Can a 4.80-12 Sized Tire be Replaced with a Tire for a 14 Inch Rim

Updated 07/05/2017 | Published 07/03/2017

Question:

I have a 5 x 8 lowes trailer it has 480 x 12 tires I wonder if I can put 14 inch tire and rims on it thanks

asked by: Steve G

Expert Reply:

You'll need to take some measurements to know for sure. You need to make sure your trailer has enough clearance because the you'll be going up to a 205/75-14 sized tire which is quite a bit larger. You also need a rim to fit the new tire and it'll have to match your trailer's current bolt pattern.

The new tire, like the Kenda # AM3S450 that's on a 14 inch rim, will be about 6 inches larger in diameter and about 3 inches wider than your current tire.

You want about 3 or 4 inches of space between the tire tread and the underside of the fender as well as about 2 inches between the tire's sidewall and the inside of the wheel well to avoid the tire making contact with the trailer.

expert reply by: Charles S