Recommended roadside air compressors?

My truck is a daily driver, and I had a flat tire last week. As I was just one mile from a Discount Tire location, I realized the importance of having a

$27 Boulder Tools Tire Repair Kit - Comprehensive Tire Repair Tools Set with Plugs, Valve Tool, and Heavy Duty Case - Flat Tire Repair Kit for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATVs for Quick Emergency Fixes

tire patch kit and a portable air compressor in the truck.

I'm wondering what portable air compressors you all recommend for keeping in your truck for emergencies (or for filling up MTB tires, sports balls, etc).

I've leaned toward a Ryobi 18V digital compressor I've read about in some threads, but how do you keep your battery fully charged and always available in the truck? Is there an adaptor that would allow you to charge your 18V battery from the truck, if needed?

I've also seen others like this

$85 GSPSCN Portable 12V Air Compressor Pump, 150PSI Red Tire Inflator, Heavy Duty Auto Air Pump,for Car, Truck, RV, ATV, Bike,Balls,Lawn Mower and Other Inflatables

GSPSCN Portable Compressor (connects to lighter or car battery).

What options for a roadside / in-car compressor have you found to be effective?

 

I have one of those Ryobi digital compressors. It's perfect for filling up the airbags in the back of my truck. It is really poor for truck tires. First, you need to pull the trigger so you have to hold it, second it's slow and gets hot. I honestly don't think it could fill a Tundra tire without overheating.

The GSPCN compressor you have there is a clone of the Masterflow MV-50. Going back 10 years ago, that was the little cheap portable compressor everyone would buy. I still have one and it still works well. It's perfect to keep in your truck to pump tires or occasional use. Not great if you are regularly off-roading and air down/up tires - on board air compressors like an ARB are much faster.

Based on your use case, I would get an MV-50 on sale and keep in in the truck at all times. The bag even has room for the patch kit in a ziploc.

 

Viair

 

I have an ARB but for tires use my DeWalt that can be set to the PSI needed & left to run.

 

This is what I have and has bailed me out quite a few times….,also great for beach toys, camping supplies and air mattresses

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_MTWM10215C?impressionRank=1

 

I nabbed this puppy on a Treasure Truck buy.

VIAIR 400P - 40043 Portable Compressor Kit. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35 Inch Tires

$221 VIAIR 400P - 40043 Portable Compressor Kit. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35" Tires

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X9AXR8

 

Just hide it under the hood from the wife. That's where I stash a few things.

 

+1. For bigger size truck tires, a passenger car tire pump takes a long time to fill the volume needed to get to nec psi.

 

ARB FTW I’ve got mine mounted under the driver seat. Updated it power through my switch pro.

 

I have the exact same unit. I don’t go on a road trip or hunting trip without it.

My mom is currently out on a road trip and I insisted she take it with her.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. -- I'm married, and getting the wife to support something like an ARB (I like the idea of mounting below the driver seat; curious to learn more about how you power that) might take a while. -- I think I'll go with the Dewalt 20V battery / 12V car lighter unit for now; it's mobile and could be moved to another vehicle in the future.

 

The DeWalt handles the tires on the Tundra just fine. You’ll like it.

It can also run the DeWalt 60V 5AH batteries too. Probably enough juice in one of those to air up several truck tires, I’ve topped off all 4 of mine with it and it didn’t phase the 60V battery at all.

 

I want this compressor and a couple months ago I searched all over for it. I called around to a few Napa stores and convinced one of them to call corporate, turns out it was a limited run for some reason. They are not making any more.

 

This thread has me researching the

$103 Dewalt DCC020IB DEWALT 20V MAX Tire Inflator, Compact and Portable, Automatic Shut Off, LED Light, Bare Tool Only (DCC020IB)

Dewalt DCC020IB portable inflator referenced above. I love the feature that lets you set your desired pressure and the machine gets there and stops.

Are there limitations with tire size? I’m reviewing the specs and I’m not quite sure how to tell where the limitations come in, but I see a few comments in this thread and others that say X/Y/Z compressor is only capable of up to a certain size tire. The referenced Dewalt says it can fill up to 160 psi. I’m guessing it’s a matter of total flow rate that’s the limiting factor? I’m only going up to 45-50 psi on my 35” tires, but maybe it will take forever?

idk, much like OP I’m not sure what to do for my tire inflating needs. I have a viair for emergencies but I dread airing down when off-roading because it’s gonna take me 20 minutes to re inflate. On my last trip I just spent a few days getting jostled around because there was going to be a lot of switching between on and offroad and I didn’t want to spend hours messing with my tires. Also I’ve had this viair 5+ years now and I wouldn’t be surprised if it gives up the ghost the next time I ask it to fill up my 35s.

i thought I had settled with building my own version of a power tank / co2 tank. But theeeen I see people talking about the inconvenience of keeping it filled, etc. Of course that’s not so different than the risk of mechanical failure of an air pump. Arb stuff seems pretty bulletproof but GD I can’t justify that cost right now.

 

I keep a cheap Masterflow compressor and off-road tire repair kit onboard at all times. Just used it a couple months ago on the side of the road when I drove over something the size of a railroad spike on I65. It’s nice repairing and re-inflating a tire without needing to remove it.







It works really well, and for $60, I have zero complaints. It isn’t too slow with my 285/75s. If I didn’t already have one, I’d probably be looking at the DeWalt.

 

I use Air Armor M240. compact, easy to store and carry, plenty of power for big LT tires -https://specialopstools.com/

 

Here you go:

https://youtu.be/TkxpuzYggd4

Cliff notes: the DeWalt and Milwaukee get things done.

 

I have this and it works fine. I will carry a 12V battery charger along if I need to charge the battery. I just bought 2 6AH batteries so the inflator should last a while.

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287178780

 

For 35’s it will take forever, and the small portable compressors get damned hot. Gotta stop and let them cool off, so filling 4 large tires could be a pain (say, if you aired way down to drive on sand).

A bit more costly, but Ironman sells a great portable compressor that can fill big tires, fills quickly, has a long cycle (fill all 4 before having to stop), and cools quickly, then store it in its own bag.

Edit: this one’s be best for large tires: https://ironman4x4america.com/air-champ-pro-5-65cfm-12v-heavy-duty-portable-air-compressor/

There’s a smaller version as well. Lower price. Looks like the Cyber Monday sale may still be active.

 

You should get a commission! Just ordered one. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

 

Yeah, I’d make a lot of money from a lot of vendors!

 

Hahahahah. The guy had one flat tire and everyone is recommending a $600 ARB mounted under the hood.

I really like my Ridgid 18V compressor. It fills my 35's no problem. I even used it to air up all 4 of my 37"x12.5" Geolandars on my 4Runner through an inflator system. It took a minute but did it no problem. Funny thing is I used it on the 4Runner when my ARB stopped working.

I didn't buy it just to leave in a vehicle, it gets used for all sorts of stuff, but when I am not using it I leave it in one of my vehicles and I take it as a backup when wheeling in my 4Runner.

The Ridgid comes with a cord to plug into the 12V in the truck in case your battery is not charged.

 

I ordered one from their recommendation as well and it came a few days ago, nice little compressor at a decent price with their sale. Only thing I noticed is the quick release for the air hose isn't a "M type" but a "Q type" instead, but you can change it out.

 

Exact same compressor. On sale for BF
https://morrflate.com/product-category/air-sources/

 

ExtremeAire Magnum

 

I wish I would have seen this. I just ordered the ironman4x4 AIR CHAMP PRO 5.65CFM last night. They have a 25% off sale and free shipping. oh well, Ill see how this one works first.

 

That looks like a really really solid compressor. Plus the benefit of it over the MORRFlate is that you could probably pretty easily mount it on its side under the hood.