[Archived]

My first question is why are you running those pressures. They seem high.

Tire pressures are based on the weights they are carrying and part of your concern about choice of compressor goes away if the real required pressures are a lot less.

But here’s another question. Doesn’t your bus have an aux compressor and if so you should be able to use that or the engine driven compressor to build the air pressure you need for your tires.

In other posts some owners have added a “doubler” to the bus air supply for filling tires and it doubles the bus system air pressure.

I have no idea why you need a “portable” compressor if you have bus air unless it is for your garage, in which case bigger is always better. I see no need to haul one around with you however.

[AL]

Chip,

I bought a pancake compressor at Home Depot that delivers 150 psi, think I pid about $100 for it. I also run 120 psi in my front tires, and trying to get 120 psi from a line that has 120 psi just doesn’t work.

[Corey]

Geese….haven’t we beat this to death ?

Weigh your coach, guy’s

And, I don’t want to start WW-3 over tire pressure, engine oil brand, grade, oil filters, or under arm deodorant.

[Andre & Kathy]

Per

thanks, i was looking at those. I like to have a portable compressor on board for all my tires not just the bus. I leave the aux compressor alone as i don’t like the cycling i have to wait on. I know its there but i like a portable.

as for my tire pressures. Yes, I weighed my axles and checked the weights of the axles on the prevost tire calculator. FYSA – I’m full time and have all my $h-“ on board. My bus is heavy.

The calculator came up with the numbers and i bumped them up by 5 psi. As long as i stay under max tire pressure on the tire and above min pressure by the calculator, i am in my comfort zone. If you think i run to high a psi, fine. You have your standards for your bus and i have mine. I never run near the minimum as i want a buffer. If my ride is a little harder, so be it. It is my call.

[Per]

Jon and I should of just let things alone and keep our opinions to ourselves.

Your fine Chip…it’s your bus.

AL

[Archived]

Al,

I have weighed the coach several times–last time on Jeff’s lift scales which are pretty close, and that’s how I came up with 120 psi, according to Michelin tables.

Chip,

The compressor I got has the tank mounted vertically, so it takes less space.

[Harry]

I’m sure some will disagree with me, but my logic for carrying a compressor is that I’m not comfortable using the bus’s air system to inflate tires. It seems there’s a number of posts about people chasing air leaks and understanding that I have a lot to learn about what NOT to do when connecting the bus compressor to the tires, I felt it would be less expensive to purchase an air compressor.

I chose to go with a Viair model and while I initially couldn’t figure out how to get it to properly inflate the bus tires, after a call to tech support I learned it was operator error and put together a video of my experience.

[Per]

Chip,

Just so you are clear on why I commented on pressures if you are running 315 tires and need 120 PSI your steer and tag axle weights are approaching or at 18,000 pounds.

If they really weight that much you are well over the axle weight limits and your greatest concern should shift to getting rid of weight, not buying a compressor to add more to your already heavy coach.

But as Al said, it is your coach and you are free to do what you want.

[Archived]

Jon,

Not sure where you got your numbers, but my Michelin RV Tire Brochure list a carrying weight for a 315 XZA2 tire mounted on 9 inch wheels with 120 psi of 8270 pounds in single configuration. So total carrying weight on the front tires would be 16,540 pounds. 18,000 pounds on the front axle would require 130 psi. I am close to the 16,500 pound weight limit on the front, so I run my front tires at 120 psi.

[Archived]

I took a wild guess, but my point is at this point my concern is exceeding the axle weight limits more than anything else.

Some 315 tires are rated for over 18,000 pounds at 115 to 120 PSI.

I do not know what the specific tires or pressures are for the coach in question but just wanted to raise a flag.

[Archived]

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-gal-15-HP-150-PSI-Professional-Air-Compressor-68149.html

Harbor Frieght has a 150 psi 6 gal pancake compressor on sale now for less than $100.

[Harry]

Lowes has the pancake compressor for 99 bucks. 150 psi. Most Lowes stores have them in stock.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/PORTER-CABLE-6-Gallon-Electric-Pancake-Air-Compressor/4764588

[Reagan]

I have looked at various compressors and found them to be to loud, heavy, and take up to much space. Not long ago I purchased the following compressor and have found it to work very well.

PORTER-CABLE
PORTER-CABLE CMB15 150 PSI 1.5 Gallon Oil-Free Fully Shrouded Compressor Currently $990 at Amazon. Has 4.5 stars out of over 400 reviews.

2 SCFM at 90 psi allows for quick compressor recovery time, per ISO1217
1.5 gal tank in shroud is easy to carry, includes water drain valve and rubber feet
150 psi max tank pressure stores more air in the tank for longer tool runtimes
Durable oil-free pump for long life and no maintenance
Low Amp 120V motor starts easily in cold weather or with extension cord

i purchased a few air fittings and setup the compressor to fit my needs.

[Harry]

The issue is not the PSI from my view… it is the cubic feet per minute delivering rate. The bus comes with a 2.5 CFM aux kit in all likelihood… that takes me forever to deliver 120 PSI.

Do not be fooled by the PSI.. it can be 150 PSI but with a 2.5 CFM …. it will be slow.

I just bought a 5.5 CFM …. the advantage also is that when it is necessary for the unit to cycle for whatever purpose, it is brief.

Pres

[Archived]

Air volume and pressure is always the issue with airing up bus tires, especially if they are at or near the bus air system max pressure. A doubler can provide up to twice the pressure, but in doing so it is at half the flow rate.

With access to compressed air at almost every truck stop, and access to 120PSI air right from the coach with the engine running I would not put a stand alone compressor very high on the list of things from Santa.

What I would absolutely want to have however is a good tire fill chuck, a good pressure gauge and if I did not have a Pressure Pro I would want the double sealing fill thru valve stem caps.