Newby Asks: Air Compressor

[RUSSELL5000]

I am into my second year with my truck and a travel trailer.

I have learned of the importance of inspecting your tires when you start off and proper inflation. Unfortunately, I have also learned that finding someplace to check/correct tire inflation is annoying. Few places have adequate air pressure; some places charge. I have a good place by the house, but you have to hunt when on the road.

So, I did a google search and it looks like there are small, portable air compressors that appear to have the capacity to inflate the tires (mine go to 80 psi). I'd really like to have a small compressor to take with and then I could just take care of this task wherever I happen to be before starting out.

Does anyone have experience with something like this? Are there good air compressors that actually get the job done and are small?

I see that some are 12 volt DC and some are 120 volt AC.

Anyone have experience or recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[Jim W]

I carry both an air tank and an air compressor; 12V DC power rated for 175 PSI which takes forever and will over heat if I need to do more than one tire. The air tank is portable hold 5 gallons of air at 125 PSI. Which I fill at home and carry it in the bed of the truck it is easy to access and I also need the tank for my air ride king pin box. I tend to use this to inflate the trailer tires and then refill the tank when convenient to do so.

Another option is to install an onboard air compressor wired in to the truck electrical system with an on off switch and air line with a quick connect for a hose and air chuck.

Jim W.

 

[BDaugherty]

Viair is a good name brand that offers multiple options based on airflow required. With small compressors, psi is not the hard part...flow is. As long as you have patience, a small 12v compressor is the way to go.

 

[jelag]

I have a viair that runs my pacbrake and air bags but its duty cycle is not suitable for truck or trailer tires... it would do a bike tire etc... but just won't do a vehicle tire... I carry and use a Craftsman... yea Craftsman... paid something like 69.99 for it... it was a 100% duty cycle 150 psi compressor that runs on 120V a.c. I have an inverter installed on a tool box on the truck and can plug that compressor or other power tools into the inverter... The Craftsman is in a plastic case... one of those "won't break when dropped" things... its compact and stores well.... I actually saw one in use and chatted with the guy... mind you.. its not fast... and I've since looked at some others but have not found one smaller that will fit my needs.... this one is about 15" x 15" x 5" thick....

Just my thoughts... hope they give you some insight...

 

[seafish]

The Viaair 450 is a more then adequate compressor for a reasonable cost.

That being said, if you need or want MORE air, or simply can afford a top quality compressor, check out the ExtremeAire 12v compressors...they are of superb quality.

 

[BarryG]

I have had an extemeaire now for a good ten years still works great. They have newer and higher psi models out now than they did when I bought mine. Never had a lick of trouble with it nor my 3gal tank both mounted under the bed. It is 100% duty cycle which regardless of brand that is something I wouldn't do without.

 

[crispyboy]

So you guys with on-board air, where do you mount the compressor and air tank. Any pics?
Can the compressor be mounted up under the truck? Can it handle the weather elements?

 

[Jim W]

So you guys with on-board air, where do you mount the compressor and air tank. Any pics?
Can the compressor be mounted up under the truck? Can it handle the weather elements?

Crispyboy,
I have an on-board air compressor that is made for the AIR-LIFT 5000 system air bags. The compressor is mounted under the truck in front of the fuel tank on a 1/4" steel plate. The compressor works great but I am battling a problem with one of the solenoids that controls air flow to the bags. It failed and will not pass air to one bag the other solenoid works great.

I called them for parts service replacement and the company stated that this part is no longer serviced. You need to buy a new kit! Will I am thinking of using just the one solenoid to fill both bags at the same time for now.

Jim W.

 

[BarryG]

My compressor is mounted under the bed directly behind the cab on the pass side outside of the frame rail. I used some 1inch square tubing 4 pieces that I got from home depot the stuff that has all the holes in it. Mounted the compressor to two pieces, ran the other two pieces on the other side of the frame rail and then bolted them together sandwiching the frame rail. This allowed me to set the comp as high as possible (higher than if I had mounted it directly to the frame). It has been there for over ten yeas. I mounted my tank under the bed using the rear cross member and the same method of sandwiching the cross member between the square tubing. It sits directly above the driveshaft plenty of room for a 3 gal tank there. The tank is not large enough to supply a lot of air but my horns and other uses for it blowing up my fishing float tube etc is fine the compressor is 100% duty cycle so it has never been a problem airing tires etc. I have a long coiled type air hose that I can attach to a quick connect and it will reach all my truck tires as well as my trailer tires. I also fabricated a cover for the comp with some pieces of aluminum diamond plate I had laying around. I did not enclose the top of the enclosure.

 

[RustyJC]

I use the following 120 VAC air compressor to handle the requirements of the truck tires, trailer tires (125 PSIG), truck's Firestone RideRite air bags and the TrailAir air ride kingpin on the trailer. It fits in the truck's WeatherGuard toolbox. If I have to use it on the road, I power it off the trailer's inverter. It's good for 160 PSIG, IIRC.

Rusty

 

[wcjp]

I mounted an Air Zenith just forward of the driver side rear tire on the underside of the bed. I also used aluminum as a splash shield. It's a 100% duty cycle compressor. It's power hungry but effective. It has a 70 amp fuse, 60 amp surge with 35amp continuous draw. I used it to replace the light duty compressor for my exhaust brake. I also ran air chucks to the front of the truck and to the driver rear wheel well near my air bag connections.

I bought the Air Zenith not long after Katrina. Per Air Zenith, with the air filter relocated they had people using the compressors under water during Katrina.

 

[TJJEEPER]

For filling on the road I use a CO2 tank. Pretty cost effective if you don't buy the commercial package. I went to the local welding supply and told them what I wanted to do. They put together the regulator, tank, and hose and I bought the quick connect fittings. Doesn't take long to fill the 90 lbs in the trailer tires and the truck is a piece of cake! Most expensive item was the tank mount I put in the trailer to safely hold it. IIRC that doubled the cost of the whole set up.

 

[WalterJ]

I bought a Viair # 35033, 100% duty cycle, 22A, 12VDC, 150 psig from Hornblasters. Bought a regulator/gauge @ Home Depot, and a 115psig-145psig pressure switch & 40A 12VDC relay from Summit racing.

I'm building a plate from [1/2"x12"x8' (white, but paintable)] PVC (easy to screw & glue) facia to mount it vertically on the front wall of my bed. I'm designing a cover as well to keep it out of direct rain impact, as the manuf reports it is NOT WATERPROOF. Would have preferred it under the bed, but Wisconsin Winter salty roads would probably eat its aluminum parts away. I'll share pics when done.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Soory for poor pics. This is front of bed passenger side driveline.

The closest bracket is for the air compressor to sit on.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Here is another.

Same pic.

 

[CharlesHoward]

Custom made angle bracket mounted my VIAR compressor under the passenger side rear seat (Crew Cab) on the frame rail. Pressure switch and 5 gallon air tank steel strapped right behind under the bed. Air horns under the Passenger side front seat. Courtesy EZ connect outlet under the rear bumper.

 

[CPH]

My plan is to buy a high output alternator(er) a 2000 watt inverter and install. Then put a couple of outlets where I need to give 110vac access. Then when I travel I can take my small air compressor I have had for 30 years and use it for whatever I need.

cph