Choosing The Right Air Compressor

Different terrains call for different tire pressures to give your vehicle the best traction. After you’ve aired down, however, you’ll need a way to air back up quickly so you can head home safely. That’s where air compressors come in. Here at Off Road Warehouse, we carry a variety of compressors for a variety of needs and applications. Let’s get into specifics on what factors to consider when selecting the right air compressor.

First, you must decide if you want an onboard or portable air compressor. Onboard compressors stay with the vehicle, while portable ones can move from vehicle to vehicle. We recommend onboard compressors for most vehicles, but portability comes in handy for smaller vehicles like UTVs and sand rails. On these portable compressors , you can optionally purchase a manifold or tank that stores extra air; perfect for using with various accessories and air tools, and a must-have for running ARB’s air lockers.

Onboard compressors, like those made by ARB , come in either single or twin configurations. This refers to the number of pistons inside the compressor. Single is more affordable, and works fine for vehicles that only need to top up air pressure on all four tires. Twin is geared more toward heavy-duty demands, when you want to air up faster or use air lockers, and is especially required for larger tires like 37s and 40s.

Some compressors are limited by what’s known as their duty cycle. This term basically means the amount of time it can remain active until it needs a cooldown. For example, Viair’s 88P compressor has a 25-minute duty cycle, meaning it can run for 25 minutes at a time before it runs into danger of overheating and malfunctioning. ARB’s signature single and twin compressors, meanwhile, have a 100% duty cycle, m3c76eaning they can run continuously.

Now that you have an idea of what you’re looking for in an air compressor, go ahead and call or visit us! We’re happy to answer any questions you have and figure out the perfect upgrade for you and your vehicle. While you’re here, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and go check out our latest videos on YouTube , too.