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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.

Anyone have any thoughts/experience?

Cheers,

    Derek.

hi derek.

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 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

Quote: Originally posted by scarr1 on 18/6/2010

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hi derek.

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.

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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).

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  

We've got the Ring RAC 600 too. Would recommend it too. Bought this one mainly because you can preset the pressure you want and let it get on with it.

We bought it here :

Ring RAC 600

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 18/6/2010

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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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