Can 4.80/4.00-8 Boat Trailer Tire & 5 on 4-1/2 Wheel be Upgraded to Larger Tire

Updated 07/12/2022 | Published 07/09/2022

Products Featured in This Question

Loadstar 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range C

(7221)

$78.43

Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range B

(7221)

$65.58

Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D

(7221)

$73.45

Question:

I currently have 4.80 x 8 5 lug 4.5 center tires on my boat trailer. Im wondering about going to a larger tire. Do some highway but mainly around town.

asked by: Henry S

Expert Reply:

It may be possible, depending on how much clearance you have - with trailer tires, the general rule of thumb is you want at least 3" of clearance from the top of the tire to your fender and at least 1" of clearance between the inside of the tire and your trailer's frame rail.

A 4.80/4.00-8 tire measures 16.1" diameter when inflated and 4.7" wide, so if you have the clearance you can go to a 5.70-8 tire which is 18" diameter and 5.8" wide, and there are three different load ranges to choose from (the load range is per tire):

- Load Range D (1,075 lbs): Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 # AM30156

- Load Range C (910 lbs): Loadstar 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 # AM30150

- Load Range B (1,075 lbs): Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 # AM30110

expert reply by: Kyle S