Upgrading from 5.30-12 Tires on Trailer To 13" Tires

Updated 08/24/2022 | Published 08/23/2022

Question:

Hi. I recently got an old handmade trailer that I’m restoring. The previous owner installed some cheap harbor freight 5.30-12 tires-wheel combo. It currently has a 2,000 lb dexter axle. The goal of the trailer is to use as a multi use trailer. main use will be trash runs, moving woodworking machines but we’ll also use it to haul gravel and material and even camping. We live on the outskirts of Tucson so we see highway and dirt roads pretty often. The current distance between axle and fender is about 15 inches but I have a grinder and a welder. What’s is your recommendation for a good and best wheel and tire combo? Thanks in advance.

asked by: Carlos C

Expert Reply:

In order top upgrade tire sizes on a trailer you'll need to be sure you have space to do so, we recommend at least 3" on top of the tire and 1" inside. The next size up from a 5.30-12 is a 175/80-13, the Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel part # AM3S140 is what I recommend if you have the needed space. This combo has a bias ply tire so it will be great for both on and off-road driving. It also has an 81 mph speed rating so the highway will be no issue. The combo measures 24" diameter x 6.6" wide so you'll need to account for this when measuring to determine clearance.

expert reply by: Conner L