Portable air

Brand2328 · 03-09-2018, 12:32 PM

Anybody have recommendations for a portable air compressor. Wanting to carry one as we travel thanks ahead of time

Fishrsafe · 03-09-2018, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brand2328

Anybody have recommendations for a portable air compressor. Wanting to carry one as we travel thanks ahead of time

I just received my Viair RV compressor kit, seems well made. Have not used it yet.

Pete

itat · 03-09-2018, 12:48 PM

Depends on your budget and needs. I bought a 12 volt Viair 400P Automatic compressor. Love it. It's very quiet and well built, but pricey. I wanted a 12 volt compressor so I could run it on the side of the road if I ever had to change a flat. I figure Murphy's Law will kick in and the spare will be low on air if I ever need it (even though I do check it once in a while).

Viair sells "RV" versions of their compressors. They come with an extra 25' coiled hose and an extended chuck for dual rear wheels. I don't have a dually and I'm not a fan of the relatively hard plastic coiled hose so I bought a 50' hybrid air hose.

5picker · 03-09-2018, 12:58 PM

As mentioned, in the many other discussions held here on this subject, the Viair seems to get the most nods.

pojp58 · 03-09-2018, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishrsafe

I just received my Viair RV compressor kit, seems well made. Have not used it yet.

Pete

Which one did you get? The 400 or 450?

Brand2328 · 03-09-2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pojp58

Which one did you get? The 400 or 450?

Will these run off the house battery or does it have to be hooked to the tow vehicle

**ependydad** · 03-09-2018, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brand2328

Will these run off the house battery or does it have to be hooked to the tow vehicle

Both work.

pojp58 · 03-10-2018, 10:29 PM

Ordered the 450 yesterday.

CHICKDOE · 03-11-2018, 08:52 AM

there have been many posts on this subject. search the archives. probably the biggest issue is the air pressure needed in your tires. the higher the required pressure, the more the compressors cost and the number of selections decreases. many people with smaller trailers which require less pressure have mentioned compressors available from home depot, harbor freight, etc. in out case we need 110 psi and I bought a viair rv compressor with the extra air hose. it works well. get an adjustable add-on pressure regulator and use it to blow out the plumbing lines during winterization. it is 12 volts and works off either the truck or house battery, thought the truck battery is much more accessible.

BandJCarm · 03-11-2018, 09:01 AM

I have the one 5Picker displayed. However, before coming on our snowbird trip, it burned up. Literally. Blew fuses, smoke came out, etc. So I didn't bring it. BUT, I emailed the company and they are going to refurb it. I will send it back as soon as I get home and get my hands on it. That's good service.

Mine worked.........but is slow. Still, it will get to 110 lbs when many high compression hoses can't get there. Even at MorRyde, they tried to air up my TrailAir 'bags' before I left last year, and they couldn't do it. The ViAir will do it............slowly......but it'll do it. I do wish it had a gauge.

Jim34RL · 03-11-2018, 11:11 AM

I like my potable Dewalt pancake 165 PSI, 6 gallon air compressor that I carry in the trailer storage area. Although it dose require 120V power it is worth it to me to carry the compressor. The air compressor and along with my 35' of air hose with air chock I can air up the tires on the camper and truck along with any thing else I need to air up. I do air down the rear tires on the truck from 70 PSI to 45PSI for improve ride comfort when I am not towing. So, therefore I have to air up the truck rear tires every time I hook up to the trailer.

67L48 · 03-11-2018, 11:25 AM

I have not purchased, but will before the season begins. In my research Viair is probably the most common brand, but there are other brands that also get decent reviews. Some of the better reviews actually show up in some of the truck and offroading forums, so be sure to do a web search (not just here).

While there are lots of various specs that may be important to you based on your needs (e.g., dually truck), the two things that seem universally important to me are the following:

Direct connection to the battery. Some have a 12V accessory plug. Avoid those. Only get one that has clips that connect directly to the car battery.
External air hose. Some have the air hose integrated into the compressor. Avoid those and get one with a standard quick connect fitting. This allows you to change hoses and use various connections. For example, the one pictured above clearly shows the connection port allowing the user to use whatever hose he wants. This is optimal.

Here is an example of what to avoid:

Note the 12V accessory plug and the hard-connected air hose. Both are deal killers. Great for filling bicycle tires. Avoid for cars, trucks, RVs, etc.

Depending on your vehicle, you might be able to find a way to mount permanently on the vehicle. You can then run lines to tanks, fittings, air bags, etc. Here are some examples from a F150:

Good Luck.

bshort · 03-11-2018, 11:28 AM

I have a thing called Fat Max that works pretty good. Has an air compressor, jump box, invertor and phone charger.

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