What to Consider Switching from 8 inch Trailer Wheel and Tire to 12 inch

Updated 08/25/2016 | Published 08/24/2016

Question:

I am thinking about changing my 8inch wheels to 12inch on my boat trailer. Total weight of trailer with 2 kayaks is 300 lbs so do not need heavy duty. Bolt pattern is 4x4inch with a center hole that looks to be 2.5. What do you recommend? Cost? Any problems I might run into? Thanks for your expertise.

asked by: Robert P

Helpful Expert Reply:

As long as you have the fender clearance for a taller wheel and tire you certainly can go from a 8 inch wheel setup to a 12 inch setup.

The size of most 8 inch trailer wheel setups are between 16 and 18 inches in overall diameter and for 12 inch wheels the size is between 20 and 21.3 so you would be looking at a difference in fender clearance of somewhere between 1 to 2 inches.

For a white wheel with a 5.30-12 sized tire installed on it you would want the part # AM30790 which has a 4 on 4 inch bolt pattern.

expert reply by: Jameson C