Is there a good reason not to plug a trailer tire?

[MichAngler]

I bought a set of Goodyears a little over a year ago from Bell Tire and I noticed one was low on air at the end of the year so I filled it up and put it to bed
Now that I’m getting it ready for this season I checked and again real low

So off I go to Bell Tire and I tell the guy I have a trailer tire I bought from them that needs looking at

He tells me they have a policy of no repairs on trailer tires and won’t even look at it

I ask why and he doesn’t know and I get a littler heated so he asks the manager and he doesn’t know all they can say is they don’t fix them its corporate policy

Offers to sell me a new one and I ask what discount I’ll get for this one and he tells me they won’t pro rate it I have to pay full price

Needless to say I left barking out a few choice words

Went to the Firestone dealership down the road and the guy says sure I’ll look at it

He finds a staple in the tread and says he will have it done in just a few minutes

Comes out with it and say No Charge!

[Rubrail]

Nope. Plugged many of them over the last 35 years.

[joefish]

I prefer to have a patch put inside over a plug. Have had that done several times over the years.

[mactlman]

plug patch much better take to tire store

[adchunts]

I’ve ran across a number of shops that won’t work on trailer tires. I’m guessing it is because they’ve had too many issues with them. I’ve plugged a few when needed.

[CJ1]

Have a plug in my spare right now with no worries. Cj

[CJ1]

Oh, and that is good to know about Bell tire. 1 more for the no buy list. Evidently they won't work on any of the Chinese junk they install. Cj

[MichAngler]

I can't say if they plugged or patched it he just said it was good to go and at no charge I wasn't about to scrutinize his work

But I do know where I'm going for my next set of tires

[Crappie Bob]

So, what you really learned from this was which tire store to deal with now

[fishnfireman]

have a plugged tire on my truck and one on the boat as we speak.
been doing my own when caught out for 45 years no problems yet.
carry a set of plugs and a 12 volt compressor at all times.
discount tire will not repair one that has been plugged !!!

[CatFan]

My understanding is that some businesses don’t repair trailer tires because of the high likelihood that a low tire on a trailer won’t be noticed until it has been run a good distance. Running a tire low or flat can damage the tire and lead to a quick failure that the owner (and maybe a jury) will likely blame on the tire shop that repaired it.

[Fireball]

Been plugging tires since the the 70’s and never had one fail or leak. My buddy has twice come over for me to plug tires for him that the dealer and a tire store he bought the tire from refused to patch or plug them. Both times he was told to buy a new tire. SCAM IMHO

[DewRonInc]

I have a plug gun, it’s the cats meow, mushroom vulcanizing plug

[DewRonInc]

My understanding is that some businesses don’t repair trailer tires because of the high likelihood that a low tire on a trailer won’t be noticed until it has been run a good distance. Running a tire low or flat can damage the tire and lead to a quick failure that the owner (and maybe a jury) will likely blame on the tire shop that repaired it.

never had a issue, we have tire equipment in our shop, plug, patch everything.

[DewRonInc]

Had a new set of bfg ko2 on my sons duramax, 150 miles, nail, tire shop where he was refused to patch, bought a cheap tire and finished trip, got back to shop and we patched, been about 30k

[Sylvanboat]

Firestone experience: I had a set of new tires installed on my car. They tighten the lug nuts so tight I cannot remove on my own. I brought back to have them loosen the nuts. Dealer declined. He said corporate policy is to torque to specs whether or not I can loosen if I get a flat.

[CatFan]

Firestone experience: I had a set of new tires installed on my car. They tighten the lug nuts so tight I cannot remove on my own. I brought back to have them loosen the nuts. Dealer declined. He said corporate policy is to torque to specs whether or not I can loosen if I get a flat.

I wouldn’t do business with a company who didn’t torque to specs. It’s dangerous to drive with under-torqued lugs.

[DewRonInc]

I have a Milwaukee impact, they can’t be too tight for it too take off

[krindgen]

Shlong as you're not plugging the sidewall. Carry a plug kit with me all the time.

[rid 05 198]

I have a Milwaukee impact, they can’t be too tight for it too take off

Right, I have the Milwaukee nut buster impact......