Towable Air Compressors for Sale

Towable air compressors mount on single-axle or dual-axle trailers with a tow hitch, allowing them to be pulled directly behind a truck to any job site. CompressorPros carries diesel tow behind rotary screw compressors from 90 to 800 CFM from Atlas Copco, ConX, and Elgi. Standard shipping is free.

Compare Selected

What Are Towable Air Compressors?

A towable or tow behind air compressor is a diesel-powered rotary screw unit mounted on a trailer frame with wheels, axle, tow bar, and hitch, designed to be pulled behind a truck to and from job sites. Towable compressors travel independently of the work vehicle, meaning the truck bed remains free for tools, materials, and personnel. They deliver 100% duty cycle and range from 90 to 800 CFM, making them the standard for construction, road work, pipeline operations, sandblasting, and irrigation and heavy construction applications. When the compressor needs to move between sites daily under its own trailer, towable is the configuration to choose.

90-110 CFM vs. 185 CFM vs. 250-800 CFM

All towable compressors in this category are diesel rotary screw units, so the primary buyer decision is CFM output.

90-110 CFM Towable Compressors

The entry tier for towable compressors. A 90-110 CFM unit powers a single jackhammer, breaker, or medium-demand pneumatic tool with headroom. These are the most compact and lightest tow behind units, making them practical for smaller crews and lighter towing vehicles. The Elgi D90KA is a compact entry point in this range.

185 CFM Towable Compressors

The most common towable compressor size on construction sites. A 185 CFM unit is the standard for powering a single jackhammer, rock drill, or sandblasting nozzle with full headroom, or running two lighter tools simultaneously. The Elgi D185T4F 185 CFM Portable Rotary Screw Air Compressor - Tow Behind is the most purchased towable compressor on the site. The Atlas Copco XAS 185-150 PACE 44 HP Tow Behind Rotary Screw Air Compressor adds PACE variable-speed technology, which adjusts engine speed to match air demand and reduces fuel consumption during partial-load conditions.

250-800 CFM Towable Compressors

Large-scale towable units for crews running multiple high-demand tools simultaneously, large-bore rock drills, multi-nozzle sandblasting, and pipeline operations. The Atlas Copco XATS 250 KD8 65 HP Diesel Tow Behind Air Compressor serves two-tool crews at 250 CFM, and the Elgi D800T4F 800 CFM Tow Behind Diesel Air Compressor is the highest-capacity towable compressor in the catalog for large-scale infrastructure and industrial field work.

Types of Towable Air Compressors

Single-Axle Towable Compressors

Most towable compressors from 90 to 250 CFM mount on a single-axle trailer. Single-axle units are lighter, easier to maneuver in tight spaces, and require a lower towing capacity from the truck. They are the standard for general construction, utility, and contractor applications.

Dual-Axle Towable Compressors

Larger towable compressors from 400 to 800 CFM use dual-axle trailers for weight distribution and stability at highway speeds. Dual-axle units are heavier and require a truck with higher towing capacity, but they deliver the CFM output that large-scale operations demand.

PACE Variable-Speed Towable Compressors

Some Atlas Copco towable models feature PACE (Provider of Air for Customized Efficiency) technology, which adjusts engine RPM based on real-time air demand. During partial-load conditions, the engine slows down rather than running at full speed, reducing fuel consumption by up to 20-30%. PACE is particularly effective on job sites where air demand fluctuates throughout the shift.

Key Specifications

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): Towable compressors range from 90 to 800 CFM. A jackhammer draws 70-90 CFM; a rock drill draws 100-185 CFM; a sandblasting nozzle (1/4") draws about 100 CFM. Add up all simultaneous tool demands and include a 20% buffer.
HP (Horsepower): Ranges from 25 HP at 90 CFM to 200+ HP at 800 CFM. Engine HP directly determines CFM output.
Engine Type: Kubota, Kohler, or similar industrial diesel engines rated for continuous field operation. All towable compressors in this category are diesel-powered.
Max PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): Most towable compressors deliver 100-150 PSI. Some models offer adjustable pressure settings for applications requiring higher working pressure.
Axle Type: Single axle for units up to about 250 CFM; dual axle for 400 CFM and above.
Towing Weight: Ranges from approximately 1,500 pounds for compact 90 CFM units to over 6,000 pounds for 800 CFM systems. Verify your truck's towing capacity (check the hitch rating, not just the engine capability) before purchasing.

Brands Carried

Elgi: D-series diesel tow behind compressors from 90 to 800 CFM, covering the widest CFM range of any towable line on the site.
Atlas Copco: XAS and XATS series diesel tow behind compressors from 110 to 400+ CFM, featuring PACE variable-speed technology for fuel-efficient operation under varying loads.
ConX: Diesel tow behind compressors from 90 to 185 CFM, known for compact trailer designs and competitive pricing at the entry and mid-range tiers.

CompressorPros buys direct from the manufacturer, saving time and money.

FAQ

What is the difference between a towable and a skid-mounted compressor? A towable compressor travels on its own trailer behind a truck and can be unhitched at the job site. A skid-mounted compressor rides on a truck bed as cargo and requires a forklift or crane to load and unload. Choose towable when the compressor needs to travel independently; choose skid mount when it rides on your truck.

What is the most common mistake when buying a towable compressor? Overlooking towing capacity. A 185 CFM towable compressor weighs approximately 2,000-3,000 pounds fully fueled. Verify your truck's towing capacity at the hitch rating, not just the engine rating. Also confirm that the hitch class (typically Class III or IV) matches the trailer's coupler size.

What size towable compressor do I need for sandblasting? It depends on nozzle size. A 1/4" nozzle draws about 100 CFM; a 3/8" nozzle draws 150-185 CFM. For a single nozzle, a 185 CFM towable is the standard. For multi-nozzle operations, step up to 250-400+ CFM.

What is PACE technology on Atlas Copco towable compressors? PACE (Provider of Air for Customized Efficiency) adjusts engine speed to match real-time air demand. When demand drops, the engine slows down rather than running at full speed, reducing fuel consumption by up to 20-30%. This is particularly valuable on job sites where air demand varies throughout the shift.

How long can a towable compressor run on a full tank? Runtime depends on engine size, fuel tank capacity, and load. Most 185 CFM towable compressors run 8-10 hours at rated load on a full tank. Larger units (400-800 CFM) may require refueling during extended shifts.

Does CompressorPros offer free shipping on towable compressors? Yes. Standard shipping is free, direct from the manufacturer, on every unit in this category. You must have the ability to offload from the delivery vehicle.

Shop Towable Air Compressors at CompressorPros

CompressorPros carries towable air compressors from 90 to 800 CFM from Elgi, Atlas Copco, and ConX. For truck-bed mounting, browse skid-mounted air compressors. For permanent vehicle installation, see vehicle-mounted air compressors. For the full range of portable rotary screw options, browse the parent category. Standard shipping is free, direct from the manufacturer.

If you need help choosing a towable compressor for your crew or project, call (803) 339-0445 or email info@compressorpros.com.

Shop by Category

Shop by Brand

Shop by Brand

Towable Air Compressors

Elgi D185T4F 185 CFM Portable Rotary Screw Air Compressor - Tow Behind

Elgi D90KA 90 CFM Portable Rotary Screw Air Compressor - Tow Behind

ConX X Air SC90DT 90 CFM Diesel Tow Behind Rotary Screw

Atlas Copco XATS 250 KD8 65 HP Diesel Tow Behind Air Compressor

ConX SC110DT 110 CFM Diesel Tow Behind Rotary Screw

ConX SC185DT 45 HP Diesel 185 CFM Tow Behind Rotary Screw

Elgi D300T4F 290 CFM Portable Rotary Screw Air Compressor - Tow Behind

Atlas Copco X-Air 185-100 44 HP Tow Behind Rotary Screw Air Compressor

Atlas Copco XAS 110 KD8 25 HP Tow Behind Rotary Screw Air Compressor

Atlas Copco XAS 185-150 PACE 44 HP Tow Behind Rotary Screw Air Compressor

Atlas Copco XAS 400-150 PACE 148 HP Tow Behind Rotary Screw Air Compressor

Elgi D800T4F 800 CFM Tow Behind Diesel Air Compressor