Given that my old foot pump is now more rusty than trusty I need to replace it. I'm wondering which option to go for:
* a double foot pump
* a 12v electric pump
* a bicycle stirrup-style pump
I also wonder whether or not I need a seperate pressure gauge - can the ones built in to pumps be trusted?
From what little I've read on this it looks like the main issue is that caravan tyres run at a relatively high pressure. I'm tempted by the bicycle stirrup-style pump given that they are designed for high pressure tyres but really don't know if I can trust the readings from a built-in gauge.
i have recently bought a 12v one off amazon. its a "Ring rac 600", if you google it, it will come up. i chose this particular one as it was awarded "best buy" in an AutoExpress group test.
i have used it a couple of times now and can say it is worth the money (i think i paid 20 quid). the only thing i found fault with was that the 12v lead wasnt quite long enough to get to the caravan tyres with the car hitched, and that is with a 12v socket in the boot of the car. at first i had to put the car either side of the van, but got a 12v extension (3 quid at aldi) so it now reaches.
hope this helps.
simon.
------------- just cos you got the power, that don`t mean you got the right...
I find the best pump, is indeed the the bicycle stirrup pump, known as a 'track pump'. Ideal for adjusting tyre pressures from normal to 'fully loaded' when you want to tow, etc.
They are ok for high pressures. It don't matter about the size of tyre, the pressure is still the same. I would use a separate pressure gauge for accuracy tho.
I use a Michelin Hi Power Rapid Tyre Inflator. It has a built in pressure guage and runs off the cigarette lighter socket in the car. Works a treat with my Tyres and would certainly recommend one. Bought mine from Halfords. I did have a similar Halfords pump. Used it once and then it fell apart so Halfords let me swop it for the Michelin
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I have the same as Tentz and as mentioned, I'd recommend highly using a seperate pressure guage over an integrated one. I've tried a few over the years and integral guages are generally inaccurate plus you'll experience varying readings from them.
There was an article in one of the mags last year that tested various tyre guages and this one from Halfords came as overall best option. I've used one for a while and it's proved excellent (monitored against professional calibrated guage at my local friendly tyre dealer).
i have recently bought a 12v one off amazon. its a "Ring rac 600", if you google it, it will come up. i chose this particular one as it was awarded "best buy" in an AutoExpress group test.
i have used it a couple of times now and can say it is worth the money (i think i paid 20 quid). the only thing i found fault with was that the 12v lead wasnt quite long enough to get to the caravan tyres with the car hitched, and that is with a 12v socket in the boot of the car. at first i had to put the car either side of the van, but got a 12v extension (3 quid at aldi) so it now reaches.
hope this helps.
simon.
I bought one of these, and have found it very good. Also bought a digital pressure gauge as a second check, from Azda for a fiver, and surprise surprise; it is very accurate. Checked it against my mates's one in the garage, which is checked regularly.
cant fault my 12v Michelin. no effort to use, and i run it off the 12v socket in the caravan, and just pass it out the window.
it has a built in digital pressure guage and you just set the amount you want it at, and it take it up to that for you......i just plug in and let it do the work, and come back once it auto shuts off.
i have tested against a couple of other calibrated pressure guages and i know its very accurate.
although i have found that you need to set the auto thing to 1psi over what i want to get it up to the requried level.
Best pump I've had & it can pump a tyre from flat in a couple of minutes. I do agree with the gauge issue though as I use something similar to the Halfords tyre gauge as mentioned. I got it off eBay for around two thirds of the price as they have them listed now.
I have just an ordinary cheapo electric pump. I was told all the gauges are way out on the cheaper models. It puts the air in though. Then I check it with the best gadget I ever bought, a michelin key ring digital gauge, which is very accurate and doesn't get lost!
Bought the whole lot from my local car parts shop.
I can advise AGAINST the cheap electric one from Halfords (own brand). Cost about £20 but it can't get to the high pressures that caravans might need - managed about 55 psi but took ages...the gauge didn't seem too bad but I use the little Halfords gauge, which was reviewed in Which magazine (years ago) to be very accurate. The electric one even seemed to have a problem on the large 4x4 tyres on my Santa Fe - took forever to get from 30 psi to 32 psi...
I used to have the double-barrelled foot pump from Halfords which was very good and even the gauge was accurate - however, the rivets holding the pedal broke after about 2 years (which is why I bought the electric one - bad move).
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
I will certainly be looking to buy one or the other of the 12v tyre inflators. I can never seem to find a guage working at the petrol station, and then when I do, it cost the best part of a quid to do it. My car tyres were looking a bit low when we were at Freshwater East during half term. Ian-albion, from off here spotted the problem and not only loaned his foot pump, but actually pumped them up for me - he was a saint!
I use the Ring 12v one and have had it for 2 years (bought after having a blowout on last caravan).
Goes to 65psi on my current van no problem, always check and top up with this as required before any journey.
We often go by the rule that simple tried and tested things are best, and have bought a double barrel foot pump from Halfords whilst they were on offer a few weeks ago. it has an inbuilt pressure gauge, and we also bought one of the small guages from there at the same time to make double sure, both are very accurate when compaired to the one at the petrol station.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Thanks all for the input. I've had bad experiences with electric pumps in the past (I think it was my fault - buy cheap, buy twice and all that) so I've ordered the track pump with a separate pressure gauge which will be useful for the kids bike tyres too.
Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 18/6/2010
I will certainly be looking to buy one or the other of the 12v tyre inflators. I can never seem to find a guage working at the petrol station, and then when I do, it cost the best part of a quid to do it. My car tyres were looking a bit low when we were at Freshwater East during half term. Ian-albion, from off here spotted the problem and not only loaned his foot pump, but actually pumped them up for me - he was a saint!
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Topic: Which pump (for tyres) and pressure gauge
