Ok tyre sealant - has anyone got experience?

[Newby Pete]

Hi, I’m thinking of having this tyre sealant fitted rather than carrying a spare wheel as it’s cheaper, lighter, and saves garage space.
My concern is that on a MoHo the wheels are left standing still for long durations between use of the MoHo, so will the wheel balance be affected?

 

[Reallyretired]

No. But they cant fix any serious puncture so not really a good substitute for a spare.

 

[Stealaway]

I had it done to my very first van.
No problem but I never knew if I needed it.
I've also never carried or needed a spare tyre in 10 years and 100k miles.

 

[Phill D]

Sealant is fine for the straight forward puncture you will not even know.
I used it for several years when I did not either have a spare or the payload to carry one.
No issue with balance after layup, no issues with tyre changing which is not the case with the stuff you get in the van puncture repair kits.
If I did not have the space, payload or could not fit in a spare I would not hesitate to use it.
In fact I carry a puncture repair kit made up of puncture seal in case I need a fix in an absolute emergency where changing the spare is unsafe or not possible at that time.
No amount of sealant or anything else will fix a puncture in the side walls.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I have it fitted to all 4 wheeels AND the spare, which I will always carry, because there is no substitute from a blow-out other than a replacement!
But the OK stuff works very well for punctures and even keeps my pressures much more accurately.
Think mine was £140 fitted, done at the Lincoln show in 2019.
Well pleased.

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[Boringfrog]

You say not carrying a spare would save garage space, if I had a garage I would 100% be carrying a spare.

 

[Newby Pete]

No. But they cant fix any serious puncture so not really a good substitute for a spare.

Good point, thanks

 

[Newby Pete]

Sealant is fine for the straight forward puncture you will not even know.
I used it for several years when I did not either have a spare or the payload to carry one.
No issue with balance after layup, no issues with tyre changing which is not the case with the stuff you get in the van puncture repair kits.
If I did not have the space, payload or could not fit in a spare I would not hesitate to use it.
In fact I carry a puncture repair kit made up of puncture seal in case I need a fix in an absolute emergency where changing the spare is unsafe or not possible at that time.
No amount of sealant or anything else will fix a puncture in the side walls.

Thanks Phill D, you covered all the points; I’ll get a spare wheel & tyre as I’ve got space and payload.

 

[Bertilak]

My father, who did the the tyres on Rover's R&D dept (RR & LR), wouldn't go near it. In his mind it could seal a small foriegn object long enough for it to chew a big hole and cause a catastrophic failure. Also you can't repair a tyre with it, so every flat you notice means a new tyre; and there are still punctures it can't do, so you're stuck until the mobile tyre man shows up (and you pay his price). In France that means a pair, too.

 

[poppycamper]

You say not carrying a spare would save garage space, if I had a garage I would 100% be carrying a spare.

Even if I did not have the space something else would be jettisoned to make space for a spare...

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[jumar]

Carry just a spare tyre, changing your own wheel roadside is a very dangerous procedure....when requesting roadside assistance explain your situation and tell them you have a spare tyre as getting a match for your vehicle could be a problem in some locations...

 

[Reallyretired]

The other advantage of just carrying a tyre is that you can store things in it so it effectively occupies little space.

 

[GeordieBoy]

In 2018 when my 4 ton Rapido was some 9 months old after having the tyre sealant injected, I was on a 3 month trip around Greece when on Easter Sunday I suffered a screw in a front drive wheel tyre which deflated overnight. I was able to use the provided tyre pump to get mobile again and drive the 5 miles to the nearest town tyre repair shop only to find it closed for the holiday! What to do? Do I pull the screw out to allow the tyre sealant to work its magic or call the breakdown service?

Some two years later in January 2020 whilst back in the UK after a 2019 3 month tour around France and Italy and lots of UK motorhome trips I replaced the front wheel tyres as part of preparations for a 3 month trip to Scandinavia and remembered my scary decision to pull out that screw and not to allow it to spoil my wonderful motorhome holidays. Magic stuff that sealant and immediately had the new tyres injected again!

Of course as others have pointed out it cannot handle all situations which is why I also had breakdown insurance. Neither did it prevent the cancellation of the trip to Scandinavia when Covid struck! Maybe next year in my Hymer with its injected tyres and no spare wheel.

 

[TonyEmm]

Hi, I’m thinking of having this tyre sealant fitted rather than carrying a spare wheel as it’s cheaper, lighter, and saves garage space.
My concern is that on a MoHo the wheels are left standing still for long durations between use of the MoHo, so will the wheel balance be affected?

you won’t notice a difference in wheel balance, even if it’s been stood. The way tyre sealant works is, even a few revolutions of the wheel throws the sealant pretty evenly all round the circumference of the tyre.
it seals punctures in the tread pretty well. I had a demo unit when I sold the stuff, and the selling point was to let folk hammer nails into it… then pull them out!
HOWEVER, my old Saab 900 had a blowout at 80mph, with tyres loaded with gunk. It doesn’t work if it’s sidewall damage!!

p.s. Tyrebays hate it, it’s filthy stuff!

 

[Bertilak]

btw, I was told by an expat friend that in France you must have paired tyres on each axle... ie you must renew both at the same time. Thus a single spare doesn't work for them (unless they break the rules... who, the French...?)

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[poppycamper]

btw, I was told by an expat friend that in France you must have paired tyres on each axle... ie you must renew both at the same time. Thus a single spare doesn't work for them (unless they break the rules... who, the French...?)

That has been mentioned here before.... however I am sure the poster said they would replace a single tyre but it HAD to be the same make model etc as the tyre on other end of axle...

 

[HugoBNB]

btw, I was told by an expat friend that in France you must have paired tyres on each axle... ie you must renew both at the same time. Thus a single spare doesn't work for them (unless they break the rules... who, the French...?)

The paired tyres is correct in most countries to the best of my knowledge. But,I am not sure that your friends comment about the single spare is correct. Many cars on the road use a space saver wheel and trye. These are accepted in France. If you have your damaged wheel and tyre in the vehicle, and are going to get it repaired, I think they also accept this. Our MH came without a spare alloy and tyre. We got a steel rim and do have a matching tyre. We did not feel safe relying on a repair kit, particularly overseas.
Safe travels all.

 

[JTharleybob]

Yes, it does affect wheel balance, just had 4 new tyres, we had the sealant done last summer, we were shocked at the amount of the liquid that slips around inside the tyre. This also rots the rims. Our local tyre fitter does a lot of farmers tyres , who use the sealer a lot. He has seen first hand the damage it does. So we will not be having it done on our new tyres. ( the tyre fitter is our nephew so trust him 100%). Hope this helps

 

[ChesterB]

Our latest Hymer does not come with a spare, despite carrying a full toolkit & jack in the back.
Mrs B has just acquired Holts latest offering, a squirt can, especially for larger sized wheels, which says it is good enough for 100 miles and does NOT wreck the tyre, permitting it to be repaired if suitable.
That, and a 12v pump as a back-up, seem the best option in the circumstances.
Cb.

 

[Mad dog]

Green gunk I think it's called. I think it's great stuff, apparently the AA use it mainly because if you get a puncture it will slow the release of air. I keep a bottle in every car, if i get a puncture, I put it in, blow her up & continue on & get her fixed properly when i get chance. Saves getting your spare out. That said, I'd always keep a spare wheel onboard too.

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[Tony50]

I have used it but always wondered if a screw or bolt got in the tyre and damaged the cords around the circumference of the tyre could the tyre go bang when driving at speed although a tyre looks round, when in fairly fast motion the Inertia changes the shape egg like that's why you have the cords to hold the tyre together

 

[Jackd]

Used it on two different motorcycles.
Two puncture’s & two times it failed.
Tyre repair is nightmare after you’ve had this stuff in.

Don’t believe all the hype. God awful product!

 

[Reallyretired]

I have had tyres replaced through wear with the gunk in and its no problem for the tyre places as long as you tell them. Often to save time they push the tyre off the rim while it's still partially inflated, which will then pebble dash the workshop and all in it.

 

[Peregrinator]

Hi, I’m thinking of having this tyre sealant fitted rather than carrying a spare wheel as it’s cheaper, lighter, and saves garage space.
My concern is that on a MoHo the wheels are left standing still for long durations between use of the MoHo, so will the wheel balance be affected?

Bear in mind, that it can block your valves, also will damage your tyre pressure sensors (if installe), there is no excuse for not calling a mobile tyre fitter, motorhomes are just too expensive to risk damage, plus only works on small punctures, and if works successful, you may not know you actually have a problem.