Air Compressor

[Fox hunt]

thinking of buying a small travel air compressor for tire inflating would use infrequently Kensum Portable travel air compressor is cheep what do you think?

[cpaharley2008]

Save the weight, if the tires need air then there is a puncture somewhere. Just make sure they are properly checked before each trip, they normally do not lose air unless there is a puncture.

[padlin]

They don't publish much for specs so it's kind of a crap shoot. Their website says 15A which you won't get over the lighter type socket, I see in the reviews someone went to battery clamps. It may keep popping the fuse. If you have passenger size tires it'll probably do, if they are 31's or bigger you might want to go with a compressor that tells you what it'll put out. Both the hose and power cord are pretty short. Just for comparison, go to the VIAIR website and look at their portables. That said, a lot of the folks have the cheaper units and seem happy with them.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by padlin

That said, a lot of the folks have the cheaper units and seem happy with them.

Put me in that group. My, about 10 buck cheapie, plug into cigarette lighter one saved my bacon on the Top of the World Hwy. in Alaska. No place to get off out of traffic, used if twice to get air back in enough to move on and put some more air in and get to Chicken AK. Sure, it's slow as molasses but it's done the job for me twice now when I needed it so it's always in the truck.

Ron

[Jim Bennett]

I had a cheap one, and it crapped out on me when I really needed it. Fortunately someone else there had one too. All the components, pistons included are plastic, and just lubed a bit. To be fair I likely had used it for a total of an hour or so before this happened. Not sure the brand, but I bought one that was supposed to be better, paid around $60 I think.

If I have to replace the one I have, I would go with a Viair, for sure. Costs way more, but built great and works better too.

[gbaglo]

I have a cheapie that I bought maybe 20 years ago and another cheapie that somebody left in the vehicle after daughter went camping with friends. I carry them both, so I have a backup ( that and BCAA Plus RV ). Both are slow, but still work.

[kstock11]

On my 7000 mile tow back from Chilliwack, I checked my trailer tires before heading out to cross the dessert. They were low so I went to 2 different gas stations that had coin operated air pumps. First one took air out instead of putting it in. Second one, just barely got the tires to where I wanted them to be. After that, I purchased a 2 cylinder air pump by slime. It clips onto the battery and does a fine job. I will never travel without it! Slime COMP06 Pro Power Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Tire Inflator

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Save the weight, if the tires need air then there is a puncture somewhere. Just make sure they are properly checked before each trip, they normally do not lose air unless there is a puncture.

Actually tires lose pressure over time. About 1 psi a month.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=74

I use a bicycle tire pump to inflate my bike and trailer tires
http://www.amazon.ca/Topeak-Blow-Spo...umps+for+bikes

[Charlie & Lucy]

I will carry a Ryobi drill with two batteries for the scissor jacks so we purchased a Ryobi inflator. Totally portable! We haven't left for 5.0TA pickup yet (Sept. 8) but it will be in the kit. Has worked well so far on the cars and other various tires here. Also has a low pressure, high volume nozzle for air mattresses.

[Fox hunt]

ok ordered the portable Viair $43 great reviews

[Vermilye]

I carry an inexpensive battery operated compressor. Sure it is slow, but it saved my bacon when I discovered a low tire in a campground 20 miles from the nearest tire store. It was a slow enough leak that filling the tire got me to the store. A lot easier than changing to the spare...

[JMTHKR]

Like J Mac I prefer to use a good bicycle (floor) pump. Just got used to using a floor pump on my road bikes in my formative years. To this day I will normally use the floor pump at home for topping off tires instead of pulling out an air compressor.

Cliff

[Cypherian]

Originally Posted by Charlie & Lucy

I will carry a Ryobi drill with two batteries for the scissor jacks so we purchased a Ryobi inflator. Totally portable! We haven't left for 5.0TA pickup yet (Sept. 8) but it will be in the kit. Has worked well so far on the cars and other various tires here. Also has a low pressure, high volume nozzle for air mattresses.

Nice , I am thinking of changing my system up to use Air . I have on board air in my truck but not enough to use an air tool . Been looking at one of these VIAIR Corporation - Heavy Duty Onboard Air System (P/N 10005) then there is no worry of using a battery drill in the Rain/Snow, killing battery of the tool in the cold weather. Check the temp rating on your battery tool for use and charging to make sure you do not inadvertently kill the battery my charging it when it is too cold.

I will wave as I go through this Sunday .

Cypher

[t-twnbob]

I purchased a 12 volt Viair from Amazon for about $40. We have used it several times to top off tires on our trailer and vehicles as we have no large shop compressor. We always carry a tire plugger kit with us as well. It's always better to have and not need.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

We always carry a tire plugger kit with us as well. It's always better to have and not need.

Or to have to pay 30 bucks in a remote town for a few dollar item back home, especially when you already have one back home.

Ron

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by t-twnbob

It's always better to have and not need.

Except for elephants, it is not always better to have one.

[MyronL]

Hey, you never know when you'll be needing one.