Can I Upgrade My 12 Inch Wheels to 14 Inch Wheels with 5 on 4 1/2 Bolt Pattern

Updated 04/02/2019 | Published 04/01/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D

(2390)

$156.46

Question:

Bought trailer with 12” 5 bolt wheels. Will 14” 5 bolt work on it

asked by: Chris F

Expert Reply:

The 14-inch Provider ST205/75R14 Radial Trailer Tire part # TTWA14RWS may work on your trailer as long as you have the space to switch to larger tires. The tires that come on the 12-inch wheels with 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern that we carry are normally tire size 4.80-12. The outer diameter of the 4.80-12 tire size is normally about 20 inches.

The outer diameter of the Contender ST205/75R14 tire on the 14-inch wheel is 26.14". You have to take into consideration that you are possibly losing 3 inches of wheel well clearance. The general rule is you want to keep 3 inches of vertical clearance above the top of the tire to allow for normal travel of the trailer's suspension. Measure from the top of the existing tire to the trailer's suspension. If you have enough clearance to add 6 inches of tire plus 3 inches for clearance than you have enough space for the Contenders.

The general rule for the width of the tire you can use is you need 1 to 2 inches of clearance between the tire's sidewall and the closest part of the trailer. The section width of the tires we carry on a 12-inch wheel is about 4.9 inches. The Contender section width is 7.99 inches. If you measure from the existing tire's sidewall to the trailer and have enough clearance to add 3 inches of tire width and 1 to 2 inches for clearance, then you have enough space for the Contenders.

I recommend using a Karrier Radial ST175/80R13 tire on a 13-inch wheel part # AM31994 because the diameter of the tire is 24 inches and section width is 7 inches. You are more likely to have enough clearance to upgrade to a 13-inch wheel compared to a 14-inch wheel, but you should still measure for clearance to be sure.

expert reply by: Heather A