Would You Repair These Snow Tires?

I took my truck out to the desert with my winter wheels and tires on. Got a tiny puncture on my driver's rear on the shoulder of the tire. Tire shop won't repair it as its too close to the sidewall. Bridgestone doesn't make the Blizzak in a 265/75r16 any more. Would you try to repair this with a plug or patch (for offroad use only )? Or should I bite the bullet and get a whole new set of tires? The tires are 4y8mo old and have a ton of tread left. I threw my summer set of 265/75r16 Falken Wildpeaks back on for the time being so I can take my time with a repair (of course it snowed for the first time in two months hours after I changed my wheels).

 

While not snow tires the wildpeaks are great in the snow.
Why are you wheeling in snow tires? They wear faster than any other and aren't great off-road.
Just get a set of beater used tires.

You can plug that yourself. Plug kits are at every auto parts store.

 

What does your gut/instinct tell you?

Go with that.

 

Take the tire to Walmart as a carry in. Not on the truck and have them dismount it then you can repair it yourself correctly. Ream it out so the hole is clear then scuff up the inside area where the patches going to sit then clean it really well acetone and a scraper. Put the compound down then your mushroom patch with plug. Roll it down and cover with bead sealer. Take it back and have them remount and balance. Whole thing will probably cost you 60 or 70 bucks but then you will have the materials in case it comes up again and it’s still a lot cheaper then a new set. It’s close to the sidewall but not so close that I wouldn’t patch it if it was mine but but that’s me. Others will probably disagree so it’s your call.

 

That is not to close the sidewall, that is in the sidewall. Patches and plugs in the sidewall don't last long because of the flexing of the tire. Repairing it will just be problems down the road.

Bridgestone still makes Blizzak W95 and DM-V2 tires in the size you need. If your that happy with that style of tire, I'd just get a pair for that axel only. However I just run with tires like the KO2s and Wildpeaks all year long.

 

Oh shit I thought that was the top of the tire. Yeah you can’t fix that. Sorry man you need a new tire.

 

Tire time. Damn it!!!

 

Bummer! Better safe than sorry I guess. Gotta get new snows ASAP, almost crashed twice on a 10 minute drive with the wildpeaks on yesterday after a light dusting of snow. Felt like I was on slicks compared to the Blizzaks. Unfortunately, Bridgestone doesn't make the DM-V2s in a 265/75r16 any more otherwise I'd just replace the pair. Looks like the W965s, General Grabber Arctic LTs, or Hakka LT3's are my best choices depending on what's available.