Beach trip

[akoda]

I am heading to the Outer Banks of NC next month and will get to do some beach driving. It's one of the reasons I bought my 4-runner. I know it should do very well on the sand with tires deflated some. I am looking to buy a portable air compressor, preferably one that runs off of the 12v power supply. Does any one have any recommendations??

Thanks
Mike

 

[Bobby]

I bought a Campbell Hausfeld 230 psi air compressor for my 4runner. It's rechargeable via cig lighter or AC.

CH has refurbs on their website for $23.

I bought a refurb from somewhere else for $19 shipped (which is why I bought it) and it's been working great the few times I've used it. Once was to get rid of the TPS light on all 5 tires. 26-27psi to 34psi and it did all tires with one charge.

 

[chiefiji]

for 20 bucks you can get one from costco albeit it's a little slower than say an extreme aire type of compressor. it plugs into the 12v outlet and gets the job done though.

 

[Bobby]

For $23, you get a high quality product. I know it's refurbished but its an air compressor and it retails for over $50. I've used these types before and they work MUCH better than the ones you plug into your cig lighter adapter. Some actually melt b/c of the high amp draw which is why I chose rechargeable ones. You can still recharge them from either the cig lighter or AC (home).

 

[Bluto]

For $23, you get a high quality product. I know it's refurbished but its an air compressor and it retails for over $50. I've used these types before and they work MUCH better than the ones you plug into your cig lighter adapter. Some actually melt b/c of the high amp draw which is why I chose rechargeable ones. You can still recharge them from either the cig lighter or AC (home).

My first choice would be a CO2 tank. But it is a bit much to carry all the time.


Thanks for the link. I ordered one, $30 shipped. How is the battery life? Think it will last a couple years?


To corded ones are a PITA, slow, and get hot. The cord is never long enough. Cordless will be a breeze. Easy to charge in the cargo area.



akoda,

What part of OBX? Some members on yotatech have hit the beaches there. My last trip down was the 1st with my 4Runner. I did not have enough time to offroad.

 

[Bobby]

Thanks for the link. I ordered one, $30 shipped. How is the battery life? Think it will last a couple years?


To corded ones are a PITA, slow, and get hot. The cord is never long enough. Cordless will be a breeze. Easy to charge in the cargo area.

The battery life is pretty good. I haven't run them down yet. My last cordless air compressor (cheap Sears that was $50) lasted about 5 yrs but it was seriously abused in that time. I used it for my M3 when I went to the track and let everyone use it. I was suprised it lasted as long as it did. Before that I bought a corded one and the cig lighter plug melted while I was using it.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with it.

 

[Bluto]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with it.

Neither do I.


The compressor in my garage is overkill. I have to move my truck to air someone else's vehicle.

The air pumps at gas stations are dirty, never work correctly, cost money, and usualy in a bad location.

The little plug-in pumps have short cords and are a pain to use. My parent's Titan take's 15-20 minutes to air. A lot of walking and switching sides. Have to wait for the compressor to cool after the 3rd tire.



The compressor will save me time, money, and possibly a ding or scratch from a compressor hose. Once again, thanks for the great find.

 

[bulldog-yota]

I bought one of these at a local auto store for a little over $40. I have found they work the best for plug in types.

I notice this sites sells them for a lot more, but you can find them cheaper.
http://www.eco4wd.com/products/Hardware/hardware.htm#CO2_SYSTEM


Some specs on it.
http://www.eco4wd.com/products/Hardware/Details/TruckAir.pdf

I have aired up my 32" tires at Pismo from 10PSI many times with them, and you dont have to let it cool down. It is pretty fast up to 30 PSI or so and then slows down a bit.

 

[Colemanfu]

Don't forget the hi-lift, a base plate (I use a 35LB weight lifting plate from the gym) and some strap!

I would also bring my fishing pole and a cooler full of beer.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Don't forget the hi-lift, a base plate (I use a 35LB weight lifting plate from the gym) and some strap!

I would also bring my fishing pole and a cooler full of beer.

Just buy the plastic hi-lift base plate. It works better and is much lighter The poblem with a hi-lift is that you need a lift point on the 4Runner for them. You can use the lift-mate, which hooks up to the wheel, but thta is only good to lift it out of a hole not for changing a popped bead.

 

[akoda]

[QUOTE
What part of OBX? Some members on yotatech have hit the beaches there. My last trip down was the 1st with my 4Runner. I did not have enough time to offroad. [/B][/QUOTE]

Sorry it took so long to post back. I have been out of town and am just now getting back to my pc. We are heading down to Hatteras, we will be staying at the bottom of the island in Hatteras village. I have driven out on the beach in rented Explorers in the past, but I can't wait to get the 4runner out there. I will hit the Hatteras beaches and also Ocracoke.

Mike

 

[lookin]

After all this talk

Hey everyone,
After all this talk about airing down and air compressors and such, does anyone use the pre-set tire deflators? Are the worth the money?

Thanks....

 

[Boaz]

I bought one of these at a local auto store for a little over $40. I have found they work the best for plug in types.

I notice this sites sells them for a lot more, but you can find them cheaper.
http://www.eco4wd.com/products/Hardware/hardware.htm#CO2_SYSTEM


Some specs on it.
http://www.eco4wd.com/products/Hardware/Details/TruckAir.pdf

I have aired up my 32" tires at Pismo from 10PSI many times with them, and you dont have to let it cool down. It is pretty fast up to 30 PSI or so and then slows down a bit.

I found the "spare tire tank" story very interesting. I worked at a tire shop in Highschool, and they always stress safety. About a year before I started working there, a man was KILLED mounting a tire. The cause was no regulator on the hose from the compressor. The tire blew and a large chunk of tire hit him in the abdomen, caused alot of internal bleeding.
My father sold and serviced air compressors for 20 years, I have always had a profound respect for the power of compressed air... sounds funny right?