Considering Spare tire without rim - any issues?

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Agreed - I ended up grabbing the spare kit from Tesla for the longer trips, but also have:

Amazon.com: Boulder Tools - Compact Tire Repair kit with Molle Storage Pouch. Heavy Duty Universal Tire Plug Kit, Easily Stores Inside Your UTV, ATV, Truck, Motorcycle, Overlanding Gear or RV : Automotive

Which had enough room in the pouch for me to also add:
Amazon.com: GlueTread Full-Size 4x4 Sidewall Tire Repair Kit | Sidewall Tire Patch Kit Puncture Repair Kit for Off-Road 4x4 Vehicles | Improved Rubber Formula No Accelerator Needed 10 Minutes Curing Time : Automotive

And strap to the Molle for in-town

I also have the sidewall repair kit in addition to regular tire plugs.

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[FL370]

I picked up a nail last week that resulted in a flat when I got up in the morning. I pulled out the nail and tried to plug the tire, but could't push the ream tool through the tread while lying on my side. After giving up on plugging the tire at home I tried to air up the tire so I could drive to the local tire store, but the leak was too fast for that. I put a short pan head screw in the hole to stop the leak. I was able to drive to the tire store and had the tire patched from the inside.

One of the things I discovered was the compressor I was carrying wouldn't work as it uses 12 volts.

I ordered the Tesla 120v tire repair kit and am considering getting a full size mounted spare to carry when on trips.

I bought a 120v pump only to realize you need a extension cord as well. Then bought this battery operated one for road trips and towing. https://a.co/d/7m0GHvW

 

[YukonJack]

I carry a full spare in the bed and have used a ramp to get it in and out as well. I just don't carry the ramp all the time.

I have a repair kit but nothing for the sidewall.

I fixed a SxS tire after reviewing this:

The 3m PR40 is currently on sale $13.08:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q9DBB5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I'm adding the 3M rubber PR40, patches, and sandpaper to my tire repair kit.

Thanks for posting the sidewall idea.

 

[CyberTexas]

I have a plug kit in each of my vehicles. Get the one with the metal handles.

don’t you still need a jack to lift the vehicle??

 

[resellpanda88]

don’t you still need a jack to lift the vehicle??

Once you locate the puncture, hopefully its a nail on the face of the wheel you can plug it without taking the wheel off the vehicle.

 

[hemiarch]

Once you locate the puncture, hopefully its a nail on the face of the wheel you can plug it without taking the wheel off the vehicle.

So how do you locate the puncture? With bicycle tires I used to inflate them and roll them trough a bucket of water to try find it.
not so easy with a truck tire I don’t think.

 

[resellpanda88]

So how do you locate the puncture? With bicycle tires I used to inflate them and roll them trough a bucket of water to try find it.
not so easy with a truck tire I don’t think.

You can fill the tire with air and listen for where the air is coming out from or if you have a bottle of soapy water you can spray it on the tire and watch where bubbles are forming.

These are in ideal scenarios. If it's pitch black out and you don't have a flash light or any other tools it won't work.

 

[Ken in Miami]

You might want to add a small tarp and maybe a moving blanket because you will have to lay down many times to get the ream tool in the hole at the correct angle that will give you something to lay on so you do not learn too many new cuss words. I travel in some pretty scary areas and that is probably one of my worst fears is having a flat at 4 AM surrounded by things that wanna eat me. if you travel in areas that are out of range for a tow truck to be there within about 40 minutes. You need to learn to be self-sufficient. I would also suggest due to Murphy’s law that you also include one of those flat flashlights that has a stand on it. They’re about $30 at Harbor freight that gives you lots of light if this happens at night. I do not carry a spare in any of my trucks and my Hummer tires are bigger and heavier than the Tesla tires. Keep the patch kit and everything that’s been suggested in the Tire threads here. There are many good threads on this, but make sure you have a heavy duty air, compressor extension cord and the necessary side wall repair kit as an add-on. It’s pretty difficult to have a flat on good truck tires they’re very thick. I’ve pulled out half-inch screws from my hummer tires many times and the tire still doesn’t leak. Carrying a spare tire in the bed of the truck takes up quite a bit of room, but I guess if you do not need the room, that’s what I would do besides all of the above. At some point, you gotta say I have enough preventative measures.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

I picked up a nail last week that resulted in a flat when I got up in the morning. I pulled out the nail and tried to plug the tire, but could't push the ream tool through the tread while lying on my side. After giving up on plugging the tire at home I tried to air up the tire so I could drive to the local tire store, but the leak was too fast for that. I put a short pan head screw in the hole to stop the leak. I was able to drive to the tire store and had the tire patched from the inside.

One of the things I discovered was the compressor I was carrying wouldn't work as it uses 12 volts.

I ordered the Tesla 120v tire repair kit and am considering getting a full size mounted spare to carry when on trips.

There is a version of the ream tool that chucks into a cordless drill. Makes the reaming much easier.

 

[hemiarch]

There is a version of the ream tool that chucks into a cordless drill. Makes the reaming much easier.

That’s interesting. Got a link or product name for that?

 

[HaulingAss]

I picked up a nail last week that resulted in a flat when I got up in the morning. I pulled out the nail and tried to plug the tire, but could't push the ream tool through the tread while lying on my side.

Re-inflate the flat tire before plugging it! Much easier. You can even leave the inflater attached and running while you ream and plug it if the leak is faster than you are. I just do it quickly enough that it doesn't matter. The plug lube helps a lot too but I generally don't put that on until I'm done reaming. If I couldn't get the reamer in (never experienced that) I would lube it first.

On a Model 3 you may have to lay or kneel on the ground, in the Cybertruck just put it in extract mode and repair from the top. You will easily have four times the power when standing above the tread.

Cold weather reminder: This is the time of year most Americans need to add a few lbs. of pressure to their tires. Where I live in Western Washington, I generally have to do it twice. Once when the summer weather cols off, and once when the cold winter air settles in.

Keeping your tires with 50 psi cold pressure can prevent many flats that would have happened if you were under-inflated.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

That’s interesting. Got a link or product name for that?

Tire reamer drill bit.

https://a.co/d/36DHJ2P

 

[RoboTaxi]

Full size spare and AAA. Let AAA swap the tires out and do all the heavy lifting.

 

[hemiarch]

Full size spare and AAA. Let AAA swap the tires out and do all the heavy lifting.

That makes sense. They can put on a tire without a rim in the field?

 

[Tremendo]

....Then bought this battery operated one for road trips and towing. https://a.co/d/7m0GHvW

Thanks for the tip. I was going cheaper then researched this one and just ordered it. Probably good to keep in the truck and then I'll have it when at a separate place I often go to.

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