Tire Experts: I plugged a tire, how long until I die?

So, awhile back I was on a hunting trip and a member of our party had a flat and pulled out a plug kit, plugged the tire and continued on the trip. Without that kit, they would probably still be out there. After the trip, I did some research and bought one to keep in the daily driver 4Runner. The other day I finally had a chance to try it out myself. This is the kit I got based on the recommendations of arfcom and Expedition Portal.

Did you cut the plug so it was flush?

Next month is only a week away. How many miles do you drive each day?

Irregardless, you need new tires.

Yep, I cut it flush. I drive about 10 miles a day round trip. It's going to be the end of June before I replace them.

The plug will last longer than the worn out tire.

You'll be fine.

Yup, I've plugged a lot of tires over the years and never had one fail.

One of my Jeep BFG M/Ts had 4 plugs in it for several years, it was still holding up fine when I upgraded to bigger tires.

That ARB kit looks like a pretty good kit, I use the plug kits from SAFETY SEAL® but the ARB kit looks to be of similar quality.

I had a tired plugged just over a year ago. It's just now getting to where I need to air that tire about once a month.

Here's four jammed in a sidewall trail repair effort.

The driver completed the course.

The heck with the plug...how'd you only get 60k out of LTX's? I've never gotten less than around 98k from a set.

98K? HOLY Smokes!

Give the Cooper Discoverer series a good look. I Went with the a/t3 on my 04 s10, only about 200 miles on em so far. But damn they are quiet, ride awesome and I can actually take a turn at speeds. I got my recommendation from a s10 board, and it helps when places say will BEAT competitors prices.

No need to cut the plug flush; it will wear down.

Also, "Irregardless" is not a word.

Sure, assuming it doesn't catch on the road and get pulled out first.

It's slang; the -ir and -less combined add emphasis. Irregardless, what do you have to gain from correcting someone over the internet?

If I was only doing around-town driving at relatively low speed, I'd say it would be fine.

If I was going to be doing a lot of highway driving, I'd get it patched professionally.

Ive plugged many tires including motorcycle tires

Never had a problem- drive on it till its time to replace the whole set.

Not to put too fine a point on it... but this isn't rocket science. He's probably done it better than the guy at the tire shop would.

I plugged mine about 4,000 miles ago. Had it up to 95 a few times. Don't worry. Plugs are better that people give them credit for.

If the tires are pretty new, getting them off the rim, and gluing a patch on the inside, then rebalancing is what's considered a permanent repair.

But I've gone over a year on plugs just fine. And a year before that on Slime.

I've had a plug in each of two of my tires for over two years now. Getting rid of a near new 33x12.50 isn't an option just because you've run over a small nail on the weekend after the tire shops have closed. I haven't had to air up either one of those tires since. There's no telling how many miles I've put on those tires, but it's a lot.

I worked in a tire shop for a couple years and have plugged many a tire.

I prefer a plug for a straight up puncture as I've NEVER had one fail to take. Patches on the otherhand come loose all the time.


Ime a plug for a straight up in the tread puncture is a permanent fix even on a brand new tire.



PS I seldom cut em flush either.

The plug is fine. I wouldn't run it at 85 mph on a 115 degree day across country, but in your climate, around town, it is just fine.

That tire appears to have legal tread. Discount Tire would have fixed it for free. They use a plug and patch on a repair, in my experience.

I carry the same repair kit and a good pump, because bad shit doesn't always happen near a Discount Tire.

If you have a cordless drill and bit handy, it tends to be easier than that t-handle spiral tool.

This, you'll be fine brother, but keep an eye out JIC

I have 50K miles on plugs.

I wish I had a picture of the ATV tire that had a knot of 18 tire plugs "worms" sticking out of the sidewall. It was plugged that way so they could get back to camp but it held up for at least a year.
That being said the prior post stating the plug will outlive the tire is correct. I have even plugged semi-tractor tires and they held up well.

You will probably be fine. Its also possible that a tire shop won't touch that tire(unless they are convinced it is a spare). While still within the wear bars, they will be interested only in selling you new tires.

Back in the 80's and 90's when I swung a hammer for a living I and many people I worked with lived with plugs in our tires all the time. We picked up lots of nails, screws, etc on job sites and without plug we would have gone broke replacing tires.

Well it has been stated already but I'll add my experience. I've run tires with up to 4 plugs with them for well over a year on everyday dirt road travels so if its a good plug and yours are (ARB) you'll be fine................I keep a shit ton of them as new job sites tend to cost you more and more these days

They will take a grinder and sand down about a 2 inch square around the hole. They will then take a drill bit and ream out the hole to a specific diameter One then uses a adhesion promoter and a rubber glue on the back side. They then insert a rubber plug with a rubber base through the hole. You pull the plug through until the base is sticking to the tire good, and the top breaks off nearly flush with the tire. They then use a roller and smooth all the air out. Bam tire good as new.

On an aside you get covered in a nice black dust doing the grinding on the rubber.

if done right, should last a long time.

had four plugs in one tire for about 15,000mi, then sold the car.

Concerning motorcycle tires, I now agree and would take the time to pull it off the rim and patch it properly with a mushroom plug.
Back then, I had neither the tools, experience, or the place to do so (apartment living sucks).

Balancing? Isnt that what Airsoft BB's are for?

I used a $5 tire plug kit from advance auto and it worked for months before it was finally time to replace my tires. You will be fine.

Not when they're done correctly.

And "done correctly" includes not on or too near the sidewall.

Yep as well as the surrounding of the tire hole not being prepped wrong. You can go too low and get into the cords, congrats you just ruined a tire for that customer.

You'll be fine, but if you're not dibs on guns and ammo.

This. I've put plugs in dozens of tires over the years and they've always outlasted the tread. Don't worry.

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