What do you use for a portable tire air compressor?

RedNeckRacin · Nov 4, 2013

*AHEM* I plug my air hose into the air tank on the truck and run a 50 foot line where ever I need to at 120psi. *AHEM* :cool2: It just takes a 530 cid diesel engine to turn it. :confused3:

To actually contribute something useful: We always carry one of those 12v little tykes on the razor for trail riding, but those tires only need <20 lbs and boy does it get hot when you try and seat a bead with it! I imagine whatever PJ uses for their trailer air suspensions would be pretty durable?

schmism · Nov 5, 2013

my portable air compressor is a 20lb AL CO2 tank.

daugen · Feb 15, 2014

THe good RV 12V air compressors like the VIAIR 450P Automatic Function Portable Compressor seem to cost almost $300.

just saw this thread, hope it's ok to wake it up.
Amazon.com: VIAIR 40047 Viair 400PA-RV Portable Automatic Air Compressor Kit: Automotive
I bought one of these for my new motorhome, since I am going to be on the road for four months in a couple of months, doing a little US travel. So this thread is very interesting to me, as it appears it is less normal to find easy air now. I didn't want to spend so much on an air compressor but so many of the little ones just burn up their cheesy aluminum cylinders, sometimes never inflating the tire. The Tire Station was better, but the noise on all these is really irritating too. The better ViAir is not quiet, but you can see what your money is buying, other than a nice carrying bag which will go in a lower storage compartment well. And for the same money I could have had a five times more powerful unit in the shop but I can't take the shop with me. Weight is my enemy but I saw the better ViAir unit as being at the low end of what would actually work on a 19.5 truck tire. I had the dealer set the air pressure to five pounds over the designated amount, which is still twenty pounds under the limit of the tire. F53 chassis, normal small motorhome setup. And no onboard air...gas engine. So i really needed to take it with me. Although I probably could have bought a pancake Dewalt or equiv; I always have AC power. Hmmmm.

Midniteoyl · Feb 15, 2014

For an RV, I would've rather have went with something like this: Professional 150 PSI, 1.5 Horsepower 6 Gallon Compressor and used your inverter to run it.. Its cheaper, faster, and you never know when you might need the air for tools...

newbury · Feb 15, 2014

Or if you want the inexpensive solution get the 1/3 HP Pancake Air Compressor, Oilless 1/3 Horsepower, 3 Gallon, 100 PSI for $40 on sale. That's what I did.

The slime one I got is nice and compact but I also ended up needing to drive a brad gun.

Midniteoyl · Feb 15, 2014

newbury said:
Or if you want the inexpensive solution get the 1/3 HP Pancake Air Compressor, Oilless 1/3 Horsepower, 3 Gallon, 100 PSI for $40 on sale. That's what I did.

The slime one I got is nice and compact but I also ended up needing to drive a brad gun.

True... Was thinking the 150psi one would work better on larger RV tires when needed...

Danno1 · Feb 16, 2014

.

I have this:

4x4 Icon - Interdynamics Truck Air Model HD-275 Compressor

It is rated for continuous duty and is made in USA.

And yes, it's fairly noisy...

.

daugen · Feb 16, 2014

really isn't it the size of the piston that affects performance, as in cfm?
Most tires are 100 psi or less, excluding commercial, so I never understood why the
hype over psi when cfm was what filled up your tire. I think if one can get at least 2.5cfm at 125psi, one will get somewhere on
most units if they don't overheat before getting there. 3-5 cfm would sure be better, but I don't think you can get that except with an AC model.
Danno, interdynamics makes a lot of small air compressors, most I thought were imported. Glad to see they have at least one model still made here.

windy acers · Feb 16, 2014

bcp said:
I picked up several 12v air compressors from minivans with factory air adjustable shocks. Don't use them much but no failures yet.

Bruce

MY 08 FORD FOCUS CAME W/O A SPARE TIRE AND A DECENT 12V AIR PUMP.

Topkicker · Feb 16, 2014

When off-roading. I air down the M/T's on rocky terrain. This unit is real popular among off roaders. Can inflate my 35's from 20 psi back to 33psi quickly. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92044_0008_07.htm