emergency tire repair

[carld]

So has any one got experience with emergency tire repair. Two years ago I came across 6 co-eds in an Honda pick-up with 3 flat tires on the road to White Mountain in CA. Then last year a guy was asking to buy anyone's spare tire that would fit in Big Bend NP. I have a nice 50psi 12V compressor that works good. And thinking of a plug tire repair kit. I have 10 ply E rated tires that seem bullit proof. Any experience or ideas?[SIZE=8.5pt][/SIZE]

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi carld
Here are two items that are quality products. If you are trying to seat a tire a separate tank would be needed, to provide the needed volume of air. I have this compressor and tried to seat a motorcycle tire for someone and no luck. It has been excellent for airing up my tires from 40 psi to 75 psi. Patches are better for the tire, but who can carry a tire machine to make the repair, I would recommend using the plug on a tire before you need it if you never have used one. ( use a junk tire ) also two jacks can be useful one under the frame then the second to raise the tire that way you don't have to raise the vehicle so high or deal with the wheel stuffed up in the wheel well. A 100% duty cycle is important in my opinion for an air compressor. Hope this helps.

Russ




https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Tools-Repair-Punctured-35-Piece/dp/B01IU8PVT8/ref=asc_df_B01IU8PVT8/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312094794461&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12770138704069170331&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030790&hvtargid=pla-571637933708&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62497261819&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312094794461&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12770138704069170331&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030790&hvtargid=pla-571637933708


https://www.viaircorp.com/portables/450p-auto

 

[carld]

The kit is exactly what I was looking at. The compressor is similar to the one I have. Above 40 psi it get really hot, add some wet cloths on it . But 30 to 40 psi is good enought to go. Saw a youtub viedo using a similar kit, you know if you are stuck and looking a a 100 mile towing survice plus the delay, I think I can give it a few tries, as long as I have the small compressor to do the rest.

 

[DesertDave]

Back when I used to four wheel as a hobby, I often plugged tires. I honestly lost count of how many times I needed to do so in order to get my vehicle back to my tow rig. Once I drove a good portion of the Rubicon trail with a sidewall plugged with 13 plugs.

As far as street use, the rules of only using plugs in the tread area apply. I've plugged tires in the approved area that have lasted without leaks for many months of daily use.

 

[JaSAn]

What I carry:
A modified MV-50 12V compressor.
Tire plug kit (plugs, reamer, setting tool, glue).
The biggest tire patch I could find.
Appropriately sized inner tube.
Valve stem removal tool.
Extra valve stems!
Bottle jack for breaking the bead.
Two tire irons (large blade screwdrivers will work but you have to be careful).
A small jug of 'Slime'.
Plan on an all day job if you have to break the bead and fix the sidewall. It takes a looooong time to reset the bead with the MV-50.
And practice in your driveway. Way back beyond is no place to determine the tools you have won't do the job.

 

[klahanie]

I have a nice 50psi 12V compressor that works good. .. I have 10 ply E rated tires that seem bullit proof.

But 30 to 40 psi is good enought to go.

Could you tell us what psi you are running your E tires at ?

Even "E"s can be punctured so a plug kit like linked is good to have, even for town. One tip - it can be easier to drive the awl and plug in if the tire is inflated. So for your home test, I suggest you deflate a tire, air it up some, plug it, then air up to normal pressure. I'd want to be sure the compressor was up to that.

EDIT and I'd add a few extra valve caps to the kit (keep from your old tires or take from your neighbour's car)

 

[Beach]

If the plug kit doesn't include patches and glue, get some, add them and add additional plugs. I always apply the glue even if the plugs are coated, just for extra insurance and it also helps lube the plug for easier install.

 

[CougarCouple]

JaSAn how do you break the bead with a bottle jack?

Thanks Russ

 

[OutbacKamper]

I've been watching lots of Ronnie Dahl videos recently (Four Wheeling, Western Australia). They are well worth watching in my opinion. He has one on basic tire repair:

When I was at the NWOR last year there was a hands on tire repair clinic that was excellent. They covered everything from basic plugs, like in the video, to emergency side wall repairs to removing and reinstalling a tire in the field. I immediately went and bought a better quality kit after the workshop

 

[cwdtmmrs]

I carry a good plug kit, some patches and a "Baja" patch which is an extra large patch. I also carry a straight and curved tires iron. You haven't lived until you have dis-mounted a tire with a couple of tire irons! I have broken the beads by lowering the drum/disc of the edge of the tire. You can re-seat the beads once repaired with staring fluid or a big ratchet strap around the tire. No a 5 minute job. Plan on a 1/2 day adventure.

 

[jrwdlw]

I carry a good plug kit, some patches and a "Baja" patch which is an extra large patch. I also carry a straight and curved tires iron. You haven't lived until you have dis-mounted a tire with a couple of tire irons! I have broken the beads by lowering the drum/disc of the edge of the tire. You can re-seat the beads once repaired with staring fluid or a big ratchet strap around the tire. No a 5 minute job. Plan on a 1/2 day adventure.

+1 on the ratchet strap. The flammable liquid method can be a little exciting at times.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

EDIT and I'd add a few extra valve caps to the kit (keep from your old tires or take from your neighbour's car)

Here's some products you might find interesting:

Valve stem caps you can't lose and that also seal the air in even if the valve core fails:

https://www.extremeoutback.com/products/6/No+Loss+Tire+Caps.html

Do pay attention to what they say about the metal to metal problem. The plastic caps are probably safest.

And if you carry a Hi-Lift Jack, the same company has a bead breaker that works with it:

https://www.extremeoutback.com/products/4/Beadbuster.html

This company is also a good source of tire plugs, tire irons, etc.

 

[XJINTX]

All good suggestions. May I add the Colby emergency Valve stem ? I luckily have not needed yet for myself but have used for a buddy. You will thank me if you ever pop / break a stem https://www.amazon.com/Colby-Valve-Emergency-Replacement-Black/dp/B01NARX3H8

 

[JaSAn]

JaSAn how do you break the bead with a bottle jack?

Remove valve stem from tire.
Place wheel & tire under truck below frame.
Position bottle jack on tire close to bead but not on wheel and under frame.
Start jacking. You will have to hold the jack util you get enough pressure to keep jack from moving.

 

[ntsqd]

+1 on the ratchet strap. The flammable liquid method can be a little exciting at times.

The way that I was taught to use flammable liquid for re-seating a tire is:
A ) Make sure the valve core is removed.
B ) Trail a little of the fluid out away from the tire by 6'-8'. This so that you can light it standing back 6 to 8 feet.

I carry a big patch too. Used to carry a tube in the dune buggy days. One of the Dune Buggy Brigade figured out that tubes last a whole lot longer folded up if you put them in an anti-static bag, and use a vacuum 'Seal-A-Meal' type machine on the bag. Seals out the oxygen and shields it from the UV light at the same time.

I get making do with stuff that you normally carry, but one of these makes bead-breaking much easier:

That one was made to use a Snap-On 24" breaker bar as it's lever (because its a regularly carried item in the dune buggy), but I've also made one that uses the handle only from a Hi-Lift jack for MISF. With some tires you can break them on the ground as shown, but its far easier if you break it while still bolted to the vehicle.

 

[carld]

Well maybe I'll just ride my bicycle out. Never had a job at Les Schwab so if I can't do it with some simple light weight hand tools it's too much for me.

 

[ntsqd]

That's just it, it can be done with hand tools, they just need to be the right ones or tools modified to do that function too. I've changed 31-10.50 tires using motorcycle tire irons, and though I'm not volunteering to do it again it wasn't as difficult as you might think.