Spare 4.80-12 Trailer Tire and Wheel for Utility Trailer Used as a Kayak Trailer

Question:

I recently purchased a new Karavan KHD-2000 5foot x 8foot utility trailer with 12 x 4.8 Load Star C rated tires with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern. The trailer is used as a kayak trailer with cargo boxes and two fishing kayaks. The max weight being carried is around 400 lbs. Due to the light weight the trailer really bounces when it hits pot holes, rail road tracks and dirt roads. I need to purchase a spare tire and noted that Kenda makes a 12 x 4.8 B rated tires that are only inflated to 60 psi. Would replacing the 90 psi tires with the 60 psi tires improve the ride of the trailer? Are these tires good for highway speeds?

asked by: Mark C

Expert Reply:

The problem that you are having is due to the trailer suspension not being compressed enough from the light load. Changing tire load ranges will not help in this case. You could change the trailer suspension but then you would have to be very careful not to overload the trailer so I do not recommend that.

The other option is to put more weight on the trailer so it compresses the suspension a little more. This will help prevent the ride from being so stiff and jarring when you go over pot holes, railroad tracks, and dirt roads.

For a spare tire and wheel I recommend sticking with the load range C so the spare matches your other tires. On a galvanized wheel with 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern that would be # AM30670. The tire for this one is rated for 65 miles per hour so this is a good tire for highway speeds and it will match your other tires.

I also recommend a spare tire carrier such as # FSTC1000301 so the spare is out of the way. This carrier will fit frames up to 3 inches wide and 4 inches tall. I have included links to videos on the tire and carrier for you.

expert reply by: Michael H