Portable Air Compressors for Tires

[Jakm]

I bought one of Lowe’s little Kobalt 3gal. 150psi when they first came out with it. That’s been a couple years ago now. It’s a tuff little nut. Tucks in the bay nice, tops off the 22.5’s and I use it to winterize, nailguns, etc.

[Ray,IN]

Whichever type or brand air compressor you buy, always use an inline water filter to keep from adding water/moisture to your tires. Moisture is what causes wider tire pressure variations. Think of those who use Nitrogen to inflate tires, it is completely dry.

[CamJam1]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

I carry the Porter Cable CMB15 which is a 150psi compressor, only weighs 20lbs and will add air to a 110psi tire in no time flat. I would rather do that than run a 380hp engine just to add a few pounds of air while it cycles on and off.

This is the one I have too, Works fine, I paid $99 (new) on eBay.

[Janjim]

Originally Posted by mrboyer

Porter-Cable Pancake style. 150 pounds max. One connector is tank pressure and the other is adjustable. Works well. I fill my tires to 107 pounds. I have one in my shop and another one in the motor home. Usually can find them on sale for $99.

[kdnash]

I carry a Powertank. Works great for quickly filling coach and jeep tires.

[Victory Blue]

Originally Posted by kdnash

I carry a Powertank. Works great for quickly filling coach and jeep tires.

Also a 10lb Powertank. I get it refilled about every two years.

[ijon]

Originally Posted by mrboyer

Porter-Cable Pancake style. 150 pounds max. One connector is tank pressure and the other is adjustable. Works well. I fill my tires to 107 pounds. I have one in my shop and another one in the motor home. Usually can find them on sale for $99.

Good one.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by kdnash

I carry a Powertank. Works great for quickly filling coach and jeep tires.

Plus, no concerns about moisture in the tank.

[kdnash]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Plus, no concerns about moisture in the tank.

No issues with moisture. Contents are liquid CO2, which turn into gas when discharged. Will not equalize like an air pressure tank. Regulator pressures to 250 psi. Will fill a tire much faster than an air compressor. Very portable. No 120V or 12V needed. Can reseat a tire that has come off the bead. I carry 2, one in coach and 1 mounted in the jeep. We wheel a lot. Refill at any welding supply.

[Azee]

Originally Posted by geordi

Something to be aware of - If your onboard air brake system already has an air connection, it likely is a 90-psi-max "regulated" output from the front tank. That is how mine is set up on my Diplomat.

There is a secondary air line right near the quick connect - that is the "dry side" fill port for tow trucks and the like to add air directly to the tanks to allow releasing the air brakes - This will be full tank pressure (120-130 psi) and if you tap THIS line, you get full pressure.

I will be making this mod to mine soon, as I already have a clip-on air chuck for the tires that I can connect and walk away, and let the tires be brought up to tank pressure as the system supplies the air. I'd prefer my tires run at the sidewall max of 120 or maybe a bit less at 110, which the regulated output will NEVER get to.

Please post your mod when done. I have no desire to carry something else if I already have a tool on board that just needs a bit of adjustment to fulfill another propose.

[Victory Blue]

Originally Posted by Azee

Please post your mod when done. I have no desire to carry something else if I already have a tool on board that just needs a bit of adjustment to fulfill another propose.

Just FYI. I can’t speak for other brands, but on our coach the engine has to be running to use the onboard air compressor for tires since the pressure available is only one consideration. The volume of air available at the needed pressure determines how fast the tires can be brought to the correct pressure. As the air is used the tank pressure drops so keeping the pressure up (and producing more volume) means running the engine; that’s not very efficient.

[AE Wanderer]

Another vote for the Viaair. Here is an Amazon link. Also, RV Geeks has a couple of videos on YouTube about both the mod to your coach and why they dumped it in favor of the Viaair.

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-40047-A...f4e9da695a352e

Originally Posted by Azee

Please post your mod when done. I have no desire to carry something else if I already have a tool on board that just needs a bit of adjustment to fulfill another propose.

[tvp]

Plus it’s always nice to wake up to a running diesel at 6:30 am in the camp site next door .... trying to add air to his tires before his trip ....1/2 hr later with engine running all the time [emoji2957]...... just saying

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by Victory Blue

Just FYI. I can’t speak for other brands, but on our coach the engine has to be running to use the onboard air compressor for tires since the pressure available is only one consideration. The volume of air available at the needed pressure determines how fast the tires can be brought to the correct pressure. As the air is used the tank pressure drops so keeping the pressure up (and producing more volume) means running the engine; that’s not very efficient.

In my case it’s only for an emergency as I’m only away from the house a week or so at the most and I use shop air or the compressor on my service truck (both have dryers) to fill before I leave. I’m not going to worry about a 2 lb pressure drop while away from home.
Btw I just installed a pressure gauge inline at the emergency tow brake release port to confirm that it is in fact regulated at 120psi which is what I would use in said emergency. I see no need to purchase and lug around an extra compressor since I have 3 good ones at home.
I do understand the need for one if you are a full timer or gone a month at a time.