Tire inflation

[HighwayJunky]

I have been reading about all the importance of keeping tire pressures at the correct level. With that in mind, I wonder if anyone or everyone carries with them a portable air-compressor? If so, what do you recommend a novice like me who needs a 110 PSI inflation on my Newmar Baystar.

[time2roll]

+1 for MV50. Rated 150 so 110 might be a bit slow. But then you just clip it on and let it run while you enjoy a beverage. Very light and compact compared to 120v.

[Oldtymeflyr]

Buy a 120V compressor. First is just much more powerful and durable. Secondly its cheaper.

BTW, I use an old MV50 compressor that is the first 12v compressor that I have owned to actually work more than once on our 80psi tires.

I like the Viair products but frankly the 120V contractor models are inherently more robust. Having a TC the most we can carry is a 12v model.

Good luck.

[GoPackGo]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I'll be odd man out.

I have no reason to carry a compressor and I can't see why anybody else would either.

Many full timers (like me) carry a compressor. We are always traveling and sometimes stay many months in one location. We must be way more self-sufficient then folks who only go out for a few weeks at a time. All tires slowly lose air so we need to be able to top them off. As you know I'm sure, under-inflated tires are a disaster waiting to happen.

And please don't suggest that I pull into the local Pilot or Costco and set up to check tires. For starters, the tire pressure would read inaccurate due to heat buildup and for another, if I've been in a CG in the wilds of Wyoming (for example) for the summer, it could be many miles before finding a station with air.

If I only went out for a few weeks at a time, I probably would not bother with carrying a compressor. Maybe would carry one of the inexpensive ones to inflate bike tires, swim rafts, etc.

* On edit - I carry the same compressor that STRIPIT references, except it is rebadged as a Sears Craftsman unit. But it is EXACTLY the same one. Very handy size and capacity.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I'll be odd man out.

Nothing. Yep, nothing.

I carry a compressor in my TT and I have no idea why? In 35 years I have never used it.

Looking back, I have no reason to use it? I fill my tires up to max pressure (sometimes 10 over max) and go on vacation for 2 or 3 weeks. If my tires lose pressure over 2 or 3 weeks I have a problem with the tire and I fix the problem.

If I have a low or flat tire I change to the spare tire and go on my way to a tire shop to fix the tire that has a hole in it. After it's fixed I put it on as a spare and go on my way.

I have no reason to carry a compressor and I can't see why anybody else would either.

(Oh I guess if I was out in the desert a lot I might carry a plug kit and a compressor; but that's about it. General roads on vacation; nope don't need it.)

[LJAZ]

I carry a Viair 400P in the truck all the time. It's 12V and will inflate up to 150 psi which is way more than I will ever need. Nice thing is that it will pump up the truck or trailer tires quick without getting hot.

[Atlee]

I carry a 120AC compressor along with two Honda generators. Only had to use it once, while in Death Valley.

Another time, someone else used them.

But I like to have the compressor with me. Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[Grit_dog]

doxiemom11 wrote:
We are also a motorhome and need higher pressure. We carry a Porter Cable pancake compressor that will go to 150 psi. Not the huge either, rides in one of the bays.

This is the way to go IMO if you have the room in a big rig like yours. However, being someone who packs a lot of tools for "what ifs", I've never had on board air or really felt the need for just tires.
Now if you're on extended trips or full timing, it would be somewhere between very handy and a necessity. And with a contractors pancake compressor you'll have enough air to run some basic air tools...if you're not in a big hurry with them.

I did plumb an air line off my exhaust brake compressor this year, mainly cause we were going to be unloading the TC a few times and it's a challenge to load it with the air bags aired up and driving around empty with airbags aired up is not fun.
Aside from airing up the bags, it's come in handy for other people's bike tires and an atv tire that had a flat.

[doxiemom11]

We are also a motorhome and need higher pressure. We carry a Porter Cable pancake compressor that will go to 150 psi. Not the huge either, rides in one of the bays.

[Terryallan]

I also carry a compressor. But it is not 12V

[GoPackGo]

I suggest you do a search. This gets discussed a lot.

Yes, I do carry an air compressor (Craftsman) and a couple good Milton gauges too.

[coolbreeze01]

I carry 12V compressors, but TV and TT tires only lose about 1 lb a month. I visually check them at every stop but haven't needed the 12V's.

I air them up at home as needed with my 120V compressor.

[DrewE]

Many people do carry a small compressor with them.

For filling/topping off tires, a large air tank is unnecessary and can be an annoyance (as you need to wait for it to get up to pressure).

I have a Fini AirBoss, which is fairly reasonably priced and quite compact. It has a turn-off pressure of 135 pounds (and a turn-on pressure of 110 I think), so it would work for your tires, but not be ideal. I've been impressed with it so far; it's relatively quiet as small compressors go, and seems pretty well built. (I do wish to point out that "relatively quiet" is not at all the same thing as "quiet.")

For 12V powered compressors, Vair seems to have a very good reputation. On the other hand, the cheap little inflators that are available most everywhere are nearly useless for large, high-pressure tires.

[stripit]

For the 8 years we were full time I carried this compressor in the basement storage bay of our 5th wheel here and it never failed. To top off the 110 psi you will need a 150 psi compressor to make your life easier. This unit was easy to carry and store, at least for my storage area, your space may be limited and then you will have to find a smaller unit.

[Bobbyg2013]

I have a small Husky unit, about $35. Plugs into my trucks electrical system. You may need a bigger unit for that much PSI. Good thing to have at any cost.