I decided to switch to non runflat tires and want to get a small portable air compressor that will hopefully fit in one of the small compartments in the trunk. Any recommendations? Thanks

 

I bought the continental kit from Tire Rack.....and it does fit.....I have run flats but got one anyway......it puts some sealant in the tires at the same time so you may not want that.

 

I bought a Slime Kit. It's safe for the TPMS and has a small compressor.

I also got AAA. Surprisingly inexpensive for towing/etc. anywhere in the state.

 

I'm impressed with this from Harbor Freight for around $24. Works very well.
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Check the fine print. Unless you have AAA+ they'll only tow you about 30 miles or a hundred dollars worth. Good Sam and RVRoadhelp have better deals. RV towed my motorcycle over 400 miles because their deal is this, they'll tow whatever you're driving or riding to wherever you have to go to get fixed. They towed a Harley pulling a trailer from north of Fairbanks to Anchorage. The tow cost $1,800 but the owner only paid his annual premium same as me.

 

This is what I have in the cubby with room to spare.Got the whole shooting match for $45....

 

I picked up a Viair 88p when I got into autocrossing. I also bought a small cloth mechanics tool bag (Amazon in the suggestions) to store it in (along with my tire pressure gauge and a tire repair kit). It's small (in it's bag it will fit in one of the back cubbies), powerful (seriously, run it for 15 secs and you're up a few PSI). It's also real light (like 1-2 pound). I use mine all the time (i.e. it's not just a one shot emergency piece of gear that you pray will work when you actually need it, I really use mine a couple of times a month).

It's not as cheap as some of the "fix-a-flat" type of solutions (I think it's like $70), but it's a reliable useable piece of equipment. At the autocross track, I see lots of guys "winging it" with those fix-a-flat type of compressors, and quietly pat myself on the back for ponying up the extra $40 to get a decent piece of gear while I get all four tires handled in the time they're waiting for one.

The only potential drawback for some is that you need to clip it directly to the battery posts (i.e. no cigarette lighter adaptor)....but the power and speed more than make up for the inconvenience of having to open the hood. A quick warning: Just clip it to the battery posts...I followed the owners manual recommendation and lifted the fuse box cover and connected to the connection point in there one weekend. The wind kicked up and blew my hood down while I was filling the tires and broke my fuse box cover.

Anyway, there's plenty of cheaper solutions that will meet the emergency use need just fine, but if you're looking for something that you can use a bit more often and still fit in a rear cubby, you might consider something like this.

My 2 cents!

 

I also bought the Viair 88P compressor. It's a powerful little unit and it will fit in one of the rear storage bins. The main reason I bought it was the fact that it connects directly to the battery and won't blow fuses like ones that connect thru the cigarette lighter.

 

So has anyone actually used any of these devices to repair a flat on the road? If so how easy or difficult was it to accomplish?

 

+1 on the Harbor Freight compressor with a plug kit and a pair of diagonal cutters so you can remove the culprit.

 

I've never had to actually do the repair road side, but I've used my compressor more than once to limp home (or to a repair shop). The TPMS let's you know when you have a problem right away, so if you take immediate action, you probably won't get stuck on the side of the road.

I've had this happen to me 4 times now...pretty common occurrence for me for some reason:

 

I've used the Genuine Innvations repair kit four times on superbike rears with no problem whatsoever.

 

A very nice combination I purchased is the Viair 87P compressor and the Viair 6ft portable air compressor extension hose. Compressor leads clip to the battery. Extension hose makes its easy to get to all four tires.

Cost of both about $65. Includes a nylon storage bag. Purchased through Amazon.

Larry

 

Yes I plugged a run flat for a guy who was staying at the same hotel as I was one weekend last year. I have a mini compressor I picked up at Sears for around $24.00. I carry it when I travel with either the Vette or my Harley.

The guy had zero pressure when we started. I used the compressor to bring the tire up to 40 psi and then inserted the plug. Once sealed we bled it back down to 30 psi.

One word of caution. I have done many of these repairs but this was the first on a runflat. If you have a helper pulling out the nail for you, watch the direction in which it went it (they don't always go at a 90 degree angle even though they look that way) Your plug should follow the same path to go in with less effort. I had a heck of a time getting the plug in because the nail was pulled out while I was getting the plug ready in the applicator and this particular nail went in on a very steep angle.

Mark

 

I tried...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...flat-tire.html



But I used the compressor in one of our Toyotas to drive to a tire shop without having to change a moderate leak, so it can be done. And on a road trip, you can get into long-term cold weather enough that you'll want to air up the tires.

 

In addition to the compressor and a good plug kit, I also carry:

Spare TPMS sensor and valve core
Valve core wrench
5 spare lug nuts
Cellphone and car charger
Credit cards and cash
Sidearm

Never put all your eggs in one basket...

 

The reason you have this issue more than others is because of where you drive. Unless you are in an area with a lot of construction or just after tornadoes and hurricanes, there isn't a LOT of crap in the streets. But there is SOME crap everywhere. If the crap is in the tire tracks where everyone drives, the first car there after it arrives probably picks it up or kicks it to the side. In either case, if you drive in the same tire track the crap is no longer there. So the way to pick up more of this stuff than others is to drive where they don't. 100 cars went down the street driving in the same tracks and none of they had an issue with a nail 6 inches to the left of the track. You come along a foot to the left and...

OP, the odds of needing a repair kit and pump are very small. I have the cheapest, smallest Slime pump. It would take a long time to fill a flat rear tire but it would work.

 

geez!!! u forgot a spare gas jug....

 

I have a ViAir also, purchased from Amazon. I think it was about $85, and it has long leads to clip to the battery so all four tires can be reached. I've never used it for a real problem, but I tried it out when I got it and it works great. Comes with a storage bag and fits well in the hatch compartment. I'm not sure which model ... may be the 88P ... but 85P seems to stick in my mind. I also have other things ... can of Slime, OnStar, cell Phone, AAA+, towing insurance with State Farm, and nice bright flashlight (800 lumen LED ... brand/model is Pole Star). I don't have a flat repair kit because I figure I'd never find the hole in the tire, and couldn't get to it even if I knew where it was if the tire was flat. I'll just pump it up and go as far as I can; if that doesn't work, call for a tow. It's almost always a slow leak, and if it's a blowout no amount of Slime would work.

 

The nail or screw always seems to go into the thinnest part of the tire for some reason. Had it been a half inch to one side, the tire probably would never have leaked.

Those look like Michelin Super Sports. Correct?