Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
- TimS
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:11 pm
Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Looking for advice and experiences on the ultimate on-board tire repair kit for recreational trail use.
I plan to assemble it in the next month or so and do testing on some old tires I have here.
Please post up what works for you.
Design requirements...
1. It must work for small holes up to a 1/2" slice.
2. Repair must be drivable within 30 minutes.
3. Tire must stay seated on the bead (no internal repairs)
4. Must weigh less than 5 lbs... Air compressor not included.
5. Must take less than 1/2 cubic foot of space.
6. Must be tolerant for long term storage in a hot car or a frozen car.
I will update as I construct it or purchase it... any experience or guidance is welcome.
I plan to assemble it in the next month or so and do testing on some old tires I have here.
Please post up what works for you.
Design requirements...
1. It must work for small holes up to a 1/2" slice.
2. Repair must be drivable within 30 minutes.
3. Tire must stay seated on the bead (no internal repairs)
4. Must weigh less than 5 lbs... Air compressor not included.
5. Must take less than 1/2 cubic foot of space.
6. Must be tolerant for long term storage in a hot car or a frozen car.
I will update as I construct it or purchase it... any experience or guidance is welcome.
Don’t ever yield your gift of dream; Your knack for gumption, too. For “It’s the crazy ones that have all the fun," if dreamers yearn to do.
- baja5
- Posts: 2615
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:22 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Pack the hole with duct tape. That's what Ricko did when he took a rail road spike to a tire. Worked well.
- TimS
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:11 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Good to know. Was there adhesive involved or just duct tape?
Don’t ever yield your gift of dream; Your knack for gumption, too. For “It’s the crazy ones that have all the fun," if dreamers yearn to do.
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- takotruckin
- Posts: 3774
- Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:40 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
I use the big "truck" plug kit from napa. Also carry a couple of large patch plugs, and a handful of valve stems in both sizes. The valve stem does require breaking the bead, but that is usually pretty easy and they do rot/get torn off etc. It is also possible to slow major injuries by stictching the gash with safety wire and then patching or plugging.
- TimS
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:11 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Thanks for stepping in, Larry. That looks like a good kit with a good case. I will see if I can find it locally.
Brandon... Have you ever used the repair valve stems that insert from the outside? Or this looks cool... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgDzZIop_uw
Also, since you probably use a bunch of these... what is the difference between the brown plugs and the black plugs?
I will have to do some experimenting with the tire sewing and patching. Ed had some "liquid tire repair" stuff that was brown and thick. I'm thinking that I may try to find some of that.
Thanks. Still gathering info on this.
Brandon... Have you ever used the repair valve stems that insert from the outside? Or this looks cool... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgDzZIop_uw
Also, since you probably use a bunch of these... what is the difference between the brown plugs and the black plugs?
I will have to do some experimenting with the tire sewing and patching. Ed had some "liquid tire repair" stuff that was brown and thick. I'm thinking that I may try to find some of that.
Thanks. Still gathering info on this.
Don’t ever yield your gift of dream; Your knack for gumption, too. For “It’s the crazy ones that have all the fun," if dreamers yearn to do.
- takotruckin
- Posts: 3774
- Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 6:40 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
I've never used the repair stems, so no comment there. I don't know that there is any difference in the color of plugs, but my napa kit has extra long ones which I feel work better on larger holes that we may encounter.TimS wrote:Thanks for stepping in, Larry. That looks like a good kit with a good case. I will see if I can find it locally.
Brandon... Have you ever used the repair valve stems that insert from the outside? Or this looks cool... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgDzZIop_uw
Also, since you probably use a bunch of these... what is the difference between the brown plugs and the black plugs?
I will have to do some experimenting with the tire sewing and patching. Ed had some "liquid tire repair" stuff that was brown and thick. I'm thinking that I may try to find some of that.
Thanks. Still gathering info on this.
- bajaherbie
- Posts: 9959
- Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:07 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Maybe carry a quart of Slime? If a plug is a bit leaky, the green stuff may help as a last resort.
I use it in my lawn tractors and trailer.
Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
I use it in my lawn tractors and trailer.
Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.
- dustymojave
- Posts: 2312
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:08 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
I have a couple of Slime brand plug kits in my vehicles. I used to carry Camel brand plugs, but haven't found them for several years. Old school plugs were pure rubber with no fiber and would get cut by steel tread plies. But modern ones with fiber whether black or brown I've not found any difference in.
I can get plugs and tools at the local 99¢ store, but the tools bend easily and the plugs are not as reliable. Better than nothing in a pinch though.
Slime or other plugging liquids only seem to work while the tire is rotating. Stop for a few minutes and the leak will often re-open. Then when it comes to breaking the tire down for a real repair it's VERY messy. Many shops refuse to repair tires that have slime in them. I've been present when a tire shop refused to even replace someone else's tire that had Slime in it.
I can get plugs and tools at the local 99¢ store, but the tools bend easily and the plugs are not as reliable. Better than nothing in a pinch though.
Slime or other plugging liquids only seem to work while the tire is rotating. Stop for a few minutes and the leak will often re-open. Then when it comes to breaking the tire down for a real repair it's VERY messy. Many shops refuse to repair tires that have slime in them. I've been present when a tire shop refused to even replace someone else's tire that had Slime in it.
Richard
Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
Speed Kills! but then...So does OLD AGE!!
Tech Inspection: SCCA / SCORE / HDRA / ARVRA / A.R.T.S. OffRoad Race Tech - MDR, MORE, Glen Helen BajaCup
Retired Fabricator
'58 Baja with 955K Miles and counting
Lake LA, Mojave Desert, SoCal
Speed Kills! but then...So does OLD AGE!!
Tech Inspection: SCCA / SCORE / HDRA / ARVRA / A.R.T.S. OffRoad Race Tech - MDR, MORE, Glen Helen BajaCup
Retired Fabricator
'58 Baja with 955K Miles and counting
- bajaherbie
- Posts: 9959
- Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:07 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
I have heard the same thing about Slime and tire shops!
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Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.
- TimS
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:11 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Thanks for the thoughts on this. I made some progress today.
I found this kit for $100. It is probably worth it price wise if you would actually use all the stuff before it expires... https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ ... 1-009.html
But... I also found this kit... similar to the one posted above but adds stitching tools, caps, cores, pliers, razor, etc. Seems like a solid starter kit in a good case with durable tools for $34. I think I will make this my starter kit. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E635P ... repair+kit
O'Rileys can get any patch size you want and one bigger patch is all I should need.
I found this kit for $100. It is probably worth it price wise if you would actually use all the stuff before it expires... https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/ ... 1-009.html
But... I also found this kit... similar to the one posted above but adds stitching tools, caps, cores, pliers, razor, etc. Seems like a solid starter kit in a good case with durable tools for $34. I think I will make this my starter kit. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E635P ... repair+kit
O'Rileys can get any patch size you want and one bigger patch is all I should need.
Don’t ever yield your gift of dream; Your knack for gumption, too. For “It’s the crazy ones that have all the fun," if dreamers yearn to do.
-
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- Joined: Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:02 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Tim I have a pretty cool little 12 volt compressor that came off of a Mitsubishi Diamonte for it's air ride suspension that I am thinking of mounting under my hood with a small air tank and take a coiled plastic air hose and air chuck for on board air. The second kit looks good and in my price range LOL.
Ed
Ed
- TimS
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:11 pm
Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
that is a good idea. I think I'm going to end up with a decent quality but slightly undersized portable compressor. I don't expect to use it a lot. If I was airing up and down a lot it might be worth getting a bigger one, but size and weight can outweigh a few minutes of time once or twice a year.
Here is the infamous, rattlesnake-appoved, mystery liquid... http://www.safetyseal.com/safetysealplus.php
Also, I lied. The above kit does not have stitching supplies... but it will
Here is the infamous, rattlesnake-appoved, mystery liquid... http://www.safetyseal.com/safetysealplus.php
Also, I lied. The above kit does not have stitching supplies... but it will
Don’t ever yield your gift of dream; Your knack for gumption, too. For “It’s the crazy ones that have all the fun," if dreamers yearn to do.
- Leatherneck
- Moderator
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Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Look at Ultraseal http://www.ultraseal.com/, not like Slime, as it can be thinned with water. I am using it in the buggy but we also use it in the HE, does a great job of sealing holes and can also use plugs for the huge cuts.
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Re: Constructing the ultimate tire repair kit for the trail...
Subscribed
All I carry is an air compressor, two plug kits, and fix a flat. I do carry a small spare tire on some trips but usually not.
For really big holes I've heard you can triple or quad up the plug kits. Or go with a big truck plug kit as mentioned above.
Initially I planned on carrying extra tubes and changing them out like a motorcycle. After trying to break the bead though I found it impossible by hand. I parked my fork lift and my dads F350 diesel truck on my sidewall sideways and the bead would not budge. Plus tubes completely SUCK for highway driving no way to balance. I'm so happy since going back tubeless.
All I carry is an air compressor, two plug kits, and fix a flat. I do carry a small spare tire on some trips but usually not.
For really big holes I've heard you can triple or quad up the plug kits. Or go with a big truck plug kit as mentioned above.
Initially I planned on carrying extra tubes and changing them out like a motorcycle. After trying to break the bead though I found it impossible by hand. I parked my fork lift and my dads F350 diesel truck on my sidewall sideways and the bead would not budge. Plus tubes completely SUCK for highway driving no way to balance. I'm so happy since going back tubeless.
Steve
My Baja Build
My Baja Build