Portable compressors for tires

I have been using this Q Industries portable MV50 12VDC 150 PSI TANKLESS Air Compressor available from AMAZON for years. Even back in my JEEP TRAIL days...



The small footprint is what I like with this unit and it comes with a nice carry tote for the compressor and the accessories... It stores under my truck rear seat. Be sure to let this one cool down before grabing it after being used. The compressor head runs very hot.

I have no problem airing up my trailer tires as well as my truck tires. In my case I set the compressor on my truck tailgate which allows me to easily connect my 12VDC cable into the trailer battery bank. Then I can walk around to all the tires using the long coiled hose provides with the compressor kit.

I also use this air compressor along with the CAMCO 36153 Blow Out Adapter to blow out my water lines for winterizing. Being TANKLESS it takes more time to build up air compressor which is ideal for blowing out water lines.



If I went with a 120VAC Compressor I would most likely get one with the included tank.

Roy Ken

I have a 12V that came with a 1980 volvo that I still use ( car long gone)--- it takes forever- but is small and I have it, so no cost.

I also have a slime brand 12V which i travel on a motorcyle- it too, takes forever but takes up little space.


these are carried for when I am roadside...I have a comp at home, but most often get free nitrogen from costco.

I always carry a can of tire sealant- these can get you out of a jam.
Just make sure you tell the tire tech that it is in there

mike

I have the same unit as RoyB, used it for years on our Pleasureway. The only problem is that for tires over 40 psi one should start the compressor before screwing the filler to the tire valve. If you try to start the compressor after connecting the hose it will blow the inline fuse. I keep 80 psi in the back tires and the compressor will not start against that much pressure. Aside from that it is a great unit.
Wayne

I go the 110v route. I carried this for emergencies in our Roadtrek and now for our small C. Just fire up the generator, plug in an extension cord and air up a truck tire. Much faster than a 12v and pretty well built for the price.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-120-Volt-Inflator-HY120/202871788

PSW wrote:
I go the 110v route. I carried this for emergencies in our Roadtrek and now for our small C. Just fire up the generator, plug in an extension cord and air up a truck tire. Much faster than a 12v and pretty well built for the price.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-120-Volt-Inflator-HY120/202871788

Agree. Also most all Bs have an outside 110V outlet but not a 12V.

This can be a problem. I had an old Craftsman 120V compressor for years that finally gave out. That mode is no longer sold. I replaced it with a similar unit by Campbell Hausfeld that wasn't any good so I returned it. I also returned a different type of Craftsman compressor. I finally ended up with this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VZCA4I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IMHO 120 V is the way to go. If you don't have a generator, as we did not, you can get power at a campground electric post.

I've got a Ryobi compressor that runs off an 18v battery. This battery also works a bunch of other cordless tools. The tool set even has it's own bag. The compressor isn't part of the set. It's solid state with a set for how much air you want in the tire. It's fairly quick and as long as the bead isn't broken, will air any tire I've ever tried it on. I carry a couple of batteries and a charger when I travel. It has two modes. You can air up tires with on mode along with sports balls and pool toys. It has another high volume, low pressure mode to inflate air mattresses.

Like others, we keep a Slime unit in the saddlebag of our Goldwing. Haven't ever needed it, but it's there.

But, for our PW Lexor "B", for which I like 80 psi in the rear, we installed a 12V 110 psi Airlift compressor, with 2 gallon tank, up under the frame. We put an air connection, and tank pressure gauge behind the dump connection door.

Additionally, there's a solenoid to control it under the hood, with a switch on the dash.

So, when I need air, I simply flip the switch, wait a moment for the tank to pressurize, connect an air hose I keep in the outside compartment, and can fill any tire I need quietly and wherever I may need. No genset running in the early AM to aggravate any neighbors.

'Tis really handy.

I used to carry a 120V 90 psi portable unit, but this new setup is MUCH better.

Cheers.