12v tire air pump

[bart]

I have one that Home Depot sells that has worked well for me in inflating tires up to 70psi. It may go higher but I have not needed it. (it says it is rated for up to 230psi) It is a Campbell Hausfeld 12-Volt Cordless Inflator Model # CC2300. Home Depot has it for about $50. I have used mine a lot. Just plugged into the cig lighter outlet.

[Mary C]

I like Harvey's pump. First with the consideration of money that one will have to do me for a while.


Mary C.

[jstrubberg]

Yikes! Unless you are carrying a large load, 50 or even 40 psi is a LOT of pressure!

Be aware that the rating on the side of the tire is the MAX pressure for the tire, not eh pressure you should be running it at under less than maximum load.

Has nothing to do with compressors, I'm just startled that folks run that high a psi. You won't get maximum life out of a tire at those kinds of pressures.


Hope this isn't too much of a derail.

[bdosborn]

Yikes! Unless you are carrying a large load, 50 or even 40 psi is a LOT of pressure!

Be careful what you recommend, not everyone has a teardrop this forum. Those of use with fuller figure trailers run higher pressures (or this can happen).



Bruce

[Jim Edgerly]

Yikes! Unless you are carrying a large load, 50 or even 40 psi is a LOT of pressure!

Be aware that the rating on the side of the tire is the MAX pressure for the tire, not eh pressure you should be running it at under less than maximum load.

Has nothing to do with compressors, I'm just startled that folks run that high a psi. You won't get maximum life out of a tire at those kinds of pressures.


Hope this isn't too much of a derail.

I am running special trailer tires, not passenger tires. All (or at least the overwhelming vast majority of )special trailer tire manufactures agree on one thing..."Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall because underinflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure."

I may get a smoother ride with 40lbs pressure in my tires (maybe not enough to notice at the expense of less mpg), but if the excessive sidewall flexing causes my tire to fail and my tire blows out and flies apart at highway speeds it's not much of a bargin. I'm going with what the vast majority of trailer tire expert recommend and go at the maximum stated. If when these tires reach the end of their stated life I may, or may not, go with passenger tires.

[Jim Edgerly]

So I went to HomeDepot looking for the "Campbell Hausfeld 12-Volt Cordless Inflator Model # CC2300" as recommended on a previous post. My 2013 Subaru Forester surprisingly only has 10A outlets, so I now have an extension cord to clamp directly to the battery. I purchased a Husky 12V Inflator because #1) the box say "Inflates Tires and Sports Equipment up to 130psi"...#2) it was only $30...and most importantly #3) it states right on the box that the warranty is 2 years and can be returned to any HomeDepot for repair or replacement. I double checked at the courtesy desk and they said yes because Husky was a division of HomeDepot so it's a 2 year return to them if anything goes wrong.

I bought it Friday, used it Saturday for around 60 seconds, and will return it today for refund. I'm at 50psi but as a test I wanted to see if this thing could take me up to 55psi, then I would let some air out. It ran for about 30 seconds on the first tire, then started sputering then give a little "groan" every 5 seconds until I turned it off. Same thing on the second tire.

Going to order the Hausfeld for $50 as recommended earlier.

[Jim Edgerly]

So I go out this spring and check my tire pressure. I have to admit I don't check it as often as I should. I normally just pull up to the service station, put my $1 in, and pump my tires up to 50psi without knowing where I started from.

But every spring I dig out my old "pencil style" air gauge and check the pressure first thing. Again, same as last year, only 42psi. My tires seem pretty consistent at losing those 8 lbs over the winter just sitting there for 6 months. Drag my ass, and camper, down to the service station, pay my $1, and pump it back up to 50psi, as measured on the pump gauge.

So by now I'm thinking I should be a little bit more responsible and check the pressure more often, and top them off. So I start my quest to find the right 12V pump to carry with me camping. I buy one at HomeDepot, bring it home, and start pumping up my first tire, trying to get it to go above 50psi so I will know it works OK and will suit my needs. It runs for about 30 seconds then dies. OK, that piece of $30 crap goes back to HomeDepot for my money back, and will pay more next time...but that is another story for another time.

I figure I might have put a little more air in the tire than the 50 maximum, so I get out my old trusted pencil style air gauge and check it again. 42 freaking pounds again, just like the first of the season measurement, just like every measurement these tires ever give me. I'm starting to wonder if these tires just leak anything over 42 pounds and I just need new tires. Then it dawns on me...

I take the white bar sticking out of my pencil gauge and pull on it. DAMN, it won't pull out past 42 pounds! It's a damn "car" tire gauge that should never have a need to exceed 42 pounds.

Going to the auto store to pick up a new pressure gauge, one that goes to at least 60psi.

[jeff0520]

If I woke up in your shoes, what I'd do is take my small compressor from home along. You can run it off an inverter, Just look at what the amp rating on the compressor is, and use Ohm's Law to convert to watts. For example if it's a 10 amp compressor, 10 amps times 120 volts gives you 1200 watts. I'd pick up a 1500 watt inverter and put my little pancake compressor in the trunk and run it off the inverter. No more worries about the puny little portable ones

[Jim Edgerly]

If I woke up in your shoes, what I'd do is take my small compressor from home along. You can run it off an inverter, Just look at what the amp rating on the compressor is, and use Ohm's Law to convert to watts. For example if it's a 10 amp compressor, 10 amps times 120 volts gives you 1200 watts. I'd pick up a 1500 watt inverter and put my little pancake compressor in the trunk and run it off the inverter. No more worries about the puny little portable ones

Jeff, #1) I don't own a small home compressor, so I would have to buy one. #2) I don't own an inverter so I would have to buy that. #3) When I head out for a 3 week or so trip my car is already full, and not really enough extra room to drag along a home compressor in the trunk.

For the cost of a home compressor plus a mid-power inverter, I could probably buy a pretty much top of the line 12V inflator, probably for less. I want something small that is always in the camper (or my trunk wheel well) when I need it.

[rowerwet]

I have a cheap digital tire gage in both cars glove boxes, and (don't tell the FAA) another one in my tool box at work. Offically if it is used on an airplane it has to be calibrated each year the cal. paperwork must also be on file for our FAA reps to check. I've used the shop air gage (analog, calibrated) and my cheap digital (no calibration sticker) the digital is exactly the same, and easier to read than a needle in a dial that has to cover up to 200 psi. the digital even gives half pounds.
one guy at work was into motorcycle racing, tire pressure and temp is critical for good performance, he ended up with a regular old digital gage even though the other guys were buying fancy dial gages from Snap-on.
the other nice thing about most digital gages, back-lighting for night time tire checks
I have 12v air pumps from where ever was cheap, I haven't tried hitting 50 psi, but I know they will get me up to 35-40 psi, enough to limp slowly to a gas station.

[jstrubberg]

Yikes! Unless you are carrying a large load, 50 or even 40 psi is a LOT of pressure!

Be careful what you recommend, not everyone has a teardrop this forum. Those of use with fuller figure trailers run higher pressures (or this can happen).



Bruce

I've been driving a full size truck and pulling load up to 12,000 lbs ,(that one was a huge hay trailer) for many years. I've pulled small camping trailers, a 32 foot bumper pull monster, and a middling large fifth wheel for a couple years.

Every single tire manufacturer out the reccomends over inflation. Why? Because it makes it easier for them to deny claims when your tires aren't at full pressure, and because it wears the tire out sooner causing you to buy more of their product.

A safe tire is one where the air pressure is matched to the load, not one that is pumped tight like a tick ready to explode. Sidewall flex is absolutely CRUCIAL to the long life of your tire. If the sidewall isn't flexing, the wax built into the tire for UV protection won't be released and te tire will degrade from sunlight.

Under inflation is a problem when you aremSEVERELY under inflated. The solution is not max pressure, it's proper inflation.

[Jim Edgerly]

"Every single tire manufacturer out the reccomends over inflation. Why? Because it makes it easier for them to deny claims when your tires aren't at full pressure, and because it wears the tire out sooner causing you to buy more of their product."

From what I read everywhere, trailer tires are not meant to be worn out. I know I will never wear out my ties at the 5K-12K expected life over 3-5 years, so if they are expecting to get me to buy more product in a short period they will be very disappointed.

"Sidewall flex is absolutely CRUCIAL to the long life of your tire. If the sidewall isn't flexing, the wax built into the tire for UV protection won't be released and te tire will degrade from sunlight."

According to trailer tire designers/manufactures reduced sidewall flex is absolutely CRUCIAL for safety, so ST tires feature stiffer sidewalls, especially in the lower section which reduces sidewall flexing causing the trailer to track straighter, diminishes the risk of trailer sway and lessens the risk of sidewall puncture and blowout. Flexing in the sidewall produces heat in the sidewall and tread which can quickly cause tire degradation or blowout. Excessive heat caused by under inflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure.

"Under inflation is a problem when you aremSEVERELY under inflated. The solution is not max pressure, it's proper inflation."

I guess the key here is what is the definition of "proper inflation." Special Trailer tire designers and manufactures say they have designed the tire to be used at the maximum inflation as stated on the tire sidewall...this is where maximum tread life and safety occur. From what I read a tire underinflated by 10psi (20%) can lead to tire failure, in addition to reducing tread life by as much as 25%, and decreasing mpg as well.

I appologize that my question on "do you carry a 12V air pump" has degraded to a discussion on proper tire inflation that already has 73 threads, and 10 times as many opinions on what is over vs under inflation. I have all the information I need from this thread...THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT.

[jstrubberg]

And I am sorry I derailed your thread, Jim.

We will have to agree to disagree on tire inflation, but I do hope you find the pump you are looking for.

[Jim Edgerly]

It's bound to happen everytime the subject of psi, air pumps, what kind of tire (special trailer vs. passenger vs. light truck) comes up. It happens, no harm done as we all have our opinions...and what's really important is that WE feel comfortable with what we are doing...within reason that is, and that we are all safe.

Have a great day.

[lancew]

add to the derailment, I have built tires for years. wax is used to build tires its not in the tires to protect from UV. rubber is porous material, not sure how it would hold wax. during curing process we used soap n water to install bladders. the bladders are filled with hot water and cured over a certain high temp. where is the wax that was used to build the tires ? in the bottom of the curing pit or ovens.

good luck with finding air compressor that works. if you don't, best advice was said. use any compressor then limp to nearest gas station.