UTV TIRE SIDEWALL REPAIR KITS
DW FAN WRITES IN: I saw on Amazon where there was a kit purported to repair a slice in the sidewall of a UTV tire. What do you think of them? Is it worth the $60? Does the repair last? – Darwin Lopez Pioche, NV.
OUR PRO ANSWER: I am familiar with those kits. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t! A lot depends on the type of slit, whether the slit is on a smooth section of sidewall and not through any sidewall raised or depressed lettering, is the rubber clean and did the installer follow the instructions to the letter. If the repair works, it will get you back to the truck/trailer or even for an entire weekend.
But in my opinion, Son, it is NOT a replacement for a new replacement tire as it is billed. And I would not trust it for any high speed work. If it gets you back to civilization, then it did its job. Anything more is a bonus. But it is cheaper and far less bulky than carrying a replacement mounted tire. FYI: if you want a more permanent sidewall repair, I have had way more success by using a Tech Supply (Technical Rubber Company) Mushroom patch. The down side is the tire must be removed off the rim for a correct mushroom installation.
Bead-lock rims allow on-the-trail de-beading and repairs such as this. We’ve even used safety wire to stitch big rips, but it took 27 tire plugs, too.
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