Community Forums

Floyd2u · 08-01-2018, 11:22 AM

got A flat up front tire guy said he can boot it but can't keep it as A steer tire needs to trade it out for one of the drive tires.
Is this normal or not.

Thanks
Floud

60sumtin · 08-01-2018, 12:37 PM

That sounds about right. It's best not to have a repaired tire on the steer axle. Let him do it.

Floyd2u · 08-01-2018, 12:51 PM

Thanks

TJ · 08-01-2018, 03:11 PM

Sorry to disagree here, but "booting" a tire is not a good practice IMHO. Replace the tire! You definitely don't want a "booted" tire on the steer axle and I wouldn't want a "booted" tire anywhere on my coach. YMMV

TJ

cti2000 · 08-01-2018, 03:29 PM

I have to ask...what is "booting a tire"? Is this something to do with repairing the sidewall as opposed to plugging in the tread?

TJ · 08-01-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cti2000

I have to ask...what is "booting a tire"? Is this something to do with repairing the sidewall as opposed to plugging in the tread?

A "boot" is a large patch designed to repair a damaged sidewall. There are a couple of problems with "boots." First, they do not "repair" cut or torn fabric in the sidewall. At best, they attempt to hold the damaged area together. That worked to a point in the "old days" when vehicles were lighter and speeds were lower. Even then, they were considered to be a poor solution to the problem.

The other issue is that boots are relatively heavy and create a tire balance issue. You can re-balance the tire with additional wheel weights, but I've never seen one that was really well balanced. As a result of being at least somewhat out of balance, a booted tire can bounce and create stresses that impact the "repaired" area further.

I worked in a tire shop for several years..."back in the day"...and did a bunch of "boots" when customers insisted. We tried to talk them out of booting their tire as we felt it created a safety hazard. Some listened, some didn't.

TJ

Floyd2u · 08-01-2018, 06:13 PM

ok guys this is not on the side wall just a nail or screw & A slow leak.
to be exact I pumped it up about 5 hrs. ago & it has not lost any air yet so I am A little confused. Do they make tubes for these 22.5 tires?
Floyd

TJ · 08-01-2018, 06:39 PM

If it is a leak from a puncture and the tire fabric has not been damaged, a simple patch (not a "boot") is all that is needed. Big tires can also be fixed with a plug.

Properly done, a plug is an acceptable patch. Improperly done (usually where some type of rasp is used to roughen the inside of the puncture hole), fabric can be damaged.

Have a reputable tire service fix the puncture and you will be fine. Sidewall damage is a whole different issue. Glad that's not your problem.

TJ

Floyd2u · 08-01-2018, 06:47 PM

I guess I call anything inside the tire A boot but it would just be A patch. tomorrow I will get the soapy water 7 sprsy bottle out & see if I can find the problem Like I said I pumped it up & haven't lost any pressure in over 5 hrs now which has me confused maybe A rim leak or something.
Floyd

tom chelbana · 08-01-2018, 07:50 PM

We had a right front tire blowout on our Essex which did over 20K dollars damage and we came very close to losing control of the coach. Don't be a fool and boot a tire. Replace your tires at least every 6 years. You and your coach are to important to take a big chance with a booted tire.
Newmar Man

Floyd2u · 08-02-2018, 09:09 AM

Ok has not lost any air in 24 hrs. Took soapy water & sprayed & sprayed more & found nothing. I pumped it up to 110 PSI maybe A rim leak then when I pumped it up it sealed. Don't know what to think. I guess I will let her sit & see if it goes down.
Floyd

TJ · 08-02-2018, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd2u

Ok has not lost any air in 24 hrs. Took soapy water & sprayed & sprayed more & found nothing. I pumped it up to 110 PSI maybe A rim leak then when I pumped it up it sealed. Don't know what to think. I guess I will let her sit & see if it goes down.
Floyd

I guess I'm confused here. You went from needing a "boot" in the tire and a "tire guy" telling you it couldn't be mounted on the steer axle to "it has not lost any air in 24 hours." In between, you mentioned a puncture from "a nail or screw" and a "possible rim leak."

Have you really identified the cause of the initial air loss or are you just bouncing theories around? If you lost air in the tire (even once), take it to a qualified tire shop and have the cause identified. Then, fix or replace the tire as is required. Until you do that, jumping from one theory to another is just setting you up for a serious tire problem.

It sounds like we are more concerned about your safety than you are.

TJ

Floyd2u · 08-02-2018, 12:16 PM

I guess i don't know what its problem is was i always thought you couldn't plug A rv tire so first thought I picked up A nail or something. When I say boot any kind of patch inside A tire I call it A boot. I wish I had A good tire place around living out in the boons nothing around. The tire guy I called was to see if he would work on it.
And the deal about a putting it on the rear & a possible boot came from him.
Yes I am concerned with safety. But at this time how do u fix something thats not broke? I told the DW that it would have been better if we found something.
Floyd

WoodyS · 08-02-2018, 03:40 PM

Could also be a bad valve or valve stem. I've had intermittent problems with bad valves. They're quick and cheap to replace. And you can safely to it yourself.