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Whether you drive a car, motorbike, or truck, you know the importance of having a good air compressor on hand. After all, flat tires are always a possibility and nobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road. Not everyone has a roadside assistance plan included in their insurance plan!
Luckily, there are plenty of great portable air compressors on the market specifically designed for truck tires. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best options out there and help you decide which one is right for you. So whether you’re looking for something compact and lightweight or something with a little more power, we’ve got you covered.
Our Top Picks
1. RoofPax Air Compressor
Pros
- Can be powered 3 ways
- Can be preset to desired pressure
- Can inflate almost anything
Cons
- Can only run for 12 minutes at a time
The RoofPax air compressor comes with two heavy-duty engines that ensure fast and reliable air pressure to a maximum of 160 PSI. It also sports an automatic switch-off when the optimal pressure is reached. Simply set it to the desired pressure and let it do its thing. An added key feature of the RoofPax is that it has three different power sources and can be either plugged into a wall socket, directly to the vehicle’s battery, or the Lithium-ion battery. This air compressor weighs 0.7 lbs.
This compressor is lightweight, easy to store, and its three different power sources means should one ever fail, you still have two more options. The fast airflow rate is balanced with an automatic switch-off, ensuring you never over-inflate. Two powerful LED lights make it easy to use even in the dark.
2. All-Top Air Compressor Kit
Pros
- Has cut-off switch & safety valve
- Has anti-vibrate rubber feet
- Works for most inflatables
Cons
- Tire gauge may be slightly inaccurate
This air compressor also has a relatively fast airflow rate and a maximum pressure of 150 PSI, making it one of our top picks. It is suitable to be used on a variety of vehicles including heavy-duty use on trucks.
The All-Top air compressor has a 2-meter-long power cord that is connected directly to the vehicle’s battery and also includes a 26-foot-long air hose, making it super easy to use. The product weighs in at 16 lbs, making it one of the heaviest on the list.
3 nozzle adapters make it easy to use on various vehicles, with a very fast inflation rate that is ideal in emergencies. The aluminum alloy cylinder block results in a better heat dissipation performance that leads to a much longer service life from this compressor. In addition, it has rubber feet which help with stability during use.
The air compressor has an automatic shut-off switch to avoid overheating so no matter how long you use it, you won’t be able to damage the compressor.
3. Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor
Pros
- Affordable option
- Long air hose
Cons
- Hose is not detachable
The Viair Portable Air Compressor is arguably the most popular brand on the market today, and that’s why it makes it to this list. This specific model is ranked highest because it is among the most powerful air compressors available now. The Viair 88P can get a power draw of 240 watts and provides a maximum air pressure of 120 PSI, which is high even for truck tires.
This is a lightweight and portable air compressor that comes with a 10-foot-long power cord which makes it easier to use. This air compressor is suitable for use on tires up to 33-inch in diameter, connecting directly to the battery of your truck with alligator clips.
4. GSPSCN Silver Tire Inflator Air Compressor
Pros
- Affordable option
- Very fast inflator
- Quiet, stable, & easy to control
Cons
- Shorter power cord
While not as well known, this portable air compressor is worth mentioning because it comes with a variety of accessories that makes it much easier to use to inflate your truck tires. This specific model provides a maximum air pressure of 150 PSI it can fill up tires with up to 70 liters of air per minute. Impressive! This air compressor weighs 6.8 lbs.
The GSPSCN air compressor has rubber feet, keeping it steady and reducing vibration. The double cylinder direct drive inflation pump is efficient, yet quiet, and the 9-foot-long power cord makes it easier to use.
5. Gobege 12V Air Compressor
Pros
- Quick & strong
- Good continuous runtime
- Extra-long air hose
Cons
- Gauge may not be 100% accurate
The Gobege air compressor has an airflow rate of 160 liters per minute, one of the highest on this list. The tires can be inflated rapidly, which can come in very useful in an emergency.
The maximum air pressure of this unit is 150 PSI. The Gobege Air Compressor also has the added benefit of being made from metals of the highest quality, thus ensuring its longevity and durability. This air compressor comes to a whopping 16 lbs and is amongst the heaviest portable compressors.
This compressor comes with rubber feet to ensure stability and noise reduction during use. It has an auto-thermal cut-off switch system which means that the risk of overheating is drastically reduced as the compressor will shut off automatically if it gets too hot. The generous airflow ensures that tires can be inflated very quickly and the air pressure gauge is reliable.
What To Know Before Buying a Portable Air Compressor for Truck Tires
There are plenty of high-quality and reliable air compressors available, but there are a few things you need to consider before choosing one that will suit your personal needs, especially for the durability required of truck tires.
Related: How to Use an Air Compressor to Inflate Your Tires at Home
One of the most important features to consider is the actual run-time of the air compressor that you choose. It is more efficient to choose a compressor with a longer run-time as this will mean that you do not need to switch it off as frequently to cool down. Having to wait for an air compressor to cool down will slow down your progress and might be dangerous in an emergency.
The size and weight of the product are other key aspects when deciding on an appropriate model. If the air compressor is too heavy it will make it very difficult to use, and may not be appropriate for use, especially when you’re alone.
Another very important factor in choosing a model is the quality of the air pressure gauge. As you can imagine, the air pressure gauge needs to be very accurate as it could result in a rather dangerous situation and will also influence the mileage you get along with the wear and tear on under or over-inflated tires.
When you choose your air compressor you should also look out for its power options. Most of the models on this list can run from the 12-volt cigarette lighter but have the added benefit of being able to run directly from the vehicle’s battery.
In most cases, they are connected to the battery with alligator clamps. It is important to have different ways to run your air compressor simply to ensure that you do not get stuck in the case of one of the options failing.
One of the most important characteristics to look for in an air compressor is its durability. The main reason for having a portable air compressor is to be able to inflate your truck tires in an emergency. You’ll need to have it last, and last a long time, even with heavy-duty use.
Look for metal, rather than plastic. Compressors with copper connections will be more durable and will have to be replaced less.
Check the nozzles and adapters and ensure that they are built to last. They will be taking heaps of stress and if they are made of low-quality plastic, well, you know.
