Trailer Tire Upgrade from 4.80-8 to 4.80-12

Updated 07/13/2020 | Published 07/09/2020

Products Featured in This Question

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

(7668)

$93.83

Kenda K371 Bias Trailer Tire - 4.80/4.00-8 - Load Range C

(3877)

$27.82

Question:

Hello. Im restoring a jon boat trailer that uses 4.80-8 tires. Can I replace them with 4.80-12 tire and wheel combo to give a little more clearance? Theres enough room under the fenders.

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

The 4.8-8 tires like # AM10004 are 4.7 inches wide and 16.1 inches diameter. The 12 inch tires like the Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C # AM30620 will have the 4.8 inch width and 20.5 inch diameter. The difference of 4.4 inches will be divided in half for your fender clearance so you will need 2.2 inches more clearance than you have now and also account for suspension travel which we normally recommend 4 inches above the center of the tire to your fender. This does give you the 2.2 inches of increased ground clearance as well.

Most of the time this requires moving fenders higher even though a larger fender isn't needed.

expert reply by: Jason S