Deflating Tires for Unimproved Roads

[A Rooney]

I probably have no business replying to this thread since I have not read thru the entire thread.i have owned a Viar 400p for sometime and find it indespensible.I chose the model p because it is less expensive then the dedicated RV model but sports the same compressor,and it works wonderfully if you have valve extensions.It will take a tire from 20 - 65 lbs in about a minute or so and is easy to use for all 6 tires.My basic philosophy in buying tools etc is to buy a good one Once,thats my pleasure others go for minimal,or knockoffs like those from Harbor Frieght and like to Save Money,on my time on this Earth I have found for me that in the long run The best quality tool saves me time and money and generally holds it's value if you eventually want to sell it.Rooney

[Blue~Go]

Hey, thanks for chiming in. That's the model that's at the top of my list. Is yours the "Automatic" one? (Maybe all of the 400P's are automatic?)? Also, are you able to reach all the tires with the stock 30' hose? I realize 30' should be long enough (and you say you can reach them all), but sometimes if a hose is curly it's not really as long as it is, and you could possibly have bought a different one.

Since you mention 20-65 psi, have you "aired down" for washboard roads or the like?

Thanks,
BG

[A Rooney]

Hey Blue,My unit is not automatic if you mean it can be set to fill and then stops.My unit features an on/off switch and a guage at the end of the hose where it connects to the tire.So you connect watch and shutoff I always overfill a tad then manually remove air to taste which I check with a hand tire gauge.Yes as usual you are correct that curly hose is 'functional' but a slight pain in the springy ass.But something in my psychology must compel me to put up with it.Ditto for your other question,1 of my inside rear tires has a slow leak and deflates over time in storage.Yes you guessed it I still use detestable braided extensions and Discount tire says they won't troubleshoot it unless I do what normal human beings do and buy solid tireman extensions.....it's on my list....Love what this site has become but don't get here as much as I'd like.Rooney

[caconcourse]

My Glacier requires topping off the tires more often than what other posters have stated. I really do not know why.

Hi Larry,

You probably need to top off more simply because you are running at higher pressure (around 80#) vs most of us with Concourses/Premiers who run around 50# or 60#. It's a little harder to keep all the air in at the higher pressure.

Clay

[ltg]

Hi Clay,
Thanks for the post. In addition, I cannot add 5 more PSI for good measure. I think you hit the nail on the head.

[Blue~Go]

As I understand it, the Viair "Automatic" doesn't mean it shuts off at a pre-specified psi.

Rather, with the non-Automatic you have to shut off the compressor to read the pressure. So, on the non-Automatic ones, you have the gauge at the tire (built into the hose) and when you want to see where the pressure is, you run over to the compressor, shut it off, run back to the gauge, look at it, run back to the compressor, turn it on again, etc. However you don't have to hold the air "on" when you are filling. If the compressor is on, and the chuck is on the tire, it's filling.

With the "Automatic" Viair, it's kind of like it has a clutch. You do have to hold the air chuck "on," but then when you want to check the pressure you just let go of the "on" lever on the chuck and the compressor stays running but the air pressure goes away. You look at the pressure gauge, which is right there, and then if you want more air you squeeze the chuck lever again. You can also carry it from tire to tire in the "clutched" position with compressor on but no air coming out.

Probably not that important for topping off a tire, but likely quite nice for "airing up" all the tires at once when off-roading or etc. Or if you have a 40' motorhome and don't want to run back and forth to the compressor each time.

[pdemarest]

After considering what I would be using the compressor for, which includes some uses around the house, I decided to go with a 110 volt model, a Senco 1 hp. air compressor. As I had mentioned before I had a flooring guy replacing my carpet with vinyl flooring and he was doing it in my driveway. He had the exact Senco model I had been considering and it was really quiet compared to any other small compressor I've heard. He said it was over 5 years old and they had a larger one that was even older. The one I've ordered is lightweight and is small enough to store in the rig. Since the compressor is so light I can just move it to each wheel one at a time so I ordered a coiled hose to go with it (I normally hate working with any type of coiled hose - air or water - but it will be easier to store and since I won't be extending it much I won't be fighting it!).

I also ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071C ... UTF8&psc=1

Its a tire inflator gun with a built in guage and more importantly a release button for deflation which allows you to deflate or inflate without having to turn the compressor on and off.

Meanwhile, my apologies to Blue. By starting this thread I've made him decide that he needs an air compressor!

Paul

[Blue~Go]

Yeah, thanks bub. Ha, no, just kidding. I was already strongly considering one but hadn't wanted to figure out all the models. Now I'm still on the fence between my usual "buy a good tool and buy it once" (the 400P), or just buying a smaller one that will do the occasional job (one of the two digit P models). I really don't know if I'd ever "air down." I'll think about it some more.

[pdemarest]

Okay. After starting this thread on inflating/deflating tires I got my compressor and today fired it up. Very quiet and fits under the rear dinette seat along with the hose and tools. Have to wait until Friday to actually try it out for inflating the tires as the hose didn't come with quick-connects. Now my question is what pressure to set the air compressor to. It has two gauges - the one that shows the pressure inside the small storage tank and then one that sets the pressure output of the compressor itself. My questions is what pressure should the air compressor output be set at? The hose is good for up to 150 psi.


Paul

[A Rooney]

Apologies for the late reply to your inquiry blue,
I read somewhere that the intergral pressure gauge is only accurate when the compressor is off,but find that with my own unit the guage shows a predictable 3-5 lbs pressure overage while the unit is running.In theory it may be possible to go from tire to tire...but in practice that rigid coiled hose and the small footprint of the compressor require a more slow and methodical process.My own method involves a slight over pressure for each tire and then I utilize a hand guage and release pressure the final few lbs.This is how I attack it but of course there very well may be better ways to accomplish the same ends..Hope that helps (or at least doesn't obfuscate the question) Rooney 2001 Premier.