Yesterday I was driving in my truck to pick up my son from school. I heard a strange noise outside the truck and rolled down the window to investigate. I could hear a hissing that rhythmically got quiet as I drove – then I realized, my left rear tire was punctured and deflating FAST! I pulled over to the shoulder as far as I could and got out to investigate. Sure enough, there was what looked like a nail hole right through my nice new tire.
That’s when my car Preps came to the rescue!
I grabbed my puncture repair kit from the truck, pulled out the rasper tool and shoved it in the nail hole while twisting it left to right and up and down. When I extracted it, the tire verified I’d done a good job by beginning to leak at a much faster rate! I quickly grabbed the needle tool and pulled a patch strip from the patch card and threaded it through the eye of the tool. Then I applied the rubber cement to the patch strip and shoved the needle tool deep into the tire. Once there were just a half inch or so of the patch sticking out, I extracted the tool by quickly pulling straight back on the needle tool. The split in the eye of the tool gave way and left the patch in the hole while letting the tool come free.
The rubber cement needed to set for a minute and I needed to refill the tire with air. So, I grabbed my 12V mini air-compressor from the truck and plugged it into one of my cigarette lighters and turned it on so it could start building up air. By now the rubber cement should have set up well enough so I grabbed my leatherman and cut the hanging ends off of the patch.
Finally, I hooked the compressor up to the valve stem and filled it back up with air.
In less than 5 minutes I was able to plug the puncture, refill the tire and get back on the road.
Being a Prepper is awesome!
Nice job! Way to maintain control, even after Murphy struck!
Good job. When you are prepared there are no accidents just opportunities to use your hard earned knowledge. Looks like it all payed off and got you back on the road.
That sounds awesome! Is the repair permanent or did you have to go get it “officially” repaired at a tire shop?
Among professionals, a tire plug is always considered a temporary repair (although I have seen them last the life of the tire). If still under warranty, have the tire replaced or at least professionally repaired. A permanent repair requires dismounting the tire from the wheel and plugging /patching from the inside. That said, good show!