Replacing 4.80-8 Trailer Tire with a 4.80-12 Trailer Tire and Wheel Combination

Updated 10/28/2010 | Published 10/27/2010

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C

(7492)

$87.87

Question:

I have 4.80 x 8 tires on my 4 x 8 utility trailer. I am wanting to upsize to 4.80 x 12. The hub is 4 on 4 bolt pattern and the OD hub diameter is 2.5. All of the 4.80 x 12 tires and rims that I have found have like a 2.75 OD hub diameter. Do they make a 12 rim for a 2.5 OD hub?

asked by: Troy

Expert Reply:

It is possible that there exists a 4.80-12 Tire and Wheel combo with a 2.5 inch pilot diameter. All of the ones we carry are 2.8 to 2.84. A larger pilot diameter will not matter as long as the wheels are stud piloted or lug centric (meaning the wheels are centered on the hub by the lug nuts). If not, then the pilot diameter will need to match the hub (hub centric). A hub centric wheel will use wheel bolts that go through the wheel and into the hub instead of lug nuts.

One thing you will need to keep in mind is that going from a 4.80-8 to a 4.80-12 means that the larger size will be 5 inches taller than your existing tires. You will need to make sure there is enough clearance for this larger size (20.7 inch diameter for a 4.80-12).

If this larger size will fit, I recommend the Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12 Inch White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C, # AM30620. This tire and wheel have a capacity of 990 pounds at 90 psi. Trailer tires should always been inflated to their maximum psi rating for best performance.

expert reply by: Michael H