Tire plugs

[salem]

Just curious about what the general opinions are on plugging a tire as opposed to patching it.

[myredracer]

On retired tire engineer, Roger Marble's RVtiresafety.net blog, he quotes NHTSA, Goodyear, Michelin & Bridgestone Firestone as all saying it can be done *IF* the correct procedure is followed and the puncture is less than a certain size. He discusses the issue here.

What is the average un-informed driver out there supposed to do when they pull into a Les Schwab and they tell you they can plug it for free and it will be fine or you can pay maybe $300 for a new one. And you could have to wait a day or longer for a matching tire to arrive.

Maybe they need to bring back inner tubes and be done with tubeless. 🙂

[T18skyguy]

I've used the Camel repair kit a dozen times over my lifetime. Not a single failure and all tires went their normal lifespan. If a tire is properly plugged I don't see how water could get to the steel belts. But I follow the directions exactly, and make sure the vulcanizing agent completely covers the plug, and that the plug is properly inserted and trimmed.

[Grit_dog]

CapriRacer wrote:
I'm the guy who ruins the statistics. I've had 2 plugs fail out of 4.

And for the record, you’re the guy who claims to know more about tires than the Michelin man himself.

[twodownzero]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
The industry standard is a patch, not a plug.

Actually the industry standard is a "plug patch" which both plugs the hole and patches the inner area of the tire where it needs to hold air. Plugs and patches by themselves are hack repairs.

[Lantley]

This topic is often over thought. I don't disagree that patching is a more effective, foolproof method.
However plugging is more convenient, effective and adequate in many cases. Maybe I have been just lucky but I have plugged many tires without issue.

[gbopp]

I've used plugs only, many times, and never had a problem.

[JRscooby]

A tire used on the road; If nearly wore out, and I don't plan to cap, I would plug and hope I can get to a shop. A good tire? Not happening until I have it broke down to see inside.
The risk is the nail or whatever goes in thru the tread at angle, or bends at the belts. Now it takes some force to shove the cleaning tool in, and it is more rigid than the nail, it will likely go straight in. So now you have 2 holes in the air chamber. You stick the plug in, and it seals one hole in the air chamber, and the hole in tread. At this point, if the gods are smiling at you, air it up, and the tread or sidewall bulges out, and all you have done is change a repairable tire to junk. But many times that bulge doesn't form until hiway speed and temp. The first indication you have a problem is BANG!
IMHO plugging a tire is like rolling the dice, except when I lay money on the **** table I know what I'm putting down, and know the odds of picking up my money twice or not at all. When betting on the plug, all I can pick up is the little dab it cost to get it fixed right, but a blown tire? What is the limit on what that can cost?
BTW, a tire that the last cap is about wore out, I have been known to pull a nail, put patch cement on a screw, and drive it in the hole. The screw is more likely to follow the hole, and will leak much slower than the nail...

Wow! did not know you could not discuss the game played with galloping dominoes...

[NRALIFR]

Actually, the Tire Industry Association says:

“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.”

Also, the U.S. government through the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates several aspects of tire repairs and maintenance. DOT sets tire repair guidelines that tire shops have to follow. They say:

“Repairing a punctured tire involves plugging the hole in the tire. It also requires a patch for the inside of the tire, around the area of the puncture. Note that tires have to be completely separated from the rim to be properly repaired, plugged, and patched.”

:):)

[Redcatcher70]

Done properly, within the tread area, plugging works fine. Never had an issue with one.

[DownTheAvenue]

The industry standard is a patch, not a plug.

[NRALIFR]

I always try a plug I can put in first. Most of the time I have no problems with them. The few times I’ve had an issue I take the tire to a repair shop and ask them to use the type of patch that looks like a combination of a patch and a plug. The tire has to be off the rim for that type of repair.

:):)

[CapriRacer]

I'm the guy who ruins the statistics. I've had 2 plugs fail out of 4.

[happynow]

We have used them in our RV. One tire had 2 plugs. No problems.

[1320Fastback]

Being a contractor I've plugged probably a hundred tires over the years from cars and trucks to Forklifts and bobcats. Never had one fail I can remember. My own truck has probably 2-5 in each tire and use it all the time to tow as well as commute.

Patching I believe is better and maybe the proper way to do it but plugging is still safe and doesn't require the tire to be broken down and taken to the shop.

[rk911]

i’ve had it done both ways. no recurring problems either way.