When you travel in your RV, do you carry an air compressor with you to inflate your RV’s tires? If you don’t, you should! Here’s an article by our own Nanci Dixon about the portable air compressor you should have.
Carrying an air compressor with you can save you a lot of trouble: low air pressure on a deserted desert road? No problem! Long lines to “fill up” at the truck stops? No problem! Once you have one you’ll be so glad you do.
After you vote in the poll below, please leave a comment telling us if you have one, and if you don’t, why the heck not! Thanks!
My truck has an on board compressor.
I say no but, I have a diesel pusher that has air brakes and have my own air supply. I do carry a air hose long enough to reach all 4 corners with inflator and even some air tools.
Same here with long enough air hose to reach all the way back to our toad.
Same here.
Ditto.
Absolutely! A must have for every trip. Grandson and I verify pressure in TT and truck every morning just after walking the pups.
I always have a 12V compressor, tire gauge, can of glue,tire plugs and patches in my kit. Have repaired many a bicycle tire while camping with this old Coleman 150psi unit. I usually bring along a 120V pancake compressor just to save time if the tires on the TT are low.
That’s a big ten four,who wants to pay for air at a gas station.
Half the time those are out of order &/or not accessible by an RV.
Yes a large pancake compressor from harbor freight. 120 volt as I have a whole house inverter. No need for those overpriced 12 volt inflators that are slower than you can imagine.
Do you carry your pancake compressor in your RV?
I don’t carry a separate compressor. I have a diesel so it comes with a compressor. Just carry a hose long enough to reach all tires. 2 of those “coilee” hoses from Harbor Freight do the trick
My 1998 Chevy Express hightop conversion van came with a built in compressor. The hose is long enough reach any tire.
When we had the class A I carried a large 120V compressor because the tire size was way to big for a 12V compressor. Now we have down sized to a TT with 14” tires I make sure my tires are aired up prior to leaving and have the 12V to top off a tire before leaving the campground.
I have a diesel pusher and hooked into my air system.
We haven’t looked in quite a while, but when we were, we never could find one that was powerful enough and compact enough to carry and affordable. Maybe it’s time to look again.
ViAir twin compressor with tank, permanent mounting.
Yes. Most of the small 12V compressors won’t even have enough power to air tires over 50 psi besides being so slow. I found an excellent one just recently that has 3 power options: runs on a 20 V rechargeable battery, 12V car adapter OR 120V AC. It is a DeWalt DCC0201. It is small, lightweight and has a built in gauge (which is accurate). It can also be used as an inflator for blow up other items and has different attachments. I air my tires to 65 PSI and it works great. I highly recommend it. Easy to find at the store; DeWalt Yellow.
Yes, purchased a 12v twin cyclinder from Costco. Suits my Class B+ just fine.
I carry a Viair which I managed to catch on sale for $139 a few years ago. I’ve used it for putting air in the truck and trailer tires, blowing out our water lines for winterization, and blowing debris out of our water heater’s burn tube. We are full time RVers and I wouldn’t want to be without my Viair.
Yes, we carry a Viair air compressor.
Yes, exactly the one that you show.
I carry a DeWalt pancake compressor in my pickup (which is also my toad). Although originally purchased exclusively for the RV, I’ve found I use it quite a bit for other things. 😁
I use a Craftsman 155psi Compressor Pancake style. Never leave home without it!
Me, too. Along with a Honda 2200.
As several folks have mentioned already I found the diesel driven utility air compressor insufficient to inflate a 22.5 tire in a timely manner. I carry a 6 gallon, 120vac compressor. Fits in a small basement compartment. So very easy.
I have a Viair which I have used several times on the road when a tire lost air because of a valve extender loosened. Once in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday of course.
Yep, I tried a couple of the less expensive units but no go. Bought the Viair been extremely satisfied with it, as with most things should have have done that purchase first.
I carry the vi air.Here is a tip.They get very hot and create moisture.I added a two dollar filter at the gun handle to prevent the moisture entering the tire.Got it at harbor freight..
no, but thinking about doing so
I remember when all gas stations offered free air. Now there is only one in my town that does. Thats the station i give my business to.
Yes, Viair
Having a DP is how I carry an air compressor, All I have to carry is the hose.
Ditto. We developed a slow Leak in one of the rear tires and filled it at an exit apron between the road and the exit ramp twice. This made it easier to get to a tire dealer instead of having it changed on the road. Also thank goodness for the tire pressure monitors!
Yes, carry a Fini 110V compressor and works from generator. Also carry an assortment impact sockets with the air gun. Ironic, I have yet to use it on mine, but a help to others, so it was a good purchase.
Having a Class A Motorhome requiring 110 pounds up front and 100 pounds in the rear 4 tires, we go to Les Schwab Tire Centers as they provide FREE tire inflation and before every trip stop in and have them filled. Along with having a TPMS, it helps. Of course when I needed new tires, I bought them there! Even if I could save a few bucks somewhere else, why, because I now have their over 700 stores to service us if needed. Good customer care policy, I returned the favor with our business!
We carry a small compressor good for car tires and inflatable toys, but our diesel pusher has its own which we can tap for inflating the RV tires.
No, because we have a TPMS and hit Les Schwab before a trip. That said, I have added a Viair system to my shopping list for when we hit the road full time.
Carry an air compressor for many uses besides tires.
Smittybilt…saved me two times out there…
I don’t need to carry the compressor because my coach has a built in valve to hook my air hose up to, so I do carry an air hose. If I did not have this I would absolutely carry one.
Yes we have an air compressor & on our last trip we lent it to another camper to inflate their tires right in the camp ground