Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

[bruceb58]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

A plug is fine as long as the repair is done from the inside. The problem is that moisture and air gets into hole and then gets into where all the belts are. The hole has to be completely sealed and this won't happen with a repair from the outside.

Speaking of buying tires off of a back rack, you have no idea if that tire just got smacked into a curb. Not worth the risk. Same goes for buying used rims.

 

[jameskb2]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

A plug is fine as long as the repair is done from the inside. The problem is that moisture and air gets into hole and then gets into where all the belts are. The hole has to be completely sealed and this won't happen with a repair from the outside

We'll have to agree to disagree then.

If you followed my directions, then there is almost no chance of moisture penetrating the repair.

1. Remove the nail, screw, small bolt, whatever, if it's still in the tire.
2. Take the reamer, (the file like tool) and COAT it with rubber cement.
3. Insert the reamer and move it back and forth. This cleans the wound, and coats the rubber with cement.
4. Place the plug in the driver, and COAT it with rubber cement.
5. Insert the plug and remove the driver.

The amount of rubber cement, the force of the tire around the plug relative to it's size, will seal the crap out of it. You will see rubber cement squeeze out and around the plug when it's done this way.

I just don't see how it could possibly leak air, or moisture. It's a tighter seal than an inside patch. (I've done plenty of both) In fact, one could argue that an inside patch leaves the puncture open on the outside tread surface. If you're worried about moisture entering the belt area, you'd rather have a plug than a patch no?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

Check this link out. I think it explains what I am trying to say:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=77

 

[jameskb2]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

I understand Bruce.

Right back at ya.

To Plug or Patch, that is the question.

I'm done, as the article says, you will get ten different answers from ten different techs.

It was fun!

JamesK

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

Heh heh...

Too funny. This debate is still alive! We used to get customers that would refuse a repair with plugs 25 years ago, and it appears the sentiment is still kicking.

I remember the sales person that sold the garage the plugs coming by with a tire, and a video (Yeah, I think it was a beta-max tape) showing a tire that had been punctured something like 100 times, and repaired with 100 plugs. They ran the tire for 20 thousand miles with no ill effects.

I do agree that it depends on the puncture wound. If you take a nail or screw, or run over a sharp piece of angle iron, of course these are different. I have used tire plugs on many, many tires, and never suffered ill effects. Tread separation is caused by running the tire flat, overheating it, or a poor bond on a retread. Plugs WILL NOT cause tread separation. Sorry.

As far as belt separation, same applies. Belt separation is usually caused by hitting a sharp angled object like a curb, deep pothole, or the like. Running a tire over it's load capacity can cause catastrophic failure from heat and belt separation. A plug simply "spreads" a few of the strands in the belt. Actually the puncture does this, and yes, some steel in the belt may have broken. Perhaps a few strands of it.

Is a repaired tire "good as new"? Of course not. Is it safe? Depends on the damage cause, amount of damage, and nature of repair. I will stand firmly on the fact that if you take a nail or screw or other small object that punctures the tire, a plug is a perfectly safe and effective repair.

Otherwise, your just an anal perfectionist, and you'd be better off buying a new tire. Heck, while your at it, buy a whole set. It'll let the rest of us purchase your used tires off the back room rack at a steep discount.

If plugs were what SOME people think they are, they wouldn't use them in repair shops, or even sell them for that manner. Again, it depends on the nature of the damage and the required repair. Don't EVER use a plug in a sidewall. A good rule of thumb is if the puncture is from a sharp small object, it's inside 1/2" from the tread edge (from sidewall) then it can be repaired using a plug.

My best,

JamesK

I have to agree with James on this one, it all depends on the type of damage to the tire.

However, chances are that when a boat trailer tire fails, it's not usually a puncture wound. Far too many that I've seen were either rim 'rust through' or overheat damage and blow outs. In those cases there's no other option than to replace the tire and/or rim.

As far as Fix-A-Flat, some of that stuff if highly flammable, even combustible, it depends on the brand. I have had old trailers that rarely get used that I've used that stuff in to seal slow leaks, its better than having to keep pumping up a tire all year long. Those trailers rarely get used and when they do they don't go far, so there's no way I'd spend the cash to put new tires and rims on a trailer that may see 10 miles a year. There's also tire sealant called Slime, its more of a self sealing type of filler, not really a fix-a-flat in a can. I use it in trailers that run on rough or hazard filled roads and junk yards, it saves me fixing small punctures over and over. The way I see it, if the tire gets a hole large enough that the Slime won't handle it, the whole things is trash either way.

I have run on those rope style plugs for years, often for thousands of miles with never any concerns at all. I have had internal patches leak or come loose and have had steel belts cut through rubber type plug patches and plugs years ago. If you go to most dealers or auto repair shops, they most all use the orange type rope plugs, the only shops that push the patch from inside deal are those that are trying to get more money out of the customer. I've sat through those sales push speeches by greedy owners before.

The following site shows what you will find in nearly all repair shops and tire stores: http://www.plews-edelmann.com/index.cfm?location_id=3823

I've worked on cars and light trucks for 25 years and have used all methods and the rope plug is the best solution for all minor punctures. It's the least intrusive and when done right will last the life of the tire.

If a tire cannot be fixed by this method, it's time for a new tire.
Fix-A-Flat will not seal cuts, large holes, or rusted rims.
I would only resort to Fix A Flat if I had nothing else at hand or if I knew I was trying to seal a minor leak and that the tire would most likely be trash anyhow. (I wouldn't ask or expect anyone to have to deal with a tire that's been filled with that stuff).
I still carry two good spares, but would only use the Fix-A-Flat if I had to deal with a very minor leak that I could see. I also do carry a tire plug kit, so chances are that if it is a puncture, I have the tools at hand to fix it myself.
I have a portable compressor that will inflate about 10 tires on a charge and can run from my trucks battery as well, the tire plug kit is one that I put together myself and the two spares are always with me. But I still do carry some Fix-A-Flat, but mostly just for those times when I'm either towing home a used trailer that I know nothing about or for tires that only have to make it home. Usually short of a broken rim or torn tire, I can usually nurse it home if not fix it right on the spot.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Fix a Flat and trailer tires?

That gets back to what the Michelin website say (I know Michelin doesn't make an ST). Dismount, inspect inside, decide if puncture can be repaired and then plug and then patch from the inside. To me all this must be done at home. If you are at home anyway you might as well go to the place you bought the tire from and have them fix it. Almost all places I buy tire from will fix the tire for free without voiding the warrantee.

Now if I get a puncture on a trip and have already used my spare, I am not going to dismount my tire. Ream, dope, plug and fill.......then go fishing.

Now with that all said and like anyone towing precious cargo, I never take chances. I avoid hot travel in the summer's afternoons. I never overload my tires. I always do a "stop and walk" around my vehicle and trailer. I look for bumps, nicks, foreign objects and low pressure. While driving I listen for strange tire sounds, bearing and brake sounds. I watch my speed and look for road hazards. I have always bought the best tire I can afford and I have been lucky so far.