Truck mounted air compressor?

Robert_in_NY · Feb 22, 2015

I am curious if there is a good option for a air compressor to mount to my truck. I would prefer not to have it in the box taking up space. I mainly would want it for airing up farm tires in the field and for emergencies while hauling trailers down the road. If it can run air tools would be a bonus but not a priority. I just get tired of having to carry an air compressor with me and fighting to have enough air before needing to find an outlet to plug into. Would be mounted to a 2006 f350 diesel dually

Jim Timber · Feb 22, 2015

They make high quality small size electric compressors for 12 and 24v systems. You need a reservoir to make them useful though, as the CFM is very low and regeneration of the system volume will take time.

I have a little 12v pump I bought many years ago for a project and never used it. I also have a 3 gallon tank I plan to add to my tractor. My hope is that I can blow myself off when I'm done cutting wood, and use an impact wrench if needed, and air up the occasional tire as well. I'm not sure where my pump is at the moment, but I plan on doing some timed tests to see how long it takes to fill that tank and how useful it is once it's at 120psi.

The belt driven air pumps for straight trucks and semi's would provide a lot more air, but those are bigger, would take a bit of "doing" to cram into the engine compartment on my tractor (a serp belt system would be a chore to adapt to), and I'd imagine are a noticeable increase in purchase price too. I paid $60 for my pump in the early 2000's, and it's US made.

George2615 · Feb 22, 2015

A 12V to 120V inverter would work to power your air compressor.

HF has 12V 150 psi compressors.12Volt 150 PSI Compact Air Compressor
Lots of 12V compressors on Ebay and Amazon that would work for just airing up tires. For air tools you'll need more volume and CFM.

mangus580 · Feb 22, 2015

Back in my 'mud running' days, I outfitted my 84 GMC with an air conditioning pump as an air compressor.

Worked great. It would even run a 1/2" impact for tire swaps.

Granted, that truck did not have A/C originally, so I had plenty of space.... But it may be an option.

edkemper · Feb 22, 2015

As a former Jeeper, we all had onboard air compressors for trail repairs. A/C compressors converted to onboard air units. Then came modern times. Now you see many off roaders with compressed air tanks. A heck of a lot more stored air (volume) than a small reservoir. More then enough for trail repairs, airing up large off road tires and often used for air tools. That would be a real good option to research. You might even be able to hard mount one under your cross bed tool box. A long coiled air line and you're set.

varmint · Feb 23, 2015

I sold a two stage 125V Porter Cable compressor to some friends- one wanted the tank, the other guy wanted to mount the compressor in his work van to power two boat air horns. He had a serious invertor to run it, but only when he was cruising down I 95 in Miami at 85 when some one pulled in front of him. He liked to make real noise. He had a 36" long boat horn, which was probably not legal on shore. Point is, you could probably run an electric compressor via invertor for occasional use, and avoid the issues that come with a gas powered unit that mostly sits.

roadhunter · Feb 23, 2015

I used to have the same problem. I final upgraded to a nicer portable compressor but that was still not enough to air up load E truck tires. I finally ended up permanently mounting one of these inside my tool box.
Puma 12 Volt 1 5 Gallon Oil Less Air Compressor Free Shipping | eBay

One of the best truck upgrades I have ever made.

Robert_in_NY · Feb 23, 2015

roadhunter said:
I used to have the same problem. I final upgraded to a nicer portable compressor but that was still not enough to air up load E truck tires. I finally ended up permanently mounting one of these inside my tool box.
Puma 12 Volt 1 5 Gallon Oil Less Air Compressor Free Shipping | eBay

One of the best truck upgrades I have ever made.

Looks perfect for my situation. Won't take up much room and will always be with me and easy to swap to a new truck.

2458n · Feb 23, 2015

Looks like E-bay special would work for me. No air tools as they really burn up the cfm's.

Industrial Toys · Feb 23, 2015

If you need a good quantity of air to perform some tasks that's one thing. Just to have some for an emergency is another. If I had a cheap $10.00 chinese cigarette lighter compressor if I discovered a low tire in a bad spot, I would be indeed happy! May take a few minutes, but hey, what's the hurry? I usually just use an air Pig when I go on a mission, but I always seem to have to fill the thing before hand as it (annoyingly) never holds air for any long period of time. Something that obviously can be fixed.

With the huge popularity of cordless tools, the value of portable compressed air has been significantly lessened, in my opinion.