Buying guide
How to choose a compressor and tyre gear
Letting tyres down for sand, gravel or rough tracks gives them a bigger footprint and a softer ride. A good compressor and gauge let you put the air back before you're back on the bitumen.
- Duty cycle
The duty cycle is how long a compressor can run before it needs to rest. Across ARB's range it runs from 33% to 100%: higher suits bigger tyres and more than one vehicle.
- Portable or fitted
A portable unit moves between vehicles. A fitted one is wired in and mounted, ready to use, and can also run air tools or lockers where it's built for it.
- A gauge you trust
Set pressures with a good gauge, and check them cold. Adjust for how loaded the vehicle is.
- Air back up
Reinflate to road pressures before you're back on sealed roads. Low pressures on bitumen wear and heat tyres.
Choosing compressor accessories
Start with hose length and routing. A short hose suits a compressor mounted close to the tyres you inflate most, while longer 800mm or 1200mm runs suit engine bay or drawer mounted setups. Stainless steel hoses also handle heat and abrasion better than basic plastic lines, which matters when a compressor works hard reinflating four tyres.
Electrical parts deserve the same attention. Compressors draw significant current, so a correctly rated fuse and holder protects your wiring, and a switch mounting panel keeps controls tidy. If you run twin compressors, a purpose made double bracket keeps everything secure on corrugations. The JBA range we stock covers hoses, fittings, fuse holders, switch panels and mounting brackets.
Related categories
Common questions
Why let tyres down off-road?
Lower pressure lengthens the tyre's footprint, giving more grip and a smoother ride on soft or rough ground (BFGoodrich).
What pressure should I run?
It depends on your tyres, load and the surface. Start from your tyre and vehicle makers' guidance, set pressures cold, and adjust for load.
What is a compressor's duty cycle?
The share of time it can run before it needs to cool. A 100% duty cycle compressor can run continuously.
Can I drive on Victorian beaches?
Private vehicles are banned from Victorian beaches except under specific exemptions (Parks Victoria).
