I use the 150 psi harbor freight model. Fits in my tool box in its case. May be slow but I used it to fill up two low tires on a large roller just the other day.

 

I have the compressor for the firestones & the tank, etc. due to the fact that every time I have ever needed a compressor, I had a leaking tire, & found that without a tank to store at least a couple gal's of air the small compressors won't fill a tire any faster than it's leaking out. So they're just about useless. My .02$

 

I like the on-board air solution. I use a ViAir too. Air when you need it, and a great horn too.

 

I have portable Viair, paid like $175 for it. Reading on another board after I made the purchase and someone mentioned Harbor Fright [sic] having the same compressor for about $50. Next time in Harbor Fright, I checked them out. They do look exactly the same. My Viair does not have country of origin on it that I can find.

 

Looks can be deceiving. I can almost guarantee the harbor freight parts will be made in china, an have the quality to reflect it.

I've had the Viair compressor mounted on the truck's frame rail for 2 years and no issues.

You get what you pay for. I would be afraid that the HF unit works fine in the city, when you test and/or use it a couple times. Then, it would likely let you down on the trail or in the middle of nowhere, where you need it most!

Tony

 

Always have tire patching in my truck and fifth wheel .Also a 12v comperssor with me. A fast plug will save you a lot of time.

 

I have a Campbell-Hausfeld 12v Rechargeable compressor with a 1.5 gal. tank & a AM/FM radio (). It looks like a small blue beer-barrel & weighs about 35lbs.

It is the handiest thing to have on board, if you need to pump up tires. You just carry it to the tire. The manufacturer claims that it can pump up 9 car tires on a single charge, although I've never tested it to that extent.

John Good

 

I have one of these: http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/32.htm

I modded it to use std 1/4" NPT fittings (I also ported the head, but that was just bored silliness). Also carry a 5 gal tank, already charged.

 

Ditto on tire patching plug kit.

Plus a 110V small compressor (for low tires before leaving campground) under the seat. Plus onboard air compressor,under the hood, for pakbrake/airhorn/low tire refill on the road.

 

In the old days (35yrs ago) when 4 wheelen we all carried spark plug air pumps. what ever happened to these? don't see them any more. Used to be all part stores carried them. These were great for pumping up tires out in the boonies. Unscrew a spark plug, screw in the rite adapter with short hose on the end with a small diaphram cylinder with a long hose on the other end to reach the tires. Worked great, and with the engine idling it pumped up a large tera tire reasonably fast, with clean air. Engine idled a little rough but always worked.
Guess it was to simple and to cheep, progress took us to more refined technology and higher prices.
Of course this would not work to well on a diesel.

 

I have found that gas stations and truck stops usually have no air, poor air, or expensive poor air($.75 a whack). Sometimes you are lucky to make 80 lbs.
I need 110 on one trailer. I now have an HD 12V pump fro Interdynamics. I put a 35' electric line to it that can connect to the battery to get suffcient juice, if needed. A small 110V compressor sound like a good plan B where 110 is an option.
When you put on your spare & it has 45lbs and you need 80, you will say, "I wished I had planned for this". If you are not ready, the day will come.
Be Prepared!

 

Forwardho,

Yes, when I travel with my RV I carry a portable 3 gallon compressor rated to 100lbs. I run my tires on the truck at 70 lbs. It takes 5-10 minutes to fill one tire from about 45 lbs. to 70 lbs. The compressor fits perfectly in the forward compartment of my 5th wheel. 6 months? I carry it even for weedend trips. It's pretty handy.

 

I use this compressor also, but I took the handle off and mounted it up inside my passenger front fenderwell above the plastic wheel well liner. It's a tight fit but it works great, had it for about 2 years now, it's starting to get alittle slow getting a 5liter air tank up to 120psi but it's still doing the job (use it once a day due to a small air line leak I can't find). I mounted a 5liter air tank up inside the drivers side front fender. Next time I will either go with a better brand name (100%duty) or do an engine mounted setup.

I can't seem to find the compressor mounting pics, but it's basically the same as the tank just opp side... Its a tight fit, but the best part was I used only "dead space" so I lost nothing as far as storage room...

 

I have tried the “inexpensive” 12 volt compressors, but at 80 psi they take along time and some just could not handle it. Since I carry 2 Honda 2000's to run the AC I carry a 1hp Craftsman it does a good job but it requires both Hondas to use. I have also tried the smaller AC compressor from Harbor Freight, it did the job better that the 12 volt compressors but it was slow at 80 psi.. We travel 2 months at a time and use the compressor a couple times each trip