Is it a Good Idea to Upgrade from 8 inch Trailer Wheel and Tire to 12 inch Wheel and Tire

Question

Question:

I have a small sailboat Laser trailer that needs tires. Currently the trailer has 480-8 tires on 4 lug wheels. I will be towing approximately 200 miles at highway speeds. Can you please recommend a safe tire/wheel combo? Would it be prudent to upsize to 12?

asked by: Mike V

0

Expert Reply:

Hey Mike, if you can fit a larger 12 inch wheel and tire like the part # AM35351DX which is a ST145R12 on a 4 lug wheel this will be your best option as it will have a higher speed rating than what you have now and will also have a higher weight capacity. How much fender clearance do you have now? You will want to have at least 3 inches and this tire will take up 2 more inches than what you have now.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Mike V.

6/30/2026

Fender clearance is 3" with the 8" tires so I am guessing I should stick with 8" size? Suggestions for best option in 480-8 size?

Jameson C.

6/30/2026

@MikeV Yeah unless you had a way to raise up your fenders I would stick with same tire size. In the 4.80-8 tire size like the part # AM10004 which would be your best option.

Answer 1

Hi Jim; a tire like the Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire #AM30630 you were looking at is only 0.2" wider than your typical 4.80/4.00-8 tire so that should still be enough inside clearance. The recommended clearance on top is 3" so at…

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Answer 2

Generally speaking, a radial tire is going to have a few improved differences when compared to a bias tire like what you currently have on your trailer. A radial tire will flex more than a bias tire, giving it better ground contact, traction and…

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Answer 3

The tires should be inflated to 90 psi on the highway as well as other roads, regardless of load size. The problem is that under inflating a trailer tire will lead to degradation of the tire. On trailer tires, the side walls are thicker than on car…

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Answer 4

The difference between the 4.80-12 tire size you have now and the size 175/80-13 of the #AM3S130 you referenced is 4 inches overall in diameter and in width 2.2 inches. Judging by your pictures it doesn't look like you quite have the clearance…

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Answer 5

For your 2000 Load Rite boat trailer you can replace the wheels and tires with the Kenda 4.80/4.00-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" Galvanized Wheel #AM30030. This uses the Kenda Loadstar K371 Bias Trailer Tire #AM10002 if you feel you will be able…

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Answer 6

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 9

Hey Bryan, that's a good question. The pricing can definitely be misleading, but I wouldn't use it to judge the quality of the tire. A lot of that comes down to promotions, inventory, and whether you're looking at a tire by itself or…

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Answer 10

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

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Answer 11

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 12

Thanks for the information Kevin! To flat tow your 2025 Ford Bronco with a standard bumper and LED lights, I recommend the following parts: Tow Bar and Safety Chains - etrailer XHD Non-Binding Tow Bar for Roadmaster Direct-Connect item #e84ZR Base…

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Is it a Good Idea to Upgrade from 8 inch Trailer Wheel and Tire to 12 inch Wheel and Tire

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