You haul a load of America when everyone else is sleeping. And safety is the best attitude for a truck driver.
Only in 2017, the number of injuries due to wrong tire pressure was 11,000, and the reason was also responsible for 738 fatalities. So, it would not be wrong to say that the best portable air compressor for semi-truck tires will save your life.
So, you shouldn’t skimp on getting the top product in the market. However, you need consumer reports from real truck drivers. And that is what we have here for you.
Top Semi Truck Portable Air Compressor Review
| Photo | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
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VIAIR 300P - 30033 Tire Inflator Portable Offroad Air Compressor for Truck & SUV, 12V On/Off Road Tire Pump Air Compressor Portable Heavy Duty 150 PSI | Check Prices |
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Slime 40026 Tire Inflator, Portable Car, SUV, 4x4 Air Compressor, Heavy Duty, 2x Pro Power, Heavy Duty, with Analog 150 psi Dial Gauge | Check Prices |
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VIAIR - 40045 400P-Automatic Function Portable Compressor | Check Prices |
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TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator-Heavy Duty Double Cylinders Direct Drive Metal Pump 150PSI | Check Prices |
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VIAIR 88P - 00088 Tire Inflator Portable On/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V Heavy Duty Pump 120 PSI, Alligator Clip, Twist Chuck | Check Prices |
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ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation | Check Prices |
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Here are seven truck tire inflators that are easily portable and give you a very high quality.
1. VIAIR 300P Air Compressor
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- Runs in 12V
- Capacity: 150 PSI
- Airflow Rate: 65.1 LPM
- 1-year Limited Warranty
This pump has an excellent flow rate of 65 LPM with a 150 PSI maximum pumping capacity. That can inflate any 35″ x 12.5″ tire from 0 to 30 PSI in under 5 minutes and 25 seconds.
It’s not unusual to think that how can the pump work with such a high flow rate and capacity without getting overheated? Don’t worry! The manufacturers thought about that, and so they have equipped the air compressor with an auto-reset thermal protection system.
The pump has 33 feet of total reach with a 25 feet long hose and an 8 feet alligator clip power cord. The hose also has an inline dial pressure gauge for keeping an eye on the air pressure of the tire.
In short, this is a super-compact and high-efficiency device with all the basic features that can be expected from an air compressor in a reasonable price range. So, you should keep it on top of your priority list if you are looking for a high-performance portable air compressor for the tires of your truck.
Pros
- Compact Design
- Long Cord and Hose
- Permanent Magnetic Motor
- Anodized Aluminum Alloy Cylinder
Cons
- No LED for night
2. Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Tire Inflator
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- 120-watt inflator for 12 volts
- Capacity: 150 PSI
- LED Light
- Air Flow Rate: 53.8 LPM
This pump is a great option for the person looking for a heavy-duty portable air compressor for their semi-truck under 100$.
It can inflate a standard car tire from 0 to 35 PSI in under 2 minutes with its 150-PSI pumping capacity compressor at a speed of a 53.8 LPM flow rate.
Maybe you are wondering that the pump will burst out by overheating because of such a high air-flow rate. But this twin-cylinder dual piston motor pump has an internal thermal break sensor to protect it from overheating.
That pump can cover an area of 30-feet, which is enough for reaching all the tires of your semi-truck. It comes with an integrated dial air pressure gauge to use with its twist connect air hose for keeping track of the tire pressures.
This is a direct drive air compressor. That means it needs to be powered directly from the car battery. There is also a LED light to make it easier to work in the dark.
Pros
- Very compact design
- Very Fats Pumping
- Twist Connect Nozzle
- Dual Cylinder
Cons
- No Warranty
- Analog Pressure Gauge
3. VIAIR 400P Air Pump
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- Runs on both 12V & 24V battery
- Capacity: 150 PSI
- Airflow Rate: 65 LPM
- 1-year Limited Warranty
What keeps it ahead of the game is its 40 minutes continuous run time. Yes! you heard that right. It has a 40 minutes continuous runtime with a 150 PSI pumping capacity.
It’s permanent magnetic and permanently lubricated maintenance-free motor can inflate a semi-truck tire from 0-30 PSI in under 6 minutes.
This has a 25 feet detachable air hose with a heat shield to easily access all of your air compressors for bike tires. The hose looks a lot like the ones you will find in your gas stations. It has an analog 160-PSI pressure gauge to keep track of your pressure like you always did.
The automatic shut-off function pressure switch of this pump protects your tires from overfilling. And the auto-reset thermal protector protects the pump from overheating.
This device also comes with a dual-stage air filter for a great pumping experience. Its power cord adds an extra length of 8 feet to the total reach of the device. You can power this machine with this dual clamp cord directly from the car’s 12V or 24V battery.
Pros
- Very compact design
- Sand Stand
- Very long runtime
- Gearless Direct Drive Motor
Cons
- No LED for Nightwork
- Analog Pressure Gauge
4. TIREWELL 12V Tire Inflator
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- Usable with both 12V connector and Direct Power
- Capacity: 150 PSI
- LED Light
- Airflow Rate: 60 LPM
- 2-Year Warranty
This air compressor has an airflow rate of 60 LPM with up to 150 PSI pumping capacity. Alongside, its double cylinder provides high efficiency and great compression. So, it can easily inflate a standard car tire from 0 to 35 in under 2 minutes.
It comes with a 5 feet long cord with a standard 12V connector and an adaptor of battery clamps so that you can use it either with a 12V connector or directly from the car battery.
The pump comes with a 16 feet long extensible hose for easy access to all of your truck tires. And the pump is also equipped with a dial pressure gauge to watch out for the pressures of your tire.
You also get a bright LED light in the device to help you to fix your flat tires in the dark.
So, don’t forget to consider buying it if you are looking for a budget air-pump with excellent efficiency.
Pros
- Low-Cost Solution
- Dual Cylinder
- High Capacity and flow rate
- Compact Design
Cons
- Power Cord is not much longer
5. Viair 00088 88P Air Pump
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- 120-watt inflator for 12 volts
- Capacity: 120 PSI
- Airflow Rate: 41.6 LPM
- 1-year Limited Warranty
This is another excellent portable air compressor from Viair for your semi-truck tires. It has a 41.6 LPM airflow rate with a 120 PSI pumping capacity.
This compact and simple-looking pump has a total reach of 26 Feet. The cord is 10 feet long, and the hose is about 16 feet. So it gives you a great range for pumping up all of your tires.
The hose is equipped with a twist chuck for easy hook-up with tire valves and to prevent air leakage during pumping. And the pump is also equipped with an analog pressure gauge to ensure the perfect pressure for your tire.
The cord has two battery clamps for running the pump directly from the car battery. This Viair 88P pump is also equipped with a powerful tiny LED light to make nighttime inflation easier.
All in all, this is a great compact device with all the basic key features. One should definitely keep it on top of your list if the budget is limited.
Pros
- Long Cord and Hose
- Low-cost solution
- Compact design
- High Efficiency
Cons
- Hose and cord are permanently attached
6. ARB CKMA12 Air Compressor
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- 120-watt inflator for 12 volts
- Pressure gauge
- Water & Dust Proof
- Capacity: 175 PSI
If you don’t have a budget limitation and looking for an excellent portable air compressor for truck tires, then this pump is a great option for you.
This machine can pump up to 175 PSI without any problem with an 87.2 LPM flow rate. And its thermally protected motor shuts down the unit when it gets overheated.
Its Anodized mounting bracket absorbs heat to protect it from damage. It also has an overpressure safety valve that protects the pump from getting damaged.
You can use it with your car’s 12V or 24V battery with its alligator clip power cord.
It has a 20-feet long detachable hose for easily accessing all the tires of your truck.
This water and dustproof dual compressor device not only pump the tires, but you also can use it with your car’s air-locker if you have any. And that’s why it also has an option to mount it on your vehicle permanently.
Pros
- Very Powerful
- OEM quality isolating switch for compressor
- Pressure switch for air locker supply
- Water & Dust Proof
- Compact size & permanently mountable
Cons
- Price is a bit higher
7. FORUP Dual Cylinder Heavy Duty Air Pump
For transparency, please note that some of the links on this website are Amazon Associate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. The use of such links comes at no additional cost to you.
Top Features
- Runs on 12V DC
- Capacity: 150 PSI
- Airflow Rate: 60 LPM
- LED Light
- Auto Shut-off feature
What makes it unique from all the other pumps on our list is its digital pressure-gauge with LCD Backlit-Display. This digital gauge can track your tire-pressure quite accurately in four different units as follows: PSI, KPA, BAR, and KG/CM².
Using this pump also very easy. Just plug it into a 12V outlet or attach it with the battery using the alligator clip adaptor, set the desired pressure, press the start button, and then wait. The rest will be done automatically.
Don’t worry about getting tires overinflated, as it is equipped with an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the compressor automatically after reaching the desired PSI limit.
This pump has 22 feet of total reach, including the 10 Feet cord length, 2 feet in-built rubber hose, and an extensible 10 feet hose.
So, you don’t need to think about getting the reach of your tires.
The unit also has 6-pcs of bright LED for helping you in the dark.
In short, it’s a super-efficient device with an unbelievable price with all the necessary features.
Pros
- Compact Design
- High flow rate & Capacity
- Long Hose and cord
Cons
- Build-quality could be better
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pump for Semi-truck Tires
Most of the things we are discussing here also relate to regular portable air compressors. But you need to focus on some features more than the others when you are buying a pump for a truck tire. That’s why you need this section:
Cord & Hose Length
For pumping a tire of a semi-truck, you’ll need at least a 20-feet long reach to easily pump all of the 10-tires. And obviously, this reach depends on the cord & the hose length of the air compressor.
So, always make sure that you get a minimum of 20-feet of total reach from an air-compressor.
Pressure Gauges
Maintaining the right tire pressure is a very important thing.
Most of the air compressors nowadays are equipped with analog or digital pressure gauges. Both the digital or analog meters get the job done. But it’s better to have a digital one for better accuracy.
But unfortunately, if your pump doesn’t have any meter on it, then you should definitely purchase one to keep track of your tire pressure.
Pumping Capacity
It’s essential to know the maximum pumping capacity of a unit before making it a purchase. If you buy a pump with a low-pumping capacity, your money will totally go in vain as it will never be able to inflate your tire.
The minimum required pumping capacity for a semi-truck tire is 110 PSI. So, try to buy a pump with a 120 PSI pumping-capacity or higher.
Pumping Speed & Continuous Run Time
The only way to know how long your pump will need to make your flat tires fill again is your pump’s inflation speed. The faster the pumping, the faster it will make your tires inflated.
Another important related thing with pumping speed is your pump’s continuous run time. Most of the pumps out there in the market have a continuous run time of 10-15 minutes.
The manufacturers advise to let the compressor cool down at least for 10 minutes before starting another session. Otherwise, the air compressor will get damaged.
There are some pumps with higher continuous run times. But those will cost you more than an average pump.
Power Source & Power Consumption
Most of the air-pumps out there in the market use a 12v DC power plug. Some of them also use 110V AC and Alligator clips. But when it comes to pumping the tires of a truck, it’s better to have a 12V plug or Alligator clips devices.
In 12V plug devices, there is a risk of blowing the fuse of the 12V power outlet. So, the alligator clip ones are recommended as they directly take power from the car battery.
Another important thing to consider before buying a pump is its power consumption.
The higher power means higher performance. But it will cost high power consumption also. As a result, it may damage your truck battery.
So, it’s better to consider the power consumption before buying an air compressor and never forget to keep the engine on when using it.
Otherwise, it may kill your truck battery.
Auto Shut-off
Hyperinflation is one of the most common problems in the case of tire inflating.
The auto-shutoff featured pumps automatically stops pumping when it reaches the PSI limit. So you don’t have to worry about over-inflation when you’ll own such a pump.
Budget
If your budget is low, then you may end up buying an air compressor that will not meet your demand. So, it is advisable to fix a good budget to buy an efficient, effective, and quality air compressor rather than wasting money on a low-quality product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions from truckers on the topic.
Q: Why regular car tires won’t work with semi-truck tires?
A: Tires of a Semi-truck require a minimum of 105 for a smooth drive, whereas regular car tires require only 35-40 PSI. Another key factor is the hose length in regular tire pumps are not long enough to cover all the tires.
Q: Are high-pressure and high-volume inflators the same thing?
A: Not at all. The High-pressure air compressors can pump tires at High PSI. Whereas the High-volume compressors pump more volume to fill the tires faster.
Q: What is the ideal air pressure range for the tires of semi-truck?
A: The ideal range for the tires of a semi-truck is 105-110 PSI. But this may vary in different cars.
Q: How often should we check our pressure of our truck-tires?
A: One should check the tries pressure at least once a month. And if you are a Peripatetic guy, then you should consider checking the air pressure at least twice a month.
Q: How long the cover range should be for a semi-truck tire?
A: You should be buying a pump at least with 15 feet cover area when buying for semi-trucks.
A farewell is necessary before meeting again
So finally, you have come to the end of this article. Not everyone comes that far down as they don’t have much patience like you. 😛
Thanks for reading and staying with us!
I hope you have found the best portable air compressor for semi truck tires.
Stay happy, stay safe.
Goodbye! 😊
As a mechanical engineer, it’s easy for Jack to explain the functionality of the tool. Richer test most of the tools before writing a review. its help him to learn something new and suggest the best product for you.