Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: texman on May 17, 2012, 01:38:59 pm

Title: air compressor
Post by: texman on May 17, 2012, 01:38:59 pm
Looking for an air compressor that is small enough for bay storage but strong enough to air the coach tires.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Doug
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Steve & Kathy B on May 17, 2012, 01:56:27 pm
I JUST bought this: Shop PORTER-CABLE 0.8 HP 6-Gallon 150 PSI Electric Air Compressor at Lowes.com (http://www.lowes.com/pd_253750-70-C2002-WK_4294795218__?productId=1072413&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Air%2BCompressors_4294795218__%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=)

PORTER-CABLE 0.8 HP 6-Gallon 150 PSI Electric Air Compressor at Lowes.  Home Depot has them too.  It worked fine to air up this morning :)
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Dan Stansel on May 17, 2012, 02:03:30 pm
I have the Dewalt D55141 goes to 150 psi.  Price should be about $159.00.  Low profile so easy to store. Look on line for it.    DAN. 
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Monti on May 17, 2012, 02:59:39 pm
I have the Husky Trim-Plus H1503TP that sells at Home Depot for $99.  It is a 3 gallon oil free unit that goes to 150 psi.
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 17, 2012, 03:19:30 pm
We have a small contractor's twin tank with four feet. Possibly a little more stable in the compartment than the round three footed variety but no other advantage. Works well for the tires.  Found it on Craigslist for $55. Also have a large remote storage tank so it can easily remove wheels with impact.

Pierce
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Barry & Cindy on May 17, 2012, 10:18:50 pm
Since we don't have much room, we have a compressor without a storage tank. We carry it in our Jeep and use it to air up Jeep tires after airing-down for an off-road drive.

It works just fine for airing up our motorhome tires, too. Our compressor is a 12-volt open-frame style Viair brand that is popular in the off-road area. We have been using it for many years.
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Michael & Jackie on May 18, 2012, 12:52:35 am
I got the same one as Steve and Kathy, the Porter Cable.  Works fine.  IF you needing to buy, let me give you a thought.  I had a Sears unit that would supposedly push the same psi, but it was hampered, in my thinking, by too small a tank.  The pressure would build on the tank, then as I drew air out, the regulator would let the tank pull down and down to where there was not enough reserve in the tank at the pressure that I needed and so I had to manually tell the compressor to come back on.  Flow at 90 psi is important.

You need to know though that I am needing to air to 110 psi.  If I had need of less pressure, other compressors may have worked.  Size of tire matters, pressure you need matters.  Another option, as you have probably read in the Forum, is to use the coach compressed air system (I assume you have a take off to do that, but not all coaches seem to have such a connection).  Hope this helps.  Mike
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: David Smith on May 18, 2012, 06:32:07 am
I have this one, it's light and easy to store and carry.  Amazon.com: Craftsman 150 PSI Air Compressor: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-150-PSI-Air-Compressor/dp/B002QHO132)
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Chad and Judy on May 18, 2012, 09:10:01 am
I carry a 20# bottle of Nitrogen, with a regulator. Takes up little space; very quick and easy.
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: texman on May 22, 2012, 12:11:26 am
Thanks for the input everyone!
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Dwayne on May 22, 2012, 10:34:46 pm
Don't all Foretravels have an air hose connected to the regular air compressor for airing up the tires?  Doug, on your 92, in the compartment with the fuel tank and propane tank there is a small area to the left that allows you to see into the basement compartment behind the stairs and all the way to the other side.  Mine has an air hose and value to turn pressure on or off when the engine is running.  I assumed they all had this...
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: texman on May 23, 2012, 06:47:35 pm
Don't all Foretravels have an air hose connected to the regular air compressor for airing up the tires?  Doug, on your 92, in the compartment with the fuel tank and propane tank there is a small area to the left that allows you to see into the basement compartment behind the stairs and all the way to the other side.  Mine has an air hose and value to turn pressure on or off when the engine is running.  I assumed they all had this...
Dwayne,
I have the ored with the oshkosh chassis...no on board air.:(
Title: Re: air compressor Video - very cool
Post by: Steve & Kathy B on May 27, 2012, 02:44:42 pm
Watch this video on how to air up your tires using the on board air compressor.
http://youtu.be/QDOqCk6dTuo (http://youtu.be/QDOqCk6dTuo)

Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: George Hatfield on May 27, 2012, 04:51:16 pm
Interesting video.  Thanks  for posting it.  I use a Powertank (POWERTANK - CO2 Air Systems (http://powertank.com/)) when we are on the road and have for a couple of years.  It uses carbon dioxide which can be obtained at any commercial gas supplier.  It usually costs about $20 to fill and lasts a season or more if I remember to close off the main tank valve when I put it away.  Since it develops over 250psi, airing (or should I say carbon dioxidizing) up the tires is quick and simple.  I usually run 105 in the front and 95 in the rear of our 36 ft U295.
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on May 27, 2012, 05:06:07 pm
Texman and Dwayne.  The 85 ORED that I once had did have an air hose for filling tires.
I assume that you have air brakes so even if you don't have an on board air hose you should be able to add one with little trouble.  Just add a tee at some point other than a line that goes to a brake and add a line and chuck.  Front dry air tank would probably be a good place to look, I'll bet that you will find a Tee already in place that can be tapped.  If you are not comfortable working on an air brake system any good shop should be able to help you.
On my current 95 U280 another forum member showed me how to turn up the air pressure at the Governor to allow 120 PSI that is more than adequate to fill tires.

Gary B
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Dave Cobb on May 27, 2012, 06:31:48 pm
Great idea on the video, and just have to built my self a unit.

Another idea someone had posted was to change the hard air chuck end to a quick release end.  I did that and then added a quick connect to the air chuck and now also pack a blower end for cleaning or drying things.
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: erniee on May 27, 2012, 09:21:03 pm
Gast makes a great compressor. I have 2 in my coach. The coach out front has a small one for vacuum. These are almost indestructable- and not cheap
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on May 27, 2012, 11:42:36 pm
Ernie, I just found out Y'day that my daughter in law works for a Gast Distributor, guess I will have to impose on her for some catalogs and other info.
Gary B
Title: Re: air compressor
Post by: Chad and Judy on May 28, 2012, 11:10:20 am
Like George, we carry a "tank" - in our case Nitrogen. Compact to carry and with the regulator easy to use and as with CO2, easy to find at any welding supply facility. I've also found Nitrogen yields less pressure variation with temperature. Used in our commercial aircraft tires for that reason. Another option!