Tire plugs, flat repair kit

Looking at adding a flat repair kit for my 2013 DCSB as well as my wife's 2012 T4R. Anyone used tire plugs on a vehicle? I've used them on ATVs but never a vehicle, are they worth keeping in the truck? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

I keep a plug kit and Viair 85P compressor in my truck, the plug kit has come in handy a couple times for sure. Doesn't do much for larger punctures, but haven't had a flat in the Tacoma in 6 years of running E rated rubber either.

 

Yes. I consider it critical. I assembled my own kit. Haven't poked holes in my Toyos yet, but had three holes in my Duratracs.

 

I have the ARB kit but haven't needed it yet with e ply rated tires.

AZ

 

I have a couple kits. I don't keep them in the vehicle.

It can be hard reaming the puncture on an E rated tire. The rubber is so hard, its very difficult to ream out a small puncture. I solve that problem by taking my cordless drill and a 1/4" bit and drilling out the puncture hole bigger.

 

I use the plugs, they are good in an emergency and are not expensive.

 

Thanks, kit contents? Anything special besides the plug kit and compressor?

 

Absolutely. Since I only use a pump seven or eight times per year I went with an MV-50 and assembled a kit to carry in the pump bag. It consists of a reamer, plug tool, knife, standard size black plugs, large size brown plugs, pressure gauge, valve core/stem tool, valve cores, and a valve stem. Probably a few other odds and ends that I can't recall at the moment.

 

I like to have some rubber cement in my kit. It acts more as a lubricant that an aid to seal the puncture. The plugs just glide right in.

 

Great, thanks for the info. Been looking into this for quite some time but just haven't pulled the trigger yet. !

 

I also carry a deflater and two spare caps.

Edit - not in the "kit" itself but I also carry a can of starting fluid (ether) for reseating a tire bead.

 

Ether is a cool trick for seating the beads!

 

How's that work?

 

With a tire bead that won't seat with compressed air, you give a very quick shot of either into the tire. Toss a match at it. The exploding either will seat the tire. Its pretty dangerous, but its fun as hell. You will swear the tire blows up to twice its normal size then returns to normal an instant later.

 

BOOM!

 

Beat me to it... Also gasoline works pretty well for this too.

 

I just put one in my tire yesterday got a drywall screw in the tire. When I got home I found a sleeve of old plugs and the pokers that go with it. I didn't know if them being so old if they would still be any good but so far so good. Got by with a cheap fix this time.

 

Yep, I keep a tire repair kit in my toolbag in the truck. Basically the same things as toolhd plus the cement.

I wish you could still get vulcanizing patches. Not often you need them but they will work when a plug won't.

Example, NSFW language

And how tires are repaired locally (I'm in the Philippines right now- not my video)

 

Worth it 1000X over!

Got me through the remainder of my hunting trip until I could get it adequately repaired.

I have this air compressor. Doesn't fill as fast as others, but works well for a repair and I don't air down too often either. It folds up nicely and fits in the storage bin behind the rear seats.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12v-portable-inflator-w-digital-tire-pressure/p-02875114000P

 

This is very good kit and it works. At some point all the plugs have to be reordered (refreshed) but otherwise very good kit especially for those running bigger tire and expecting big holes.

That is horrible idea, don't use Ether. Ether will eventually brake down in the can and become like explosive. couple years ago somebody brought a can of unopened old ether for hazard collection day, and they called bomb squad than promptly detonated can near by.

Carb cleaner or starting fluid is all people need.

Here is how is done

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmMsBSbFq-g