Tire Plugs

[idnative1948]

Just a heads-up for those of you who pack tire plugs in your truck tools.

Started going through some of the must have/should haves in my truck. Found out tire plug cement doesn't last forever this morning. Never opened the package I have in a plastic box. Cement had totally dried up. No telling how long I have carried it around.

Just some food for thought, if you carry them.

 

[Walkathon]

I better check mine. Been in there for 4 years. Thanks for the heads up

 

[Southern Elk]

Need to check mine.

 

[Tradewind]

yup, I discovered the same thing. Now i replace it yearly and double check it in the fall. cheap item to replace

 

[schmalts]

Good info. Simple punctures from nails or thorns really don't need the glue if you get the right plugs. It's the bigger slits that have trouble sealing. The glue helps as it acts like a lube for getting the plug into a small hole too.

 

[Matt/VT]

Do any of you recommend anything specific for a plug kit? Want to add one to my gear this year. Thanks!

 

[marksjeep]

I carry a "slime" plug kit with a package of extra plugs. I also keep a 12V compressor and a large can of slime sealant in the truck. The difference in the plug kits is mainly the quality of the tools that are included.

 

[schmalts]

I carry a "slime" plug kit with a package of extra plugs. I also keep a 12V compressor and a large can of slime sealant in the truck. The difference in the plug kits is mainly the quality of the tools that are included.

Just an FYI, slime or other tire sealant should always be a last resort. One used, you can never have a tire patched from the inside (recommended long term fix) because the patches have a hard time sticking and most guys refuse to clean all the crap out to do the repair.

 

[marksjeep]

Great point, I should have qualified. Slime is to help seal plugs that won't seal on their own with cement, like sidewall tears. It's to get you home, not to repair a fatally wounded tire.

 

[sbhooper]

I have used the plugs on many ATV tires etc., but not on vehicles. I have never had a leak problem not using the rubber cement. That stuff does not last very long in the box.

 

[Gr8bawana]

For those of you who buy a 12 volt compressor make sure you get on rated for larger truck tires or just make sure sure you keep an eye on it while inflating larger tires. Many will not run for very long before overheating and locking up. I can tell you from experience.

 

[wolfpup]

The solution to the cement style plugs is the " stop and go tire plugger ". This is the best and easiest way to plug a tire. So much better than the cement and slime style products out there! Much cleaner and faster!

 

[WapitiBob]

Tell me about plug kits, I didn't know they had them available.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

Tell me about plug kits, I didn't know they had them available.

You can buy them at any auto parts store. Under $10 and work really well on rock punctures etc....easier than changing the tire and you still have a spare. You just need to carry a small compressor to re-inflate the tire once plugged. You have to flatten tire all the way to plug. They say your supposed to take the tire in to be patched asap following plugging but I've never had one fail and the guy I would take my tires to uses plugs to patch most flats.

 

[WapitiBob]

Thanks Joe. I had two rock punctures in NM a few years ago. Granite type rock and sharp as an ice pick.

 

[mplane72]

You can buy them at any auto parts store. Under $10 and work really well on rock punctures etc....easier than changing the tire and you still have a spare. You just need to carry a small compressor to re-inflate the tire once plugged. You have to flatten tire all the way to plug. They say your supposed to take the tire in to be patched asap following plugging but I've never had one fail and the guy I would take my tires to uses plugs to patch most flats.

I've never let a tire go flat before plugging. Just jam it in there ASAP.

 

[Khunter]

Yep. This weekend I lost a tire to a puncture and wouldn't you know it I had my tools for plugging but no plugs! changed tires and went to a buddies camp where he had plugs. Bent his reamer tool and then broke his plugger tool.

Pulled out my tools that apparently are a lot more sturdy and got the job done.

No doubt my plugs are sitting on a pouch on my ATV. Oops. Almost a hunt SNAFU. Going to buy 2 new kits. One for ATC and one for truck.

great tip on the lube/cement drying out!. never woulda given it a thought. My buddies was all dried up too. Made it a lot harder to plug with no lube but but got it done and did not leak.