Air for tires

[KIS_Man]

Is air available for topping off tires in Canada & Alaska, or should I plan on taking an air compressor with me. I will be driving a lot of side roads, parts of Dalton & Dempster.

[colliehauler]

I always carry a air compressor, not very much money and handy.

[Islandman]

You will find that Canadian air will last longer in your tires and the tires like it much better than the smoggy stuff they get here in the states. They don't mind loaning you some of their clean air, but don't let any of your old stuff out into the atmosphere up there, it's kind of frowned upon and isn't considered appropriate for visitors from the states to do that!

[Grey_Mountain]

The most important thing to remember is make sure, when in Canada, to have metric air in your tires. Standard air used in the US and Alaska is 2.2 times lighter than metric air. If you enter Canada without switching, you may float off into the ozone layer.

GM

[K_Reeve]

Most gas stations will have air, some have water, but more and more stations are making the air / water all coin op, and short hoses just barely long enough to throw under the truck to reach the other side. so plan on having a decent supply of Canadian quarters and some now need Loonies that's our 1 buck coin.

[Grit_dog]

KIS Man wrote:
Is air available for topping off tires in Canada & Alaska, or should I plan on taking an air compressor with me. I will be driving a lot of side roads, parts of Dalton & Dempster.

Huh?
Good thing you asked. Tires don't use air in Cnada or Ak! Lol
Seriously, could be a couple hundred miles between gas stations, but that's what spare tires are for. Definately couldn't hurt to have some tire plugs and a compressor though.

[NewallaBus]

Why carry an air compressor when you are driving a DP with a compressor powered by a Cummins engine? Just don't understand. Richard

[free_radical]

I'm on a limited budget,so have only hand pump ,does the job just peachy plus I get nice work out 🙂

[lonnie4801]

I carry a 12 volt compressor and string patch kit in the pickup. Used it about 50 miles out of Prudhoe Bay one year. Also carry a 5 hp 110 volt compressor in the motor home.

[bcbouy]

you can buy a 100 psi compressor that plugs into a 12 volt socket.it takes a while but it does the job and its small,also pick up a puncture repair kit.very simple to do a plug. same as a tire shops.my compressor cost me 40 bucks,has a light and a guage and several different fittings and fits in my floor compartment of my ram.

[Veebyes]

Can't beat a compressor for getting stubborn fires going.

[PA12DRVR]

In 1976 (why do I recall this???)...I drove a duece and a half (6 tires) from Squarebanks up the Haul Road to Prudhoe.....blew every tire on that trip. Switching the 2 spares I carried was enough of a pain...but patching the other 4 and pumping them up with a foot pump was a true PITA....all of that added at least 8 hours to the trip.

Between '76 and '83/84-ish, I made another 6 - 7 trips on the Haul Road with a variety of vehicles. Never again did I travel without a generator (loud noisy construction type) and a fair size air compressor.....and of course, didn't have another flat on the road.

I'd suggest that it is either prudent or inviting good karma to carry a small air compressor when taking the gravel roads in AK and NW Canada.

[2112]

I carry THIS and a 400W MSW inverter.
They are currently on sale for $50.

If you do buy one follow the break-in instructions.

[sue_t]

It is wise to be self-sufficient, if possible. We've never travelled with an air compressor and haven't had an issue. But have had two flats on one trip up the Dempster, ironically one right in Inuvik due to a nail.

On our trip out from Inuvik, we passed and offered help to a fellow who had 4 flats along the Dempster and was driving on a flat because he had run out of spares.

Best advice I can offer is to ensure your tires are in good shape and rated properly for the load if you plan to enjoy the gravel highways and backroads.

[RoyB]

I carry one of these Q Industries MV50 Portable 12VDC 150PSI Tankless Air Compressors (AMAZON) works just fine. I can air-up my trailer and truck tires and also use it for blowing out my water lines in the trailer when the temps drop below freezing...



Would not think of ever camping off the power grid without an 12VDC air compressor. Learned that big time back in OFF TRAIL JEEP days...

Roy ken