Flat Tire repair in the field

The last time that me and my budies went out riding. My buddie (Slic4) was pulling our other buddie out of the mud and when he came out he hit a deep rut and it knocked the bead out and the tire went flat. Is there a way to repair this without taking it to a tire shop. Or are you just SOL.

Well its kinda dangerous but you can take lighter fluid and soak the bead area and light it on fire, but stand back cause that sucker can go flying, I have seen it work, dunno if I would want to try it though.

A ratchet strap, and air compressor.

Run the ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire, and tighten it down so that it squashes the tire and makes the sidewalls bulge out towards the wheel. this will allow you to put enough air in the tire to get those pesky beads to seat. Once they do, remove the ratchet strap and air the tire up to it's normal pressure.

I typically run about 9.5 to 10 psi in my tires to avoid this phenominon, rocks and ruts are the worlds worst about knocking tires with the "reccomended oem pressure" off the beads.

I've heard about the lighter fluid trick, and physically heard it from nearly a mile away.. lol but never tried it.


Good luck

Ride Safe,

Chuck

I will have to remember that. Thanks for the advice

Here is an article I found that might help you some from the Valley ATV Club:

Flat Repair On The Trail
By Nick Bernardi

Anyone who has been riding will experience or has experienced a flat on the trail. A flat has no conscience as to where or when it will occur, but rest assure, when it does you will need to be prepared. Now by no means is this a reason to panic. It usually can be handled without a great deal of difficulty. Do I hear an air leak?

All but the most severe flats can be repaired on the trail. I have personally fixed holes as big as 2-inches. This large of a repair will usually get you through the day, but a new tire may be needed to avoid future headaches. Naturally, you will need to ALWAYS carry a few things. It is best to have some place to store these items on your ATV, so when the inevitable occurs, you will be ready. Remembering to replace the items used when a repair is made is also very important. Here is a list of what you will need.

1. A tire repair kit. This consists of a reamer and a plug insertion tool.
2. Tire plugs! You will be surprised how fast these can disappear. I prefer the long shoestring type. They are about 4-in. long and are very tacky.
3. Tire pump. There are many types available. I use the fold up Mt. bike type. They work very well, are used to being in dirt, and are compact. This is a personal preference as to what you can use.
4. Tire repair glue. I have gotten by without it, but having it makes for a better job.
5. Air gauge. Your ATV should have one in its tool kit.

Once you realize there is a leak, the tire being flat is one indication; you will need to find the hole or holes. Putting some air in the tire may help. First look for the obvious, nails, screws, sticks etc. in the tire. If nothing is found, you will have to slowly rotate the tire. Listen for air leaks and look for cuts in the tire. If you still can’t find it, try rolling it through a puddle, or put a little water from your water bottle on it. Only a small amount is needed. Do not waste all your drinking water on your tire. In some cases, the leak may be coming from a defective valve stem or possibly a bad seal on the tires bead. This is where the tire seats on the rim.

Now that the hole is found, take the reamer and roughen the edges of the hole so the plug will hold. Then take the plug tool, thread the plug, apply a little glue on the plug, and put it in the tire about half way. Now, briskly pull the tool out and the plug should stay. This may take a little practice because the plug may follow the tool out of the tire. It should be noted that on all but the smallest holes you would need to put more then one plug in the tire. Just keep following the procedure until the tire holds air. When you get it to stop leaking air, give the glue a few minutes to dry. You will also want to trim the excess plug sticking out of the tire. Try to leave about 1/8 of an inch sticking out. If too much is left hanging, the plug may get ripped out as you ride. Now fill the tire up with air, check the pressure, and continue to ride. Good luck!

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Here is some more information that you might want to take a look at:
4X4REVIEW.COM - Portable Tire Repair Kits

Hey thanks. You can never have too much information

Sounds like some good advise. Keep the lighter fluid away from my polaris bigdaddynate. That would pretty much scare the $h*t out of me. The ratchet strap doesn't sound so bad in comparison.

I have watched the lighter fluid consistently and successfully work but......it was on 40-44 inch super swampers and nobody has tire machines that handle that size. I can't imagine an atv tire handling the explosion though! it would be shrapnel!

if it were me I would give it to my fiane to fix....and I would drink a lemonaide

i seen the lighter fluid trick work a dozen times on all size tires, one time on a atv it exploded with enough force to blow the valve stem out

Can you imagine trying to air up one of these tires with a little hand pump? NO THANKS!!
I'll take one of those little $20 lighter plug inflators. Won't be enough to reseat a bead by itself, but with some work I'm sure it could do it with a rachet strap or a winch if it's all you have.

i've reseated tires with a cheapo 12v just sucks when you don't have a rachet strap, used a rope and some redneck engineerin, instead one time but it was a pain in the ace

Just drive on the rim when you run out of beer.

I have done that!!! But the next day I was kicking myself in the ass because it took me an hour to get all the mud out of the tire so that I could get the tire rest on the rim

Always carry a rachet strap with you and a air compressor. Put the rachet strap around the tire and make it tight and hook up the compressor. Should work fine.

Just drive on the rim when you run out of beer.

-That's possibly the best advice I've ever heard!

I always carry a can of fix-a-flat. I know everyone hates it, but have you ever tried to set the bead on a quad with a little air compressor? Screw that! Just put your knees on the tire to mash it down real good so the bead is close and put the fix to it. (or use a strap) I think it also helps the bead to seal since it's now full of mud and crap. If you're anal about it, you can dismount the tire and clean the fix-a-flat out when you get home. You'll prolly need to anyways to get the mud and water out of your tire.