Can Tire Size be Increased on Jet Ski Trailer with 2" of Tire-to-Fender Clearance

Published 03/23/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C

(7605)

$63.77

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

(2433)

$168.62

Question:

Hello Jon G. I currently have 4.80x12 tires on the trailer, I would like to run a 14 tire and wheel, but I am not sure about fitment. Thanks,

asked by: Rex C

Helpful Expert Reply:

Thank you for all of the info!

You can safely use a wider tire, but we recommend having 3" - 4" of clearance from the tire to the wheelwell (fender) so that they don't make contact when your suspension moves. I'm not sure what size tire you current have on your 1996 Triton Elite Single Jet Ski Trailer but if you can let me know the tire size I can make a recommendation from the linked selection of tires/tire-wheel combos that fit a 12" wheel.

expert reply by: Jon G

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Rex C.

3/23/2020

Hello Jon G. I currently have 4.80x12 tires on the trailer, I would like to run a 14 tire and wheel, but I am not sure about fitment. Thanks,

Jon G.

3/23/2020

Your 4.80-12 size tire will be 4.8" wide and have an overall diameter of about 20.8". The smallest 14" tire/wheel combo is 205/75-14 which has a width of 7.99" and an overall diameter of 26.1". This means that your fender clearance will be reduced by about 2.5" and your tire will sit about 1.5" closer to your trailer frame. Since we recommend having at least an inch of clearance to your trailer frame I recommend going with a 13" combo instead. For that I recommend the Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel # AM31994 which reduces your fender clearance by about 1.5" and it will sit about 1" closer to your trailer frame. This also is a radial tire so it will perform best on the highway, and it has a galvanized wheel which does a great job at reducing rust and corrosion from water. It has a load range D (1,610 lbs at 65 psi) and a max speed rating of 81 mph. I have attached a review video of this combo for you to check out.