First ever flat tire on any of my campers.

Had a friend that used to plug his tires. That is until the tire he had just plugged had the steel belts separate on one of the tires he plugged a week earlier. Was it the install of the plug with the tool that makes the hole bigger? Who knows but he doesn't plug his tires anymore.

I guess I will keep doing it the way the tire industry suggests.

Reminds me of the quote:

Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time, but always enough time to do it over?

I've repaired many a tire with plugs only, and never had an issue.

I'm not going to "cuss" or discuss the pros/cons of "plugging" a tire. But for those who want to "minimize" their downtime and "maximize" their good-times.... ponder this!

Many of us are familiar with the little "pancake" air compressors...great compressor, but pretty large! Take a look at the DeWalt D55140. It's rectangular in shape, low profile, pretty fast recovery time, and has pretty good reviews.

We have this little compressor and a plug kit! We hope we never need them....but we feel the same way about spare tires and insurance!! ;)

Lynnmor wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
A plug is only a temporary fix, and is dangerous without a patch put on the inside of the tire.

You really should pay attention to this.

While this is a good idea there are many people who have run plugged tires till the treads were gone. Even some folks who plug motorcycle tires and run them till they are not any good. All without putting a patch on the inside.

Personally on my motorcycles I'd plug and then replace the tire as soon as possible. Probably the same should I ever experience a flat on my popup. My lawn tractor tires have several plugs and I have yet to patch or replace them.

Reminds me of when I first installed a Tire Pressure Monitor system....

First trip out I am about 2/3 the way there when BEEP BEEP BEEP
(Low tire, left front, Towed car)

Pulled off in a handy rest area, Got out, Yup tire low.. Plugged in Air compressor Fired up generator and not low any more.

All weekend long (it was a weekend trip) Low tire every time I wanted to go anywhere (Low, heck pancake flat) aired it up and did the trip, Every day.

Got home and parked (Stopping for air on the way) next AM aired it up and went to tire store and they told me I'd been SCREWED.. Removed the screw, showed it to me, tossed it in their "Road hazard" jar, fixed the tire (no charge road hazard warranty) and off I went. Happy.


Another person with same TPMS tossed it in his basement storage when it arrived intending to install later.. too later as it turned out. he's not 15 miles out of the camp ground when folks are honking and pointing.

Same tire. Left front on towed. Shredded, Rim damaged, Brake rotor damaged, 2,000 in body damage.. How he wishes he'd installed at campground.

I've plugged a few tires over the years and left them as a permanent fix. I always carry plug kits. I've plugged tires in my driveway, others' driveway, a hotel parking lot and in a campground once. I usually take the tire off, but that's easier since it is on a car.

Yes the proper way to make the repair is a patch and a plug, but a plug alone has not failed me yet. That being said, if I were to use it on a RV, it would only be a temporary fix. A blow out on a car rarely does damage. A blow out on a RV usually does lots of damage.

-Michael

babock wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
A plug is only a temporary fix, and is dangerous without a patch put on the inside of the tire.

You really should pay attention to this.

I think it's going to fall on deaf ears.

https://www.tireindustry.org/tire-maintenance/tire-repair

Yep! You are right there. :R

By in all honesty, I did look at the web site and found this:

"A plug by itself or a patch by itself is not an acceptable repair because the plug does not permanently seal the innerliner and the patch does not fill the void left by the penetrating object, which allows water to enter the body of the tire and starting corroding the steel belts."

On a travel trailer, the odds of the steel belts rusting out and causing damage are probably not as great at the other 3 tires falling victim to dry rot and needed replaced in another 2-3 years anyway.

I worked at my uncle's gas station when I was 15 years old. (1970) and he taught me how to plug tires. Funny, the process hasn't changed in 50 years.

Considering the fellow that plugged my tire deals with this for a living (on the farm) and deals with tires that cost $5000 each or more, I've got all the confidence in the world his plug will work just fine. (and will still be OK when the tires finally dry-rot out).

About the age of the actual plug, it was brand new. He opened a new package of plugs. This is a big farming family with many employees working on the farm. They farm about 5000 acres of land and have multi million dollars worth of farming equipment. They use GPS tracking to drive the combines through the fields, and the operator never touches the steering wheel. They're a pretty sophisticated outfit. They are a big business and know what they are doing.

So when it comes to a tire repair, um ... they know what they are doing. I have all the confidence in my tire repair.

However, IF something happens on our trip to Kentucky this Saturday, or any time next week while we are on the road ... I'll definitely come back and give a report and swallow a little crow.

Lynnmor wrote:

DownTheAvenue wrote:
A plug is only a temporary fix, and is dangerous without a patch put on the inside of the tire.

You really should pay attention to this.

I think it's going to fall on deaf ears.

https://www.tireindustry.org/tire-maintenance/tire-repair

What is the rating and date of manufacture of your plug?

;)

Glad you got it fixed without a lot of hoopla :C

When you sound out the ST, sssssttt that is the sound of it going flat.