We Ruined 6 Tires!

While on a road trip through central Nevada we encountered "Goat's Head" thorns that did serious damage to our tires on our car and cargo trailer. We managed to make it back to a small town that had a NAPA Autoparts where we bought a Slime Smart Spare kit as well as several more bottles of Slime 20 Ounce 10012 Emergency Tire Repair Sealant. We ended up needing to use it!
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[@denisekyle6603]

So sorry that you guys went through this, and so very grateful you shared this experience with us, I would have never known about these awful thorns .

[@gonagain]

We've never seen them that bad in any other campsite since then either.

[@GypsyJvan]

that slime is decent stuff..iv used it the 4 wheelers..thanks rick, for sharing.. ..Gypsy..

[@mrs.onyango6504]

Thank you for the tire repair kit reccomendation. Slime’ I’ll try it.

[@markreynolds3850]

Thanks for sharing this information.

[@dncook1955]

I hunt in South Texas and my hunting buggies tires are full of Mesquite thorns, never a leak down due to Slime, some people hate it but I am sold on it. Thanks for sharing.

[@gonagain]

That's where i learned about it, from the Arizona riders.

[@stephaniejames6672]

Thorns: Nature's Ninja move.

[@gonagain]

It may have been nails scattered on the ground for the damage it did. But, if it isn't thorns it's always going to be something else trying to get ya! It's what makes life interesting, I guess.

[@jodyseaman1885]

Good advise, I will get a slime kit.

[@carolmaplesden916]

great info thank you

[@tonyyost7125]

Good job....GREAT info......t

[@gonagain]

Thanks, Tony.

[@garybalanesi610]

Out of walla walla, we had goatheads.. sharp, nasty..

[@phillipmorris1334]

hello from the Ozarks! another manadatory tool to have when boondocking. I use it in mower tires too! great stuff! Grace be with you!

[@melaniewestberg2886]

These are part of the Caltrop (yes, those caltrops) family of vines. We call them puncture vines, lost five tires in ten feet once. Bad news, long walk to the home ranch after midnight.

[@gonagain]

Nasty buggers for sure!

[@tome7323]

It looks like you have a nice rig

[@gonagain]

Thanks Tom and thank you for watching our videos.

[@lindycorgey2743]

My Buddy's Dad was a teenager during WW2 in a small Texas Town. The local Garage had gotten 4 brand new tires. The first new tires in years. Everyone was looking and smelling the new tires.

[@gonagain]

That's right, tires were rationed! Thanks for the story Lindy.

[@ajwilson605]

I kept getting Mesquite thorns in my ZTR tires, SLIME saved me from constant tire repairs.

[@gonagain]

Those are some really tough thorns.

[@jimb5113]

@@gonagain Thorns in my yard are bad for mower tires. Plugs are good for them. Carry plug kits in cars.

[@357bullfrog2]

All 6 at once. That's a hard lick on the bill fold. Glad you got it going.

[@gonagain]

The only thing that kept it from bothering me too much is that they all were scheduled to be replaced in the near future anyway. Thanks for watching 357 bullfrog!

[@marvinspevack8238]

Good video Rick. Think I got my slime kits from Walmart for about $20. In keeping with your ATV video, I keep one In each 4 wheeler. Glad we dot have goat heads here in Montana.

[@gonagain]

We've seen goatheads before in other states, like Hawaii, but never that big!

[@Jay-pc6jx]

Wonder if that slime will freeze up in extreme cold. Carry plugs also.

[@gonagain]

I don't think so. It would be dangerous for car tires if it did freeze. Good question and I would read the label for that answer as well.

[@wildernessone6558]

Thanks for the info. At least you were not stuck on the side of the road. I'm on my way to pick up some slime.🚘

[@gonagain]

We were pretty nervous backtracking into town. What a strange thing to happen. Thanks for watching Wilderness One.

[@jodyseaman1885]

That slime looks like a good product to carry. Looks easier than changing to a spare.

[@AlamoCityCello]

Good content, THANKS!

[@astrodb4487]

Be careful, Slime damages the rims. When you replace the tires, get the rims thoroughly cleaned. Found this out the hard way.

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Battle Mountain, I fly over it often , seems like the middle of no where, never thought of landing.

[@gonagain]

It IS the middle of nowhere... with a NAPA store, thank goodness.

[@georgehayduke6717]

Those tires still look good

[@poppie1414]

We live with these damn things Can’t move a vehicle without getting them

[@gonagain]

Those things are just nasty.

[@bacrdi52]

Great video. i've carried slime for my side-by-side for years. (and a 12volt pump)

[@arlienelson1609]

What a nightmare! This is one of the worst scenarios I've heard for camping adventures.

[@gonagain]

We definitely look for that weed whenever we get off road now!

[@tguthrie1121]

So scary to have something like that happen! I am glad you both made it home safely and I am thrilled and grateful for your advice and recommendation of Slime! Safe travels!

[@gonagain]

It was unsettling to say the least! Thanks PM!

[@explorer867]

Dang Rick, I've put plenty of nails, sharp rocks, glass, and in one incident a large chunk of metal through a tire, but never all the tires at one time on my outfit. Always good to have a repair kit, and way to inflate your tires. Great video!

[@gonagain]

Thanks Rob, it was a bad experience for sure.

[@daleslover2771]

Explorer 867 man wouldn't that be a nightmare, wake up in the morning and all six of your tires are sitting on the rims. Way out there in bugtussle nowhere! You think they would would post a sign stating something to the effect (if you don't have tank tracks. don't go past this point!)

[@gonagain]

@@daleslover2771 Nevada is being overtaken by this noxious weed. Not good.

[@explorer867]

@@daleslover2771 Yes, for sure. Just reinforces The adage "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

[@daleslover2771]

Gonagain woe I didn't know that, spent a lot of time in Tonopah Nevada, doing test in the military, when I had time off we were doing a lot of gold mining & prospecting. All around Manhattan Goldfield and such, never seen those barbs before. Boy that be a freaking nightmare 60 miles out in the desert getting 4 flats.

[@markreynolds3850]

Thanks for sharing this, I never had that happen.or used that product.

[@gonagain]

It's another tool in the shed for your emergency kit and I think it's better than Fix-a-flat. Thanks for watching Mark!

[@justmona9647]

Thanks Rick! You've convinced me!

[@gonagain]

It might keep you from getting stranded Mona.

[@justmona9647]

@@gonagain Exactly why you convinced me👍

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Slime works very well. I used to own a bicycle shop and have used slime on hundreds of bike tires. The thing to know about slime is that is very corrosive to aluminum so if you use it with aluminum wheels get the hole fixed and remove the slime and also know that it is extremely messy and hard to clean up. I am not trying to discourage its use just letting you all know more about it. It defiantly works if you use it properly. I carry a bottle of it with me on all my motorcycles.

[@gonagain]

I wasn't aware that it was corrosive to aluminum. Thanks for informing me!

[@larryvanbarriger5628]

Slim always worked good for me, fix a flat runs out of air or the hose always pops off the can. Good video, thanks.

[@gonagain]

Thank you for watching Larry.

[@billthompson5644]

1. If you go to a Napa you get a discount for using a AAA card. 2. I had one of those Slime compressors worked really great. I foolishly let it run too long and it burned it out. Great video packed full of knowledge which could be life-saving thank you.

[@gonagain]

I think that compressor took about ten minutes to fill the tire, but it was ok. Thank you Bill!

[@wkndwarrior8935]

Make sure you have one for the 4wheeler to /happy trails

[@terrymoseley168]

Good info, thank u. Had never heard of Slim before, but will be getting it soon. God bless

[@gonagain]

It's good stuff. Thanks Terry!

[@snowdogs01]

A friend carries a "Slime kit" on his Honda Foreman, which came in pretty handy earlier this summer. The only down side in auto use is the TPMS sensor get murdered, a small price to pay for getting home!

[@gonagain]

Yes, that's right! But my old car doesn't have those so it was ok. Thanks for watching Don.

[@explorer867]

Don, Glad you pointed out the need to always carry slime and a way to inflate your ATV tires while out in the back country. Most of the time your the only rescue you'll find out there. As the Boy Scout Motto states Be Prepared.

[@robert48044]

I:m a big fan of green slime. It'll buy you some time.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

I put one of those in my truck and wife's vehicle also in my side X sides. Buy the kits at walmart, I think only $20.00.

[@gonagain]

I hope to not need it, but know that I will again someday.

[@troytroy3421]

Do your "Tire Guy" a favor and let him know in advance that you slimed your tires. He/She will appreciate it.

[@wrxs1781]

Bought the kit, for emergency use.

[@gonagain]

The air pump died after many uses, so I'm looking for a replacement.

[@rodneyhowell2703]

Thanks for the info on those dang "Goat Head thorns. I got one in my foot.they hurt

[@gonagain]

That would be bad. I'm still getting them out of the soles of my shoes.

[@rodneyhowell2703]

I sure hope your pets dont get stuck by them as its extremely painful for them. Be safe my friend

[@jimmybutler3728]

When I had to use fix a flat, I jacked up tire put the fix a flat in spun my tire and added air to the proper pressure, spun it again it held well no problem till I wanted to up grade my tires, I think spinning the tire helps coat the inside of the tire best, what do you think? about my way of doing it...

[@gonagain]

I think that's a good way. Probably better than driving twenty feet or so on a flat to do the same. I guess it depends on your situation at the time.

[@jimmybutler3728]

@@gonagain It all depends on what kind of problem you come up with...

[@gonagain]

@@jimmybutler3728 Yep!

[@randyowens2717]

Like! Nice video.

[@gonagain]

Thanks Randy!

[@tomilee78]

I also had hundreds of goat heads on my tires, but it has been okay so far for last few months. I guess my time to replace my tires will come sometime later.

[@tome7323]

I have one of those slim kits and I also have a plug kit the places I go not to many places that fix tires anymore

[@occamsrazor7939]

I have used fixaflat for years. I keep a tire pump and cans of fixa flat in my truck all the time. I have never tried the slime. I got a hole in my tire 4 months after using fixaflat. I could see fixaflat seeping out of the hole. After I got off work that day, I just knew it was going to be flat, but it wasn't. The hole was sealed and I didn't have to put anymore fixaflat in the tire.

[@TheMobileHomestead]

Wow what a Nightmare ! Glad you made it home OK ... we just replaced the four tires on our van that pulls the trailer we live in .. hurts when you're on a fixed income but when it's your home what else can you do ...that slime looks interesting , were still looking for a big enough compressor that will work with our large van tires though...

[@gonagain]

This little one was all that was available to me at that NAPA store that day, but it worked. It took about 10 minutes to get enough air in to get me going.

[@johnthompson5792]

good stuff, people should remember now to check parking area before just pulling in, you & Linda dodged a bullet on that trip,,, a whole new set of tires ain't pocket change,,, be well out there!

[@gonagain]

Part of the problem was that our tires were on the thin side anyway, but what a lesson!

[@Canoecamper]

Your videos are great and I really appreciate the help! Have to take issue though with the cover photo for this video about tires ruined by cactus. Cover photo shows “How to Ruin Your Tires” while you hold a picture not of the PROBLEM but of the SOLUTION, which is misleading. I have no connection to the company, just to a sense of fairness, so feel a fairer cover photo would say: “SLIME SMART SPARE to the Rescue After We Ruined Our Tires on Cactus!”

[@scottgorman7166]

Carry the slime on my bicycles but never thought to carry it for the vehicles. Great heads up....thanks. while watching this video and others I see and remember you added another hasp for your cam bar....can you tell me what you used for backing behind the sheet aluminum?

[@gonagain]

Hi Scott. I put plywood in the wall that filled the one inch gap between the aluminum and the interior paneling and then thru-bolted it.

[@scottgorman7166]

@@gonagain thank you sir

[@gregoutdoors7]

"Slime" to the rescue! I had to put that stuff in my tractor tires, I have thorn problems on some of my property. Glad you made it home ok. Got any snow at ur place yet?

[@gonagain]

Oh yeah! We had 8 inches last week, and some of that is still around, with more on the way this coming Wednesday. Thanks Greg!

[@robertgullickson8758]

I’ll bet the tire store hates to see that stuff inside a wheel! Too bad about those tires. It looks to me like you had plenty of tread left. Thanks for your video

[@gonagain]

They didn't say anything to me, but I figure they must be used to cleaning the stuff out. Thanks for watching Robert!

[@terrimccain9697]

Maybe I need a kit

[@gonagain]

You sure do! The instructions in the kit were good and it was easy to use. Thanks for watching TERRI!

[@macexpert7247]

I use a scuba tank with a regulator to inflate tires. Fast and no power needed (until its empty...)

[@searcy95]

Will my Chevrolet Colorado With A 4 Cylinder Vortech Pull A 6X10 Trailer ? Not Planning On Traveling Like You Do. All Under 250 Miles Round Trip.

[@gonagain]

Most likely it would. Be sure and check the tow rating on the truck.

[@pastorjustin4181]

Found those thorns/stickers from kansas city to tucson at many rest stops also kc down to florida and florida to tucson along I10 reststops. Its a very bad thing government highway departments in on in my opinion.

[@gonagain]

Yeah Pastor Justin, they're starting to spread in Nevada as a noxious weed. They're about as nasty as there is.

[@noahmercy-mann4323]

Slime, Berryman's, or one of the other products like that with the fiber or rubber bits in it are FAR superior to the old aerosol flat repairs. As long as you have a compressor or even a foot pump, you are good to go! A plug kit is also a must-have if you like to get off the beaten path. Glad you didn't lose too much mileage off those tires...even gladder you noticed what was going on and didn't get out on the highway and suffer a catastrophic failure. Safe travels!

[@gonagain]

Thanks for the reminder, I need to get a new plug kit.

[@bertkelly7650]

I've had bad luck with slime. Tried it on my tractor tire, fail. Tried it on a car tire, fail and my bike had slime in it, also failed. Your tire changer will hate you for putting that in. Those tire repair plugs do work.

[@gonagain]

Thanks for the info Bert. I carry plugs too, but in this case they wouldn't have helped. I still need to replace my trailer tires before this spring because you see all the thorn stems in the rubber. No getting them out.

[@sherylbentley3724]

Only $ 27.19 on AMAZON

[@bigmac3006]

Just a gentle FYI, check out the projectfarm toutube channel, he does a test on all the tire anti flat products. I think your the type of guy that will appreciate his tests. Great video by the way!

[@gonagain]

I'm a fan of his channel myself!

[@robertphillips93]

Great advice -- thank you! But I thought the moral of the story was going to be: "Make sure goat head thorns are on your navigator's be-on-the-lookout-for list . . ."

[@gonagain]

You got that right!

[@musiholictara]

Just a tip. I would like to have seen you show us how to remove the Schrader valve and I would have liked for you to show us how to actually use the plugging kit but you didn't have to plug any holes I guess. Also, with Fix-A-Flat can you don't have to remove the Schrader valve. Also, I would have like to hear your tips on where to buy tires, Such as the best place to get replacements under warranty while traveling. Is there a nationwide Tire chain that has convenient locations all over? I don't know. Should I get my tires at Costco in order to have locations nationwide where they could be replaced under insurance plan / warranty? What emergency roadside service do you have? So basically I'm saying I would have liked more comprehensive information about taking care of emergencies with tires. But thank you for your videos and sharing info.

[@gonagain]

Those are good points that you made, but I'm no expert. I always bought at Costco before but there isn't one in the town where I currently live. This time I bought at a regular tire store (Big O Tires) because I think it may be easier to find them in the smaller towns. I'm not suggesting them, but am suggesting that you buy from one that is the most prevalent. Costco is a good choice, but didn't work out for me. In the video I showed that the Slime kit came with a little tool to remove the Schrader valve and it's so simple that I didn't think to video it, you just stick the tool in and unscrew it. I went with the Slime because of comparisons I had seen showing it performed better than Fixaflat and I hope it does! Yeah, I didn't have any large holes to plug myself but would you look that up on KZbin so you know how to do that? It's a good skill to have in a sticky situation. Thanks for watching!

[@hazel555]

It's not as if the people who run that place didn't know about those thorns...or even the other campers; they should have put out a warning.

[@gordonvanlieshout8134]

When I had to use either of those products. Several times in my 70 years. I replaced the tire/s as soon as possible. Balance gets off on tire when used. Not safe at highway speeds for long distances.

[@gonagain]

Thanks Gordon, I can see how that could happen.

[@SkyPodp]

You should’ve stayed with the mitchelin tires . The BF good rich they go flat very easy. And wear out twice as fast at least.

[@gonagain]

I needed something with more grab this time, but I've been using Mitchelin for years and think they're the best.

[@TSunshineful]

Is it one container per tire?

[@gonagain]

Slime comes in different size containers, but 8 ounces should do the trick.

[@dogpatch1826]

Tire blowout at highway speeds? No thank you! Green slime is best hands down. I only wish they'd come up with some sort of plunger system to force it in besides squeezing method. No fun when it's freezing out.

[@gonagain]

Living in Montana, there's always some warm gloves in my kit. Thanks for watching Dog Patch!

[@robert48044]

That would be my only complaint is the squeezing. Not so much the squeezing but its a pain once half to 3/4 is left.

[@gonagain]

@@robert48044 I took the bottle off and let air back into it before starting to squeeze it again. That worked pretty good.

[@jonathanhansen3709]

Those must be exceptionally long ‘Goat Head’ thorns. Had them all over the place were I grew up in California’s San Joaquin Valley. And yes they will puncture bicycle tires as I learned being a paper boy 50 years ago. But I never saw a case of them go through modern steel belted tires. In fact the goat heads we had would, I’m sure, fail to puncture modern Kevlar belted bicycle tires.

[@gonagain]

I think those Kevlar tires are designed to resist pictures like that. The goats head thorns in central Arizona are a lot longer than these that I had to deal with! Almost an inch and very tough. The nasty thing about these is that they are thin, needle sharp and very tough. They passed through the wire mesh on my belted radials no problem.

[@gonagain]

I just read your comment again and I remembered the ones in eastern Washington when I was a kid. They were only about the size of a pea. These are a spreading noxious weed in central Nevada and they're straight out of hades.

[@jonathanhansen3709]

Gonagain Yeh, what your describing is a lot larger than the ones I’ve seen here. Will have to be aware of that before I travel in the future in that area.

[@markanderson1354]

What tires do you run on your Yukon?

[@gonagain]

I'm currently running B.F Goodrich KO2s. Not too noisy and my gas mileage stayed nearly the same, a little drop of maybe .5 mpg as compared to the highway tires I had previously. They were very quiet at first, but after some miles are little noisier, but not bad at all.

[@karenhargis3682]

From start to finish, how long to fix the tire with slime kit?

[@gonagain]

About 20 minutes, including pumping the tire up to 35lbs. Inflating the tire is what took up most of that time.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

this product is not advisable for sailors to use, the guy that changes the tires and installs to new tires, will use language that will make the sailor blush

[@cajunjamis9001]

"Goat's Head Thorn" do they grow on a bush or tree ?

[@gonagain]

They're a creeper vine. Nasty plant that covers the ground completely.

[@Rastus6669]

They are all over southern CA, rarely more than three inches tall, but spreading out to 2 or 3 feet. Bicycle tires are no match for goat heads, and require sealer in goat head country. Stepping in the middle of a goat head plant barefooted is an excruciating experience as well.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

That's terrible! I didn't want to hit the thumbs up button because there is nothing to like about ruined tires. ( I didn't hit the thumbs up ) We carry a tire repair kit ( it wouldn't have helped in your case ) with tire plugs and we have a compressor. I used to work at a tire shop , so I'm familiar with plugging tires. I should pick up some slime too , thanks for the tip.

[@gonagain]

I got educated about using slime while riding our ATV down around Quartzsite. The ground cactus is bound to get you so you put it in your tires as a preventative measure. When are you guys heading further south?

[@scenicdriveways6708]

@@gonagain Awhile back this guy did a great video on tire sealant. That's for the reminder , I need to get some. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmaniJt_e5aWZq8

[@GlassByThaddeus]

I hope you out 10 ply tires on the trailer! Slime rocks! I've been using it for like 30 years

[@gonagain]

I always put the best tires I can find on the trailer. I think these old ones are 8 ply, but I'll look for 10. Thanks Thaddeus M!

[@GlassByThaddeus]

@@gonagain I found that most trailer tires are junk these days. Most are asian, nuff said. 10ply tend to last longer and with all the miles you put on it, you need good tires.

[@gonagain]

@@GlassByThaddeus Yes, they are all pretty bad. I got good service out of this last set, put the chances of finding the same ones again are slim. It may be better to go to 16 inch rims so that LT tires will fit.

[@GlassByThaddeus]

@@gonagain Watch if it isn't designed for radial tires it may sway behind you. I had that happen too

[@gonagain]

@@GlassByThaddeus Good to know!

[@kenactofkindness4017]

goat heads ?never thought of goat heads on my tires

[@gonagain]

Ken, I hope to never run over these things again and will be very careful in the future to avoid getting even close. I still need to buy new trailer tires.

[@stevecastro22]

WOW, talk about having a bad day. So sorry, but on the bright side, no one was hurt.....

[@gonagain]

Yes, and we made it all the way home! Still need to buy new tires for the trailer before heading out again.

[@oasisofspirit1991]

ALWAYS KEEP 2 GREEN SLIME KJTS IN VEHICLE! THEY CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!

[@bencuraza6503]

My question how did Linda know what your tires were up against. Was there a Sign ? Was it because She had them All Over Her shoes ?? What triggered the Alarm because you did not have a flat until you were back home and the culprits seemed tiny in the Vid. Just wondering. Great Vid and Thx for Sharing.

[@gonagain]

Great questions Ben. Linda was out of the car directing me back into the camping spot and she noticed that the tires were fully covered in a layer of those thorns. They were up to a half inch long and dried out so they were stiff like a tack. Tough little things too. What the alarm was about is that we had thousands of them in the tires that couldn't be removed and I knew that as we drove the thorns would only go in deeper. I still haven't replaced my trailer tires but will do so before this coming spring. it's easy to see them in the tire and is what I showed in my video after we got home. We found out that Nevada has a problem with them in that particular area and we now know what to look for. Our only saving grace is that this was the last trip on all our tires anyway.

[@bencuraza6503]

Gonagain That makes more sense and Thx for the Quick Reply and VALUABLE LENSON to LEARNED for ALL. ENJOY the Holidays !!!

[@paulskystoneadventures]

👍👍👌👌

[@arithia5874]

Good to know for those trying to save a buck staying in the non developed blm lands, to be prepared for the given dangers. Might want to address these dangers more in your videos, before some stumble out there and get themselves into a dangerous situation. You have a good skill set, probably better than most.

[@georgehayduke6717]

Why spend the slime money . Just get new.

[@gonagain]

I got new, as soon as I got back to civilization. Some of those thorns were half an inch long. Nasty things.