Replacement 4.80-12 Tires for Norther Tool Tag-Along Motorcycle Trailer

Published 07/29/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C

(2773)

$134.04

Taskmaster 4.80R12 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range C

(295)

$92.98

Question:

I purchased a Northern Tool Tag-Along trailer for my son to use with his new Harley. The tires are rated at 45 mph. The wheels are 12 inch 4 bolt. What would be a good replacement for interstate driving?

asked by: Dennis

Expert Reply:

From what I found online, the Ultra-Tow tag-along trailer uses a 4.80-12 tire. Trailer tires will typically have a 65 mph speed rating at a minimum, so I don't know if the speed is limited by the tires used or by some other characteristic of the trailer itself. Northern Tool might be able to offer an explanation for this.

The owner's manual for your trailer mentions the 45mph recommended speed limit, but doesn't provide any reasoning for that rather low speed limit. Later though, the manual mentions a 55 mph limit without any explanation.

I'd recommend going with a radial 4.80-12 tire like part # TT48012C. A radial tire will run more smoothly on paved highways and will run cooler than a comparable bias-ply tire so that's what I'd recommend going with for the best highway performance. The tires have an 81mph speed rating.

expert reply by: Mike L