Best Portable Air Compressor for RV Tires in 2025

After we purchased our first Class A motorhome, a portable air compressor was not on our list of essential RV must-haves, however we rapidly realized how important an air compressor is for RV tires. Should you’re considering “I don’t want an air compressor, I’ll simply use one on the gasoline station.” Suppose once more!

Gasoline station air compressors are designed for automobile tires which want round 35 psi (kilos per sq. inch) of strain. RV tires then again can have max pressures from 80 to 135 psi or extra! Sure, even these small camper vans have LT (gentle truck) tires which are rated at 80 psi.

Think about our shock the primary time we went to inflate the tires on our Class A motorhome at a gasoline station solely to seek out out we had been shedding strain! After that have, we determined to put money into a top quality transportable air compressor for RV tires.

However transportable air compressors can be utilized for a lot of different issues, together with winterizing your camper, which I’ll clarify the way to do on this article.

Don’t have time to learn all the put up on the most effective transportable air compressor for RV tires? This is the portable air compressor we own and love. VIAIR makes completely different fashions, which I’ll get to later on this article.

What’s a Transportable Air Compressor?

Transportable Air Compressors are smaller variations of the air compressors you would possibly discover in an automotive or different sort of store however with out the big holding tanks. These smaller transportable compressors are available in many differing kinds and types. For the aim of this text, I’ll be discussing 12 volt transportable air compressors. These are supposed to journey with you and run off of your automobile/RV battery or 12v outlet (aka cigarette lighter) in your automobile. Some are made for smaller automobile tires whereas others have the power to work on the whole lot as much as and together with semi-truck tires. 

One other sort of transportable air compressor is a scaled down model of their bigger counterparts and plug into a typical 120 volt family outlet. These are typically used on smaller building jobs or DIY initiatives at dwelling the place you want one thing small and transportable. They are going to run air instruments, paint sprayers and different forms of instruments you’d discover on a building web site or in your storage that require compressed air. These transportable air compressors may also be used to replenish car tires.

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t suggest the 120 volt air compressors for RV tires. They’re much bigger and heavier than the 12 volt transportable air compressors plus they require that you simply plug in to a typical 120 volt outlet. Whereas most RVs have these, chances are you’ll not have a big sufficient inverter or large enough battery financial institution to run it. It additionally doesn’t do you any good if you wish to carry it alongside in your toad (towed vehicle) for an off-roading journey the place you’ll have to air your tires again up and don’t have an inverter to make use of. 

Advantages of a Transportable Air Compressor

1. Capability to Air Up Your RV’s Tires Anyplace

Earlier than we took off on our first journey in our Class A motorhome, I made certain to examine the air strain for all six of our tires. Our tire strain was low throughout but it surely was adequate to drive to the closest gasoline station to replenish. After we pulled into the gasoline station, I dropped 4 quarters into the air compressor and started filling up one of many entrance RV tires. After a pair minutes, I checked the tire strain once more and noticed that it had really LOST 5 psi! We then seemed for a truck cease to go replenish at however, low and behold, there have been none the place we had been going.

Whereas some truck stops may have air compressors in a position to air up bigger, excessive PSI tires, they aren’t at all times accessible. An under-inflated tire could be harmful and result in a blow out, so with the ability to air up your tires each time you’ll want to is crucial. 

Having an air compressor with you permits you to make in-field tire repairs corresponding to a puncture or tear. Whereas we haven’t needed to make a restore within the area, we’ve been a lot of locations the place we had been no the place close to civilization and the closest restore store was hours away…or we didn’t have cell service to name for assist.

After we had our Jeep, we had to make use of the spare tire a number of occasions and guess what? After I put the spare on and lowered the car, I discovered that the tire strain was very low. A couple of minutes later, I had our air compressor out and the tire again as much as the proper strain. 

We’ve additionally been in a position to assist different folks on the street who wanted to air their tires up however didn’t have a compressor with them. 

2. You Can Take It With You

Because the title implies, these 12 volt air compressors are transportable. The VIAIR air compressors are available in sturdy canvas carry baggage and are gentle sufficient for most individuals to hold (the 450P-RVS is the most important mannequin and weighs in at 13 lbs). 

After we towed a Jeep Wrangler behind our motorhome, we might take our transportable air compressor with us once we went off-roading. This allowed us to air the tires down on the path after which, once we obtained again to the pavement, we aired our tires again up. That is the place the 12 volt air compressors shine over the 120 volt variations as a result of we didn’t have a solution to plug-in a 120 volt air compressor within the Jeep.

I additionally choose the transportable air compressors over on-board air compressors which are completely mounted to the car as a result of for those who promote the car or want the compressor in a unique car, the transportable compressor can go the place you do.

3. There are A number of Makes use of for a Transportable Air Compressor

Past simply inflating tires, a transportable air compressor could be very helpful when tenting. You should use them to inflate inflatable kayaks, paddle boards, balls and lots of different stuff you would possibly carry in your subsequent journey. When the climate will get under freezing, we’ve used ours to winterize our camper. I’ll clarify how to do that under. 

Transportable Air Compressor Options

As a result of there may be such all kinds of transportable air compressors, I gained’t have the ability to cowl the entire completely different options however I’ll attempt to cowl a number of the commonest ones you need to be conscious of. 

1. Max Working Strain, CFM, Responsibility Cycle and Extra

Pay shut consideration to the specs when looking for a transportable air compressor. Max working strain was essential for us once we had been buying. Our RV tires on the time had a max chilly strain of 110 psi, so we wanted a compressor that had a max working strain equal to or higher than that. We additionally needed one thing that had a 100% obligation cycle which implies it could possibly run repeatedly for an hour. An air compressor with a 33% obligation cycle can solely run for 20 minutes (33% of 60 minutes) after which it would want 40 minutes to chill between cycles. 

Smaller 12v pumps that plug right into a cigarette lighter (12v outlet) usually have a max working strain of 60 psi and have a brief obligation cycle, 20 minutes @ 30 psi for instance. That is good for airing up bicycle, bike and automobile tires however can’t sort out even the smallest RV tire – the smaller tires on our Class B van are rated at 80 psi. 

CFM is one other specification which measures the cubic ft per minute of air movement. Because the strain in a tire will increase, the CFM will drop as a result of it’s taking extra effort for the compressor to push the air into the tire. CFM might be a sign of how rapidly you possibly can air a tire up and whether or not the pump will have the ability to run air instruments. 

2. Equipment

Air Hose. Primary transportable air compressors will usually include an built-in air hose that’s 3-5 ft in size. Relying on how lengthy the ability wire is, chances are you’ll not have the ability to attain your rear tires. Larger finish air compressors will include fast join fittings and air hoses. This lets you change out the air hoses if one turns into broken or for those who want an extended/shorter hose. Our 450P-RVS got here with two 30 foot hoses so we’re in a position to attain as much as 60 ft from the compressor! If we wanted to increase even additional, we may add a 3rd hose. 

Chucks. A chuck is the nozzle on the tip of the hose that connects to the tire’s air stem. Commonplace, air compressors will include both the bike pump or gasoline station type chuck. If the tip of the hose has a fast join becoming, you possibly can change out the chuck relying on what you want. Our VIAIR got here with a gasoline station type air inflation gun, 90 diploma screw on chuck, 45 diploma chuck (for attain the interior wheel on a dually) and a number of inflation suggestions. We are able to additionally add different equipment that use the short join becoming. I usually use the screw on chuck because it’s the best to work with.

Inflation Gun. The inflation gun is, in essence, a valve. Whenever you press the set off down, it opens permitting the air to movement into your tire. I prefer to have one with a strain gauge constructed into it so I’m able to simply see the tire strain fairly than having to take away the chuck and examine the tire with a seperate gauge.

Carry bag. These are good, particularly when you’ve got a number of equipment, to maintain the whole lot in a single place. 

3. Automated Minimize-Off

Should you’ve ever used a gasoline station air compressor, you already know that when it activates, it retains working till the time restrict is up. Primary transportable air compressors function in the identical approach, they proceed working till you flip it off. If the compressor has a brief obligation cycle, this will likely require you to run forwards and backwards to show it on and off each time you turn tires. 

Transportable air compressors with an automated shut off usually have a small holding tank. Whenever you first flip the compressor on, it would run, filling up that tank. As soon as the tank reaches strain, the compressor will shut off till you start filling a tire with air. Should you take a break otherwise you’re completed filling up the tire and the tank pressurizes, the pump will mechanically shut off. 

4. In-Line Strain Gauge 

I feel an inline strain gauge is an important accent to have. Ours has one construct into the inflation gun and it permits us to see what the tire strain is with out having to take away the chuck and examine the strain with a separate gauge. 

Downsides of a Transportable Air Compressor

The draw back of 12v transportable air compressors is that almost all are usually not designed to run air instruments. The issue is that they’ll’t present a excessive sufficient CFM that an air software requires. Some compressors have small holding tanks which is able to give a fast burst of air while you first pull the set off but it surely’s solely sufficient to permit the software to run for a second or two however not a lot after that. 

If you would like or have to run air instruments on the street, my suggestion could be to take a look at 120v transportable compressors which have a bigger holding tank or get a seperate air tank which you could fill with you 12v air compressor.

Our Expertise with Transportable Air Compressors

A few years in the past, I had a pair cheap transportable air compressors that I saved within the storage for these odd occasions I wanted to pump up a tire. Inevitably, they’d work a pair occasions after which stop working. Whereas they had been low cost to switch, I didn’t wish to maintain throwing my cash away and resigned myself to drive to the gasoline station and replenish there. 

After we obtained the VIAIR I used to be skeptical at first, however I’ve since realized to depend on them. After we first obtained it, we primarily used it to air up our RV tires. With our overland 4×4 truck camper, we might use it regularly to air our tires again up from being on an off-road path or simply replenish the tires as wanted. We additionally started utilizing it for issues like blowing out our water strains, serving to buddies or utilizing it to blow the mud out of an air filter. 

We have now 34” tires on our truck and once we’ve taken it off-roading, we’ll air down the tires to round 25 psi. After we air the tires again as much as 65 psi, it takes roughly 6 minutes per tire. 

We’ve used ours in all types of situations like in the course of the desert in 90 diploma warmth with blowing sand and by no means as soon as had a problem. 

Why the VIAIR 450P-RVS is the Greatest Transportable Air Compressor for RV Tires

In brief, as a result of it really works for all RV tires from small Class Bs all the way in which as much as massive Class A motorhomes. I even apply it to mower and bike tires. With a attain of 60 ft, you’ll have the ability to attain these rear tires on a forty five foot Class A or a pull behind camper. 

The air compressor and all of its equipment match within the included heavy obligation carrying bag and it’s sufficiently small to slot in most storage bays or cupboards.

With the usual fast join fittings, it permits you to buy further hoses and different chucks or air weapons to fit your wants. We obtained a blow gun for air compressor that works properly for blowing mud and different issues out of an air filter. 

Whereas the VIAIR air compressors include a 1 yr guarantee, we’ve not wanted to make use of it. 

It’s strong! After filling up the tires in our truck at some point, I used to be distracted and forgot to place the compressor away. As I began driving away, I drove over one thing and after I obtained out, I noticed that I had pushed OVER our compressor! Come to seek out that whereas I’d bent the ft of the compressor and the alligator clips that connect to the automobile battery, the whole lot else was high quality. I spent a couple of minutes bending issues again into form and the compressor has been working high quality ever since. 

Which VIAIR Transportable Air Compressor is Proper for Your RV Tires? 

VIAIR has a lot of transportable air compressors. The VIAIR RVS collection of transportable air compressors are particularly made for RVs, each motorized and towables. 

Class A motorhomes – VIAIR 450P-RVS

Class C motorhomes, truck campers and enormous towables – VIAIR 400P-RVS

Smaller Towables – VIAIR 300P-RVS

Class B motorhomes and camper vans – VIAIR 89P-RVS

Should you additionally plan to make use of your transportable air compressor on your Jeep or off-road car, the VIAIR 400P is really useful. 

Once more, my decide would nonetheless be the VIAIR 450P-RVS as a result of it could possibly do the whole lot besides run air instruments. 

What Different Choices are There for Transportable Air Compressors? 

The listing is sort of infinite for the completely different makes and forms of transportable air compressors for RV tires. If I used to be going to purchase one thing moreover the VIAIR, I might search for one thing from a properly established model that’s been utilized by off-roaders. I say that as a result of individuals who use an air compressor off-road, have a tendency to make use of them extra typically and in harsh environments. The compressors not solely have to face up to the atmosphere however they have to be strong sufficient to be bounced round in a car for hours on finish and work each time. Within the backcountry, away from cell indicators and paved roads, your life might rely in your instruments, which incorporates your air compressor. 

My first alternative could be the ARB High Performance Portable Air Compressor. Many off-roaders will set up these on-board their autos however this mannequin comes with in a tough carrying case in order that it’s transportable. The value is on-par with the VIAIR however lacks a number of the equipment which are commonplace with the VIAIR. The ARB can be has the next CFM than the VIAIR and is rated to run air instruments with an non-obligatory 1 gallon air tank. 

If you would like one thing bigger to run air instruments, my suggestion could be a pancake style portable air compressor. They’re known as “pancake” due to the pancake formed air tank situated under the compressor. They’re all 120v so that you’ll both want an inverter and battery financial institution that’s massive sufficient to run this type of compressor out of your RV or be parked someplace like a campground the place you’ve gotten entry to an outlet. Whereas bigger and heavier than a 12v transportable air compressor, pancake type compressors like this Craftsman are a couple of third of the worth of the VIAIR or ARB.

Lastly, if you’re on a funds and don’t plan to be out within the backcountry, I might counsel looking out Amazon for “12v portable air compressor” and discovering one in your worth vary that has good evaluations and the options you want in a transportable air compressor. 

What’s the right tire strain(s) on your RV? 

The right tire strain on your RV tires goes to differ primarily based upon the the load of the car and whether or not you’ve gotten single or twin rear wheels. For instance, on our truck camper, the tires on the max chilly strain of 80 psi are load rated for 4,050 kilos. Earlier than you possibly can decide what the proper tire strain is, you’ll want to weigh your RV. This may be completed at any truck cease that has a CAT scale. Merely drive up onto the size and comply with the instructions. They’ll offer you entrance, rear and trailer axle weights. With this data you possibly can lookup the inflation chart on your tires and decide what the proper tire strain is. Here’s an example of Truck Tire Load Inflation Tables from Bridgestone.

Appropriate tire psi, particularly on bigger motorhomes is a vital security merchandise. In case your tires are beneath inflated, that may trigger extreme warmth, put on and ultimately a blow out. We’ve had buddies in bigger Class A motorhomes expertise a blow in and out one case they misplaced full management and totaled the RV and within the different, whereas they misplaced some management, they had been in an space with a large shoulder and had been in a position to safely cease.

A technique to assist stop tire blow-outs and monitor your tire strain is by putting in a TPMS (tire strain monitoring system) on your RV. Many new automobiles include these now however many RVs nonetheless don’t. They’re simple to put in and screens just like the TST or TireView include 4-12 sensors relying on what number of tires you’ll want to monitor. Here’s a hyperlink to the TST Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

Inflate RV Tires

It’s best to by no means stand subsequent to an RV tire if you find yourself inflating it. RV and truck tires can explode when being inflated and annually, persons are killed and critically injured by them. For this reason, for those who look in a truck tire store, you’ll see metal cages the place they set the tire earlier than inflating it. 

To start inflating your RV tires, begin your engine for the reason that compressor might be working off your automobile battery (you don’t wish to air up your tires solely to seek out you’ve drained your battery). In case your compressor has an on/off change, set the change to the off place. Insert the 12v plug into the car’s 12v outlet or connect the  black (floor) alligator clip to the car – usually uncovered steel like a bolt or nut on the facet wall inside your engine bay. Examine your car’s house owners guide to see the place to connect the bottom when leaping the car if you’re undecided. Subsequent, connect the constructive (pink) clip to the constructive terminal of your battery. Whenever you’re prepared to start inflating your tires, flip the pump on if it’s not already and inflate every tire to the proper tire strain. Ensure to face away and off to the facet of the tire.

One more reason I just like the VIAIR 450P-RVS is that it comes with a 90 diploma screw on chuck and twin hoses. To maintain myself secure, when I’m filling our tires, I connect the primary hose to the air compressor, then I join the air inflation gun between the primary and second hose and the 90 diploma twist on chuck will twist onto the tip of the tire valve after which I can stand away from the tire (as much as 30 ft) and safely fill the tire. The gauge on the tire inflation gun tells me when the tire has reached the proper strain after which I can take away the chuck and transfer on to the following tire. 

Winterize Your RV with a Transportable Air Compressor

Many individuals are aware of the pink RV anti-freeze that’s pumped via the water system of an RV to winterize it. Personally, I’m not a fan of these things. I gained’t get into all of the the reason why however in brief I a lot choose to blow the water out of my camper’s strains. 

To do that, we used an air compressor and a blow out valve like this one.

Disclaimer: The directions under are how we winterized our truck camper and are supposed to provide you with an concept of the way it’s completed utilizing compressed air. These are usually not directions on the way to winterize your RV. Each RV is completely different. If not completed accurately, compressed air may injury water strains, water heaters, pumps, valves and different parts of your water system. Remember to learn your house owners guide and speak to your RV producer on the most effective course of to winterize your RV. 

1. Drain all water from the camper’s recent water tank, water heater, filters and low level drains. If there’s a tankless water heater, ensure that to empty the water out of it as properly. On our camper, I’ve discovered that if I open the drain valve on our water heater and activate the water pump, it rapidly empties the recent water tank. 
2. Activate the water pump and open every sizzling/chilly water valve (sinks/showers/bathrooms/and many others) to filter extreme water left within the strains. 
3. Set up the blow out valve to the recent water fill inlet and open the drain valve on the recent water tank. Start pumping air into the recent water fill and there ought to be air/water popping out of the drain valve. If there isn’t, cease instantly. Proceed till water is now not popping out of the drain. 
4. Transfer the blow out valve from the recent water fill inlet to the town water inlet. Open every water valve (sinks/showers/bathrooms/and many others) one after the other, cold and hot facet, after which blow air into the system. Have an individual contained in the RV monitoring every valve to make sure air/water are popping out. If it isn’t, cease instantly. Proceed till no extra water is popping out of the valve. 
5. Repeat Step 4 with every water valve, cold and hot. I additionally like to return to the new water heater and open up the valve there once more and blow extra air to make sure it’s utterly empty in addition to the recent water tank. 
6. Lastly, empty each gray and black holding tanks. 

When freezing temps are over, merely refill the recent water holding tank, activate the water pump and open the suitable valves to start getting water again into the system. 

Here’s a video of how we winterize our camper van:

Restore a Flat Tire

Whereas I might love to have the ability to clarify the way to restore a tire within the area on this article, it’s just too in-depth. As you will have guessed nonetheless, one important software for repairing a tire within the area is an air compressor. The opposite is a top quality tire restore package. The one we personal is the Outback Extreme Ultimate Puncture Repair Kit. That is marketed to work on something from ATVs to semi-truck tires. 

An ideal useful resource to learn to restore tires within the area is the guide Raising Your 4WD Vehicle Off-Road & In-Field Tire Repair by Bob Wohlers. I took Bob’s class and have this guide. It’s a wealth of data and vital for anybody venturing off the overwhelmed path. 

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A top quality transportable air compressor on your RV tires could be an costly buy however, as we’ve discovered, it’s properly definitely worth the funding. Whereas we’ve had nothing however good experiences with VIAIR, there are lots of different choices on the market. When you have transportable air compressor you actually like, tell us within the feedback.