How To Get Additional Clearance To Run Larger Tires On Karavan 5 x 8 Utility Trailer

Question:

Hello! I have a Karavan 5x8 utility trailer with 4.80x12C wheels and tires. I also have a set of ST 175 80D wheels and tires on hand with the same bolt pattern. I’m considering swapping out for the larger wheels and tires. My only question is clearance. The trailer has plastic bolt-on fenders, but the fender mounts are welded in place. How much clearance do I need between the welded brackets and the tires for this application to work properly? Thank you.

asked by: Wesley L

Expert Reply:

To change the 4.80x12 tires on your Karavan 5' x 8' utility trailer to ST175/80D13 tires you will need need to have 5-6" clearance between the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender, and 2-3" between the inside of the tire to the frame.

The ST175/80D13 is going to be about 3-1/2" taller than your current tires, and about 2" wider than your current tires.

Based on the pictures you provided you will likely not have enough clearance without lifting the trailer.

Not to worry this is pretty easy to do by installing an axle over-under kit. An over-under kit moves the axle from on top of the springs to below them which raises the trailer by the diameter of the axle tube plus the thickness of the leaf spring stack, and will give you the additional clearance you need.

Now you trailer could have a few different axle diameters. If it is 1-3/4" in diameter you will need to piece together your own kit using two spring seats # TRSS175, and U-Bolt Kit # APUBR-10.

If you have a 2-3/8" diameter axle you will need the Dexter over-under kit # K71-384-00.

The new spring seats will need to be welded to your axle by a qualified welder.

I included a few videos of the products mentioned for you to take a look at.

expert reply by: Samuel C

Customer Tire Clearance
(click to enlarge)

Michael

6/26/2024

In the picture, what is the second lower hole in the leaf Spring hanger for? Could I use that hole to raise the trailer bed an inch or so?

Samuel C.

6/27/2024

@Michael I'm not 100% sure what the second hole is for, it does look like another option for the front of the leaf spring to attach to. As long as the spring is long enough to reach that hole, and it's the same diameter hole as the upper hole I don't see any reason you couldn't move the spring down, though moving one end of the spring down around 1" will not raise the trailer bed up 1", you would need to move the front and the back down 1" to raise it. Moving just one side, if you got more than 1/2" I would be surprised.

Michael

6/27/2024

@SamuelC Thanks