Meh - My R1S doesn't need a full-size spare any more

[tragicmonkey049]

I used a tire plug kit and fixed my 20" Scorpion AT just as fast as swapping the wheel. I haven't gone off-roading on the plugged tire yet, but I've been hitting the back roads pretty hard for 2 months now and it's solid. With the built-in air compressor, this was pretty slick.

Bonus features:
1. Didn't have to unload the back to get at the spare
2. Didn't have to put muddy wheel inside car
3. Didn't have to jack the vehicle or battle with stuck lugs
4. Didn't have to pay to repair or replace the tire
5. Don't have to give up storage space

TBH, I'm not going to drive places where I'm likely to bend a rim, so - I guess I'm done wishing for a place to store a full-size spare now?

Well, the next leak I get will probably be an inside-sidewall gash. Well - maybe there is still a reason for a spare on the hitch rack.

I will say that I had to eat my Wheaties to get that plug all the way in, so maybe this method isn't for everyone.

You may also notice my excessive zeal with the glue, because - why not?

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[Dark-Fx]

Spares are for irreparable damage. Though I suppose I've never tried the dollar bill method on a car tire before.

 

[bhendron]

Spares are for irreparable damage. Though I suppose I've never tried the dollar bill method on a car tire before.

Found a cyclist

 

[docwhiz]

I used a tire plug kit and fixed my 20" Scorpion AT just as fast as swapping the wheel. I haven't gone off-roading on the plugged tire yet, but I've been hitting the back roads pretty hard for 2 months now and it's solid. With the built-in air compressor, this was pretty slick.

Bonus features:
1. Didn't have to unload the back to get at the spare
2. Didn't have to put muddy wheel inside car
3. Didn't have to jack the vehicle or battle with stuck lugs
4. Didn't have to pay to repair or replace the tire
5. Don't have to give up storage space

TBH, I'm not going to drive places where I'm likely to bend a rim, so - I guess I'm done wishing for a place to store a full-size spare now?

Well, the next leak I get will probably be an inside-sidewall gash. Well - maybe there is still a reason for a spare on the hitch rack.

I will say that I had to eat my Wheaties to get that plug all the way in, so maybe this method isn't for everyone.

You may also notice my excessive zeal with the glue, because - why not?

I've repaired tires with plugs several times and driven thousands of miles on them.

 

[NY_Rob]

I've plugged tires on pretty much every vehicle I've owned over the years, only once did my repair leak to the point where I had to remove my plug and have the (one week old) tire patched from the inside.

FWIW- once you puncture the seal on the little tube of rubber cement, it will harden over time and become unusable. You can find small tubes of it on Amazon so you can always have a fresh tube with your plug kit.

 

[2kwik4u]

Found a cyclist

My first thought as well.

Saved me on mile 35 of a 100mi trip once. Rode a folded $5 bill for miles 36 thru 101. Honestly, should've framed that poor $5 bill, it was ROUGH when I got home.

 

[GA_Rivian]

My first thought as well.

Saved me on mile 35 of a 100mi trip once. Rode a folded $5 bill for miles 36 thru 101. Honestly, should've framed that poor $5 bill, it was ROUGH when I got home.

I need a hint (I've plugged a few tires, so have a kit). Are you saying you didn't have a plug, but had the tool, and used a bill and (what-kind-of?) glue for a plug?

 

[HaveBlue]

Oh I've already been there twice with the Rivian. Plugs work great.

 

[tragicmonkey049]

...
FWIW- once you puncture the seal on the little tube of rubber cement, it will harden over time and become unusable. You can find small tubes of it on Amazon so you can always have a fresh tube with your plug kit.

Great advice! Do you know whether the plugs themselves age out over time? Do they harden or become brittle over time if unused? I have them in a Ziploc bag, but it might be years before I have to pull them out again...

 

[NY_Rob]

Great advice! Do you know whether the plugs themselves age out over time? Do they harden or become brittle over time if unused? I have them in a Ziploc bag, but it might be years before I have to pull them out again...

I've kept the plugs in a ziploc bag for several years and they still work perfectly fine, so I guess as long as the bag is sealed, no worries. FWIW- I also keep several pairs of nitrile gloves in with the plugs because they're super messy to work with.

 

[tragicmonkey049]

I need a hint (I've plugged a few tires, so have a kit). Are you saying you didn't have a plug, but had the tool, and used a bill and (what-kind-of?) glue for a plug?

Me too. Here's what I found: The dollar bill trick

Basically: after patching the bicycle inner tube, if you need a way to prevent the tube from bulging out the hole in the tire when you reinflate, wrap the patched inner tube in a dollar bill at the location where the tube is going to be pushing against the tire hole.

I'm not running inner tubes in my Rivian, so I can travel cashless.

 

[GA_Rivian]

Me too. Here's what I found: The dollar bill trick

Basically: after patching the bicycle inner tube, if you need a way to prevent the tube from bulging out the hole in the tire when you reinflate, wrap the patched inner tube in a dollar bill at the location where the tube is going to be pushing against the tire hole.

I'm not running inner tubes in my Rivian, so I can travel cashless.

Thanks, I'll remember that when I'm out cycling, could have used it once or twice. Reading back over the thread, I don't think anyone ever used a bill on a car/truck tire, just bike tires.

 

[HaveBlue]

The glue is mostly useful as a lubricant to get the sticky plugs in. The plugs self seal, vulcanize with the tire and last for many years.

 

[GA_Rivian]

The glue is mostly useful as a lubricant to get the sticky plugs in. The plugs self seal, vulcanize with the tire and last for many years.

Thanks. I knew the plugs self seal / vulcanize and last well, didn't know about using glue as a lubricant. But if you put glue on the rope before inserting, doesn't it interfere with the vulcanization?

 

[HaveBlue]

Thanks. I knew the plugs self seal / vulcanize and last well, didn't know about using glue as a lubricant. But if you put glue on the rope before inserting, doesn't it interfere with the vulcanization?

I've never had an issue as long as it's the intended glue for patches. Use plenty as it makes a big difference in getting them in, especially on high pressure truck tires. Most times the hole needs to be reamed to clearance for the plug to go in and I've bent my share of plug forks.

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