Reply to "Grrrr-nail in my 305/50-15" :("

I agree with Doug on the internal patch. When you see how much bigger the plug tool diameter is than the original nail hole, you have to force that tool into the nail hole which probably increases the hole size double or triple which tears the internal tread plys apart doing more damage that you originally had. When I was in high school I worked at a gas station and did some plugging and internal patches on tires. To get the plug tool through the tire so you could insert the plug, you really had to apply some major force and you could hear and feel the tread structure tearing apart as you went through the case. I would think that follows the comment of JFFR about losing the speed rating. IMO if the internal structure of the tire is altered that trashes the structural integrity. Maybe if they are steel belts there's enough strength that it won't matter, but I have always insisted on intenal patches on my daily drivers and never had problems. Above 80-100mph I would think the forces are pretty high and you could lose the tire. Just my two cents. Good luck.