I'm throwing away my 33" BFG! In the dumpster!

[Ken Cooke]

My wife suggested I throw my 33" BFG in the dumpster due to a nail that punctured the tire in the lug 1/2" away from the edge of the tread and the sidewall. The technician at our neighborhood Goodyear told me that "California state law prohibits repairing a tire from 1 inch of the sidewall." And, because this nail punctured my tire about 1/2 inch from the edge of the sidewall, then I'm forced to get rid of this tire.

Why? This same technician told me that if he was to plug the tire, "Stress zone's would effectively be created, stressing the tire, leading to eventual tire failure and blowout."

Does anyone know about this state law? Or, is the guy at Goodyear just trying to sell me on some MT/R's? I'm considering visiting America's Tire and taking the driver's side rear tire and placing that on my spare-carrier - because it too has a plug within 1 inch of the tread-edge and the sidewall, and buying another 33" BFG A/T to run on my drivers-side rear. One funny point. The tire that's adorning my balcony with the nail in it was replaced on the driver's side front with my "Trail spare" a BFG A/T KO. All of the other tires on my rig are pre-KO's. So, once i make this purchase, 1 side of my rig will be KO's and the other side of my rig Pre-KO's - what a mess!

 

[jimbo74]

ken, i work at a tire type place... we would fix it if you really wanted it fixed.....i do however understand their standpoint... i dont know of any set law that prohibits us from fixing it, but as a general safety precaution, we as a tire industry would refuse to fix it... mainly die to the fact if that tire blows out, you could sue us and make huge $ off of it.... of course, you can probably get a tech on his lunch break or when the boss isnt looking to repair it for a few bucks under the table...cash only, no warranty, it never happened .....also, ken, most plug type things suck and leak air... i would personally replace it with a patch or an americas tire company plug/patch.....

 

[Robb]

Actually Ken, I think you should get rid of all four of them!

Please send to: Robb Bailey 2303 Sal.................

Just kidding! I don't see why fixin a tire on the tread side would affect anything. Like Jim said, if you have a problem in your area, get it fixed under the table somewhere.

After most plug repairs I have gotten done, the tech that did it stuck the $10 in his pocket anyway.

Robb

 

[jimbo74]

most places wont fix it due to the fact that it may weaken the tire...when it is weakened in the tread area, there is more area to compensate for the spot... when it is marginal near the sidewall there is less space to compensate for the weakness....
what this comes down to is a liability issue.... just like some retailers will not instal a 31" tire under an explorer becuase it will make it roll over for no reason if you tap a curb

 

[Ken Cooke]

All Terrain Basketball shoes!

I could cut the tread section, and make the tire into 3 or 4 pairs of "Ken-Action Basketball Sneaks!" Maybe this would make me a hit on the basketball court - Like Mike! Better yet, some Lakergirls would blow kisses my way!

 

[Ken Cooke]

Attn Jim!

I just don't want to take the chance that my Ranger will start throwing tread-chunks, and suffer a blowout because I tried to save $x...xx on a tire.

I'll just tuff it out, and buy another tire, and keep my two spares - so I can keep them both to throw on the roof of my new house so my new neighbors will see what real 4 wheeler's do with spare parts!:smoke:

 

[Alec]

Don't throw it away!

Just get a good tire patch kit, the kind with the sticks of tar stuff and the tools. Should be about $5. I got 2 holes in my stock Goodyear at Moab 2001 at the shoulder. We patched the tire and it was great for another 15k miles. The only thing that can happen is that the tire goes flat again or at worst blows out. It won't blow out dangerously though, so I say try the patch.

 

[GJarrett]

Try this yourself

http://www.safetyseal.com/

Yep it's a plug kit that costs $50 not $5. Why that expensive? Because it will plug anything. During the Moab 2000 trip, Gofast ripped open his sidewall with a gash over an inch long. Rick stuffed a few SafetySeals in and it worked like new This was on the sidewall and it was a torn and ripped gash, not a hole.

I have a Safety Seal kit that I always carry and consider it an essential part of my trail kit.

 

[RON COX]

I got a bolt in the shoulder of my Pro Comps and it was only 7 months old. No one would fix it either. It's my significant others explorer so plugging wasn't something I wanted to do, so there went another c-note.

 

[Ken Cooke]

I believe the perfect solution to this tire problem will be to take it in to America's Tire, and because my wife is in their computer under the same last name and address, maybe I can swing some sort of deal where they will "pro-rate" the tire towards credit for a new one. That way, I won't screw up the environment with basketball shoes that won't stick on the court!

 

[RangerX]

I also carry and swear by Safety Seal. I've plugged several holes, including two sidewalls, and driven them for thousands of miles. Everyone should carry this kit!

Ken, I'll plug your tire at Big Bear if you want.

 

[james t]

there is a reason why most places wont plug/patch near the shoulder. this is the area were the belts stop. this is very crucial, as over time air will enter through the patched spot and collect around the hole. if its near the belt edge, it could cause the tire to eventually throw a belt. but, it would have to be right at this point. there is no way to tell unless you dissect the tire. probably you will be fine with a quality patch job, but maybe not. if the tire throws a belt, than the tread goes with it. best scenerio would be the belt would come loose only in this area, without blowing the tire, and the resulting vibration would warn you to pull over. if it was mine, i would patch it and use as a spare. at the very least, put it back on the truck in the rear, so if it blows you will not lose a steering tire.

 

[Ken Cooke]

James and Bill,

Thanks for the advice. I'll take this tire in and try and get it pro-rated. I have another tire on my rig that is also plugged at the shoulder - that tire will be used as my spare, and I'll replace it with a new tire. The one with the nail in it??? I'll just try and get some money for it at America's Tire, and if not, I'll just pay to have it recycled. I don't want anyone getting hurt with this worn tire - it just wouldn't be worth it. :roll:

 

[williecume]

that is why i only buy my tires at discount tire company. i always get the road hazard warrenty just for accidents like this. all i would have to do is go up to discount and get another tire pro-rated "usually little cost" and another road hazard certificate. becuase they wont fixed a sidewall damage so they will replace the tire. also when the tread gets low i usually have a nail or a screw in the sidewall and get a new tire one tire at a time.

sorry i think i ended up rambling. i'm an idiot.

 

[BonesDT]

Originally posted by jimabena74
what this comes down to is a liability issue.... just like some retailers will not instal a 31" tire under an explorer becuase it will make it roll over for no reason if you tap a curb

whats that mean?

 

[GR899V8]

I had a nail on the side near the tread, nobody would fix it. I took it back to the BFG dealer and they gave me a "courtesy discount" of like 40%, based on tread wear.

 

[lonestar]

Plug it yourself

Why can't you plug it yourself with a $10 Tire Seal plug kit from Wal-mart. I was tired of removing my tire and taking it to someone to pay $5-10 everytime a had a little nail hole. I had some cheap Pep Boys tires on my escort, a couple of them having 2-3 nail hole plugs and I got 1000's of more miles out of them, until they were almost bald.
I'm not sure how these plugs would do in a tire with an aggressive tread pattern, but you can always get it pluged from the inside.

 

[Ken Cooke]

I bought my replacement at America's Tire

I went to Discount Tire/America's Tire and I tried to get the tire pro-rated. It wasn't purchased there, so they couldn't offer me a dime. So, I gave them the tire, and purchased another new KO. The pre-KOs are sitting on the rear of my rig, while the KO's are up front. Because of the excellent warranty and free replacement in 30 days program this chain offers, I couldn't refuse their offer. So, I'm happily driving the roads and trails with a tire that appears to be 100% safer now.

 

[jimbo74]

Re: Plug it yourself

Originally posted by lonestar
Why can't you plug it yourself with a $10 Tire Seal plug kit from Wal-mart. I was tired of removing my tire and taking it to someone to pay $5-10 everytime a had a little nail hole. I had some cheap Pep Boys tires on my escort, a couple of them having 2-3 nail hole plugs and I got 1000's of more miles out of them, until they were almost bald.
I'm not sure how these plugs would do in a tire with an aggressive tread pattern, but you can always get it pluged from the inside.

i work at a tire place, but regardless, as a general safety note, i would never repair anything on a sidewall or too close to the sidewall..it just isnt safe.... the best way to patch a tire is from the inside with a real patch.... plugs are just garbage, the only plugs i would ever use are true "Safety Seal" plugs. and still, i dont trust plugs at all..... i would perform a trail fix on a sidewall or whatever, but would make sure the spare was on before any road driving... wanting to save a few $ isnt worth my life or somebody elses should i have a blowout......

 

[lonestar]

I agree

Not on the side wall, Just in the tread, and for small nail holes. Never had a problem, and I have pluged about 20 holes. If had bought a tire each time, thats about $2000. Not to mention one new tire while the others are half worn out, or problems finding matching tires.

ALthough I did patch like a 3/8 " bolt hole once. Used two of those plugs folded over and a can of fix-a-flat.