Stupid question about filling tires

[DanaRuns]

We are two women who just bought our first (used) motorhome. And the first problem I encounter is that I can't find anyplace near me to fill my tires with air! How do you find a place??? I'm in Southern California.

Sorry for the phenomenally stupid question.

[robatthelake]

Are You a Costco Member? They can help You with the Air! Even Walmart with Tire Sales can help!
There are also a few RV Dealerships in Your area? Discount Tire is another good place!

[DSDP_Don]

Dana....The electric compressor I linked to is very popular because it has the power to fill your tires in a small package. I use it on my diesel pusher tires which hold 110 psi. It will add about 1 psi every 14 seconds on a large tire.

[pianotuna]

Hi Dana,

Welcome to the forums!

The 1.5 gallon tank holds 1/2 as much as the 3 gallon, and is quite probably a lot heavier.

You will need something that does LOTS of pressure for class A tires.

P.S. Amazon is your friend.

DanaRuns wrote:
Okay, thanks everyone! Sounds like a compressor is the way to go. I'm not familiar with them. What's the difference between a 1.5 gal and a 3 gal compressor? What's the difference between 4 SCFM @ 40PSI and 2 SCFM at 90PSI? (Comparing the two suggested above).
What do I need to know about compressors?

[DanaRuns]

Okay, thanks everyone! Sounds like a compressor is the way to go. I'm not familiar with them. What's the difference between a 1.5 gal and a 3 gal compressor? What's the difference between 4 SCFM @ 40PSI and 2 SCFM at 90PSI? (Comparing the two suggested above).
What do I need to know about compressors?

[Escargot]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Prime Truck Tire Service...Santa Ana LINK

Buy a 110V AC Compressor with a 150# capability.

X2
You don't want to have jump through these hoops every time your tires require air.

[darsben]

I would go to a place such as Tom's truck center in Santa Ana for this problem. You want to establish a rapport with some repair place BEFORE you need them. This is a good time to test a company and see if they have your back. Pay to have them check the tires, tell you their age and fill the tires. They should also be able to tell you about potential problem by the wear pattern on the tires. I do not know this company and I recommend you take what they tell you and come back for opinions on what they tell you.
But you should have a good repair shop already picked out BEFORE you need them and I believe a independent truck repair shop that works on trucks day in day out beats a RV dealer every day after all you RV is just a pretty truck.

[DSDP_Don]

Dana.....If you feel comfortable filling/checking your own tires, this is a great compressor that many of us use. It's available at Sears and has plenty of pressure to fill your tires.

The air chuck (filler) locks onto your valve stem so you don't have to hold it. It even has a gauge built in that gets you pretty close to your target pressure. You can check with a tire gauge when done.

It runs on 110 volts so you can even use it when camping, just start your generator. It has other attachments for filling things like balls and toys. Lastly, it's compact and fairly light weight (20 lbs) I stick it in an old pillow case and store it in my bay.

[Born_To_Travel]

I carry this one in one of the storage compartments... Always have my own source of air.. http://www.lowes.com/pd_57655-30449-0200382_4294795218__?productId=4686711&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_do...

[edm3rd]

Need to do a little research.

1. You need to know how much air - take the information from the coach - the tire only shows MAXIMUM, and may or may not be appropriate for your particular vehicle. Best way is to weigh the coach, and use the tire manufacturer's recommendation for that weight (weigh each corner of the vehicle, at a truck stop for example).

2. The tire pressure required will also dictate the compressor required. If you need (for example) 85 pounds, a 100 pound compressor will do. If it needs 120 pounds, you need a 150 pound compressor.

3. Buy a decent (accurate) air pressure gauge (above advice on compressor applies to your gauge, get one that goes higher than what your tires require).

4. Tires should be checked COLD (before be driven and before the sun has heated them up). Sun alone can cause an increase of 10 pounds or more. Driving can increase that much more. All tire specifications are for tires (manufacturers charts, vehicle sticker, and maximum molded on the tire sidewall) that basically are at ambient temperature.

I am sure others will post additional advice.

[Old-Biscuit]

Prime Truck Tire Service...Santa Ana LINK


Buy a 110V AC Compressor with a 150# capability.

[is_it_friday_ye]

Call Discount tire. They changed the tires on my 5th wheel in their parking lot. I'm pretty sure they can do tires on most anything. I've seen big trucks in the lot. Here's some close to you, Discount Tire

[Dakota98]

Also, as a safety factor you should check the age of the tires. A tire dealer can do that for you, if you don't know what to look for yourself. The tires may appear to be good, and have a lot of tread on them, but "AGE" is very important to know.

[DanaRuns]

darsben wrote:
Southern California takes in a huge area. But look for a truck stop, a good independent truck repair shop or a tire shop that sells truck tires.
If you want a specific recommendation then we need to have a city a least

I'm in Irvine, CA. A recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

[DanaRuns]

I'm looking online for a truck stop near me in Orange County, with no luck so far. I'm so lame. I was going to just go buy a compressor, but threads say that many of them won't fill the tires because they don't have sufficient CFM, so I'm feeling a little lost and a little stupid.

[darsben]

Southern California takes in a huge area. But look for a truck stop, a good independent truck repair shop or a tire shop that sells truck tires.
If you want a specific recommendation then we need to have a city a least