires. The F250 I sold, the tires were plus sized E rated with 80 PSI, not sure how the 88P would do for that, maybe would need to upgrade (I've seen the youtube video comparisons), but the specs seem to indicate it would do the job. I might have gotten the MF1050/MV50 if I still had my F250.

Between roadside assistance and some basic tools/equipment, and a well maintained truck, there shouldn't be many surprises, and if there are, they can probably be handled quicker/easier. Thought I'd let you know the pro/con decisions for anyone else thinking of getting a portable.

RDFTS

iTrader: (1)

I was researching the same thing. I am getting the Viair 450 Auto. Amazon has it for $267. I like the idea of quicker fills. Will be used for offroading with my raptor and to use around the house.

GunnarzF150

I didn't hear anything after "Raptor".

"Blah blah blah blah RAPTOR blah blah RAPTOR blah blah RAPTOR".

Love those Raptors, but the added cost and less mpg are killers for me....

Back on topic, Viair seems to has outstanding customer service, I mean like REALLY great customer service.

RDFTS

iTrader: (1)

Okay, maybe I should of said to fill 35" tires to 44psi quicker. :-)

OT: Actually I don't have it yet. Ordered it in Nov and supposed to be delivered in hopefully 2 weeks. It was finished being built on Thurs.

GunnarzF150

Awwww....I'm just jealous, obviously you understand since you're having it made special

Feathermerchant

I bought the Vair 80P. I have only tested it but it seems to have plenty of capacity. The wires are not near long enough to reach the rear driver side tire. I added a power plug on a 30A fuse at the rear of the truck. Try it out in your driveway before you really need it.

Razorback150

I've had the same 12v compressor since 1995, I think I bought it at Autozone for about twenty bucks. I have spliced the cord a dozen times and it has never failed to work. I used it to fill up a friends tire at work a few weeks ago...it took about ten minutes to put twenty or so pounds of air in the tire. But like they say...the best tool is the one that works, and the one that you have with you. Get a cheap one, unless you plan on using it on a regular basis.