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Portable Air Compressor faceoff

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Noob Saibot, Mar 8, 2021.

  1. Mar 8, 2021 at 10:30 AM
    #1
    Noob Saibot

    Noob Saibot [OP] New Member

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    My local 4-wheel shop and Amazon both sell the ARB CKMP12 compressor for 365.
    The Smittybilt 2781 is 152 on Amazon.

    Both got a good review in a previous search. Most searches here though led to on-board air or what people use in their garages. I want to bring this in the bed to air up/down tires. (I would do onboard, but it's 700 bucks to install it and another 200 for the mount.)

    Am I missing something here? Are the Smittybilt akin to Harbor Freight? Is the ARB name worth 200 bucks? I'd rather give the 4-wheel shop the business over Bezos, and I want something that isn't going to fail someplace remote, but jeez, 200 bucks difference?
     
  2. Mar 8, 2021 at 10:54 AM
    #2
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    1 or 2... I lost count
    To be clear, I have neither of these so this is just second-hand what I have heard other people say. The Smittybilt is quoted at almost double the air output and has more amp draw to go along but most people don't see that performance in the actual use. ARB apparently does a much better job of estimating the output and you can actually see that in use. I would think that this would end up in about a wash and you would get similar performance out of each. Everyone that I have seen has been happy with the Smittbilt with the largest complaint being that it does not use standard NPT fittings so you have to adapt it if you want to use anything other than the included tire inflator. One last difference is the ARB is 100% duty cycle and, in theory, should be able to run indefinitely where the Smittybilt has a 60% duty cycle and at some point will shut off to cool down. So it comes down to what you want to spend money on. Can't really go wrong either way.
     
    Sunnier likes this.
  3. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #3
    Team4M

    Team4M New Member

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    I'm in the same boat and did a bunch of research recently and settled on the SuperFlow MV-50 ($79.99). I know the ARB is better but for the few times i anticipate using it, it wasn't worth the extra cash. I know a few land cruiser guys that recommend the MV-50 so I figured I wouldn't be disappointed for the price. Mine gets delivered Wednesday and I'm happy to give you a report of the first field test. Good luck
     
  4. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:16 AM
    #4
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    Do you own any power tools? Dewalt and Milwaukee both make cordless inflators and compressors that are around the same price or cheaper than what you're looking at.

    I've got a Viair 88P in the truck and I use the Dewalt inflator more often just because it's convenient. It takes longer but has an auto shutoff so you don't need to stand and watch it.
     
    bmc02 likes this.
  5. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:20 AM
    #5
    Roborob70

    Roborob70 New Member

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  6. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:23 AM
    #6
    APalmTree

    APalmTree 4x4 SKEPTIC

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    I have the same one. Definitely a nice compressor and the carrying bag is super convenient. To date, I have only used it to help other people and it has not skipped a beat.
     
    Roborob70[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:38 AM
    #7
    Roborob70

    Roborob70 New Member

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    I wanted something dependable, tired of wasting $ on substandard pos I just wish it also had 110 plug on it as well.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2021 at 11:47 AM
    #8
    bmc02

    bmc02 New Member

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    I second the battery powered inflators as worth consideration. My dewalt tire inflator is awesome. Digital setting for psi you want and hit start and it shuts off automatically. Pairs nicely with my dewalt chainsaw for camping firewood. Usually will have one or two charged batteries (5AH) that are always more then I need.
     
  9. Mar 8, 2021 at 12:24 PM
    #9
    BlueCrushSC16

    BlueCrushSC16 New Member

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    I love the Ryobi 18V One+ system. They continue to roll out so many tools for that line. I have A LOT of them including the rectangular tire inflator. Definitely echo the sentiment that cordless/ battery powered options these days should be considered.
     
  10. Mar 8, 2021 at 12:25 PM
    #10
    Roborob70

    Roborob70 New Member

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    Milwaukee Boy Here!
     
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