Can Malone Ecolight Kayak Trailer Swap to Larger Tire Size without Clearance Issues

Updated 09/17/2025 | Published 09/10/2025

Question:

I have a Malone Ecolight kayak trailer that was originally equipped with 4.80/4.00-8 wheels and tires AM30070. To handle rough boat ramps and gravel roads better, I installed larger 5.70-8 wheels and tires AM30100. The larger inflated diameter of 18.1” does clear the fenders. I am planning to start taking the trailer on long trips at interstate speeds 70+mph and would like to install a tire with an appropriate speed rating. I am Looking at the 215/60-8 AM3H323 with speed rating of M/81mph and the inflated outer diameter of 18.1” will clear my fenders, but I am concerned the backspacing will not clear the trailer frame rails. Is there another option with a similar speed rating and a similar outer diameter I am missing? I am trying to avoid ordering a set only to test fit them and find that I don’t have adequate clearance then needing to return them. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Corey B

Expert Reply:

Hey Corey, so the important info you need to know is that you want to keep at least one inch of clearance between the inner sidewall of the tire and the frame of your trailer for enough safe clearance and also that the offset of trailer wheels is always zero. What that means specifically is that the additional width of a new wheel and tire compared to what you have now will be split in two equally.

So lets do some math...the current tire size you have now of 5.70-8 has a width of 5.8 inches and the size you are wanting from the part # AM3H323 is 8.9 inches. So the difference between those two sizes in width is 3.1 inches. Now divide that by two and you get right at 1-1/2 inches. So this tire size would take away an additional 1-1/2 inches of clearance to the frame of your trailer from the tire sidewall.

So take your current frame to sidewall clearance (you'll have to measure that) and subtract 1.5 inches from that. If what you get is more than 1 inch you'll be fine to use the part # AM3H323. Let me know what you have though.

expert reply by: Jameson C