Truck mounted air compressor?

Robert_in_NY · Feb 22, 2015

I am curious if there is a good option for a air compressor to mount to my truck. I would prefer not to have it in the box taking up space. I mainly would want it for airing up farm tires in the field and for emergencies while hauling trailers down the road. If it can run air tools would be a bonus but not a priority. I just get tired of having to carry an air compressor with me and fighting to have enough air before needing to find an outlet to plug into. Would be mounted to a 2006 f350 diesel dually

Jim Timber · Feb 22, 2015

They make high quality small size electric compressors for 12 and 24v systems. You need a reservoir to make them useful though, as the CFM is very low and regeneration of the system volume will take time.

I have a little 12v pump I bought many years ago for a project and never used it. I also have a 3 gallon tank I plan to add to my tractor. My hope is that I can blow myself off when I'm done cutting wood, and use an impact wrench if needed, and air up the occasional tire as well. I'm not sure where my pump is at the moment, but I plan on doing some timed tests to see how long it takes to fill that tank and how useful it is once it's at 120psi.

The belt driven air pumps for straight trucks and semi's would provide a lot more air, but those are bigger, would take a bit of "doing" to cram into the engine compartment on my tractor (a serp belt system would be a chore to adapt to), and I'd imagine are a noticeable increase in purchase price too. I paid $60 for my pump in the early 2000's, and it's US made.

George2615 · Feb 22, 2015

A 12V to 120V inverter would work to power your air compressor.

HF has 12V 150 psi compressors.12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor
Lots of 12V compressors on Ebay and Amazon that would work for just airing up tires. For air tools you'll need more volume and CFM.

mangus580 · Feb 22, 2015

Back in my 'mud running' days, I outfitted my 84 GMC with an air conditioning pump as an air compressor.

Worked great. It would even run a 1/2" impact for tire swaps.

Granted, that truck did not have A/C originally, so I had plenty of space.... But it may be an option.

edkemper · Feb 22, 2015

As a former Jeeper, we all had onboard air compressors for trail repairs. A/C compressors converted to onboard air units. Then came modern times. Now you see many off roaders with compressed air tanks. A heck of a lot more stored air (volume) than a small reservoir. More then enough for trail repairs, airing up large off road tires and often used for air tools. That would be a real good option to research. You might even be able to hard mount one under your cross bed tool box. A long coiled air line and you're set.

varmint · Feb 23, 2015

I sold a two stage 125V Porter Cable compressor to some friends- one wanted the tank, the other guy wanted to mount the compressor in his work van to power two boat air horns. He had a serious invertor to run it, but only when he was cruising down I 95 in Miami at 85 when some one pulled in front of him. He liked to make real noise. He had a 36" long boat horn, which was probably not legal on shore. Point is, you could probably run an electric compressor via invertor for occasional use, and avoid the issues that come with a gas powered unit that mostly sits.

roadhunter · Feb 23, 2015

I used to have the same problem. I final upgraded to a nicer portable compressor but that was still not enough to air up load E truck tires. I finally ended up permanently mounting one of these inside my tool box.
Puma 12 Volt 1 5 Gallon Oil Less Air Compressor Free Shipping | eBay

One of the best truck upgrades I have ever made.

Robert_in_NY · Feb 23, 2015

roadhunter said:
I used to have the same problem. I final upgraded to a nicer portable compressor but that was still not enough to air up load E truck tires. I finally ended up permanently mounting one of these inside my tool box.
Puma 12 Volt 1 5 Gallon Oil Less Air Compressor Free Shipping | eBay

One of the best truck upgrades I have ever made.

Looks perfect for my situation. Won't take up much room and will always be with me and easy to swap to a new truck.

2458n · Feb 23, 2015

Looks like E-bay special would work for me. No air tools as they really burn up the cfm's.

Industrial Toys · Feb 23, 2015

If you need a good quantity of air to perform some tasks that's one thing. Just to have some for an emergency is another. If I had a cheap $10.00 chinese cigarette lighter compressor if I discovered a low tire in a bad spot, I would be indeed happy! May take a few minutes, but hey, what's the hurry? I usually just use an air Pig when I go on a mission, but I always seem to have to fill the thing before hand as it (annoyingly) never holds air for any long period of time. Something that obviously can be fixed.

With the huge popularity of cordless tools, the value of portable compressed air has been significantly lessened, in my opinion.

Winmac · Feb 23, 2015

A Lot of the new service trucks are running screw compressors mounted on the engine, no tank required all the air you ever need. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yBHi1RHKgpM

forestcreature1 · Feb 24, 2015

I use Warn's powerplant and am very happy with it.

HCJtractor · Feb 24, 2015

I've also seen tanks mounted under the bed along the frame with small 12 v compressors to keep them filled. So no space is used. Viair corporation sells an entire line of 12 V systems. I have their portable unit that connects with alligator clips to battery. They also sell complete onboard systems with 2.5 gal tanks and all parts needed. Check it out online

HCJtractor · Feb 25, 2015

Here are some pix of one of Viairs products.

MossRoad · Feb 25, 2015

edkemper said:
As a former Jeeper, we all had onboard air compressors for trail repairs. A/C compressors converted to onboard air units. Then came modern times. Now you see many off roaders with compressed air tanks. A heck of a lot more stored air (volume) than a small reservoir. More then enough for trail repairs, airing up large off road tires and often used for air tools. That would be a real good option to research. You might even be able to hard mount one under your cross bed tool box. A long coiled air line and you're set.

The problem with compressed air tanks (scuba type tanks) is not just anyone can fill them. You need specialized equipment or have to take a trip to a shop that fills at those pressures. Also, carrying around a tank with several thousand PSI in it gives me the willies!

But they do hold a lot of air.

edkemper · Feb 25, 2015

MossRoad said:
The problem with compressed air tanks (scuba type tanks) is not just anyone can fill them. You need specialized equipment or have to take a trip to a shop that fills at those pressures. Also, carrying around a tank with several thousand PSI in it gives me the willies! But they do hold a lot of air.

The jeeps I used to have and run with were always likely to end up on it's side or upside down at one time or another. I understand feeling a little squeamish about high pressure tanks. However, I figure if I can put one on a jeep that is traversing terrain that would make most grown men cry and not have the world end, I figure I can find a safe place to hide mine on a less vulnerable vehicle. It's not like I'd need to fill it that often.

I bought a great quality 12 volt pump and a smaller air tank to go under the truck. But the headache of wiring and plumbing the gear is making me think twice. That and the dirt, mud, snow and ice that will cover it most of the year has made it more difficult.

DJ54 · Feb 25, 2015

Maybe check some truck salvage yards, where there may be a tire shop truck, or service truck that has been wrecked, but an under deck compressor that has not been damaged. Or, a tire shop service truck being retired, and salvage the unit from that truck.

MossRoad · Feb 25, 2015

Hey, if its good enough for the low riders, it should be good enough to inflate some tires....

Lowrider Depot - Air Zenith AZOB2 Air Compressors.

Grant1 · Feb 27, 2015

The small 12V Pittsburg air compressor that HF sells is great. I have inflated dump trailer tires to 85PSI and also use it on tractor tires in the field. It connects straight to a 12V battery and sells for under $50.00

breadtrk · Feb 28, 2015

That big old V-twin Ford AC compressor it the best candidate for this project. They are in every junk yard in the country in all the big old fords and trucks.