12v tire air pump

[Jim Edgerly]

Does anybody carry a 12v air pump with them to top off their tires? I checked my tires the other day prior to my first test run of the season, and my tires were sitting at 40psi over the winter...and I run them at 50psi. I had to find a local gas station that had an air pump in a convenient place for my trailer, then pay a buck to use it. It would be much more convenient to pull out a pump and top them off than to look for a gas station, then pay a buck every time. That way I would ensure I was always running where I wanted to be instead of a few pounds low, but not enough to justify the buck every time.

I bought a Slime pump at Wallyworld the other day, then returned it the next day. After 15 minutes of pumping (the max the pump said to use it before letting it cool for 15 minutes) it was still sitting at 40psi. It looks like most of the pumps out there are for passenger cars, and struggle to get to the 32-34 pound range, but don't want to go up to 50pounds.

Any recommendations on a reasonable priced pump that will pump up trailer tires to 50psi?

Please let's keep this post to efficient higher capacity air pumps, and not the merits of running car tires vs. trailer tires, which is another entirely different issue/conversation.

Thanks in advance.

[bdosborn]

The expedition guys talk about compressors a lot:
Compressor Linky

I almost pulled the trigger on this one but decided ultimately that I didn't really need a portable compressor:
MV-50 linky

My impression is that you need to spend a lot if you want to use it a lot and vice versa.

Bruce

[milliejohn]

I off-road a lot, and weld at home, so I carry a small CO2 tank and regulator/hoses, in my 4x4 pickup I have a 110v pancake compressor that I use 1200 watt invertor to run. 12 volt inflators have failed me too many times.

[lancew]

you can always carry a portable air tank. fill it up at a friends house or spend the buck to fill it at the gas stations. should give you couple top offs before refilling.

[Woodbutcher]

Re: 12v tire air pump


I almost pulled the trigger on this one but decided ultimately that I didn't really need a portable compressor:
MV-50 linky The Super flow from Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV50-S ... flow+MV-50

This one that Bruce posted works great. I carry one in my Jeep to air up after off roading. I can air up faster then the real expensive Viair that lots of guys use. It is amazing what that thing will do. It is only 12V .

[working on it]

I used to use a portable air tank when racing, but it didn't have enough air capacity for trailer , truck, and racecar needs on a trip, much less to help a friend or fellow racer with a tire problem. Then I carried along a pancake compressor (110v), which required a second, larger, generator to power it (I was already using one generator to charge my batteries -and some teammates batteries, between rounds). A lot of heavy gear. Finally, I got a Harbor Freight 12v compressor http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-150-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69285.html. Good enough for my use, and cheap enough to loan out to another guy, without having to do it myself. Used it may times, and still carry it with me in my daily driver, when not towing or racing....

[Jim Edgerly]

I checked the Harbor Freight pump and it says "30 amps" which is more than my 12 volt outlet will handle.

[GuitarPhotog]

I have a little Black & Decker "Tireflator" or some such that was a gift 20+ years ago. It will pump a tire up to or past 40 PSI, but it takes a long time. It draws just under 10A, so it's accessory outlet safe. I keep it in the trailer "just in case" and use it before every trip to top up the trailer tires.

<Chas>

[S. Heisley]

In order to fit my spare on the tongue, I had to keep that tire at 40 PSI. If I ever have to use it, I'll need to add a little air to it. So, I carry a little one with me. It is the size of a small portable radio and cost less than $20. ...Not a big deal.

[bdosborn]

I checked the Harbor Freight pump and it says "30 amps" which is more than my 12 volt outlet will handle.

Any air pump will actually do something will need to hook directly to your battery. The standard 12V outlet is usually rate at 20A or less, too wimpy for an air compressor.

Bruce

[Shadow Catcher]

I have an air compressor for the air shocks on the trailer and hose etc so that it can be used for tires.

[S. Heisley]

Huh? I got mine at an autoparts store...O'Reilley's. I plug it into my tow vehicle's cigarette lighter, with the engine going and top off all my tires with it. ...No problem. It's not as nice as Shadow Catcher's but it does the job easily.

[milliejohn]

30 psi is not the same as 50 psi, that is the big difference in what works for the project, a can of fix a flat will air up enough to drive for repair but not fully inflate all but the smallest tires. But a 12 volt pump is better than no pump, that's a fact.

[bdosborn]

Some of us with full figure vehicles need 80 psi. I'm not saying that a cigarette lighter air pump *won't* work, I'm saying if you want an air compressor that outputs a usefull CFM and goes to 50 psi then you should select one that connects directly to the battery.

For example, here's an O'reily compressor with the cigarette lighter connection.

Linky

Please note it has a max 15 minute run time and only goes up to 45 psi. The MV-50 goes up to 120 psi and has a 100% duty cycle.
Bruce

[Nobody]

My small12vdc pump is more'n 20yrs old & sadly lacking in volume (takes 'forever' to air up a 235/75R16 tire to 36psi). This one takes less time but lots more energy - MINE Good exercise tho...