Can 13 Inch Trailer Tires and Wheels be Used in Place of 4.80-12 Tires and Wheels

Updated 03/21/2016 | Published 03/20/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 13" x 4-1/2" Rim - 4 on 4 - Galvanized

(722)

$55.77

Provider ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(1094)

$95.54

Question:

My boat, motor and a full tank of gas weighs about 1450 lbs. The measurement of the inside of my trailer fender front to back at the bottom is 27. I currently have 4.80 - 12 tires with 4 bolts on 4 inch center. Can I mount 4.80 - 13s on the trailer? If so, do you offer an M speed rated tire with the appropriate load rating on a galvanized wheel? Thanks AGAIN!!

asked by: Mark A

Expert Reply:

In terms of the space you have available between the fenders and the tire tread you could go to a 13 inch tire (there isn't a 4.80-13 so it would have to be an ST175/80R13). But the 13 inch tire will be 2.22 inches wider than what you have now meaning the tire inner sidewall will be 1.11 inches closer to the trailer. If you have more than 1.11 inches between the existing inner sidewall and the trailer frame/body then you can go with a 13 inch tire by also switching to 13 inch wheels.

If you want a galvanized wheel then you can use # AM20224 and tire # TTWTRTM1758013C. This tire does have an M speed rating for 81 miles per hour. It is rated for 1,360 pounds at 50 psi.

expert reply by: Michael H