Plugged tire

[jeepit]

We were camping near Sayner WI this weekend and while traveling down a gravel road something hit the bottom of the truck. I thought it was just a stone that made the noise but when I got back to Razorback Lake Campground I could hear air leaking slowly out of the front tire. I had my tools along and and have a plug kit which stopped the leak.

I have been driving trail Jeeps with plugged tires for years. But what about the truck?

Safe or not?

I have 38,000 miles on these tires so not quite ready for new tires yet.

But it is close to being time for a tire upgrade.

 

[JMetzger]

I have a friend who owns two Goodyear tire stores in Fremont, CA & he told me a while back that it is now illegal to plug tires. I do not know it that is for CA or the whole country, others on here may know more about it then me. I never have let anyone plug a tire of mine.

 

[HBarlow]

I would not drive on a plugged tire other than to get back to town to a reputable tire store. I would trust a hot patch installed by a good tire shop.

 

[Wertles]

I have had 2 of my tires plugged but from the inside. It is actually a patch and plug in one and has worked very well. Only downside is that the tire has to be dismounted and remounted/balanced. It cost about $20 at the local tire place.

 

[mwilson]

I have had 2 of my tires plugged but from the inside. It is actually a patch and plug in one and has worked very well. Only downside is that the tire has to be dismounted and remounted/balanced. It cost about $20 at the local tire place.

That is what we do here as well.



It will hold no matter what.



Plus it gives the added benefit of sealing up all of the exposed steel at the site of the damage thus prolonging the life of the tire.



Mike.

 

[EGroeneveld]

Funny thing this morning I just took a ATV tire in to the tire shop to have plugged, nail in it from riding on Saturday. When I am losing air even with an ATV/UTV tires I'll plug them to get back to the trailer but will take the plugged tire in to the tire store when I get home to have it ''more'' fixed. I've also done tire plugs and still rode the RZR for 50 miles with no further leakage. But still take it in for a 'real' fix. On a truck or car I would certainly take it in.

 

[Road Dog]

My local tire shop won't patch an ATV tire. The inside surface isn't suitable for a patch so they use plugs. (A truck or car tire should be patched. )

 

[Allnew2Me]

I don't know about the legality of this issue, but I've used this kit for a number of years and had great success with it. I wouldn't use the standard auto store type for a permanant patch but these mushroom-shaped plugs hold well and I've never had one leak. Never use one in a sidewall though, only in the main tread area. The ideal fix is of course to have the tire plugged and then patched on the inside, but sometimes a kit like this can get you out of trouble for the short term.



Standard Model - Tire Plugger - Stop & Go International Inc Store

 

[jeepit]

The plug is in the voided area of the tread and not the tread itself. I spoke with a local alignment shop and had them look at it and since it is not on the tread it "should" be ok.

I'll keep an eye on the pressure for the next couple of weeks.

 

[EGroeneveld]

My local tire shop won't patch an ATV tire. The inside surface isn't suitable for a patch so they use plugs. (A truck or car tire should be patched. )

Interesting, I just took mine to my local Les Schwab Tire store and they said they'll get it fixed up. I'll ask if its a patch or a plug they use when I pick it up at lunch time. Its a 26'' inch tire and a radial so I'm not sure how much differnce it would be compared to a car tire.

 

[BGlidewell]

plugged tires are not to be trusted. Patching a plugged tire ASAP is the way to go. This also gets the tire inspected 100%.

 

[jeepit]

plugged tires are not to be trusted. Patching a plugged tire ASAP is the way to go. This also gets the tire inspected 100%.

Well noted... . I'll probably go this route.

 

[mwilson]

One shop's opinion on when to use a plug only...



Tires - Plug Repair



And then when a plug/patch should be used instead... . also shows what the plug/patch looks like and how it is installed.



Tires - Patch or Plug



Mike.

 

[BIGNASTY]

The plug has done what it was intended to do. Now take it to a Tire shop and have them put a boot in and you wont have to worry about it again

 

[MChrist]

I've plugged more than my share of tires with temporary plugs and never had a problem. Early on in my career, I even plugged a steer tire that was almost new, since I didn't have the $350 for a new tire, and it lasted the life of the tire. Normally, I would have had it patched internally, but forgot all about it until I was running my hand across the tread to check for wear bars, and there was a fuzzy thing sticking out of it. I realized it was my plug that I put in 2-3 years earlier and it never leaked. It lasted the entire life of the tire.
So I would agree with the article mentioned earlier: it may be sacrilegious, or crude to use one of those horrible plugs... but they work quite well. Like the article also mentioned, I would only attempt to plug a small hole, not a hole from a 3/4" bolt!!
I would like to say I take the "high road" on this subject, but quite often I just plug 'em and get 'em back on the road.
Let the hate mail begin.....

 

[fox]

I've plugged at least 50 tires person and business. Never had a failure.



One on my truck with new Michelins, I ran over a 3/8 by 2 1/2 bolt. It went thru the rear tire.

When I pulled it out I put TWO plugs in the hole and it sealed.

Then I wore out that set of tires about 60,000 miles later and showed the tire shop that plug.

 

[MChrist]

Like I said before, tire plugs get you out of a jam, but are good enough that they can last the life of the tire as well.
I've never tried those mushroom shaped rubber plugs, though. Has anybody used those? The plugs I speak of are those rope strip ones that are sticky and you apply rubber cement to them before inserting.

 

[mwilson]

I had never seen or heard of the mushroom shaped plugs until I saw them on this thread.



It appears to me that they would be great on Bias and four-wheeler tires, but wonder if the steel belts in a radial would tear them up while trying to force them through the tire tread.



Mike.

 

[MChrist]

I saw the mushroom shaped jobbies at a camping/fishing expo. They were demonstrating them on a motorcycle tire, and an atv tire. Maybe they aren't for truck tires? Dunno.

 

[BGlidewell]

Taking the tire off the wheel and inspecting it is the most prudent way to permently repair a tire puncture.

I used to ride sport bikes with no gear other than a pair of sun glasses, tee-shirt, jeans and shoes. (at least no shorts and flip flops). I'm still alive, but I think all can agree it was not a smart thing to do.

I've also run WAY too many miles on a plug before I knew better. No I know better and don't. The speed rating for a plugged tire is reduced to 45MPH in most cases.