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Once we purchased our first Class A motorhome, a transportable air compressor was not on our listing of important RV must-haves, however we rapidly realized how important an air compressor is for RV tires. For those who’re considering “I don’t want an air compressor, I’ll simply use one on the gasoline station.” Suppose once more!

Gasoline station air compressors are designed for automotive tires which want round 35 psi (kilos per sq. inch) of stress. RV tires then again can have max pressures from 80 to 135 psi or extra! Sure, even these small camper vans have LT (gentle truck) tires which might be rated at 80 psi.

Think about our shock the primary time we went to inflate the tires on our Class A motorhome at a gasoline station solely to seek out out we have been dropping stress! After that have, we determined to spend money on a high quality transportable air compressor for RV tires.

However transportable air compressors can be utilized for a lot of different issues, together with winterizing your camper, which I’ll clarify the right way to do on this article.

Don’t have time to learn your entire submit on the most effective transportable air compressor for RV tires? That is the transportable air compressor we personal and love. VIAIR makes totally different fashions, which I’ll get to later on this article.

What’s a Transportable Air Compressor?

Transportable Air Compressors are smaller variations of the air compressors you would possibly discover in an automotive or different kind of store. The compressors could have an electrical motor and a big holding tank of compressed air. Because the air is used and the stress drops beneath a sure level, the electrical motor activates and refills the tank.

The transportable model of those compressors are available many various kinds. For the aim of this text, I’ll be discussing 12 volt transportable air compressors. These are supposed to journey with you and run off of your automotive/RV battery or 12v outlet (aka cigarette lighter) in your automotive. Some are made for smaller automotive tires whereas others have the flexibility to work on all the things as much as and together with semi-truck tires. 

One other kind of transportable air compressor is a scaled down model of their bigger counterparts and plug into a normal 120 volt family outlet. These are typically used on smaller building jobs the place you want one thing small and transportable. They are going to run air instruments, paint sprayers and different kinds of instruments you’d discover on a building web site or in your storage that require compressed air. These transportable air compressors may also be used to replenish automobile tires.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t suggest the 120 volt air compressors for RV tires. They’re bigger and heavier than the 12 volt transportable air compressors plus they require that you just plug in to a normal 120 volt outlet. Whereas most RVs have these, you might not have a big sufficient inverter or large enough battery financial institution to run it. It additionally doesn’t do you any good if you wish to carry it alongside in your toad (towed automobile) for an off-roading journey the place you’ll have to air your tires again up. 

Advantages of a Transportable Air Compressor

1. Skill to Air Up Your RV’s Tires Wherever

Earlier than we took off on our first journey in our Class A motorhome, I made certain to verify the air stress for all six of our tires. Our tire stress was low throughout but it surely was adequate to drive to the closest gasoline station to replenish. Once we pulled into the gasoline station, I dropped 4 quarters into the air compressor and started filling up one of many entrance RV tires. After a pair minutes, I checked the tire stress once more and noticed that it had really LOST 5 psi! We then seemed for a truck cease to go replenish at however, low and behold, there have been none the place we have been going.

Whereas some truck stops could have air compressors in a position to air up bigger tires, they aren’t all the time obtainable. An under-inflated tire will be harmful and result in a blow out, so with the ability to air up your tires each time it’s worthwhile to is important. 

Having an air compressor with you lets you make in-field tire repairs comparable to a puncture or tear. Whereas we haven’t needed to make a restore within the area, we’ve been a variety of locations the place we have been no the place close to civilization and the closest restore store was hours away…or we didn’t have cell service to name for assist.

Once we had our Jeep, we had to make use of the spare tire a number of occasions and guess what? Once I put the spare on and lowered the automobile, I discovered that the tire stress was very low. A couple of minutes later, I had our air compressor out and the tire again as much as the right stress. 

We’ve additionally been in a position to assist different individuals on the street who wanted to air their tires up however didn’t have a compressor with them. 

2. You Can Take It With You

Because the identify implies, these 12 volt air compressors are transportable. The VIAIR air compressors are available sturdy canvas carry baggage and are gentle sufficient for most individuals to hold (the 450P-RVS is the biggest mannequin and weighs in at 13 lbs). 

Once we towed a Jeep Wrangler behind our motorhome, we’d take our transportable air compressor with us after we went off-roading. This allowed us to air the tires down on the path after which, after we acquired again to the pavement, we aired our tires again up. That is the place the 12 volt air compressors shine over the 120 volt variations as a result of we didn’t have a approach to plug-in a 120 volt air compressor within the Jeep.

I additionally want the transportable air compressors over on-board air compressors which might be completely mounted to the automobile as a result of for those who promote the automobile or want the compressor in a unique automobile, the transportable compressor can go the place you do.

3. There are A number of Makes use of for a Transportable Air Compressor

Past simply inflating tires, a conveyable air compressor may be very helpful when tenting. You should utilize them to inflate inflatable kayaks, paddle boards, balls and lots of different stuff you would possibly carry in your subsequent journey. When the climate will get beneath freezing, we’ve used ours to winterize our camper. I’ll clarify how to do that beneath. 

Transportable Air Compressor Options

As a result of there’s such all kinds of transportable air compressors, I received’t have the ability to cowl the entire totally different options however I’ll attempt to cowl a number of the most typical ones try to be conscious of. 

1. Max Working Stress, CFM, Responsibility Cycle and Extra

Pay shut consideration to the specs when purchasing for a conveyable air compressor. Max working stress was necessary for us after we have been purchasing. Our RV tires on the time had a max chilly stress of 110 psi, so we would have liked a compressor that had a max working stress equal to or larger than that. We additionally needed one thing that had a 100% responsibility cycle which implies it may well run repeatedly for an hour. An air compressor with a 33% responsibility cycle can solely run for 20 minutes (33% of 60 minutes) after which it’s going to want 40 minutes to chill between cycles. 

Smaller 12v pumps that plug right into a cigarette lighter (12v outlet) usually have a max working stress of 60 psi and have a brief responsibility cycle, 20 minutes @ 30 psi for instance. That is good for airing up bicycle, bike and automotive tires however can’t sort out even the smallest RV tire. 

CFM is one other specification which measures the cubic ft per minute of air circulate. Because the stress in a tire will increase, the CFM will drop as a result of it’s taking extra effort for the compressor to push the air into the tire. CFM might be a sign of how rapidly you’ll be able to air a tire up and whether or not the pump will have the ability to run air instruments. 

2. Equipment

Air Hose. Primary transportable air compressors will usually include an built-in air hose that’s 3-5 ft in size. Relying on how lengthy the facility twine is, you might not have the ability to attain your rear tires. Greater finish air compressors will include fast join fittings and air hoses. This lets you change out the air hoses if one turns into broken or for those who want an extended/shorter hose. Our 450P-RVS got here with two 30 foot hoses so we’re in a position to attain as much as 60 ft from the compressor! If we would have liked to increase even additional, we might add a 3rd hose. 

Chucks. Normal, air compressors will include both the bike pump or gasoline station model chuck. If the compressor has a fast join becoming, you’ll be able to change out the chuck relying on what you want. Our VIAIR got here with a gasoline station model air inflation gun, 90 diploma screw on chuck, 45 diploma chuck (for attain the internal wheel on a dually) and a number of inflation suggestions. We will additionally add different equipment that use the short join becoming.

Carry bag. These are good, particularly when you’ve got a number of equipment, to maintain all the things in a single place. 

3. Computerized Lower-Off

For those who’ve ever used a gasoline station air compressor, you already know that when it activates, it retains operating till the time restrict is up. Primary transportable air compressors function in the identical approach, they proceed operating till you flip it off. If the compressor has a brief responsibility cycle, this may occasionally require you to run backwards and forwards to show it on and off each time you turn tires. 

Transportable air compressors with an computerized shut off usually have a small holding tank. If you first flip the compressor on, it’s going to run, filling up that tank. As soon as the tank reaches stress, the compressor will shut off till you start filling a tire with air. When you’re finished filling up the tire and the tank pressurizes, the pump will routinely shut off. 

4. In-Line Stress Gauge 

I feel an inline stress gauge is a necessary accent to have. Ours has one construct into the gasoline station model inflation gun and it permits us to see what the tire stress is with out having to take away the chuck and verify the stress with a separate gauge. 

Downsides of a Transportable Air Compressor

The draw back of 12v transportable air compressors is that almost all should not designed to run air instruments. The issue is that they’ll’t present a excessive sufficient CFM that an air device requires. Some compressors have small holding tanks which is able to give a fast burst of air whenever you first pull the set off on a device and permit it to run for a second or two however not a lot after that. 

In order for you or have to run air instruments on the street, my suggestion can be to take a look at 120v transportable compressors which have a bigger holding tank.

Our Expertise with Transportable Air Compressors

A few years in the past, I had a pair cheap transportable air compressors that I saved within the storage for these odd occasions I wanted to pump up a tire. Inevitably, they might work a pair occasions after which stop working. Whereas they have been low cost to interchange, I didn’t wish to hold throwing my cash away and resigned myself to drive to the gasoline station and replenish there. 

Once we acquired the VIAIR I used to be skeptical at first, particularly given the worth, however I’ve since realized to depend on them. Once we first acquired it, we primarily used it to air up our RV tires. With our overland 4×4 truck camper, we’d use it regularly to air our tires again up from being on an off-road path or simply replenish the tires as wanted. We additionally started utilizing it for issues like blowing out our water traces, serving to mates or utilizing it to blow the mud out of an air filter. 

We now have 34” tires on our truck and after we’ve taken it off-roading, we’ll air down the tires to round 25 psi. Once we air the tires again as much as 65 psi, it takes roughly 6 minutes per tire. 

We’ve used ours in all types of circumstances like in the course of the desert in 90 diploma warmth with blowing sand and by no means as soon as had a difficulty. 

Why the VIAIR 450P-RVS is the Greatest Transportable Air Compressor for RV Tires

Briefly, as a result of it really works for all RV tires from small Class Bs all the best way as much as massive Class A motorhomes. With a attain of 60 ft, you’ll have the ability to attain these rear tires on a forty five foot Class A or a pull behind camper. 

The air compressor and all of its equipment match within the included heavy responsibility carrying bag and it’s sufficiently small to slot in most storage bays or cupboards.

With the usual fast join fittings, it lets you buy further hoses and different chucks or air weapons to fit your wants. We acquired a blow gun for air compressor that works nicely on blowing mud and different issues out of an air filter. 

Whereas the VIAIR air compressors include a 1 12 months guarantee, we’ve not wanted to make use of it. 

It’s strong! After filling up the tires in our truck at some point, I used to be distracted and forgot to place the compressor away. As I began driving away, I drove over one thing and after I acquired out, I noticed that I had pushed OVER our compressor! Come to seek out that whereas I’d bent the ft of the compressor and the alligator clips that connect to the automotive battery, all the things else was advantageous. I spent a couple of minutes bending issues again into form and the compressor has been operating advantageous ever since. 

Which VIAIR Transportable Air Compressor is Proper for Your RV Tires? 

VIAIR has a variety of transportable air compressors. The VIAIR RVS sequence of transportable air compressors are particularly made for RVs, each motorized and towables. 

Class A motorhomes – VIAIR 450P-RVS

Class C motorhomes, truck campers and enormous towables – VIAIR 400P-RVS

Smaller Towables – VIAIR 300P-RVS

Class B motorhomes and camper vans – VIAIR 89P-RVS

For those who additionally plan to make use of your transportable air compressor to your Jeep or off-road automobile, the VIAIR 400P is advisable. 

Once more, my choose would nonetheless be the VIAIR 450P-RVS as a result of it may well do all the things besides run air instruments. 

What Different Choices are There for Transportable Air Compressors? 

The listing is almost limitless for the totally different makes and kinds of transportable air compressors for RV tires. If I used to be going to purchase one thing in addition to the VIAIR, I’d search for one thing from a nicely established model that’s been utilized by off-roaders. I say that as a result of individuals who use an air compressor off-road, have a tendency to make use of them extra typically and in harsh environments. The compressors not solely have to resist the setting however they must be strong sufficient to be bounced round in a automobile for hours on finish and work each time. Within the backcountry, away from cell alerts and paved roads, your life could rely in your instruments, which incorporates your air compressor. 

My first selection can be the ARB Excessive Efficiency Transportable Air Compressor. Many off-roaders will set up these on-board their automobiles however this mannequin comes with in a tough carrying case in order that it’s transportable. The worth is on-par with the VIAIR however lacks a number of the equipment which might be customary with the VIAIR. The ARB can be has a better CFM than the VIAIR and is rated to run air instruments with an non-compulsory 1 gallon air tank. 

In order for you one thing bigger to run air instruments, my suggestion can be a pancake model transportable air compressor. They’re known as “pancake” due to the pancake formed air tank positioned beneath the compressor. They’re all 120v so that you’ll both want an inverter and battery financial institution that’s massive sufficient to run this model of compressor out of your RV or be parked someplace like a campground the place you’ve got entry to an outlet. Whereas bigger and heavier than a 12v transportable air compressor, pancake model compressors like this Craftsman are a couple of third of the worth of the VIAIR or ARB.

Lastly, if you’re on a price range and don’t plan to be out within the backcountry, I’d counsel looking out Amazon for “12v transportable air compressor” and discovering one in your value vary that has good critiques and the options you want in a conveyable air compressor. 

What’s the appropriate tire stress(s) to your RV? 

The right tire stress to your RV tires goes to range primarily based upon the the burden of the automobile and whether or not you’ve got single or twin rear wheels. For instance, on our truck camper, the tires on the max chilly stress of 80 psi are load rated for 4,050 kilos. Earlier than you’ll be able to decide what the right tire stress is, it’s worthwhile to weigh your RV. This may be finished at any truck cease that has a CAT scale. Merely drive up onto the size and observe the instructions. They’ll offer you entrance, rear and trailer axle weights. With this data you’ll be able to search for the inflation chart to your tires and decide what the right tire stress is. Right here’s an instance of Truck Tire Load Inflation Tables from Bridgestone. https://industrial.bridgestone.com/content material/dam/bcs-sites/bridgestone-ex/merchandise/Databooks/TBR/Bridgestone-TBR-Load-And-Inflation-Tables-08-08-2018.pdf

Right tire psi, particularly on lager motorhomes is a important security merchandise. In case your tires are underneath inflated, that may trigger extreme warmth, put on and ultimately a blow out. We’ve had mates in bigger Class A motorhomes expertise a blow in and out one case they misplaced full management and totaled the RV and within the different, whereas they misplaced some management, they have been in an space with a large shoulder and have been in a position to safely cease. Underneath/over inflation will even trigger extreme put on in your tires and RV tires aren’t low cost! 

A method to assist stop tire blow-outs and monitor your tire stress is by putting in a TPMS (tire stress monitoring system) to your RV. Many new automobiles include these now however many RVs nonetheless don’t. They’re simple to put in and screens just like the TST or TireView include 4-12 sensors relying on what number of tires it’s worthwhile to monitor. Here’s a hyperlink to the TST Tire Stress Monitoring System.

Methods to Inflate RV Tires

You need to by no means stand subsequent to an RV tire when you’re inflating it. RV and truck tires can explode when being inflated and every year, persons are killed and critically injured by them. That is why, for those who look in a truck tire store, you’ll see metal cages the place they set the tire earlier than inflating it. 

To start inflating your RV tires, begin your engine for the reason that compressor might be operating off your automotive battery (you don’t wish to air up your tires solely to seek out you’ve drained your battery). In case your compressor has an on/off swap, set the swap to the off place. Insert the 12v plug into the automobile’s 12v outlet or cigarette lighter or connect the  black (floor) alligator clip to the automobile – usually uncovered metallic like a bolt or nut on the aspect wall inside your engine bay. Test your automobile’s house owners handbook to see the place to connect the bottom when leaping the automobile if you’re undecided. Subsequent, connect the constructive (purple) clip to the constructive terminal of your battery. If you’re prepared to start inflating your tires, flip the pump on if it’s not already and inflate every tire to the right tire stress. Be certain to face away and off to the aspect of the tire.

One more reason I just like the VIAIR 450P-RVS is that it comes with a 90 diploma screw on chuck and twin hoses. To maintain myself protected, when I’m filling our tires, I connect the primary hose to the air compressor, then I join the air inflation gun between the primary and second hose and the 90 diploma twist on chuck will twist onto the top of the tire valve after which I can stand away from the tire (as much as 30 ft) and safely fill the tire. The gauge on the tire inflation gun tells me when the tire has reached the right stress after which I can take away the chuck and transfer on to the following tire. 

Methods to Winterize Your RV with a Transportable Air Compressor

Many individuals are accustomed to the pink RV anti-freeze that’s pumped by means of the water system of an RV to winterize it. Personally, I’m not a fan of these items. I received’t get into all of the the reason why however in brief I a lot want to blow the water out of my camper’s traces. 

To do that, we used an air compressor and a blow out valve like this one.

Disclaimer: The directions beneath are how we winterized our truck camper and are supposed to provide you with an thought of the way it’s finished utilizing compressed air. These should not directions on the right way to winterize your RV. Each RV is totally different. If not finished accurately, compressed air might harm water traces, water heaters, pumps, valves and different elements of your water system. Make sure you learn your house owners handbook and speak to your RV producer on the most effective course of to winterize your RV. 

Drain all water from the camper’s recent water tank, water heater, filters and low level drains. If there’s a tankless water heater, be sure that to empty the water out of it as nicely. On our camper, I’ve discovered that if I open the drain valve on our water heater and activate the water pump, it rapidly empties the recent water tank. 
Activate the water pump and open every scorching/chilly water valve (sinks/showers/bathrooms/and so forth) to filter out extreme water left within the traces. 
Set up the blow out valve to the recent water fill inlet and open the drain valve on the recent water tank. Start pumping air into the recent water fill and there ought to be air/water popping out of the drain valve. If there isn’t, cease instantly. Proceed till water is now not popping out of the drain. 
Transfer the blow out valve from the recent water fill inlet to the town water inlet. Open every water valve (sinks/showers/bathrooms/and so forth) one by one after which blow air into the system. Have an individual contained in the RV monitoring every valve to make sure air/water are popping out. If it isn’t, cease instantly. Proceed till no extra water is popping out of the valve. 
Repeat Step 4 with every water valve, cold and hot. I additionally like to return to the recent water heater and open up the valve there once more and blow extra air to make sure it’s fully empty in addition to the recent water tank. 
Lastly, empty each gray and black holding tanks. 

When freezing temps are over, merely refill the recent water holding tank, activate the water pump and open the suitable valves to start getting water again into the system. 

Here’s a video of how we winterize our camper van:

Methods to Restore a Flat Tire

Whereas I’d love to have the ability to clarify the right way to restore a tire within the area on this article, it’s just too in-depth. As you’ll have guessed nevertheless, one important device for repairing a tire within the area is an air compressor. The opposite is a top quality tire restore equipment. The one we personal is the Outback Excessive Final Puncture Restore Package. That is marketed to work on something from ATVs to semi-truck tires. 

An incredible useful resource to learn to restore tires within the area is the guide Elevating Your 4WD Car Off-Street & In-Area Tire Restore by Bob Wohlers. I took Bob’s class and have this guide. It’s a wealth of data and vital for anybody venturing off the overwhelmed path. 

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A top quality transportable air compressor to your RV tires will be an costly buy however, as we’ve discovered, it’s nicely well worth the funding. Whereas we’ve had nothing however good experiences with VIAIR, there are a lot of different choices on the market. If in case you have transportable air compressor you actually like, tell us within the feedback.