Puncture Prevention?

[EmmanuelMuldoon]

Has anyone used "Flat Free" or "Magik Seal" tyre "filler" to prevent punctures (caravans). Cant find anything by Googling.

 

[Cockovan]

Not used it but I have discussed it with my tyre dealer, they will not repair a tyre that has had it in. They regards it as a get you home service but then you need a new tyre. They agree that a spare is far more practical.

 

[Angus1]

Haven`t heard of either of the ones mentioned, but I`ve used Ultraseal for a few years, they`ve got a decent website and the stuff was stocked by my local caravan dealer.

Does it work? Fortunately I haven`t got a clue, but if it does what it says on the tin (well, bottle to be pedantic) it`s worth 20 quid.

I do carry a spare wheel, ALKO jack, warning triangle, hi-viz jacket etc, but even with that lot don`t fance swapping wheels at the side of the motorway.

 

[RobRoy]

Hi Chris,

I agree with Allan. My local tyre dealer refuses to repair tyres which have any of the "get you home" sealants in them.

Rob S.

 

[Lutz]

In 90% of all cases a punctured tyre isn't worth repairing anyway so unwillingness to carry out a repair is not an important issue.

 

[Cockovan]

I must be the remaining 10%. Only when the trye has blown out have I not been able to have it repaired but when the nail/screw etc. is still in the tyre I have been able to have every one repaired for about

 

[Lutz]

Depends more on how far you drove with the tyre deflated than whether it was 'only' a nail or a screw. By the way, if the nail or the screw pierced the sidewall instead of the tread, you can also throw the tyre away. Only if the puncture is a very small one on the tread and it was noticed before all the air went out is it worth attempting a repair.

 

[EmmanuelMuldoon]

Thanks all for your replies.

My main concern is to reduce the likleyhood of a puncture, so these products sound worthwhile. For me possibly making a tyre unrepairable is a worthwhile risk.

I always carry a spare anyway, thought the law requires it thesedays?

 

[Essexeddie]

I use Tyron Bands on my van at least you can drive off a Motorway and change the wheel safeley

Edd

 

[Lutz]

If you have a puncture between two exits, Tyron bands won't let you drive long enough to reach the next one. By the time you have an opportunity to leave the motorway, the wheel will be well and truly shot and the remains of the tyre, although still on the wheel due to the bands, will probably have made a mess of the wheelhouse.

Even with Tyron bands you've got to stop to change the wheel right away, as soon as you notice the puncture. Tyron bands do not have an emergency run flat feature.

 

[Geordie]

off topic slightly but depending on the repairer or company you visit, there are different attitudes to what is repairable. I once had a punctured tyre with the help of a nail and visited a brach of the "dancing fitters" only to be told that the nail was'nt staight into the tyre, but in at an angle, so they could'nt plug the hole and I would have to buy a new tyre. After telling them to return my wheel to the boot, I drove a mile along the road to another national company and explained what the competition had just said and straight away the fitter drilled the tyre to enable the fitment of the plug and turned to me and said there aint no angled hole there now, thats their way of conning the public into buying new.I still deal with the same company now and always been fair.

 

[Lutz]

Frankly, I'd have more faith in the fitter that refused to repair a hole at an angle. If the competition drilled another one straight and plugged that, they can, at best, only have closed half the original puncture.

Any respectable tyre fitter will remove the tyre from the wheel first to inspect the condition of the inside wall before attempting a repair.

 

[Geordie]

if a hole approx 2mm is drilled with a larger sized drill ,how can there be any of the original hole left. You must have no faith in alternative methods in tyre repairs and prefer to spend cash on a whim, which at the end of the day is the choice of the individual. Judgeing by your comments there would be no such thing as puncture repairs, a bit ott in my opinion.

 

[Geordie]

Lutz, how can you repair a tyre if its not off the rim in the first place ? ? ?

 

[Lutz]

I have seen tyres being 'repaired' by inflating them again and then inserting a rubber plug with adhesive through the punctured hole from the outside only.

 

[Geordie]

I can't say I've ever seen that done and quite frankly I would'nt accept that anyway. My tyre was off the rim and I basically went to the other place for a second opinion.

 

[Essexeddie]

Tyron bands keep the tyre on the rim for a short period so saving the rim. Its better than running on a flat tyre without the bands. Obviously you cant run for miles on a flat, only a fool would do that.

We used to repair tubeless tyres with plugs during the 60'. That was the only way in them days, I dont think its a good idea nowdays with caravans, due to the high pressures.

Edd

 

[Cockovan]

Tyron bands keep the tyre on the rim for a short period so saving the rim. Its better than running on a flat tyre without the bands. Obviously you cant run for miles on a flat, only a fool would do that.

We used to repair tubeless tyres with plugs during the 60'. That was the only way in them days, I dont think its a good idea nowdays with caravans, due to the high pressures.

Edd

We had a puncture repaired in France, without them taking it off the rim. As Lutz said they just partially inflated it and pushed a plug of rubber in with some adhesive then cut the excess off the outside. On returning home I had my regular tyre fitters check it. They said it was now illegal to repair a tyre in this country like that and repaired it from the inside as they would normally do (and didn't charge me).

 

[SimonB]

Hi yes i have had this in car and caravan for a couple of years and even with a screw right into the tyre it does not deflate and when un-screwing the screw the hole is sealed imediatly.

The company i used was called protec based in dorset but i think they have dealers that come to you.