Tire compressor - which Viair?

[marudnick]

I’ve been debating whether to get a tire compressor for some time. Although I haven’t been in a situation where I needed air and couldn’t get it, it does add a bit of stress if the pressure is slightly down on the morning when we are traveling. There have been lots of posts on what type and brand is the best, Viair seems to always get great reviews. But which one?

We have a Sunstar 29VE with six 19.5” tires. The recommended pressure is 82, although I usually fill them to ~87. I know the Viair 450P RVS will work fine but is the 400P RVS sufficient for our needs or even the 300P RVS? And then there is the regular 400P, 300P which are a bit less. Do I need the ‘RVS’?

Any advice is appreciated. And, Yes, we already have a TPMS.

[be happy]

I have carried a 120v small compressor that gets to 125psi for years. My present tires need around 100 psi. It does take awhile to get there but then not in a big hurry either.

I have used the compressor to blow up swim toys etc. I would not travel without one just never knows. As for the brand really can not help the one I have now I got at one of the big box stores. My concern was price and could it get to 125psi

[marudnick]

Thanks for your comments. I’m specifically looking for info on the Viair models.

[IOS 3]

I have the RV specific model Viair. I chose it because the hoses and attachments allow me to reach all wheels on the RV and trailer without moving the unit. It is also rated for continuous duty, which isn't needed if you are only "topping off" tires. I wanted continuous duty since between the RV, the Jeep, and the trailer, and 2 spares I'm sometimes hitting 16 tires in a session. It's lightweight and compact, and extremely well made. I wasn't sure about it before owning it, so I bought it from HomeDepot.com and had it shipped to store. That way I could return it locally if I wasn't satisfied. If that's an option for you, it's a convenient way to go. I never returned it and like it enough that if it failed, I would buy it again. PM me if you want more details. Cheers!

[gurroz]

I have used the Viair for the past two years and have been very satisfied.

[marudnick]

Originally Posted by IOS 3

I have the RV specific model Viair.

Got it, thanks.

[marudnick]

Originally Posted by gurroz

I have used the Viair for the past two years and have been very satisfied.

Which model do you use?

[IOS 3]

450P

[Saltty]

Just my two cents but I carry a cheap Harbor Freight pancake compressor...works great, Just have to fire up the generator.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by marudnick

I’ve been debating whether to get a tire compressor for some time. Although I haven’t been in a situation where I needed air and couldn’t get it, it does add a bit of stress if the pressure is slightly down on the morning when we are traveling. There have been lots of posts on what type and brand is the best, Viair seems to always get great reviews. But which one?

We have a Sunstar 29VE with six 19.5” tires. The recommended pressure is 82, although I usually fill them to ~87. I know the Viair 450P RVS will work fine but is the 400P RVS sufficient for our needs or even the 300P RVS? And then there is the regular 400P, 300P which are a bit less. Do I need the ‘RVS’?

Any advice is appreciated. And, Yes, we already have a TPMS.

I have same RV as you. To answer your question; If I were gonna buy a Viair, I would get the 450 RVS for a Class A Motorhome.

I didn't buy one because they all are 12 volts and I put AGM batteries so I could stop going in and out of the battery compartment under steps. If there was a AC model I may consider.

I carry a 6 gallon Bostich compressor, ( I had it before buying the RV) but thus far I have never needed it on the road. I use it all the time at home to fill the same tires though. I may have paid $125 for it. To go where I think you were going to get a Viair but something less that Class A Viair because it should work, you may just consider a smaller very good quality ( Not harbor freight) 110vac compressor at 1/3rd the cost. I would like to have something smaller than I have now to keep in the RV 24/7, but I just do not want the 12vdc; which apparently I am in the minority on that?

I know this is not your question, but if I were buying one today it would be something like this https://www.cpooutlets.com/porter-ca...pcbncmb15.html

btw, we don't ever inflate anything else. For inflatables we do have, we have Coleman air inflator that will pump air into anything other than tires. it to is 110vac

[gurroz]

I realized I did not answer the question. Here is the specific model:

Viair 40047: 400P-Rv Automatic Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 33% Duty, 40 Min. @ 30 Psi) - current price $349.

[Hermes2]

I've been using the Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator to top up my six 19.5" tires to 82 psi. It works fine and only cost $75 at Amazon right now.

[dkoldman]

After some lengthy review, and given I did NOT want 12vdc or Lithium.

I received my Makita Quiet Series, 1/2 HP, 1 Gal. Compact, Oil-Free, Electric Air Compressor. Model MAC 100Q

I got on sale at Home Depot for $159

Early Takeaways

1. Delivered early, very well packed, came with manual
2. Extremely Quiet, almost too quiet as at times I could not tell if it was off or on. If you want Quiet this is beyond incredible
3. Takes about 90 secs to fill the 1 gal tank
4. Filled two tires from 77psi to 82 psi in 10 seconds / tire with no issues
5. Was able to blow out my coach with no problem, it pushed some water / droplets and mist out of every fixture even though the coach had been previously winterized. I assume the water was from humidity
6. Super light; but does not move when pump is running
7. The physical size did not disappoint, see pictures
8. Works with all of my existing air tools
9. 2.7 amps was the most current draw I could read; no matter what I did; it never exceeded 300 watts, I ran directly off Inverter with no issues. Note the Inverter is the white unit to the left of the Makita in the pictures.
10. Very easy to bleed tank with valve in front
11. Easy to read gauges with 135 psi being represented with the needle in the 12 o'clock position

My wife was taken back on the difference in sound from our existing compressor. Trust me, this is a major difference that you hear right away. It may make me consider selling the Bostitch to get a 6 gal unit for home. Although, I have proven today, that the Makita 1 gal can do everything I needed the Bostitch 6 gal to do for the RV.

My concluding takeaway... if you have followed this thread, you know there were several specific things I was seeking, this unit satisfied them all.

[wyocamper]

I have a 6 gal Rigid pancake vlair that sits in the passenger side compartment and plugs into an outlet strip that's plugged into the inverter outlet in that same compartment. The 25' air hose reaches all the tires as well as the water fill so I can blow out the water lines with it as well. It's 150 psi so no problem topping off the tires which I run at 86. I attached a couple hitch rings to the back wall of the compartment and use a small bungee cord to keep the compressor securely in place.

[Glenn B]

VIAIR 400P-RVS air compressor for class 'C' sized RV's (150 PSI max). As we know, having the correct air pressure in tires especially on an RV is essential, this compressor is more accurate than using fuel station versions! This is an unused purchase made by a family member for me but I already have an older model that is working fine. This is brand new and never been used. List price is $369 plus tax etc., I am looking for $280 (plus shipping - unless picked up in NC). Please email directly with any questions (I can send actual photo's) ([email protected]) or call at (919) 795-2373.

[Ray,IN]

I bought one of these Harbor Freight 150 psi 12V air compressors about 15 years ago and it's still working like it did new.
It looks like a knock-off Viar brand. I've used it to inflate tires from my wheel-barrow to my MH.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I bought one of these Harbor Freight 150 psi 12V air compressors about 15 years ago and it's still working like it did new.
It looks like a knock-off Viar brand. I've used it to inflate tires from my wheel-barrow to my MH.

At that price I may buy one as a spare to my Makita 1 gal, just for road trips if i ever get my toad going with Navigator. I could save about 15 lbs weight

But the Makita has been super convenient, I just plug it in RV and I can reach all tires with it still in the storage bay. I have previously not liked having to attach to the battery. Just a hassle for me, but when you trying to carve off a few hundred pounds, this HF compressor sounds like a steal.