Flatout: Preventions and repairs

[RVrover]

What do you use for emergency flat-out fixes?

Repair measures: See the video below.

• Tire plug strip.
• Mushroom Plug.
• Sticky strip.
• Tire repair screw.
• Others.

Preventive measures:

• Slime.
• FlatOut.
• Fix-A-Flat.
• Others.

First, I didn't have a flat for almost 30,000 miles driving my RV in all kinds of road conditions. I am surprised that I can't recall if I ever had one either in my entire life! Regardless, I decided to be prepared for a flat, just in case. I found this thread very informative and helped my decision-making process in addressing a flat tire situation, so check it out. Thanks to all the contributors for this post.

I recently replaced my six tires with a bigger all-terrain tire and replaced the stock spare tire with a similar full spare tire. I also added a winch for easy and safe access to this spare by whomever going to do the work.

I carry the appropriate compressor, long air hoses, air pressure gauges, and even recently bought reflective triangles. All of these have dual uses to air down and up on off-road and beach camping. I need to get a drive breaker bar, torque adapter, appropriate sockets, a pry bar, a 10-ton bottle jack, learn how to do it, and the desire to change the tire after having all of this on board. I also plan to get this TPMS to monitor the tires during travel on top of my usual checking of the tire's condition and pressure before driving and good maintenance routine.

With all that said and done, I suddenly realized that the goal of my efforts is to replace a tire with a spare until I go to a tire shop and fix the tire. Duh! Before I add more tools and trouble myself changing a tire that had a flat, I want to see if there is an effective alternative.

Is there any well-tried, safe, and with the least amount of damage to avoid sudden flat outs? Sealant above comes to mind.

And in case a preventive measure doesn't cut it, what type of patching from the above do you recommend?

What do you do in emergencies to prevent or quickly repair a flat out without replacing a tire with a spare specially not many RV has spares anyway?

Roadside assistance, from experience, is my least favorite. I like to get myself out of trouble and they are costly and not reliable especially where I go boondocking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onf5xiFnIJs

[RVrover]

Did anyone use this Slime product rated for Truck/SUV/Van? or this FlatOut sealant? FlatOut on paper seems to be a better option, but I am not sure if either is suitable for a class C. Another option is Fix-A-Flat.

There are a lot of objections, as in this thread, to using sealants. I agree that some of them should be avoided, except FlatOut, especially the latest thinner product made out of Ethylene Glycol. This one might be the closest fit in my opinion. FlatOut is used in heavy equipment and even the military. This product works for most real-life common punctures in an RV. It lasts for 10 years (more than the life of the tire), washes easily before repair by a tire shop, doesn't damage the rim or the tire, is reasonably priced ($50 for 1 gallon enough for 8 applications), and is easy to inject. It prevents flats and repair them immediately giving me piece of mind until I safely realize the issue in my normal inspection and take the tire to be looked at appropriately from the inside out.

Here is how it works on a bike tire, but the idea is the same for any vehicle including RVs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo9iIbV_NVk

Their Q&A page is very helpful and honest.

My only concern is the vibration from the sealant during driving. They cater to vehicles where comfort is not the main goal. Here is their response:

MULTI SEAL® does not recommend the use of our products in passenger vehicles (including ½ ton trucks). Does our product seal punctures and slow leaks in passenger car tires? Is there a chance for high-speed vibration? Yes. Does this happen in every passenger car tire? No. We are conservative in our approach and we would rather sacrifice some business instead of having unhappy customers.
You may be asking yourself, why would there be potential high-speed vibration in passenger car tires treated with sealant? Many factors influence this such as: lighter construction of the tire, lower tire pressure, lighter vehicle weight, lighter construction of the suspension, tire deflection during road impacts, and size of the road contact patch. In many cases, if the tire is slightly out of balance, the sealant can amplify the problem.
Frankly, we are wary of any sealant that recommends use in passenger vehicles. Don’t be fooled by outrageous claims that a sealant has special ingredients that make it balance tires. The physics of any liquid at high speed in a passenger car tire is the same. In many cases, the recommended dosage is so small that you do not get effective tire coverage.

Did you try this and find out that the RV vibrates beyond tolerance? After I installed my new suspension system and well-balanced bigger tires, I enjoyed the best ride in this RV yet and I hate to sacrifice this for once in a life-time event.

[RVrover]

Very valuable advice on the topic of sealant can be found here by Tireman9, one of this forum's valuable members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdTAalpkSLM

[Oaklevel]

Had to look at your thread never heard of the term Flatout. So I got curious as I had no idea what that was. Been driving 50 plus years.........

I would personally do non of the above............... I would change to a spare.

[aircommuter]

Chemistry is always evolving like other things. The latest I have seen is Ultra-seal from Gemplers. I think it’s good for equipment like tractors and other items where the speed is low and air is nearby. Something to check out.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Had to look at your thread never heard of the term Flatout. So I got curious as I had no idea what that was. Been driving 50 plus years.........

I would personally do non of the above............... I would change to a spare.

X2.

[NMWildcat]

If one spare isn't enough, have 2. Putting fix a flat gunk inside your tires makes you very unpopular at the tire store.....

[dangerranger]

in the desert areas the Sheriffs and BLM vehicles use a slime substance like Flatout. on cold days till the tires warm up you can feel them out of balance. but in areas where the cactus spines flatten multiple tires a day it is a lifesaver. and yes, the tire guys hate it!

DR

[phalexander]

In more than 50 years of driving I’ve never, even once, had to change a tire on the road. But I do have a strategy for my RV. I carry a plug kit (and have practiced with same) and an excellent compressor. If that isn’t practical I carry a spare wheel and tire with the tools needed to change it. If that doesn’t work (for some reason) I’ll call roadside assistance. If that doesn’t work I’ll have a stiff drink and go to bed.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by phalexander

In more than 50 years of driving I’ve never, even once, had to change a tire on the road. But I do have a strategy for my RV. I carry a plug kit (and have practiced with same) and an excellent compressor. If that isn’t practical I carry a spare wheel and tire with the tools needed to change it. If that doesn’t work (for some reason) I’ll call roadside assistance. If that doesn’t work I’ll have a stiff drink and go to bed.

Also be sure to carry a spare bottle and glass.

[RVrover]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Also be sure to carry a spare bottle and glass.

I highly recommend this advice, Mike. You can't be over-prepared in this department.

Originally Posted by phalexander

In more than 50 years of driving I’ve never, even once, had to change a tire on the road. But I do have a strategy for my RV. I carry a plug kit (and have practiced with same) and an excellent compressor. If that isn’t practical I carry a spare wheel and tire with the tools needed to change it. If that doesn’t work (for some reason) I’ll call roadside assistance. If that doesn’t work I’ll have a stiff drink and go to bed.

I done this literally. When all fails, I go to bed mostly anywhere, and depending on the RV Gods, they talk to the RV overnight and make things right the next day, or not.

Originally Posted by dangerranger

in the desert areas the Sheriffs and BLM vehicles use a slime substance like Flatout. on cold days till the tires warm up you can feel them out of balance. but in areas where the cactus spines flatten multiple tires a day it is a lifesaver. and yes, the tire guys hate it!

DR

Yep! I go on some of those roads. Soft, muddy, sandy, washed, or thorny. You can find me there on the side of those roads or in the middle depending on the level of trouble I get myself into.

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

If one spare isn't enough, have 2. Putting fix a flat gunk inside your tires makes you very unpopular at the tire store.....

Do you carry two, Scott? Bless your soul. I will have to pay the price for the effort and manageable mess. As I understand it, it washes well. Watch this video. I try to be considerate for the man. I even made the spare winch for him/her/them in mind.

Originally Posted by aircommuter

Chemistry is always evolving like other things. The latest I have seen is Ultra-seal from Gemplers. I think it’s good for equipment like tractors and other items where the speed is low and air is nearby. Something to check out.

Interesting. This is the one they recommend for highway, high speed vehicles and they have a chart about dose here for Truck/Bus application. Unfortunately, all of them recommend it in one place including packaging, and warn about using it for the same purpose they recommended elsewhere. They should do like pharmaceuticals, say that their great medicine may cure my restless leg syndrome, but will kill me. Well, fine. Give me a bottle.

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Had to look at your thread never heard of the term Flatout. So I got curious as I had no idea what that was. Been driving 50 plus years.........

I would personally do non of the above............... I would change to a spare.

But what if I can't change it? Let us say I am injured, darn too old to do it, or don't have a spare among a dozen possibilities including being watched by wolves, bears or my mother-in-law?

[RVrover]

Here is another Sealant and how it washes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VrEtnMEp3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbhI4uVZJl4

[Dakota 1120]

I like to keep it simple.

1. I carry an air compressor that powers from the gen set.
2. And carry a plug kit to plug the hole in the tire.
3. Tools/jack necessary to remove the flat and install the spare tire.
4. A few times, I carried two spares just in case.

BTW _ No one removes a tire and patches it from the inside anymore, they all use plugs.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Dakota 1120

BTW _ No one removes a tire and patches it from the inside anymore, they all use plugs.

Really?

Not the good tire stores.

Nobody will ever plug a tire of mine. If the tire is not removed and inspected inside it's impossible to tell if there was any damage, either from puncturing object or when it was driven underinflated/flat.

At the price of good tires today it's just plain dumb to risk destroying one by going cheap with a plug.

If one needs to plug a tire in an emergency the smart thing would be to stop at the first tire store that can dismount, cut off the plug excess material extending into air chamber, then apply a proper patch.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Dakota 1120

I like to keep it simple.

1. I carry an air compressor that powers from the gen set.
2. And carry a plug kit to plug the hole in the tire.
3. Tools/jack necessary to remove the flat and install the spare tire.
4. A few times, I carried two spares just in case.

BTW _ No one removes a tire and patches it from the inside anymore, they all use plugs.

In Virginia no tire dealer plugs a tire. They all patch from the inside. A plug only can fail state inspection.

[IsItFast]

I have no problem running a plug. I have even used them on motorcycle tires for thousands of miles. But on a trailer tire, I have never had a tire fail where I was able to use a plug. Normally they "blow out" making the tire unusable, in which case a spare is required. I suppose if the tire had a slow leak that I was able to plug I would do it but only if I didn't have a spare.

Last time I had a flat on my toy hauler, I swapped out for my spare. Took the tire to the shop to get it patched and then noticed the tread was coming off in a chunk. Obviously the tire shop would not patch the tire nor would I have wanted them to. This was a Goodyear Endurance that was only about a year and half old just FYI.