What’s better than automatically and simultaneously inflating all your tires? Well, that would be deflating them all to a set PSI. With the MORRFlate Air Hub, it’s as easy as pressing a couple of buttons and walking away. Best of all, it’s compatible with any air compressor using 1/4″ I/M fittings.
This premium accessory may seem excessive at first, but once you use it, you’ll see how convenient it is to be able to walk away without worrying about over-inflating or deflating your tires. I’ve done both, and the latter is especially no fun because then you need to break out your air compressor to put more air in if you get down to single-digit PSI without bead locks.
Table Of Contents
Overview
MORRFlate isn’t kidding with the term “AutoMagic”. While automatic inflation has been seen on the market for a while now, deflation is a different story. What impresses me about the Air Hub is that whether you’re inflating or deflating your tires, it automatically pauses and checks itself along the way to ensure the correct PSI is reached every time.
With Air Hub, the simplest analogy that comes to mind is adding a video streaming stick like an Amazon FireTV to a television to make it “smart”. Pairing one with any standard “dumb” compressor allows you to use this automatic air technology typically only seen in higher-end compressors like the FiveSix PSI Pro.
The package seems simple, a rubberized cube with a simple display PSI readers. However, there’s undoubtedly a lot of tech and R&D that went into making this unit.
Specs & Features
- Automatic inflation/deflation to set PSI (2-120 PSI)
- High-contrast backlit display
- Visual and audible “job done” cues
- Built-in memory to recall the previously used air-down and air-up pressures
- Works with ANY air source that has either a shutoff or blow-off valve and 1/4″ I/M Fittings (might need an adapter)
- Air Sources for single tire applications need to be rated for a minimum of 1.25CFM
- Air sources for 4 tire applications need to be rated for a minimum of 4CFM
- Works with ANY air hose system utilizing 1/4″ I/M, A, T, or Aro fittings. Single-tire or multi-tire hoses
- Lithium USB-C rechargeable battery
- Hard shell carrying case with EVA foam included
- Durable and rugged bumper guards for offroad terrain protection
- 6 x 5 x 2.5″ (main body)
- 3-year “no hassle” warranty
Two things that I really like are the integrated hook that allows me to hang it from my hood latch and the rechargeable battery. With the standard manifold, I had to hang it from my bumper which wasn’t always ideal, especially after a muddy day on the trails. This also allows me to keep the hose connections clean and out of the way.
Regarding the battery, I’m thrilled not to have to carry extra AAs now. The USB-C charging is also pretty quick and a full charge should last at least a couple of trips’ worth of use. So there really shouldn’t be any charging issues.
What It’s Like To Use
If you already have a multi-tire hose kit from MORRFlate with the standard manifold, Air Hub comes with a couple of new connectors to utilize the quick-connect air chucks. Removing the manifold and installing the new connections only takes a couple of minutes.
Deflating tires is as easy as it gets with the Air Hub. Turn it on, connect your hoses, set your PSI, and open the valve. It will intermittently pause airflow to check progress and will beep (repeatedly) once the desired PSI is reached.
To inflate the tires, I found there was a bit of a learning curve, but that was due to me using Air Hub with a FiveSix PSI Pro compressor that has its own automatic tech. At first, I didn’t realize there was a protocol for this. The instructions mention that you need to set your PSI Pro to “tank mode” when using the hub. No issues when doing it that way!
Final Thoughts
There’s no way around it, this is a luxury item. No, you don’t need this to effectively air your tires up and down. However, it makes the process dead simple and gives you consistent results every time. This will probably catch some heat from the old-school, off-road purists out there, but that’s just how the internet is now.
I’m glad that MORRFlate didn’t make this some proprietary accessory that requires one of their portable compressors, because that would bring the total setup cost outside many people’s budgets, quite frankly. Since it is fairly universally compatible with many popular air compressors, I can see a lot of people picking this up to add to their setups, especially if they already have a multi-tire hose system.
I’m always game to try anything that takes the guesswork out of my workflow, and MORRFlate has released yet another product that gets you onto and off of the trails quicker.
i have one of their airhub kits. used it on few occasions. It was helpful. Ideally would love to have a permanent setup with hoses through the body frame. Too much work 🙂