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All the tools needed to get a tire repaired in the field.
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A tire puncture kit is a must, especially if you don’t carry a spare.
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A sidewall puncture is the end of your tire, but you can still make it out to civilization.
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By Dean ‘Old Skool’ Bradley
All right, let the four wheeling begin. You’ve set your tire air pressures equally, secured all your cargo and are belted in ready for action. You begin rolling along through the wilderness when all of a sudden you hear a big gasp of air release from one of your tires and the vehicle sinks to that corner.
Correcting the situation can be as simple as changing to your spare tire, which is an option for those with a functional spare, but what may be even quicker and safer when in steep or unstable terrain, is re-inflating the tire in distress. When a tire becomes unseated from the wheel, usually from tackling an obstacle with too much speed and/or with too little air pressure, a tire may burp out some air or even slip its bead into the center of the wheel necessitating a repair.
Being prepared with the correct equipment makes all the difference. Having OBA (on board air) is not all that may be required to reseat a tire. Physical pressure usually needs to be applied to the tire around the circumference particularly in the center of the tread, thereby displacing pressure to the bead allowing the tire to seat itself. This is best done through the use of a ratchet strap, which is easily tightened along the circumference of the tire, allowing equal distribution of pressure while inflating it. Once completely seated the tire will let it be known with a loud ‘POP’. At this point, immediately loosen and remove the ratchet strap and then always fill to near maximum inflation pressure, insuring a good solid seating of the tire bead - then air back down to an appropriate pressure.
So now you’re moving again after that quick trailside repair, enjoying the natural scenery that the outdoors always offers, when again forward progress is halted, this time by a complete tire failure as a result of a cut in your sidewall (wow, are you ever having a bad day). A cut sidewall means the end for any tire as a sidewall tear is un-repairable for safe permanent use, however a temporary fix will allow the damaged tire to be driven for a return to pavement when no other option is available.
In order to complete such a repair certain tools found specifically in a tire repair kit are needed - tire plugs, tire glue, the reamer and insertion tools – Powertank puts together a great kit, check out www.powertank.com Part Number KIT-8133. And of course, you’ll need OBA again to refill the flat tire.
So call, visit or go online to your favourite 4WD supplier and stock up on the necessary tire repair supplies and equipment – you’ll never panic about a flat tire again – no matter how many you have on the same day.