Plug, Repair or Toss?

[Kiwi]

One of my trailer tires has a nail in the tread region. Has about 50% tread left.

Should I:
A. Plug the tire with a Safety Seal (TM) plug.
B. Take it to the tire shop and get them to fix it
C. Toss it and buy a new one?
D. Either A or B but only use as a spare
E. Other (please explain what you suggest)

Thanks

[Larry Nickell]

D

A flat far from home on a trailer is not much fun. BTDT

[Joe Dillard]

I tried plugging one of my trailer tires & it was a PITA to do. I pulled the nail out & I eventually got the plug in with no detectable leaks when tested with soapy water. But after ~3 miles on a cold tire with ~40psi in it, it exploded into shreads. IIRC, these tires are to be inflated to ~44psi. This tire had ~95% tread left.

Since this experiance, I'm leary to use a plugged trailer tire even as a spare.

[Jerry Bransford]

This was a timely thread, one of my pop-up trailer's tires developed a slow leak over the last weekend. I was hoping it was something I could just plug but I won't now.

[Larry Nickell]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

This was a timely thread, one of my pop-up trailer's tires developed a slow leak over the last weekend. I was hoping it was something I could just plug but I won't now.

Your pop-up doesn't carry the load that our car trailers do. I'd have it patched and call it good.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by Larry Nickell

Your pop-up doesn't carry the load that our car trailers do. I'd have it patched and call it good.

You're right Larry but I doubt your car trailer tires require the 80 psi my little donut trailer tires specify for the pop-up trailer's weight. That extra-high pressure in those tiny tires makes me a little nervous anyway... which is just another reason I want to do a SOA conversion and go to a more conventional size wheel and tire.

[Larry Nickell]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

You're right Larry but I doubt your car trailer tires require the 80 psi my little donut trailer tires specify for the pop-up trailer's weight. That extra-high pressure in those tiny tires makes me a little nervous anyway... which is just another reason I want to do a SOA conversion and go to a more conventional size wheel and tire.

Actually, I do run 80 psi in the tires. But, I had no idea those little tires spec'd that high. You're due for a tow rig/camper/car trailer anyway.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by Larry Nickell

You're due for a tow rig/camper/car trailer anyway.

Tell me about it, there's not a day goes by when I don't have tow-vehicle/trailer/RV envy of the rigs I see on the roads.

[Tumbleweed]

I have had 3 car trailer tire punctures repaired by tire shops. Put several thousand miles on them with no problems.

[Kiwi]

I'll take it to a tire shop and get it fixed properly. Sounds like a plug might be a little risky.

Thanks

[Provelogear]

Buy a new tire and keep that one as a spare. I want Lynn to make it to JV in one piece, PLEASE! You know you two spares anyways.

Gerald

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Provelogear

Buy a new tire and keep that one as a spare. I want Lynn to make it to JV in one piece, PLEASE! You know you two spares anyways.

Gerald

I have 2 spares already, thanks for your concern about me

[Jerry Bransford]

I found the leak in my trailer tire Sunday, it was leaking through a spot on the tread that didn't appear to have been damaged. Like a nearly microscopic leak, though it was letting a big enough stream of air out so you could feel it. I've never seen a leak like that. Anyway, I couldn't get the tire unseated so I had a tire shop put a patch inside (free). I still don't understand why it was leaking, I saw no damage and the tire appears to be fine. Maybe ozone damage but the trailer stays in the garage year-round.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Provelogear

Buy a new tire and keep that one as a spare. I want Lynn to make it to JV in one piece, PLEASE! You know you two spares anyways.

Gerald

He doesn't make her ride on the trailer unless she backtalks.