Portable Air Compressor
 

Anybody carry a portable air compressor in their tow vehicles? If so, whats a good one? Looking for something that could either plug into cigarette lighter or trailer plug (if thats an option). Would like to have in the event I get a fixable flat that I could plug road side and fill tire back up. Would also use to fill rear airbags in truck, if needed. I carry a spare for truck and trailer, but ya never know.

Thanks

How much do you drive the truck? If it's a DD, having train horns, compressor, air hose fitting, and connected directly to your airbags is THE ticket. I did this on my last dually, and will be doing it to my next truck. Trust me, once you have air/train horns, you will wonder how you drove without them. www.hornblasters.com

Years ago, an OSO member vandalized my truck during a Poker Run weekend. I needed to refill the two front tires on my truck which were deflated (among other more serious damage). I carried a portable jump pack with a compressor. This was a dually with 235/85/16 tires. The little portable jump pack w/ compressor only got them up to about 25 lbs. each before it just couldn't really push more into those tires. It was at that point that I knew I could never rely on one of those to fix a flat or whatever.

Anything you plug into your cig lighter is going to be weak, you probably couldn't inflate a pool toy with it, so I wouldn't bother with that idea. If you're looking to use it for flat tires, airbags, etc. anything that requires 60+ psi, you'll need to do 1 of 2 things; either install an air compressor on your tow vehicle (like Sydwayz said) and this is probably the best decision or purchase a compressor that you can carry with you in case of an emergency. I purchased a Porter-Cable portable air compressor that I carry in my truck, use it for my air bags and for my truck tires (80psi)...has no problem, only downside is the 1.5gal tank on it. Run out of air and I have to find an electrical outlet to fill it back up, but great for emergencies.

At some point I will probably add a compressor to the truck, portable one was a cheap and easy fix for me.

https://www.tylertool.com/porter-cab...SABEgLYgPD_BwE

I use one of these- works great

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-H...essor+portable

Unless the 12v compressor is for the likes of a good train horn system, you will spend less time on the side of the road swapping out the flat with a spare.

As Sydwayz stated, the small portables get up to about 20-25psi in a bit of time, 60+psi... yet to see a portable do it as most will burn up trying and you are still stranded. A "T" on a truck airline with a Q/A fitting where you can plug in a hose is a life saver

that and I put a 12v receptacle on the trailer.

I have never had a trailer tire flat where the tire was fixable.

I haven't either, but I've put spares on that only had 20 psi

Not portable but if you want the ultimate 12v air compressor get an Oasis. The Most Powerful DC Air Compressors in the World

That's actually very similar to the Vlair compressors that come with many of the train horn setups. It's a good product.

Thanks all for the info!!

I borrowed a craftsman brand one that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Took about half hour to inflate a tire. During that time it stopped working once due to overheating and needed to cool down. It also blew what i thought was a fuse in the truck so i switched it from the cigarette lighter to the power outlet to finish (or maybe vice versa). Despite checking every fuse in the truck I've never gotten that outlet to work again, don't know what it damaged. Worthless pos turned me off of anything that plugs into a cigarette lighter, I'd likely join aaa before bying one. Anyone know what to look for with my dead cig lighter/ power outlet on a 2003 Chevy?

I had one that permanently died on my 2003/2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD too; not fuse related That dash panel (assuming) you have the center console stack with the cubby holes; comes apart without too much trouble to investigate.

I've taken the dash apart to access the guages. A couple inches of wire is visible on the back of the outlet but I haven't done much more than check all the fuses and relays.

Probably turned the actual cig lighter into a fusible link.

Wouldn't suprise me. It doesn't look or smell burned. Sooner or later I'll get around to checking rhe wiring at the socket and see if it's getting power. If not guess I'll be looking to join a Chevy truck forum to get to the bottom of it.

the socket and last few inches of wire burnout quite easily. Used to see it a lot on those trucks with guys plugging in rotator lights for plowing snow.

I just checked. It's the one closest to the steering wheel on my 2003 Silverado 2500HD that's shot.

I have a viair installed on my F250 with a 2 gallon tank. i have a normal 1/4" quick connect in the rear bumper and I carry a 50' hose with me. Plus I run the airbags, train horn, and air locker off it.

Some of those Viair compressors look pretty good. I think i might set up a rig like ToMorrow 44 described with a 2 gallon tank.