Commercial pickup trucks often drive through active worksites. These worksites can pose some unique risks when it comes to the condition of a truck's tires.

It's not uncommon for a commercial truck tire to experience some type of penetration damage. This damage is usually caused by a nail or screw that penetrates through the outer rubber of the tire and punctures the inner seal.

Truck tires are not cheap, so replacing a punctured tire may not always be the most feasible option. An experienced tire technician can repair a punctured tire by applying either a patch or a plug.

There are many factors that you must take into consideration before choosing between patches and plugs to ensure you select the repair option that will best meet your needs over time.

1. Hole Shape and Location

The first factors you will want to consider when choosing a repair method for your truck tire are the shape of the hole and its location on the tire.

Tire plugs are thin strips of leather coated in a rubber polymer that can be inserted directly into a hole in your truck tire. This design makes tire plugs a great option for repairing penetration damage that is located away from the sidewall of the tire.

Plugs should only be inserted into holes with a round shape to ensure a proper seal.

Tire patches are pieces of rubber with adhesive backs. Since you don't have to insert a tire patch, the shape of the hole in your truck tire doesn't matter. A patch can be used in almost any location, as long as there are no other patched or plugged holes nearby.

Use the shape and location of a nail or screw hole to help you choose between a plug or a patch when repairing your truck tires.

2. Durability

Commercial pickup trucks are used for a variety of heavy-duty tasks. This means that the repair method used to address penetration damage in your truck tire must be able to withstand the heavy workload the truck faces each day.

Durability should always be a factor that is used to decide between tire patches and tire plugs.

Patches are only as durable as the adhesive compound used to adhere them to the surface of your tire. Exposure to the elements can cause the adhesive to lose its tackiness over time. Use a patch to repair tires that are approaching the end of their usable lifespan.

Plugs seal a tire from the inside out, making them more reliable than patches on a long-term basis. A plug is the better repair approach when the damaged tire is relatively new.

3. Safety

Tires play a critical role in the safety and performance of any commercial truck. The last thing you want to do is use a repair method that will compromise the safety of your commercial truck.

Experts suggest that you always rely on an experienced tire technician to complete any penetration repairs.

Technicians will be able to remove the tire from your truck and evaluate its condition on both the interior and exterior surfaces. This information can be used to determine which type of repair, if any, will preserve the safety and integrity of the tire.

Trust the recommendation of your tire technician since they have the experience and real-life knowledge needed to determine which type of repair will not compromise the safety of your commercial truck in the future.

Repairing a commercial truck tire can help you avoid the expense of purchasing a new tire when you accidentally run over a nail or screw. Weigh your options carefully to determine whether a tire plug or a tire patch is best suited to restore your damaged commercial truck tire. Contact a company that offers truck tire repair services to learn more.