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A tyre repair kit is a great thing to have in your tool kit and personally I am an avid fan of tyre plugs mainly because you don't have to remove the tyre and in most cases you don't even have to take the wheel off the truck to effect a repair.[thumbsupbig]
A repair kit however isn't of much use in the event of a blowout, This is where the extra spare comes into play.
With tubed tyres when a puncture has been repaired via a patch this can be considered as a permanent repair However with a tubeless tyre repaired with tyre plugs it is only a Temporary repair and I don't know about you Guys But I don't get that "Warm and Fuzzy" feeling driving around with a bunch of plugs holding one of my steerers together.
I agree that carrying that extra spare can be a PITA But so is begging passers by for a lift into town AND back for you and your nasty shredded tyre and having to leave your Missus and kids on the side of the road for hours while you hunt around an unfamiliar town looking for a replacement tyre.
I had to do this once and believe me it isn't one of the greatest things you can do while on holiday and it is pretty traumatic for your family as well.
Personally I am prepared to forgo carrying that extra block of beer in favour of carrying an extra spare, Yes running out of beer can be unpleasant But nowhere near as unpleasant as running out of spares.
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I've always carried 2 spares when travelling.
Did some pretty horrible "main roads" in '75 in my Kombi around Australia and never got a puncture. Three in one day on a Cape trip in '94. Two on the first day of a Madigan crossing in '08 and none on a cross country Northern Simpson crossing in '14. Luck of the draw in my opinion.
All of my fellow Edjits travel in Defenders or equivalents and all carry 2 spares which of course are all interchangeable and have had to be shared around on occasions.
I'll continue to carry two spares as well as the comprehensive repair kit.
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Never.
Modern tyres are much better, and we now have the temporary plug option.
But a key factor is whether you have an overloaded 4wd with small tyres, or a sensibly loaded 4wd with big tyres. The latter is a much better position to be in. Larger tyres are more heavy duty, and the less you load any tyre the less likely that it will get a puncture.
A second spare adds a fair amount of weight especially if you add heavy bracketry to fit it, which increases your risk of a puncture.
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I only carry a second spare on remote trips.
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Mark if you're doing the Simmo and the space and weight are that important, just take one. I reckon most people cross the Simmo with only one and rarely need it. I had no tyre issues in 6,000kms including BT, ST and Simmo via Rig Rd and French, although I didn't tackle the Madigan Line so I can't speak for the track quality. Could be full of puncture-inducing sticks!
I like the peace of mind of having two, especially as a solo vehicle, but I'd be happy doing it with one. If I were to get a puncture, I'd get the new wheel on and that evening or even immediately, make an effort to fix the first one so it's at least usable to get you out of there in the event of another flat.
If I was going to somewhere properly remote or with very poor quality roads, it might be a different story....but surely you've seen the Bush Mechanics video where they just stuff the tyre full of grass and drive away. Too easy mate ;-)
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I remember in the fifties, my Uncle Willy had the Diamantina mail contract out of Winton then going as far south as Diamantina Lakes. He used either a 4 ton Dodge or the tandem drive Thornycroft depending how much freight was accompanying the mail. He made a point of carrying as many spare tyres and wheels as he could fit on plus a couple of tyres and a couple of tubes plus patching gear. The tracks then were pretty bad and tyres were nowhere near as good as they are today. When I was an apprentice at the family business I got sick of patching flat tyres from the mail trucks or changing buggered ones for new. I haven't patched or changed a tyre over for probably 40 years. I hated them. I do use those tubeless plugs though.
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Never needed the 2nd spare yet.
It now only comes out if heading remote and/or solo.
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I have never carried a second spare, and have never needed my primary spare on a trip either.
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According to a Suth Efricahn workmate last Century, plugs enjoy a wide use back there, and many folk consider them good enough for 'permanent'. Naturally, in the tread only, NOT in the sidewall.
I've worn out two plugged (car) tyres, one near-new. No problems holding air or balance. In each instance, good prep. rubber cement and quality/branded plugs, - and one (only) plug per hole.
Vague memory tells me the subject of 'On the Road' tyre repairs has been canvassed before, tyre removal tools and techniques for field use. There was a reference to a professional 4WD outback tour mob who suggested learning the approved methods of repairing tyres, including sidewall. Not difficult, just not popular or well known.
IMHO, there are very good reason$ why 'Tyre $pecialists' demonize plugging.... apart from a workmanship basis... [bigwhistle]
Lady Sarah, '95 Classic with working EAS, gone to a good home.
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There’s also good science in not leaving fabric plugs in...
It’s not all a conspiracy for cash.
