Trophy Tire Repair Clinic

[Martyn]

Adventure Trailers and Equipt1 put on two tire repair clinics at this year's Expedition Trophy. We did a clinic on major tire repair involving breaking the bead and sewing the sidewall, and minor tire repair, plugging tread and sidewall damage.

We wanted to share the information passed on during the clinic to a wider audience, and I've started to build a web page on adventuretrailers.com to cover both clinics.

What I am in need of is any of the pictures people took during the clinic, so I can supplement the ones on my camera. If you have any can you e-mail them to me at martyn-at-adventuretrailers.com

Thank you to everyone who attended.

 

[jcbrandon]

Martyn, one of my favorite mental treasures from the Expedition Trophy is you, during your tire repair clinic, saying, "... just make a cuppa tea, and think about it a while..."

Good advice in many situations

 

[Martyn]

Martyn, one of my favorite mental treasures from the Expedition Trophy is you, during your tire repair clinic, saying, "... just make a cuppa tea, and think about it a while..."

Good advice in many situations

JC, great point, maybe we can all make it part of our routine.

To explain a little;

When faced with any unexpected problem we all often rush into the situation and make spontaneous decisions based on what ever is flying through our heads at the time.

If life and limb are not at risk, try to slow the pace and work out the best plan or plans of action.

"... just make a cuppa tea, and think about it a while..." is the process that's invoked in Southern Africa and Australia. While the kettle is boiling and the tea steeping Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C can he thought through. (Substitute coffee or a soda here in the US).

Once the adrenaline rush has passed, you've drunk your beverage of choice, you usually can come up with a good game plan. In no time the task will be successfully completed and you'll be back on the trail.

I recommend Rooibos tea for all Expeditions.

 

[Martyn]

I've managed to put the major tire repair clinic on the web http://www.adventuretrailers.com/tireclinic.html If you see something that need correcting or a step I missed please let me know. It's hard to get it 100% the first try.

Each step in the process has it's own chapter. Click on the picture to read the chapter.

I'll have the tire plugging clinic up sometime after SEMA.

All the tools you need for tire repair can be found here http://www.adventuretrailers.com/tirerepair.html

 

[tommudd]

Great info , Thanks for sharing with us all

Tom

 

[DaktariEd]

Muy excellente! :26_7_2:
Gracias, senor! :safari-rig:

 

[rusty_tlc]

JC, great point, maybe we can all make it part of our routine.

To explain a little;

When faced with any unexpected problem we all often rush into the situation and make spontaneous decisions based on what ever is flying through our heads at the time.

If life and limb are not at risk, try to slow the pace and work out the best plan or plans of action.

"... just make a cuppa tea, and think about it a while..." is the process that's invoked in Southern Africa and Australia. While the kettle is boiling and the tea steeping Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C can he thought through. (Substitute coffee or a soda here in the US).

Once the adrenaline rush has passed, you've drunk your beverage of choice, you usually can come up with a good game plan. In no time the task will be successfully completed and you'll be back on the trail.

I recommend Rooibos tea for all Expeditions.

Actually this is great advice for everyday life. I do the same thing at work. When confronted by a crisis, it almost always helps to step back, relax and examine the situation with an un-emotional eye.

 

[Cruiser]

I agree on taking time and thinking about it,, but in my area if they are drinking something,, it aint tea.. then the repairs get quite interesting.. but again,, I have rednecks for neighbors.. not that theirs anything wrong with that..

 

[tdesanto]

Martyn,

Thank you again for this clinic. This was excellent, hands-on training. I really appreciated the effort both you and Paul put into teaching us these skills.

TD

 

[RoundOut]

Martyn,

Thank you again for this clinic. This was excellent, hands-on training. I really appreciated the effort both you and Paul put into teaching us these skills.

TD

:iagree:

It was an AWESOME clinic, and I just received my complete tire repair kit from A.T.!

Thanks again, Martyn!

.

 

[teotwaki]

tire repairs

if the tire valve stem is damaged a stem tool could be added to the tool list for tire repairs.

http://www.gemplers.com/product/449/Tubeless-Snap-in-Valve-Insertion-Removal-Tool

 

[pray4surf]

Been seeing/reading other articles re tire repair and wanted to comment. First, I didn't see any advice on using a ratcheting tie-down around the middle of the tread. As you tighten the strap, you force the center of the tire towards the rim, which in turn, forces the tire beads to the rim.

Somewhere I also saw reference to using a Hi-Lift jack to unseat the bead prior to dismantling the tire/rim - place the base of the jack on sidewall of tire, the lifting unit under your slider/bumper.

And, while not the safest way, I've personally witnessed the use of an accelerant (starter fluid/gasoline) to seat the bead....

Finally, the use of a special tool (as teowaki linked to) instead of pliers to install a new valve stem. I'm afraid that using pliers may damage the threads or cause the stem to lose its shape... I also realize that one works with what one has.

Years ago, in northern baja, there was (still is) a beach front community that fiercely guarded their pristine beach and perfect surf. Unsuspecting 'visitors' after parking their vehicles and paddling out, would become victim to vandalism by any one of the 'residents' of this community. Typically, the intruders vehicles would be debilitated by removing the valve stem, tool of choice was often a pair of Vice-Grips. Once a year, this community would hold a party and the resident with the most valve stems would be awarded the "Order of the Vice Grip"

Rick

 

[RoundOut]

Been seeing/reading other articles re tire repair and wanted to comment. First, I didn't see any advice on using a ratcheting tie-down around the middle of the tread. As you tighten the strap, you force the center of the tire towards the rim, which in turn, forces the tire beads to the rim.

It was mentioned in the write-up that Martyn did on the A.T. site here...

If you have problems getting the tire on the bead put a ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire and tighten the strap. As the strap tightens it will squeeze the tire against the bead.

Somewhere I also saw reference to using a Hi-Lift jack to unseat the bead prior to dismantling the tire/rim - place the base of the jack on sidewall of tire, the lifting unit under your slider/bumper.

This was mentioned in the clinic, but I don't remember if I saw it in the write-up on A.T.

And, while not the safest way, I've personally witnessed the use of an accelerant (starter fluid/gasoline) to seat the bead....

That is cool to watch, but dangerous as all heck. It was also mentioned in the clinic, but IMO the risks are huge and far outway the cool factor. Unless it is someone elses spare tire and I can stand way back to watch, LOL.

Years ago, in northern baja, there was (still is) a beach front community that fiercely guarded their pristine beach and perfect surf. Unsuspecting 'visitors' after parking their vehicles and paddling out, would become victim to vandalism by any one of the 'residents' of this community. Typically, the intruders vehicles would be debilitated by removing the valve stem, tool of choice was often a pair of Vice-Grips. Once a year, this community would hold a party and the resident with the most valve stems would be awarded the "Order of the Vice Grip"

Be a good reason to take a whole bag of valve stems. Next time you're at Discount Tire doing a rotate & balance, ask them for a few extras. I always get a few valve caps. Now I'll ask for some spare valves! Thanks for the tip. I can see the bone-heads taking all five (4+spare). Ouch.

.

 

[Hilldweller]

If you need to travel light, Aerostich has Titanium Tar Arns and a compact Bead Popper.

 

[teotwaki]

If you need to travel light, Aerostich has Titanium Tar Arns and a compact Bead Popper.

The titanium tire "irons" sound as if they are meant for motorcycles. Would they be up to handling a full size truck tire?