If you didn't get a road hazard warranty with the tires you have nothing to lose by trying�a repair on your own.� Everyone knows about the usual plug-and-glue kits and I have done this on my own (non-Westy) minivan with a puncture on the very shoulder of the tread in an almost-newish tire,�but there is also a more sophisticated mushroom/umbrella-shaped plug that requires a special gun to install.� Of course, you might then�be spending $ close to the price of a replacement tire, but you can plug this one and keep it as a spare.
�
Stephen�

--- On Thu, 10/29/09, John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:

From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Tire Damage Question
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 4:15 PM

Just a short time ago, I bought a set of General Altimax Heavy Load
205/70/R14 M.S tires for my 88 GL. Yesterday I picked up a 1/8 inch dia.
nail through the tire just at the very edge of the tread of the tire -
to the outside of that part that sits on the road. Around here - no one
wants to touch it for a repair.

What is the opinion of The List tire gurus about repairing such damage
as a nail puncture at that location. I hate to give up this brand new
tire. I pulled the tire - but not the nail. The tire never has gone
flat, even as I write now - it's maybe lost a pound of pressure. I drove
for 25 miles on that tire before finding the nail quite by accident.

Thanks.

--
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com