Portable Air Tank

txdon · Dec 5, 2015

My Dad needs a light weight air tank for Christmas he really struggles putting his steel one in the pickup. Reviews are all over the wall and the weight is not mentioned in some.

Does anyone have a light weight air tank they are happy with?

CCWKen · Dec 5, 2015

I can vouch for air getting heavier the older you get. I have a 5-gallon and 10-gallon air tank. The five gallon is useless for anything but topping up car tires. Even the 10 gallon is a stretch to fill a truck tire. I've never seen them in anything but steel. At 120-125psi, I wouldn't want anything else. My question would be; How does he use the tank? Perhaps one of those 3-in-1 small jump start/compressors do-dads would be easier for him to handle. Or just one of those 12v compressors that plugs into a lighter/power socket. They'll air up a truck tire in 10 minutes or so. They don't take much space and they're easy to carry.

Garandman · Dec 5, 2015

I have an aluminum Harbor Freight. Works great, had it four years so far.

Aluminum Air Tank - 7 Gallon

I replaced the hose last summer with a longer aftermarket replacement.

txdon · Dec 6, 2015

My Dad has 4 trailers in two different places, and his tractor is at one place or the other. I think 10 minutes might be too long to fill a tire if a quicker option is available. This is getting close to his last years of activity and I was wanting to make things as easy as possible for him. He still wants to be as independent as possible.

I saw that Harbor freight tank a few month ago and The shipping weight was the same as steel. Now it looks like they have corrected the weight and it is 5 lbs less than a 5 gallon steel at 10 lbs, Is the 10 lbs correct? Thanks.

Garandman · Dec 6, 2015

It's way lighter than steel but haven't weighed it.

prevent · Dec 8, 2015

Truck Lungs - Stylish and useful accessory for your Truck

Saw these on Facebook once, seems like nice idea.. no need to lug the tank around and it works as a step for a truck.

txdon · Dec 8, 2015

prevent said:
Truck Lungs - Stylish and useful accessory for your Truck

Saw these on Facebook once, seems like nice idea.. no need to lug the tank around and it works as a step for a truck.

I like that use of space and no lugging. That is a good idea! But I just ordered the HF aluminum tank yesterday and he already has steps. The price at $550 seems reasonable if you have more uses for the air than he does.

Garandman · Dec 8, 2015

Weighed it on a postal scale this morning. 8lbs 12oz. Odd as I would have guessed 5-6.

Steel 20 gallon tanks weigh between 13-22 lbs from what I can tell.

Ed of all trades · Dec 8, 2015

I have thought of mounting a big truck air tank on my truck for this purpose. Ed

txdon · Dec 8, 2015

Garandman said:
Weighed it on a postal scale this morning. 8lbs 12oz. Odd as I would have guessed 5-6.

Steel 20 gallon tanks weigh between 13-22 lbs from what I can tell.

Thanks for the follow-up. That's a weight he should be able to handle happily. :thumbsup:

Ford850 · Dec 8, 2015

txdon said:
Thanks for the follow-up. That's a weight he should be able to handle happily. :thumbsup:

But that's empty weight. What about after he adds 120 lbs of air?

Garandman · Dec 8, 2015

I'm told that an aluminum SCUBA tank will sink after being filled to 3500 psi.

4570Man · Dec 8, 2015

Garandman said:
I'm told that an aluminum SCUBA tank will sink after being filled to 3500 psi.

A scuba tank as way overkill unless you put a regulator on it, and use 3000 psi in the tank. An 80 cubic foot scuba tank weighs 40 pounds empty. They will sink, but only to a certain depth.

C4Ranch · Dec 8, 2015

Check out power tank. Co2, fills tires fast can run air tools etc. I fill mine at welding shop.

Sawyer Rob · Dec 8, 2015

Why are the tires going low all the time?? Help him out by getting the tires fixed!

SR

HHR · Dec 9, 2015

Ford850 said:
But that's empty weight. What about after he adds 120 lbs of air?

120 lbs of helium may be easier to lift.

4570Man · Dec 9, 2015

HHR said:
120 lbs of helium may be easier to lift.

It is very little difference in a compressed tank. I know a 220 cubic foot steel tank is pretty darn heavy full of helium or oxygen. Helium has thinner molecules than air making it a poor choice to fill an already leaking tire with.

4570Man · Dec 9, 2015

I'm not sure how expensive they are to fill, but something like this could work.

txdon · Dec 9, 2015

Sawyer Rob said:
Why are the tires going low all the time?? Help him out by getting the tires fixed!
SR

Now that is a good question. The tires need air about every few months maybe 5 lbs. and up to to 10 lbs every 6 mo. The older tires need air more frequently than the newer tires. I thought this was normal, is it not?

How often do all of you check your tires and do they ever need air?

prevent · Dec 18, 2015

txdon said:
I like that use of space and no lugging. That is a good idea! But I just ordered the HF aluminum tank yesterday and he already has steps. The price at $550 seems reasonable if you have more uses for the air than he does.

Late reply, but yeah the only way i'd justify the price is "well, doctors visit for hernia is cheaper than $500" Thats kinda how it's getting with my parents now "Well, paying a guy to do this, is cheaper than one of you falling off a ladder since I can't always come over"