Can a Harbor Freight Boat Trailer with 4.80x8 Tires be Switched to 175/80-13 Trailer Tires

Question:

I have a trailor with 8inch x 4 bolt wheels. From harbor freight, small boat. I want to trail across the US with larger wheels, and with higher speed rating IE- 13 inch. The boat weighs about 200 lbs, motor weighs 84 ibs. Can I change he hubs and wheel, or do I need to change axle as well?

asked by: Lee H

Expert Reply:

There are several things to consider when switching to larger tires and wheels on a trailer. First you need to consider the height difference. On a 4.80x8 trailer tire, you are looking at a diameter of about 16 inches. On a 13 inch, like # AM3S040, the diameter is 26 inches. That 8 inch difference means that the top of the tire will be 4 inches higher than your existing tires. You would need to remove the fenders, if equipped, for the tire to fit.

You also have to consider width. A 4.80x8 is 4.8 inches wide. A 175/80-13 tire is going to be about 6.895 inches wide. With a difference over 2 inches in width, you will need to determine if there is enough space between the tire and trailer for the larger size.

As long as the bolt pattern is 4 on 4, the hubs uses 1/2 inch -20 lug nuts, and the larger size will fit, then you can use the 13 inch tire and wheel listed above with your existing hubs. The capacity of the trailer will still be the same even with larger tires and wheels.

Another option is to go for a different tire that will fit the existing rims on your trailer. All of our trailer tires are rated for up to 65 miles per hour. For a 4.80x8 you can use # AM10002. I have included a link to our tire FAQ article for you.

expert reply by: Michael H