Tire Plug Kit and 12 Volt Compressor

[mulepackin]

I'll spare most of the gory details. Suffice to say after having two flat tires at the same time on my tandem axle stock trailer and only one spare, and being 90 miles from home on a mountain, icy road, I am more than a little p@%&^*. I got the job done with my truck spare used backward. My Campbell Hausfeld 12 Volt actually aired up the flats well enough while travelling, I was able to use one. One flat had a leak that may have benefitted from a plug kit. So, I'm wondering what brand of plug kits have any of you used and how were they? Also, any "good" 12 Volt compressors available?

 

[Danglerb]

I think a plug is a plug, walmart on both counts

 

[MAD]

The kits with heavy duty T-handled tools are better for getting through steel belts. I have seen some import ones with metal handles that were not too expensive in a local place that sells Chinese tools. I think they were branded Calhawk.

I also saw a very nice kit somewhere made by Safety seal but it was a bit rich for my blood. If I drove off-road or on nail infested construction sites all the time it would be a no brainer.

Longer length rope plugs are easier to use because you can insert them doubled in half and still pull them out enough to cut them flush without pulling the plug out.

Really the best kit is the one you have with you when you need it. I used a lag screw to temporarily plug a nail hole once until I could get home. I try to keep a cheap plug kit in every car now.

 

[timgr]

Here's the Safety Seal kit:
http://www.awdirect.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=14412

Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92963

 

[Danglerb]

Harbor Freight again, the cheaper option.

 

[chevy302dz]

Here's the in between option:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/PAR-WR50K.html

 

[wilbilt]

I carry a similar plug kit and a 12V compressor (salvaged air shock compressor from a '70s Eldorado). It has been useful many times.

I really should start carrying a spare tire, too.

 

[toolfreak]

I have plugged alot of tires and the best I have used are made by Tech Tire Repair. The tools are much better than most that I have used and the plugs work great. Most plug kits work good but some of the cheaper plugs seem to develop a slight leak after a while.

As far as a compressor I just carry a cheap Cambell Hausfield and it does the job just takes longer to air up the tire.


http://www.techtirerepairs.com/catalog/ItemDetail.aspx?itemnum=215&salessubgroup=MR140

 

[Danglerb]

I picked up two at HF, the quality shows, but no big reason to suspect it won't plug a tire.*** I'm looking to lose the spare in a couple cars.

Does it sound practical to try and plug a tire on the car? Roll it until the bad spot is toward the front or back, get the junk out, and cram the plug in or let the air out first?

***My only concern is how to store it, and how long it would stay good before its used.

 

[eschoendorff]

Why not just keep a can of fix-a-flat handy and then take the tire to a tire shop to get it patched properly? Seems like a lot less work and a lot more safe....

 

[wilbilt]

Fix-A-Flat is useless in many instances. It also deposits a bunch of **** in the tire that makes it difficult to properly repair later.

The fumes produced when such a tire is dismounted do tend to attract the shop staff, though. Similar to those blue-inked mimeographed worksheets the teacher used to pass out.

Hmmmmmmm....

 

[wilbilt]

Does it sound practical to try and plug a tire on the car? Roll it until the bad spot is toward the front or back, get the junk out, and cram the plug in or let the air out first?

On the wheel is best. It is much easier to plug a tire when there is air in it. Better yet if you can position it so you don't have to pull the wheel.

 

[Rickster]

The fix a flat laytex goop needs to be cleaned out of the tire prior to patching. It has also been known to throw off wheel balancing and laytex goop works better in the warm weather than in cold.

 

[WOOS1]

I picked up a pretty nice set from Buzzard Gulch a couple of years ago. The tools have metal handles. I believe that it was manufactured by Blackjack.

 

[toolfreak]

I picked up two at HF, the quality shows, but no big reason to suspect it won't plug a tire.*** I'm looking to lose the spare in a couple cars.

I wouldn't take the spare out even with plugs and a compressor. Not all tires are repairable, not too mention sometimes the little 12v compressor won't produce enough air to air up some punctures.

 

[Danglerb]

Do you want to know how many years its been since I used a spare, that a plug would not have fixed on the spot?

About 4 years, when we had roofers in our complex and all the roofs were redone, I can't freaking believe how many nails they left behind, and they still show up. Anyway I got a 16 penny nail in the sidewall, and I think a plug would have gotten me 50+ careful miles.

My Porsche also has a collapsed spare, and its a real pain getting it small again. Life without dis spare can't be all bad.

 

[MAD]

Why not just keep a can of fix-a-flat handy and then take the tire to a tire shop to get it patched properly? Seems like a lot less work and a lot more safe....

Fix-A-Flat is useless in many instances. It also deposits a bunch of **** in the tire that makes it difficult to properly repair later.

The fumes produced when such a tire is dismounted do tend to attract the shop staff, though. Similar to those blue-inked mimeographed worksheets the teacher used to pass out.

Hmmmmmmm....

People have been killed and maimed by tire/rim explosions caused by the use of flammable and explosive compounds (propane, butane, dimethyl ether) in this type of tire sealant/inflator in a can. I am not sure they still put this stuff in Fix-A-Flat but this is another reason beyond the goopy mess that tire installers hate this stuff.

 

[wilbilt]

About 4 years, when we had roofers in our complex and all the roofs were redone, I can't freaking believe how many nails they left behind, and they still show up. Anyway I got a 16 penny nail in the sidewall

What kind of roofing uses 16 penny nails?