Favorite Deflator

[that'swhatshesaid]

Stauns.

You can cheap out with some off-brand ones from Amazon, but their quality is hit or miss. The calibration quality with actual Stauns has been much better.. I prefer to leave those valve stem cores in the valve stems, where I'm guaranteed not to lose one, or cross thread one.. plus the set it and forget it nature of the Stauns just makes it so simple to use.

Interesting that I'm in the model in the background! LOL!! Like 20 years ago...

 

[Corbet]

ARB for me. Never had an issue. Can air to what ever pressure I choose. It varies greatly for me based on trail type. 8-25psi for wheeling.

 

[dan1554]

I use this for deflating and inflating w/ core removed.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Another vote for both the Stauns and the ARB ez deflator. Both are quality products. Amazon Knock offs are available for both of these designs but there is a noticeable quality difference. If you use the ARB EZ, I recommend carrying spare valve stem cores as insurance against core failure or potentially loosing one.

 

[Doughboy]

I normally just use a stick or something pointy

 

[LARGEONE]

I have another brand like Staun that I throw on near the trailhead. If I want I can keep driving slowly and they stop at 18 lbs. I use a valve core remover if I want to go lower. They are easy and I don’t have to babysit.

 

[stusic]

I got a Boulder Tools deflator and it sucks because it will start to unthread the back as your trying to remove it. I'm pretty sure some thread locker will fix that, but I haven't had any issues with Neecee's arb one. I like the idea of the Stauns...

 

[SteveT]

I went with these - https://www.trailheaddeflators.com/home.html

After trying the ARB several times, I decided I didn’t like stooping and baby sitting. At 69, I can still squat ass to grass, but who wants to tip over in the mud or snow? So I took a chance with these over the Stauns. I liked the idea that the adjuster is on the inside to prevent accidental adjustment. A small hex wrench for this is included. You can estimate a change in adjustment by the amount of rotation of the adjuster.

The owner was nice enough to calibrate them to my situation. Since conditions vary per trip and per moment, I had them initially set for 22 psi, accepting the fact that I could always lower them a little bit more manually with an air gauge with a bleed valve or readjust them lower more permanently as needed.

The only minor downside is that the design requires a certain minimum pressure to initiate the deflation. If you are already below that pressure they won’t work. This has not been a problem for me.

After a summer’s use I’m happy with them. With a partner, one can handle the caps while the other handles the deflators. While waiting, one can chat, prep, or see a man about a horse. And best of all, there is no stooping or babysitting. Takes about five or six minutes. They claim you can drive at low speeds while they are deflating.

Being American made and a small business, maybe Jim Everett, the owner, might be amenable to a group purchase now and then???

 

[egarda11]

+1 for the ARB Ez-deflator. Has worked well for me to date with no complaints. Stores easy enough and solid quality as you would expect.

 

[Hulk]

I went with these - https://www.trailheaddeflators.com/home.html

After trying the ARB several times, I decided I didn’t like stooping and baby sitting. At 69, I can still squat ass to grass, but who wants to tip over in the mud or snow? So I took a chance with these over the Stauns. I liked the idea that the adjuster is on the inside to prevent accidental adjustment. A small hex wrench for this is included. You can estimate a change in adjustment by the amount of rotation of the adjuster.

The owner was nice enough to calibrate them to my situation. Since conditions vary per trip and per moment, I had them initially set for 22 psi, accepting the fact that I could always lower them a little bit more manually with an air gauge with a bleed valve or readjust them lower more permanently as needed.

The only minor downside is that the design requires a certain minimum pressure to initiate the deflation. If you are already below that pressure they won’t work. This has not been a problem for me.

After a summer’s use I’m happy with them. With a partner, one can handle the caps while the other handles the deflators. While waiting, one can chat, prep, or see a man about a horse. And best of all, there is no stooping or babysitting. Takes about five or six minutes. They claim you can drive at low speeds while they are deflating.

Being American made and a small business, maybe Jim Everett, the owner, might be amenable to a group purchase now and then???

That website is straight from 1998! I guess he doesn't have a way to buy online? Do you remember what you paid for a set?

 

[SteveT]

That website is straight from 1998! I guess he doesn't have a way to buy online? Do you remember what you paid for a set?

It is. I bought them over the telephone. He has no retailers in this area. I think his bread and butter might be beach goers in Florida and other coastal states. I can’t recall but maybe $60-70. After my first posting, I sent him an email inquiring about a possible group purchase and any parameters for such a purchase. He was really quite service oriented.

 

[MountainGoat]

Here you go, Matt. Googled it for ya.

Trailhead Automatic Tire Deflator Set

TRAILHEAD™ Automatic Tire Deflators will automatically reduce the air pressure in a tire to a predetermined level and stop, preventing any further loss of air from the tire. They will functi…

www.4x4training.com

 

[Lastresort576]

I use the 4 screw on deflators by Boulder tools..which are similar to stauns. Get them all on the stems then I go disconnect my front sway bar. Shoot the shit/play with the kids for a min and by then they’re all aired down. I haven’t had to recalibrate them since buying either.

 

[brettf]

It is. I bought them over the telephone. He has no retailers in this area. I think his bread and butter might be beach goers in Florida and other coastal states. I can’t recall but maybe $60-70. After my first posting, I sent him an email inquiring about a possible group purchase and any parameters for such a purchase. He was really quite service oriented.

I got an email from the Trailhead guy, Jim Everett; he has a dealer in Ft. Collins (Bullhide 4x4) and mentioned that they stock the deflators there. I don't believe he has any other dealers in CO.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Oasis used to sell the Trailhead deflators. I believe John Williams of Oasis said he invented them.

I just know I was given my set as a gift in 2002. But he doesn't make them anymore, just compressors, so I'm not sure how Jim Everett fits in since they look identical in almost every way down to the logo graphics other than text. The pouch looks like it may have changed recently from the zippered leather to something cheaper and a second ring of knurling added. Maybe a patent expired or someone was making them under the other's permission.

Whatever is the case I've never felt an urge to change to anything else.

https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/favorite-deflator.34969/#post-418102

 

[nakman]

I went with these - https://www.trailheaddeflators.com/home.html

After trying the ARB several times, I decided I didn’t like stooping and baby sitting. At 69, I can still squat ass to grass, but who wants to tip over in the mud or snow? So I took a chance with these over the Stauns. I liked the idea that the adjuster is on the inside to prevent accidental adjustment. A small hex wrench for this is included. You can estimate a change in adjustment by the amount of rotation of the adjuster.

The owner was nice enough to calibrate them to my situation. Since conditions vary per trip and per moment, I had them initially set for 22 psi, accepting the fact that I could always lower them a little bit more manually with an air gauge with a bleed valve or readjust them lower more permanently as needed.

The only minor downside is that the design requires a certain minimum pressure to initiate the deflation. If you are already below that pressure they won’t work. This has not been a problem for me.

After a summer’s use I’m happy with them. With a partner, one can handle the caps while the other handles the deflators. While waiting, one can chat, prep, or see a man about a horse. And best of all, there is no stooping or babysitting. Takes about five or six minutes. They claim you can drive at low speeds while they are deflating.

Being American made and a small business, maybe Jim Everett, the owner, might be amenable to a group purchase now and then???

great review, and those look really nice. But geez, the website leaves a little to be desired... is there no way to order through the website?

 

[brettf]

great review, and those look really nice. But geez, the website leaves a little to be desired... is there no way to order through the website?

That's correct - there may be other dealers that have them online. Like this one via google; no idea if they are reputable:
https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/product/trailhead-automatic-tire-deflators-aluminum-5-20-psi.html

Oasis used to sell the Trailhead deflators. I believe John Williams of Oasis said he invented them.

I just know I was given my set as a gift in 2002. But he doesn't make them anymore, just compressors, so I'm not sure how Jim Everett fits in since they look identical in almost every way down to the logo graphics other than text.

Yeah, I have no idea. Jim is the one who replied to my email, that's all I know.

 

[SteveT]

Oasis used to sell the Trailhead deflators. I believe John Williams of Oasis said he invented them.

I just know I was given my set as a gift in 2002. But he doesn't make them anymore, just compressors, so I'm not sure how Jim Everett fits in since they look identical in almost every way down to the logo graphics other than text. The pouch looks like it may have changed recently from the zippered leather to something cheaper and a second ring of knurling added. Maybe a patent expired or someone was making them under the other's permission.

Whatever is the case I've never felt an urge to change to anything else.

https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/favorite-deflator.34969/#post-418102

 

[SteveT]

When I spoke with Jim last spring, he said he used to live in California

 

[DaveInDenver]

When I spoke with Jim last spring, he said he used to live in California

Just to be clear, I only know what I've heard second hand. The bottom line is the back story really doesn't matter and I very much like my Trailheads.