Portable air compressor for truck and fiver tires

[drdit92]

I've had a Viair 12 volt that was expensive but small. I somehow bricked it on a camping trip in November. It turns on but makes a wheezing sound and no air comes out. Of course I'm well past the 1 year warranty.* Planning to pull the fiver for work later this week and need a compressor. Hate to invest in a Viair for the $$ and lack of durability. Thoughts? 6 gallon pancake compressors are bigger but cheaper. There's a 1 gallon Ryobi at HD but not sure that's enough?? Any advice welcome.*

[Darrowman]

You might consider buying a small Harbor Freight pancake for your short term needs and then rebuild the Viar or return it to them for repair. Parts are not real expensive.

[Arch Hoagland]

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gall...sor-64592.html

Bought that at Harbor freight a couple years ago. Have used it several times on trips where I seem to run into people needing to air up their tires.

Works great and is extremely quiet for an air compressor.

[theboondork.]

Viair builds great compressors in my opinion. I've been caring one around in my fifth wheel for seven years and it still works great. I would call Viair, explain your problem and it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't send you the parts to fix it. Compressors are very simple machines and you might be able to fix it yourself. I wheeze myself sometimes, don't give up on it.

theboondork.com

[drdarrin]

I carry a PorterCable pancake in the front basement of our 5er, with 50 feet of hose. Its within a foot of my inverter. It’s plenty big for all my tires, air bags and I’ve used it to build a 26x36 shed in Quartzsite over the past 4 years. Wouldn’t be without it.

[drdit92]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll get the smaller pancake one like Arch mentioned and will definitely contact Viair. My friend sent me a video of someone replacing the piston rod and gaskets of a viair and it didn't look too hard. I need something for this week, but redundancy is never a bad thing in RVing I've discovered...

[Palmeris]

Dewalt 60v flexvolt 2.5 gallon cordless is what I use. 135 psi max pressure. Weighs 22 lbs.

Part of my cordless collection of dewalt power tools. Hammer drill, 1/4 impact, 1/2 impact, sawzall , blower, wet vac, circular saw, radio

[wildcatter]

This may sound stupid but did you check your filter to make sure it didn't get closed or clogged? When mine did that the guy I llet borrow it closed my filter.

[Rhagfo]

I don't see having to depend on having 120 volts to use my compressor, I also don't have the storage space for a portable. I have a constant use VIAIR 150 psi on board system with a 2.5 gallon tank. all hidden in the side wall of the bed of our truck.

[dadej]

If you buy a pancake compressor get the 150 PSI not the 125 PSI version

[Billett Bee]

just out of curiosity, what model Vlair was it, not all are created equal and rated for the big tires. Yes it's expensive but i love mine and it's dependable and reliable and peace of mind is key for us being ful timers. I own the 400p automatic and wouldn't think twice about getting another. We have owned several different brands of air compressors and they all blow up with in A yr of keeping our big tires at an equal psi. I can definitly understand your frustration, that's allot of money to have break

[drdit92]

I have the 400p Viair.

[Billett Bee]

Originally Posted by drdit92

I have the 400p Viair.

I hope you love yours as much as I do. Didn't go with the 450 because I wanted the quicker fill times. It was very confusing trying to choose the right one for the job

[drdit92]

Loved it until it stopped working. But will get it fixed.