Ironman 4x4 Air Champ Pro compressor review

It was fortunate for us that on the cold, wet afternoon the airline on our decades-old 12-volt air compressor failed, we were returning from a trip with a few of the team from Ironman 4x4.

We were able to borrow their compressor to air up as we hit the blacktop again, and they kindly suggested that we drop by their showroom for a replacement for our troublesome old one.

Some 18 months later and the replacement compressor has been serving us well, reliably reinflating our tyres after many adventures and maintaining them when required without a hitch.

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Our new unit is Ironman 4x4’s Air Champ Pro Compressor. It’s the bigger and more powerful of the two air compressors in the Ironman catalogue, and its 540 Watt motor allows it to pump out a claimed 160L/minute of air. The Air Champ Pro sells for $220 from your local Ironman 4x4 store.

We reckon a quality air compressor and gauge should be some of the first accessories you should buy for your 4x4, no matter what sort of driving and terrain you have in store for your vehicle. Different road surfaces such as corrugated gravel, sand and snow all require specific pressures in your tyres if you want to get the best performance, ride quality and durability out of them.

Also, various load weights can also require altered pressures, with more air added to increase the pressure for heavier loads.

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Whether you’re dropping your tyre pressures for off-road use or increasing them for a heavy load, then a 12-volt air compressor is an essential piece of kit. Add in a tyre repair kit and you have all the gear you need to keep your vehicle on the road by being able to make an emergency repair to a simple puncture. As always, such temporary repairs should be assessed and either professionally patched or replaced as soon as possible.

Ironman 4x4’s Air Champ Pro includes all you need for pumping up and deflating your tyres. The 8m-long rubber air hose has a screw-on connection to suit your tyre’s Schrader valve, and the inline pressure gauge has a release button for letting air out.

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The 12V power from your vehicle’s battery comes via a 2.3m cable with a pair of insulated clamps appropriately marked for the positive and negative terminals. Between the cable and the 8m air hose you should be able to easily reach the tyres at each corner of your 4x4.

Quick-release airline fittings, an insulated carry handle and a sturdy carry bag complete the Air Champ Pro package, making it easy to use and a product that should see years of service on our future 4x4 adventures.

The Air Champ Pro is covered by a two-year warranty from Ironman 4x4.