Smittybilt 2781 5.65 CFM Air Compressor Review - BIG AIR for off road at affordable price

[@thorsky2754]

I've used this compressor dozens of times and it's awesome. 100% worth the extra money over the 2780.. I found that out one night after an unexpected tire issue, trying to air up two trucks in the Arizona High country in January on a breezy night... It does get really hot after a bit so you generally don't want to put it back in the bag right away.

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

Completely agree! Thanks for the comment.

[@robbergstrom943]

Great review. I use an ARB CKMA12 mounted on a stainless plate which also holds my switch pro near my battery on my GX. I love it but it’s slower than your model. Can’t imagine not having our own compressor as we change pressures several times daily as conditions change while overlanding.

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

That’s the model of ARB in James’ Xterra - still a great compressor though! Way faster than my Viair 450C in the Jeep.

[@user-wo7rz3yn4o]

Thanks for a great review. Nice to have a "moderate, normal, common sense," human being doing a review regarding off road equipment.

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

Thanks!

[@sofloflow]

Just got one to replace my Viair 88p since I upgraded to 35's & the 88p is rated for up to 33's

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

How’s it working?

[@yota22RE81]

I have the same compressor and it works great. I've also added a pressure switch to it and it definitely helps greatly!

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

What does the switch do?

[@jeepnwithdog]

I went with the viair rv model, goes to higher psi and has 100% duty cycle. Does 40% duty mean 40 minutes? I thought that meant 40% of an hour before it needs to cool off? Google says a compressor with a total cycle time (Tc) of 10 minutes and a running time (Tr) of six minutes has a duty cycle of 60 percent. In this case 40% is not great. I could be wrong?

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

As I understand it duty cycle is defined by the time the compressor delivers pressurized air within a defined cycle time. So, for instance, if a compressor delivers pressurized air for 20 minutes and the cycle time is 60 minutes it would have a duty cycle of 33% (20/60=.33) . With air compressors you have to look at all the performance figures on totality and then compare them. For instance, one compressor might offer amazing max PSI but low air volume or duty cycle. Or one might offer 100% duty cycle but low volume. Or a compressor might deliver huge volume in a short period of time but can't deliver a high PSI. Sometimes they do well on all of these specs but weigh a metric ton! So... you just have to look at all of their attributes and drawbacks together. Hope this helps.

[@TXGX460OverlandandOffRoad]

Here's an interesting excerpt: What does a 100% duty cycle mean? A 100% duty cycle simply means the compressor will deliver a consistent CFM and PSI the entire time the compressor is in use, which is different than being able to run continuously. A piston-type compressor eventually needs to stop and cool down even if they are rated at 100% duty cycle. bikehike.org/what-is-100-duty-cycle-air-compressor/