Compressor - ever use it?

[George Whiley]

We all cough up varying amounts for compressors but apart from the kids bikes and the wheelbarrow tyre I've never used mine, I've dropped the pressure for sand but the servo on the way home seems easier, so do you ever actually use yours?

[Rovingman]

Yes quite alot when im away. Good purchase for me.
maybe its not for everyone.

[bacon]

No servo's where I go

[nj swb]

My Shorty has an early ARB compressor which is a little on the slow side - a servo is a much better bet, if there's one handy.

My NT has a new model ARB compressor (mounted under the front passenger's seat), which is much faster (and the tyres don't hold as much air, either) so it's much more convenient. So much more convenient, that my brother doesn't bother breaking out is portable Big Red compressor any more - he waits for me to do my tyres, then uses mine.

In my opinion, a decent compressor is a "must have" for anybody who takes 4wding seriously. Where it sits in the order of priorities is always an interesting discussion, but it is probably my second most used off-road accessory (after a UHF radio; UHF & compressor are accessories, whereas tyres and suspension are modifications).

[old Jack]

If you go off road it is one of the most important tools you need to carry and use.

Dropping tyre pressures not only takes the load off you vehicle, increases its off road capability but also lessens the amount of damage that is done to tracks and beaches. A lot of people are afraid to lower pressures as they do not understand the benefits of increasing footprint lengths.

For me, off road 20psi for rocks and mud, and 14psi for sand, on badly corrugated tracks at GVM 22psi front and 24psi rear, with LT 10 ply rated tyres.

My twin cylinder 4wd Systems compressor is over 30 years old, it is slow but reliable and has done 100's of inflations, if and when it dies, an ARB is the most likely replacement.
Very rarely a servo within cooee of me when I need to re-inflate tyres.

cheers, OJ,

[stevemc181]

Mine gets used every time I go off-road, no servos within coo-eye of most places I go, and heading up the highway with 14 or 15 psi in the tyres after a day on the beach just won't work. I also use it to adjust my cold pressures at home.
Bit hard to repair a tyre when remote without a compressor. One of the essential pieces of off-road equipment I think.

[Scouter1]

^^^ x3, use it all the time for tyre inflation, & for air locker activation on gnarly tracks. Compressor is a vital piece of off roading equipment.

Watching the 4x4s driving off the barge at Wanggoolba Creek at Fraser Island, those who don't air down get stuck very quickly.

Cheers,
Stephen

[geopaj]

As above... Mine is constantly used to adjust tire pressures to the conditions when 4wd'ing.

It was also invaluable a few months ago when 4wd'ing and I slide sideways into an embankment and poped a tire off the bead. Having a decent compressor meant I could reseat the tire back onto the rim's bead and continue on the day's adventure with the spare still intacked.

[Hatto]

Same here. I always air back up as soon as I leave the beach (or any track I've had to air down for). A servo would have to be within a couple of k's for me to do it there. Trouble I find with servo's is most of them (around here anyway) don't leave their hose out. You've got to go in and get it. And when you do it leaks at the fittings or the guage doesn't work or something. My on board air is a little slow being an old Opposite Lock single cylinder Blue Tounge but bloody convenient. And it never misses a beat. All four tyres up to 40psi if I need to. Wouldn't be without it.

[gunsrunner]

Same here, most trips it is used. Could not be without it. Tyre pressures are most important for 4x4ing.

[ausGeoff]

I also use it to adjust my cold pressures at home.....

Me too. I never trust the servo's tyre gauges, and my compressor has its own inbuilt pressure gauge—so at the very least it's constant, if maybe a couple psi out.

[littleriver]

first thing we bought when we purchased our 4wd ... (used on every one of our adventures)

[m_and_m]

first thing we bought when we purchased our 4wd ... (used on every one of our adventures)

yep, to continue the good advice, I use mine frequently. To me it's the most used 4x4 accessory I've purchased - more than winch, matrix etc etc.
As much as the UHF really

Managing correct tyre pressures properly is best advice most can give.

As for waiting for a servo...just imaging a situation where you need to pump it manually....4 wheels... Good luck!

[AJW52]

Compressor Use

I use minethe opposite way. It's too much trouble to get it out for bikes etc but very necessary for corrugated gravel, rocks and sand. How can you 4WD without airing down?

[Dicko1]

With tyre costing around $1300-$1700 (5 tyres) for a complete set, I think being vigilant with your tyre pressures is only common sense. I,ve mounted mine for quick access and convenience on my rear shelf. I also purchase a large top quality compressor for home for the wheel barrow, trolley wheels, car wheels, Harley tyres, trailer tyres, spray gun, balls, lilos etc, etc. Home one gets used a minimum of once a week...