Looking For 4.80-12 Tires That Have A Speed Rating Higher Than 55 mph

Updated 05/29/2025 | Published 05/17/2025

Question:

Ive got a utility trailer that I want to convert for my kayak. The tires are rated of 55mph. Can I upgrade the tires so it can be used on the hwy? 4.80/4.00 /12 with a 4 bolt pattern. The trailer has specs on the plate that also say 4.8-12. Does that mean I can’t upgrade the tires? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Johnathan H

Expert Reply:

Hello Jonathan, thanks for reaching out. If you want to stick with the 4.80-12 tires, we do have The Kenda # AM10062 that has a 65 mph speed rating. This would allow you to drive at highway speeds without any concerns.

it may be possible to upgrade to a larger tire, but the main thing to keep in mind is the clearance in the wheel well area. You want at least 3" between the tire and the fender, and at least 1" between the inside of the tire and the frame of the trailer. So if you can measure the clearance with the current tire setup, that will tell us if you can do larger tires, and what size would work.

I hope this helps. Hit the reply button below and let me know if there is anything else I can do.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Kenda K353 Bias Trailer Tire
(click to enlarge)

Johnathan H.

5/29/2025

Thank you for your help. I would like to buy the rim also. Do I need to upgrade the bearings ? If I have to buy a new bearing assembly which would you recommend?

Jesse M.

5/29/2025

@JohnathanH Hello! You need a 4-lug wheel, correct? If so, we do sell that Kenda on a galvanized steel wheel as part # AM30630. You would not need to upgrade or change your bearings to use the new tires. If you want new bearings we can definitely help, but I do not have a way to know exactly what you need without more info. If you can tell me the weight capacity of your axle, that will help to narrow things down. If you can take a look at your hubs there should be a part number cast onto it. In most cases we can use this to pull up your bearing info. If that fails, the best bet will be to remove a hub and pull out the bearings. Get the number stamped on the edge of each bearing or you can measure the ID with a micrometer, or measure the part of the spindle where the bearing rides. Get me that info and I am happy to look into it and see what we can do.