Air compressors

[Beth L]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for any recommendations on an air compressor for use on the 5th wheel (2013 Excel 34 IKR) tires and on the 2012 Ford F350 dually. We have purchased 2 compressors from Sears, but after 6 months both have developed a leak in the tank. We take excellent care of the compressor, always draining and keeping it inside out of the cold/heat fluctuations. Thanks.

[dw8ite]

I gave up on air compressors some time ago. All the 12VDC compressors are junk and unless you spend considerable cash the 120VAC compressors are just as bad. I now carry a 15 Lb. bottle of compressed CO2. You can have it refilled at most welding supplies and you can top off your 110 psi tires numerous times. I also use it for my brad nail gun, a couple small impact wrenches, winterizing the water systems, general cleaning like blowing out debris from the basement. I refill it about once a year. You can get a tank with primary valve for $57 on ebay 15 lb CO2 Tank Steel Cylinder Reconditioned CGA 320 Valve Beer Fresh Hydro | eBayThen all you need is a regulator and you are set to go.

Don

[450Donn]

Bought a Porter Cable pancake compressor from Lowes last spring. Was so pleased with it I gave away my big compressor. Now it is my only one. Less than a hundred bucks they are a bargain.

[TexasTwoStep]

110psi is problematic. It's tough finding a place that can deliver that along the roadway and when I do their equipment is usually broke. I carry a high dollar 12v tire inflator and am not happy with it. I takes too long to reach 110psi. Same problem with most of the 110v compressors. Most of them have to be running constantly so you will probably be releasing air from the compressor to accomplish this and it takes a forever. If I had to make the decision today I would probably try dw8's recommendation above which I have heard from a number of sources.

[bruceisla]

I have a Porter Cable 125psi 120vac Pancake ... I've had it for about 5 years and works fine.

[Jhav]

Last summer I bought Porter Cable air compressor CMB15, 150psi 1-1/2 gal oil free from Amazon. It's small and light weight and can fill 110 psi tires easily. It cycles on at 125 psi. I payed $109.99 on Amazon.com. I am very happy with it.

[JDT]

Look at the Porter-Cable CMB15. It is a 150 psi, 1.5 gallon compact compressor. I've had mine for a year now and it really works quickly to air up my 17.5" Michelins and my dually tires. It was $104.50 on Amazon when I bought it. It is not very heavy and has a small footprint, which is a plus. I did take off the coil hose that comes with it and bought a couple of light weight 25' straight hoses that I can link together if needed. I've even used it with a small finish nailer and it worked well. With the smaller tank it will come on more often but it keeps up the pressure with no problem.

On edit, I see Jhav posted the same recommendation while I was typing this so I guess mine is a second.

[drfife]

I have a 15 year old Campbell Hausfeld 120V inflator that I bought at Walmart. It is a discontinued model.


I carry it in the Excel and use the inverter to power it if off shore power.

I also have a 12V MasterFlow twin cylinder compressor I keep in the truck. It inflates tires quickly.

I have a 6 gallon Harbor Freight compressor at the house.

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Beth L

Hi everyone. I'm looking for any recommendations on an air compressor for use on the 5th wheel (2013 Excel 34 IKR) tires and on the 2012 Ford F350 dually. We have purchased 2 compressors from Sears, but after 6 months both have developed a leak in the tank. We take excellent care of the compressor, always draining and keeping it inside out of the cold/heat fluctuations. Thanks.

In days of old you'd not have had to pay for that 2nd one.. Sears used to have some real good warranties.

My Sears compressor is 9 years old come January. It is a 150 PSI model, last used it .. one or two weeks ago.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

In days of old you'd not have had to pay for that 2nd one.. Sears used to have some real good warranties.

My Sears compressor is 9 years old come January. It is a 150 PSI model, last used it .. one or two weeks ago.

Agreed. Actually, they had pretty good products and you seldom worried about warranty ...

[pasdad1]

This is relatively small and lightweight. 200 psi always available in the tank. Compressor cuts in at 165psi.

[vsheetz]

I have a Porter Cable pancake compressor, plus a CO2 tank in the Jeep. I find myself reaching for the CO2 tank most often, as its fast and easy.

[dw8ite]

VSHEETZ - 10-4 on that. CO2 is very easy. I leave the coiled hose attached and its ready to use anytime.
Don

[dw8ite]

I should also mention that with the CO2 bottle the weight is only 28 Lbs and the footprint is only 7" Dia. I keep it standing up vertically in my rear tool chest.

Don