I've had two of the el cheapo $15-20 dollar 12 volt plug into the cigarette lighter type units. Cheap plastic and noisy but would air up a flat tire enough to get me to the tire shop. Both have died and been trashed.

Any comments or suggestions for a better unit for around $50 or do?

I'm taking a couple of car trips and just want to update my car emergency tool kit.

I've got AAA for emergency help, but they're just not readily available in some areas.

Husky, $50 IIRC at HD. Works great on either 12 or 120V.

I have a Stanley 1000/500 Amp jump starter that has a built in compressor that I really like. I ordered from Walmart for $75. Love it.

Viair (00087) 87P Portable Compressor Kit

I keep these in the cars, purchased from Amazon. They show as costing about $45 for Prime members. I like Viair.

http://www.viaircorp.com/

They make the best 12V compressors you can buy. Readily available on Amazon.

Another vote for Viair, I carry one in my Jeep for airing up off road.

I had a Q-Industries MV50 for my last Jeep, did a good job even with 33" tires.

Add another fan of Viair. I put one in every company vehicle. The nice thing about these is they are a lot faster to fill than a cheap one and the duty cycle is up high so you can run them for a long time. I've had cheaper models stop running before they filled a larger tire. They also give you a nice bag for all the parts.

Thanks guys. Have also been looking for a nice compressor for my vehicles. Viair from Amazon on the way!

 
One of these should do the job.
 

Thanks, as mentioned above, a Viair on the way from Amazon.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo Jones:
Thanks guys. Have also been looking for a nice compressor for my vehicles. Viair from Amazon on the way!

I've had one for quite a while and use it often. I bought and expect it to be my last one. Very well built!

VAIR is what I carry in my truck, the 400P specically. It's built to handle 35" tires.

Beware of Walmart specials, I hace burned out 2 and not through what I would consider abuse or heavy usage.