Experience with Plugs?

[JustinR]

Not a Ranger-specific question, but....
My wife has a roughly 30 mile commute to work each day, driving through a bunch of streets in Queens with a bunch of construction, and in the last month, we have replaced two tires and then back to Firestone for two patches (covered thankfully under road hazard warranty). This rate of puncture seems at least excessive. I've asked her to find an alternate route to work...
I've plugged tires myself with conventional plug kits often enough, but it's a little annoying. I was looking on Amazon after someone told me about screw-in plugs. The pictures look like they are solid plastic, so I'm doubtful about their usefulness or longevity, but they do look easier to deal with. So my question is anyone have any (positive/negative) experience using the screw-in plugs? Do they work? I saw two other styles - one was a plastic "mushroom" that gets shot into the tire, but that looks really questionable. The other is a Dynaplug, where it looks like a brass-headed plug gets injected into the tire through the puncture. That looks more promising, but the brass head inside the rim seems a little problematic, should it somehow fall off the plug (not to mention adding a piece of metal maybe affecting tire balance?).
I know that patching is generally considered the right way to fix a puncture, but given that I don't have a tire mounting system in my garage and that I'm also becoming something of a pest at the local Firestone, I'm curious what others' experience have been with plugs: stick with plain-old conventional, or maybe try screw-in, mushroom, or brass-headed? Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

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[JustinR]

(Forgot to add what prompted this question was I just found yet another screw in one of her brand-new tires...when I took it out, it wasn't hissing, so fingers-crossed this one might be OK...?)

 

[AzScorpion]

I have a regular plug kit I carry just for emergencies. I would recommend still getting it patched afterwards though as they hold up much better. Also if you have a Discount Tire near you they'll patch it for free whether or not you bought your tires there.

 

[JustinR]

Thanks. Agreed that the patch is the right way to go.
I don't think I have a Discount Tire near me; at least I haven't seen one, but that's good to know. I've been using Firestone, and it's their tires (Destination LE3 on my wife's Lincoln) so I'd be inclined to keep pestering them...just I think even though they've been very nice and very professional, they are probably just as tired of seeing me as I am of them.

 

[Dereku]

I have ran plugs on new tires to well past 70k. Never had an issues. However I carry the standard plugs with me and an air compressor. For some reason I seem to plug a few tires a year. Not saying it is the safest way but it works so far.

 

[Frenchy]

Plugs and patches both work. Just be aware that after a tire gets more than 3 holes that are repairable, you are technically supposed to replace the tire. A pain indeed but it is what it is.

 

[BS67]

IMHO plugs are a temporary fix to get you to a tire shop that can patch it.

 

[stevensc]

I have plugged tires with the inexpensive kits from WMT or others 5 or 6 times never did have any problem with them.
Steve W

 

[JustinR]

I think my old plug kit is a Victor, and I'm pretty sure that my plugs are a little dry.
Was wondering about the other styles out there - worth it or not? I guess maybe I just go pick up another plain-old standard plug kit tomorrow to keep on the shelf in the garage, and suggest my wife leave me her MKX and not take it to work...and I'll use it to run some errands and see if the tire holds air.
And if it doesn't, then it's off to Firestone for yet another patch...that will be two on this tire. What frustrates me is this tire is a month old - and punctured twice. Oh well.

Thanks everyone for responding; any opinions on or experience with the alternate-style tire plugs out there are welcome.

 

[Skit hjälm]

Fwiw,
I keep a tyre plug kit and method to pump up in all my vehicles.
Depends on the circumstance. If I can just pump up enough to get home, I'll usually wait to demount and patch in my driveway. But If its not nasty weather and reasonably safe place, I may take time to use a plug. Either way is far easier than messing with the spare.
I dunno the brand of plug kit. It's something bought at PX many years ago. I use sticky yarn plugs with glue.
I'll just leave them in for life of the tyre. It's never been a problem.
Just be sure shortly after using a plug, or at least annually, keep a fresh tube of glue in the kit.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I stick to regular plugs. I see zero reason to patch after a plug as the real seal is the outside, which prevents belt rust from water intrusion.

I've even tracked a car on multiple plugs, many times... Sticking with them.

 

[Superspirit]

I've used plugs for years. Never had a problem. They won't even patch a motorcycle tire anymore, so I carry the dynaplug kit with a tiny air compressor. Have had a dynatech plug in the rear tire for over 1000 miles no problem. Have run plugs in rear M/C tires for thousands of miles well into the triple digits. Never had any problems. YMMV

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