Bushranger Max Air III Compressor Review

Filling your tyres back up after lowering them for offroad transit is absolutely indispensable for onroad driving safety, handling, and tyre and wheel longevity. So you might as well do it well. During the REDARC Camper Trailer of the Year 2020 event, there were four separate days of offroading, and each afternoon, we used the Bushranger Max Air III Compressor to fill our tyres back up to our desired road-running pressures.

This handy compressor has plenty to recommend it. It boasts a few genuine points of difference. Firstly, it has a battery-powered, back-lit digital gauge with big, easy to read numbers, which is more precise than analogue and offers various measures of pressure.

Secondly, it is trigger operated; it won’t continuously run so there is no need to turn it on and off repeatedly to stop flow and check pressure. There is, however, a latch that allows you to leave this trigger on, and stand up and stretch the legs, or spare yourself hand cramp. You can also deflate with this trigger, should you overfill — something that is not likely with a digital gauge.

Thirdly, it provides the requisites for use as an onboard air system, thanks to its hard mount kit. Meanwhile the normal base is rubber to distribute vibration.

In terms of the fundamentals, it stacks up solidly, particularly for the price point. It has a claimed 72LPM flow rate, similar to mainstream compressors from other brands. It measures 290mm (L) x 190mm (H) x 150mm (W), weighs 4.9kg alone, and 6.5kg when you factor in the kit and bag. That bag is sturdy, with side pockets, and is ideal for storage in the boot or tub of your 4WD, or your camper’s storage space. The unit runs off your battery terminals, from grippy alligator clips down through its heavy-duty 2.5m lead. A 40A inline fuse saves your compressor from getting cooked.

Its pace is about as fast as you’ll find in similarly priced competition. Filling up from around the low 20s to 32psi took less than a minute per tyre and that quickness really matters when you consider the fact you ought to be lowering the pressures of your RV’s tyres too. With the 9m long coiled air hose (which makes for easier storage), combined with the 2.5m power cable, you will be able to reach back to your camper’s tyres, no worries.

Like all compressors, it gets hot. But not too hot and in any case, there’s thermal overload protection and a to-be-expected grab handle. With a duty cycle of 33 per cent at 100psi, if used for a long period the compressor would cut out, but for everyday application, you ought to be able to fill up continually without any breaks.

With a five year warranty, costing $350, and with various unique selling points, there’s a lot of reasons to opt for the Bushranger Max Air III Compressor.

Bushranger Max Air III Compressor

RRP: $350

More info: bushranger.com.au