How dangerous is this? Sidewall puncture

Last weekend, I picked up a sidewall puncture while off road. It was a small hole so I patched it on the side of the trail and was able to make it home about 100 miles away without issue. I didn’t have my spare with me as I expected this to be a fire road trail - turns out there were some minor rocky sections with sharp rocks that I believe caused the puncture.

Not sure if there are any tire experts here, but how dangerous is it to keep it as a spare to limp home in case I lose another tire while out? I’m leaning towards replacing it, but man are these tires expensive! I value my life and the lives of others over a tire, but just wanted to ask if there is any chance to save this thing (and $500).

Here is a photo of the patch.

 

Personally, I would not risk it. I would just bite the bullet and buy another.

 

Replace!!

 

I'd replace it. I've had to limp home with plugs on the sidewall shoulder like this and it sucks. A tire shop wouldn't even have plugged this probably, for what it's worth.

Even if you keep it as a spare, if you run this tire deflated at all the plug can pop out where it is.

 

While it's possible to avoid catastrophe by driving carefully on that as a spare, the thing I'd worry about is putting it on to limp home only to have it blow out and find yourself stranded. Side walls flex a lot and thats why tire shops won't patch or plug them.

Get it replaced. Get a used tire if you can, ask a few tire shops if they have any decent ones for cheap.

 

Unfortunately, I'd say toss it. Like @Darkness said, a tire shop won't touch it. I buy my tires from Discount Tires Direct and buy the certs for them. Great prices when they have sales and they're delivered to my door. I've destroyed 2 tires and thanks to the certs DTD has sent brand new replacements w/o hesitation. Well worth the $40 extra dollars/ tire.

 

If you off-road buy your tires from 4wheel parts with warranty. Their warranty covers side wall gashes from off-roading

 

Sorry @pandapro, tire is done. Sidewall punctures are makers of dead tires.

 

If money is a concern, find a used tire as a spare.

 

Sidewall punctures severely decrease the integrity of the tire. Definitely replace it. As much as a sidewall flexes, you don't want it blowing out and you end up with more damage to the truck.

 

Don't forget to check the date on any used tire purchase.

 

Unfortunately as others have said, that tire is only safe for a backyard swing now.

 

I'd keep it as a spare, have it patched/vulcanized properly from the inside.

Heck - besides not plugging a sidewall, many places won't plug within 1" or so from inside/outside edges!

Now in my younger days, I would drive with a nail for thousands of miles, you know it wouldn't leak or anything just was a nail going round and round....

 

This is what I've done for years and continue to this day. The tire I have as a spare now is a used one. $100.

 

I am constantly picking up punctures in the scrap yard. Used tire shouldn't cost you more than $40 a piece and as long as your not long distance, highway speeds, theyr fine.

But hey... Ive seen worse

 

Now that is a helluva trail survival story

 

Thanks guys, you all confirmed my thoughts. Did a bit more research since this post and found sidewall punctures renders a tire useless.

Back to discount tire I go. Maybe will not be a cheap ass and buy a cert this time…

 

I buy them everytime. It feels like taking one on the chin but when you need to use it, they don't balk.