Air Compressor

[RUSSELL5000]

I am into my second year with my truck and a travel trailer.

I have learned of the importance of inspecting your tires when you start off and proper inflation. Unfortunately, I have also learned that finding someplace to check/correct tire inflation is annoying. Few places have adequate air pressure; some places charge. I have a good place by the house, but you have to hunt when on the road.

So, I did a google search and it looks like there are small, portable air compressors that appear to have the capacity to inflate the tires (mine go to 80 psi). I'd really like to have a small compressor to take with and then I could just take care of this task wherever I happen to be before starting out.

Does anyone have experience with something like this? Are there good air compressors that actually get the job done and are small?

I see that some are 12 volt DC and some are 120 volt AC.

Anyone have experience or recommendations?

Thanks.

[jwstewar]

I have a small 3 gallon one from Sears. It is 110 volt. I've used it for a little bit of everything including using it to finish our basement. Not very big, pretty light and it will go up to 125 PSI.

[OnTheGo]

Some time ago there was a lengthy thread in this forum with many of comments and opinions about portable air compressors. If you can find it in a search, I think it would be helpful to you. I also went with the Sears 110v and like it. But, it's bigger than I like to travel with.

I have seen people in CG's have good results with the smaller 12v AC's. Knowing the top-end pressures you will be working with will help you make a better choice.

[clubhouse]

I have the same craftsman 120v 125 psi mentioned above and it's great.

I liked the idea of 12v compressors, but unless you spent more that I was willing it seems like folks were talking about 10,15,20 min fill times for 80psi tires. No way I was weighting 15+ min all the while draining my TT batteries unless I wanted to also carry long jumpers cables to pull current from my truck batteries.

[brianca2]

I always have a 12volt one in my truck good to 80 psi. And I have a good tire pressure gauge that I use. The gauge on the air compressor is not the best. I check all tire before each trip and when we leave the campsite

[DMRGMC]

I have 2 Black & Decker ac/dc compressors. The first one, called an Air Station, is at least 25 years old. I bought it somewhere in the Boston area for $49.00, it was $120.00 in Canada back then. I replaced it about 4 years ago with the new one because the older one would vibrate and the switch would shut off and you had to stand by with it to turn it on again. It still runs like a top. The newest one works very well, however it takes time to raise the pressure in each tire so I check the pressure while on the road every other day depending on road conditions, to keep the fill time down if required.
We just returned from a 7 week trip and I used 3 times.

[thomasmnile]

VIAIR 300P from Amazon. The answer to your prayer. Under $150, will easily handle your truck tires, trailer tires, air mattresses, inflatable toys, whatever. I have one and love it. And, takes up way less space than 110v tank model.

http://www.amazon.com/Viair-30033-VI...air+compressor

[milw156]

Harbor freight has some cheap but solid varieties as well.

[clutch]

Small compressor from Walmart works for me. It is 110v.