replacing spare tire with fix a flat.

would this be a good way to save weight and reduce squat and spring fatigue long term? or would it better to buy lighter weight wheel and tire?

 

I think you would be further ahead to just keep a AAA card in your truck.

Fix a flat is seldom the best way to fix a hole in a tire. Most cases the tire will have a huge hole that FaF can't fix.

 

NO. BAD.

Fix a flat or any flat repair kits ruin your tire pressure monitoring sensors. Replacements are expensive.

If anything, keep a 12V air compressor, plug kit, and pair of diagonal cutters handy. That’s what I have always done. Don’t even need to remove the tire from the truck.

Roadside assistance is also cheap. You can do that too. Most auto insurers provide it as additional coverage for next to nothing.

Plus you can use that compressor to air up after a day of off roading

 

I have had way too many sidewall failures to even think of ditching the spare, you could always try to carry a little plug kit and pump if you felt the need. Truck might ride weird if you lighten up the rear by ditching the spare too.

 

awesome. how do the tire plugs work. screw in and cut excess I'm guessing?

 

You stole my idea!

 

You remove the puncture with cutters. You ream the hole to a certain diameter with the included reamer. You install the plug using the included insertion tool.

You can get a quality kit for cheap money. $14. Metal handle because you’re seriously reefing on it sometimes to get it in there.

$20 Tooluxe 50002L - 35 Piece Tire Repair Universal Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit with Plugs, Fix A Flat Tire Repair Kit, Ideal for Tires on Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV Roadside Emergency, Tire Plug Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I52RG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qKmQzb9Y4FBW5

 

You just have a little T Handle Tool that you can push in the hole and then just cut the excess off and you are good to go.

 

I weighed my spare at 67 lbs. truck rose almost an inch when I lowered it.

 

Don't use fix a flat. 1. It destroys your tpms. 2. The tire guy gets covered in that crap, which truly blows if it's your first tire of the day. 3. As a 3a driver, I will talk long shit when you tell me you took ur spare off to get a inch of lift. While I tow you truck to a tire shop instead of taking 8min to put ur spare on.

 

I'm going to buy that. thanks!

 

I guess do to Gas Mileage Standards they have eliminated Spares in many new cars, I hate that idea with a passion!

 

And please for your safety and everyone else's, don't plug your tires sidewalls. It's one thing on a trail. But to get home don't do that. I've seen ppl with 8 plugs in a sidewall on a steer tire. Told them to play the lotto, cause he's a lucky s.o.b. it didn't cut loose.

 

That and space. They can make the trunk floor a lot lower/more cargo space if they’re not using it for a tire!

 

The plug kits work awesome, but if you have never used one, think about practicing on an old tire. There is a learning curve. In addition, the heavier duty the tire, the harder it is to get the plug in.

I've actually drilled out punctures with a 1/4" drill bit to get the plug in. 10 ply tires are tough!

 

Just make sure you also have an air compressor to reinflate the tire after you plug it!

 

I put run flats on wife's Kia. I still need to go to pick and pull and find her a Mickey mouse blow up tire.

 

On my plug kit at home, I broke the handle off the reamer, and put the tip of the reamer in a drill. Works much faster.

 

Usually I don’t even cut it. If you get a good ream, you can usually get it all the way in (or mostly there). If there’s excess, it just breaks off when you drive!

 

That's a pretty nice plug kit tho..way cheaper than tool truck.