RV Air compressor

[Richeyb]

Looking to buy a portable air compressor to bring on trips with MHC 380TH
Looking at ViAir 40047 400P-RV or
ViAir 45053. 450P-RV
47 pumps faster but limited to 20min
Any thoughts?

[Frank G]

A lot depends on what you need the AC for. Depending, you would rarely have the occasion to fill a tire from dead flat, toping off is another thing. If you have toys and fix your own tires that is another use. Battery, 12V or 115V the options are limitless. I have been carrying a Battery powered Ryobi for years and have only used it to top off the tires, works great and can share the battery with other stuff, light weight and small size. OK its larger than the Honda we carried in the MC.

[busterbrown]

Definitely stay with ViAir. I have a ViAir 400. Bought it for 1/2 off at Cabelas 3 years ago. Thought it was a great deal. Wife did not as it was still $150. Told me to buy a DC unit at Lowes for under $100. Well, forward ahead 3 years and Santa delivered a $70 3-way Black and Decker at Christmas time for garage use (bike and commuter car tires primarily).

Yesterday in Joshua Tree NP, I aired down to 45 PSI to offroad on a trail in the park. Got back to the campsite and was preparing to move on. Brought both the ViAir and B&D. Had the B&D hooked up to one one rear tire and set it to 80PSI. Then used the ViAir on another tire. The ViAir had all 3 other tires inflated to towing pressures while the B$D was still dogging at 65 PSI. Took the B&D off the valve stem and finished with the ViAir.

Going forward, the B&D will never see the light outside of my garage again. Any quality high pressure ViAir should do you well. Just don't cheap out on anything 'affordable' at your local big box retailer.

[sourdough]

I have the ViAir 400 as well and cannot complain. I too have had others that just couldn't get the job done and one just smoked.

[slow]

I am very happy with my ViAir 450P-A. No regrets paying a premium since so versatile and reliable.

[Hankster]

I have the viiair 300p, none of my tires are over 65PSI.
I've only had it a few months but it seems to fill the bill

[Fishsizzle]

My Viair gets burn your hands hot when I try and top tires off. I have it for DC situations but now have a small porter cable pancake to air up when I have 110 outlet available.

[Cbrez]

Can’t go wrong with ViAir. It does get hot as my other pumps have, but just takes a few minutes to cool down enough to stow. Also comes with a nice long chuck for reaching the inside dually valve stems.

[KSH]

I got this one for about $120 I just keep it filled under the rear truck seats.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HH...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[336]

Viair [emoji106]. Anything other than the HD 100% duty cycle is a waste of time. Sure for filling bike tires a cigarette lighter one will work. As for adjusting pressures. Try to get 70/80/90 psi out of those pumps. And most cheaper ones have short duty cycles. 5 mins on 45 off. Never mind you get a puncture or any major air loss. Put a tire plug and try to get it back to said pressure without a 100% duty cycle HD one and you will burn it up. Been there. Spent the money and now ride worry free that I can handle the situation. Burnt up a few and been in a few McDonald’s and gas stations that couldn’t work up the psi or didn’t work period. Best investment and piece of mind MOD yet. Mounted it in a dry spot by the battery box in the front “garage”. Plenty of air flow when it’s getting hot. 100’ of air line and your set to air up just about any situation.

[Tbos]

this is what I bought. I have been very happy with it.

[cliff]

We've been using a 3 gallon Harbor Freight since 1994. It's good to 100 psig. We use it to top off the tires while at a CG. It's slow but we're in no hurry. It usually takes about twenty minutes to top off all the ti/res. It cost under $50.

[Rber1234]

I use the Viair 400P. Nice compressor

[xrated]

I actually have two. I have a Viair mounted in the toolbox of my truck for my "get out of the left passing lane air horns"...12VDC of course, and then I keep a DeWalt 120VAC 6 gallon pancake in the trailer. I always carry a 50' piece of air hose, inflator chucks and tire pressure gauges. The Toy Hauler has a 5500W Onan onboard, so I always have 120V if I need it. One of these days I'm going to do some piping mods on the truck and make another quick disconnect available for airing up truck tires if needed, and I'm not pulling the trailer. The DeWalt will pump up to 160 psi before the pressure switch shuts it off and the Viair pressure switch is set to go off at 200 psi. Make sure if you are buying the Viair that you get a 200+ psi rated hose..AND make sure you have a large enough wiring source for the 12VDC. The Viair pulls about 23 amp when running.

[KSH]

23 amps? So clearly not plugging that into the cigarette lighter adapter right..

[busterbrown]

Originally Posted by KSH

23 amps? So clearly not plugging that into the cigarette lighter adapter right..

Yep. Those ViAir's do have a good amp draw. Clamp directly to battery terminals as the truck is running. It takes about 20 minutes to air up all 4 tires from 45 PSI to 65/80 PSI. My starting battery on the truck would take a hit at 20 minutes with that amperage draw.

[johnlewis]

I had the same AC as TBOS. Very happy with it. Bought it because I needed a unit that would pump trailer tires up to 105 psig. We are no longer full-timing, and it is still the only air compressor I have.

[cookinwitdiesel]

It may be overkill but I just always have both a Porter Cable 6 gallon pancake compressor and my 3500W portable generator when I go on trips. If at the campsite, I get AC there, if on the road, I can fire up the generator as needed. Sure, it is a little inconvenient, but so is having to air tires on the side of the road anyways. I am not going to go through a lot of trouble (and expense) to make a rarely occurring inately inconvenient thing more convenient.

[AbHDToyHauler]

I also have the Viair 400P-Rv. Pricey but well worth the money. I learned long ago that when you buy quality tools you save alot more in the long run. It has worked great. I keep in my truck in case I need to inflate a tire even when not towing. Took little one I had in my truck and moved to wife's Jeep so she has something on board if needed. Seems like nothing every happens when you are ready for it. LOL

[farsidius]

I'll put another plug for the ViAir. I've had my ViAir 400 for three years now and I'm very happy with it. Inflates the trailer and truck tires when needed without any issues.

I am surprised at how expensive they are now. They were ~$150 when I bought mine - and I thought that was pricey (but worth it). Looks like they're running over $300 now (apparently we've said too many good things about them)