I am planning a trip from the east coast to the middle of Kansas in a week or so. It's about 1200 miles in each direction. Much of the trip will be done at night. What do you run flat guys do in these cases to guard against getting stuck in the boonies with a flat. I DO NOT wnat to be stranded in BFE for a couple of days trying to get a flat repaired or a tire replaced.

Do the aerosol flat fixers work?

Are they recommended?

What about a 12v air pump...any carry one of those?

What are you guys doing about this?

 

personally for cross country trips like that, my first option would be to
take my other car. lol

i always carry a fix-a-flat, air compressor, and phone in the car
when motoring my MINI. if i had to take it cross country, i would
probably carry a donut.

 

I ditched the runflats and carry a spare off a 2005 Chevy Cobalt as a spacesaver spare. I found 10+ of them at local parts yards for $50-60, brand new. I also carry the 12v compressor, as well as a can of fix a flat, just for the heck of it and to have some options. At least if its a slow leak, and the pressure light comes on, you can put some air in it and make it to your destination without changing the tire. So to me the small compressor is worth carrying.

Bag courtesy of www.njbaglady.com

Runflats or not, I think its cheap security to carry the spare. I usually lay it flat in the back with the seats down and a couple tie downs holding it in place, and pack the luggage around it.

http://www.coopahs.com/images/NJBagL...aretirebag.jpg

http://www.coopahs.com/images/MCS-Co...e/spare-on.jpg

 

I haven't made any trips with mine yet but I did buy two extra runflats from a fellow NAMer who had them taken off at delivery time. I intend to take one with me as a spare along with my compressor and tire repair kit. In the meantime, I'm using the two extra tires in my tire rotation.

 

I am still wrestling w/ the issue, and took my 1st trip (1400 m.) w/ only a 12v compressor I got at Walmart for about $10. Guess I should get some fix-a-flat. I don't think I would resort to carrying another tire in the back seat. What I have thought about was a spare tire carrier that would fit into the trailer hitch receiver I have not gotten yet (...it could pivot down so you could open the boot...vendors?? Anybody wanna run w/ this one....)

 

My wife and I just drove ours MCSa cross country. Should be fine with just some puncture seal. I carry that in the RX7 since the spare doesn't fit over the big brake kit :D

 

Thanks for the tips guys...I've picked up a kit at PEP Boys that includes a can of goo and a 12v pump, both packaged in a vinyl carrying bag for $20. I may decide in the future to pick up a space saver spare or a spare from a Cooper, if I ever run across one.

 

A little more pricey but refills are only @25 found at tirerack

 

Im getting ready to replace (by need) 2 tires and was seeing how much run flats cost and about had a heart attack. Im use to 50-90 for a tire... but esh...Im gonna get a flat repair kit and a pump... and 4 new non run flats for a few $ less than 2 run flats. I have only had to use a donught once in my life... I hope it stays that way!! but at least Ill have the repair kit if needed.

 

does that have the goo in it already?

 

If you're speaking of the ContiComfortKit, yes it does. Goo refills are $25, and the compressor is reusable of course. I got it for my M Roadster when I had to use the very similar M-Mobility Kit and BMW wanted $135 for a replacement. I think someone on this forum told me about this one.

 

That is the reason that I stayed away from the "S". No room for a spare, and the cost of the runflats. Guess that I am too practical.

Our MINI is on the line now to be made. Will see her the first of November.

 

Small price to pay for roughly 50 extra HP!