Tire inflator recommendations

[Camp CA]

Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor, 12v, 0 psi 150 psi max.......fifth wheel trailer tires are inflated to 110 psi.

[Punkinhead]

Originally Posted by jharrell

I use a Schrader to 1/4 NPT adapter from there you can do anything you want,

Thanks. I didn't know there were Schrader to 1/4 NPT adapters. I stopped at Home Depot today and bought the M18 inflator and ordered an adapter off Amazon. I've always used cheap 12V inflators but having one that's portable will be really handy for airing up my trailers while they're parked out back and not having to drive the truck to them to run the compressor. I'm already heavily invested in M18 tools and carry an M18 impact so the M18 inflator will work out great.

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by jharrell

I guess I was more thinking for my Jeep because going from say 12 psi back to 30 psi on 35's needs lots of battery.

The M12 is probably fine for putting a few psi a low tire on the RV once in a while, however when I got my new RV the tire has 120 psi, so I deflated closer to tire charts at my axle weights to 100 psi, well the fancy new built in TPMS started complaining and wanted 110 psi minimum. So I used the inflator to put 10 psi back in all 6 tires for now and that blew through a 8AH battery to do it, no way an M12 could do that.

The M18 seems to work pretty fast too, I would imagine its much faster than the M12 beyond just duty cycle.

I wouldn't be so sure..... until you've done it

My M12 W/6.0 battery is good for all that and more..... keep in mind it's pulling 33% fewer amps at the lower voltage

But like I said previously they are both great units.

Cheers!

[jharrell]

Originally Posted by paul65k

I wouldn't be so sure..... until you've done it

My M12 W/6.0 battery is good for all that and more..... keep in mind it's pulling 33% fewer amps at the lower voltage

All the reviews I have seen show the M18 2-4 times faster than the M12 and can do say all 4 tires on a Jeep on one 6AH battery vs multiple M12 batteries. The M18 listed CFM is much higher at the same psi than the M12 and M18 batteries have much more Wh of the same AH due to higher voltage. Higher voltage means less amps at the same power(watts). The M18 has dedicated cooling fans, and a nice extra of 4 memory slot too, which for me is handy as I have memory set for RV vs Jeep.

I have a hard time believing the M12 could do 10 psi raise at 100-110 psi on 6 tires on a single battery and it would take forever to do it if swapped batteries, probably far exceeding its duty cycle. The higher the pressure the harder the unit works and the CFM goes down taking longer to do. I believe it took at least 20 minutes when I did 100-110 psi on my 6 rv tires and ran a 8AH that 3/4 full to zero requiring a swap to finish last tire.

Here is a great comparison and review between M18 and M12:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K50eb8Em2iY

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by jharrell

All the reviews I have seen show the M18 2-4 times faster than the M12 and can do say all 4 tires on a Jeep on one 6AH battery vs multiple M12 batteries. The M18 listed CFM is much higher at the same psi than the M12 and M18 batteries have much more Wh of the same AH due to higher voltage. Higher voltage means less amps at the same power(watts). The M18 has dedicated cooling fans, and a nice extra of 4 memory slot too, which for me is handy as I have memory set for RV vs Jeep.

OK you're right and I'm wrong..... are you happy now

[jharrell]

Originally Posted by paul65k

OK you're right and I', wrong..... are you happy now

I would be just as happy if you proved me wrong, accurate information always makes me happy whatever it ends up being

I wanted to get the M12 and almost did many times, but the reviews consistently dinged it for doing lot of tires or high psi, then the M18 came out and seemed to solve all that so it was a no brainer as I already had large M18 batteries I carry in the RV for other purposes.

I will probably still get a M12 when there is a deal on it to use at home for bikes and cars rather pulling out the air compressor, while the M18 will stay in the RV.

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by jharrell

I would be just as happy if you proved me wrong, accurate information always makes me happy whatever it ends up being

I wanted to get the M12 and almost did many times, but the reviews consistently dinged it for doing lot of tires or high psi, then the M18 came out and seemed to solve all that so it was a no brainer as I already had large M18 batteries I carry in the RV for other purposes.

I will probably still get a M12 when there is a deal on it to use at home for bikes and cars rather pulling out the air compressor, while the M18 will stay in the RV.

There's a deal right now..... $129 with 4.0 and 2.0 batteries

[Unicorn Driver]

I have 4 Viair units. Anything about 40$ is in a car/suv, 250-300$ one is for rv.

[WeeBeenew]

Just bought the 18 volt Milwaukee one too. The driving factor for me was I already have a good set of 18 volt fuel tools. Didn't see the purpose of starting another tool platform.
If I ever get my RV back from the dealer. I'll try it out.

[jimnlo1949]

After trying the rest, we went with the best. The 400P is an excellent unit that is fit for purpose on our Ventana.

[tom92]

I recently bought the 20 volt Dewalt pump as I am already invested in their battery system. Looks like they get an edge over the Milwaukee since it also has a low pressure/high volume nozzle if you want to inflate an air mattress or pool float. It works from both the battery and built in 12 volt cigarette lighter plug.


I used it last night to air up the tires in the storage lot for this weekend's trip. The battery is great since I didn't have to use a 12 volt extension cord to reach the tires plugged into the truck dashboard. I also like the automatic shut off so I can just set it down and do other stuff while it is inflating the tires.



I mainly bought it for my new ATV in case I get a puncture on the trail. I just leave it in my truck and transfer it to the ATV along with my truck tool bag if I am hitting the trails. My truck is also always with my camper and/or ATV so there is no need for multiple devices. It is a bit bulky if you are limited on storage space, but much easier to store than a compressor.

[wolfgolden]

Cheap Viair alternative with impressive specs:

Smittybilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal Air Compressor , Black https://a.co/d/97mDgox

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by tom92

I recently bought the 20 volt Dewalt pump as I am already invested in their battery system. Looks like they get an edge over the Milwaukee since it also has a low pressure/high volume nozzle if you want to inflate an air mattress or pool float. It works from both the battery and built in 12 volt cigarette lighter plug.

I'm a fan of the DeWalt inflator, too. For the same reasons:

- already invested in a supply of 20v batteries
- the screw on valve stem attachment and the ability to set the shut-off pressure makes it a "Set It and Forget It" (tribute to Ron Popiel)
- the portability when running on battery; no umbilical cord

You're not going to inflate a 365R70/22.5 from flat with it, for sure. But, adding up to about 5 psi is doable.

Tale care,
Stu

[jharrell]

Originally Posted by tom92

Looks like they get an edge over the Milwaukee since it also has a low pressure/high volume nozzle if you want to inflate an air mattress or pool float.

I was worried about having no low pressure inflator with the Milwaukee until I realized the M18 compact blower was also had inflator tips. I was going to buy the blower anyway for cleaning of campsites and the slides etc, works great! Also helps starting a fire and is an extremely fast inflator for air mattresses and the like and can be reversed to suck air out.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...lowers/0884-20