tire compressor

[mcaslaon4449]

We have a 2016 22 ft. Sport. Is it necessary to carry a portable air compressor when you go camping. When & where would you use it? Thanks.

[Rocinante]

We find it helpful to carry a small air compressor specifically intended for inflating tires. This way if we need to add air to any trailer or truck tires in the morning before heading out based on recommended cold tire pressures, it's no big deal. Also helpful for bicycle tires, though we sometimes use a manual pump for those

So, we prefer not to leave home without one, though I'm not sure it's 100% necessary.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by mcaslaon4449

We have a 2016 22 ft. Sport. Is it necessary to carry a portable air compressor when you go camping. When & where would you use it? Thanks.

I've been carrying a 12v compressor in all of my tow vehicles for more than 2 decades. I first used them to re-inflate my tires after I let air out when I drove in loose sand on the beach (tow vehicle only). I would also add small amounts of air to trailer tires if they were low when I was ready to leave a camping site. Also inflated bike tires and the occasional air mattress. The 12v compressors work well for this. However, this year one of my trailer tires picked up a screw while driving. I made it to the camp site before I noticed. It took FOREEEEEEEVER to pump air into that tire that was completely flat. I'll have a 120v compressor, that will be powered by the generator, when I hit the road next spring.

[handn]

I carry a 125 volt one. In addition to inflating tires, I use it to winterize my trailer. The 12v aren't powerful enough to winterize and take a while to blow up a big truck tire. Why not? Cost is only about $50.

[graysailor]

Not always easy to check and inflate tires at gas stations hence I do carry a tire inflator. In fact I had one installed on my F250 which is quite a bit faster then a 12v compressor.

[wahoonc]

I use a 12v Viair and it has proven itself handy time and time again. No it won't fill a tire as fast as a big home compressor, however it is light weight and takes up very little space. In addition I carry a good quality tire plugging kit. I believe my Viair is the 88P model.

Aaron

[Wingeezer]

I agree with Aaron.

Even though we have AAA RV Plus, I carry a small air compressor and tire plugging kit so I can be self sufficient if need be. It is in our truck all the time. I also carry similar equipt on our motorcycle. Cheap and takes up little space.

Brian.

[lcurrie]

I also have the 88p and love having it. I bought it after being stranded for hours after a flat. The service that Good Sam sent swapped the tire for me, but they had no air on board and my spare was flat. Luckily we were in the country where most people have their own air compressors.

Now I use it constantly. I don't think I've been to a gas station air station since.

When you buy one, be sure to get one that will work with your tires. Trailer tires require higher PSIs then car tires. The cheap 12v inflators won't work on them.


Lynn
Austin, Tx * 2005 19' Bambi

[ROBERT CROSS]

Do you have a generator?
12v werks, but our AC 100psi Black & Decker is cheeper, quicker and can be used for the TV tires @75-80psi.

I have used the Burbs 12v 60psi air horn compressor when not towing.

Bob

[Isuzusweet]

The Cadillac of the 12 volt air compressors are ARB with the compressor below being capable of even running air tools. Pricey but underhood mountable and worth every cent with great support and durability. It fills my two 5 gallon tanks plus rear air bags and lines to 150 psi in just over two minutes.

They do make a single cylinder version.

Don't leave home without a compressor.

ARB On-Board High Performance 12 Volt Twin Air Compressor (CKMTA12)

Cheers
Tony

[OregonVista]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I use a 12v Viair and it has proven itself handy time and time again. No it won't fill a tire as fast as a big home compressor, however it is light weight and takes up very little space. In addition I carry a good quality tire plugging kit. I believe my Viair is the 88P model.

Aaron

We also have a Vair 12v pump, and I think it is a model 90. We left a rally last spring and the truck told me a tire was low at 44 lbs pressure (should have been 70). I pulled over and sure enough it had a nail. I drove about 20 miles trying to find a Les Schwab and the pressure had only gone down by a lb or so. At that point we were only about 60 miles from home so I pulled over and hooked up the pump (I have an adaptor so it will plug into the truck where the trailer harness plugs in) and in less than 5 minutes had the tire up to 70 lbs. Drove on home and changed the tire in my barn. It was the first use of the pump and I was impressed.

[Alphonse]

Viair 450P - 100% duty cycle.

A little pricey but a beast of a little compressor. Comes in a bag with everything you need. I have had one for three years and use it often. Easy to use, relatively fast and it doesn't overheat.

I let air out of my rear truck tires when not towing, so they must be aired up when hooking up. I use the compressor for that as well as maintaining the trailer tires. I have two compressors at home but use this one when hooking the trailer up at the storage garage.

Viair 450P

[SteveSueMac]

Ditto Alphonse. Bob Cross gave me instructions on adapting the plug for use with the 7 pin connector on my truck so I can use it on the trailer wherever we are (can't imagine trying to get to some of the air pumps in those gas stations with a trailer). And this week, DW's TPMS indicated low pressure on one of her tires - no biggie - just plug in to the truck and take care of her tires in a couple of minutes.

Very happy with it. Bought an adapter to winterize with it (haven't used it yet) - it's like a tire stem attached to a water hose connection that goes to the city water inlet. Hope that works but even if not, I'm happy with the use I get out of it.