Fixing a leak on my trailer tire with a tire plug
On my last trip, I noticed that I had a leak in one of my trailer tires. I did not spot the injury on the road so I just kept an eye on it and made sure to keep refilling it with air.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug1.jpg)
Back at the shop I removed the tire and spotted the problem right away. There was a nail in the tread.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug2.jpg)
I used pliers to remove the nail. Sure enough, it went all the way in and the air began to hiss out one it was removed.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug3.jpg)
I got my tire plug kit out and began reaming out the hole. Be sure when you do this step you are sure to follow the original injury and don’t add a second hole. If you do you will end up with a leak right beside your new plug.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug4.jpg)
Once I had the reamer inserted, I cheated and used a drill to spin the reamer.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug5.jpg)
With the hole opened, up I peeled a plug out of the pack and put it in the insertion tool. Since it was cold and the pug was very stiff, I used a heat gun to speed things up. You can always lay them in the sun to do the same thing.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug6.jpg)
I pressed the plug into the hole and then removed the tool leaving the plug in place.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug7.jpg)
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug8.jpg)
I then inflated the tire and used some soapy water to check for leaks. With no leaks, I reinstalled the tire on the trailer.
![](http://mikestrawbridge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tireplug9.jpg)