Will a 5.30 x 12 Trailer Tire Fit the Same Rim as a 4.80 x 12 Trailer Tire

Question

Question:

I have a trailer I tow behind my motorcycle, it presently has 4.80x12 inch tires, I have enough clearance and would like to know if a 5.30x12 tire will fit on the same rim, thank you

asked by: Mike

0

Expert Reply:

Yes, a 5.30 x 12 tire will fit the same rim as a 4.80 x 12 tire. Both tire sizes fit on a 4 inch wide rim. There are a couple of things to consider when changing tire sizes. First, the larger 5.30 will be approximately 1.4 inches taller than the 4.80 so you will need to make sure that you have enough clearance above the tire. The 5.30 is also wider by 1/2 an inch so you will need to make sure there is clearance behind the tire as well for the new size.

Also, the capacity of the larger tire is greater. For a 4.80 x 12, B load range, it is 785 pounds at 60 psi. For C load range, it is 990 pounds at 90 psi. For a 5.30 x 12, load range B, it is 840 pounds at 55 psi. For C it is 1,045 pounds at 80 psi, and for range D it is 1,250 pounds at 105 psi.

Adding the larger tires does not increase the capacity of the trailer. Trailer tires should always be inflated to the maximum psi indicated on the tire. I have included a link to our FAQ articles on trailer tires for you. I have also linked our 5.30 x 12 tires.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Harold

4/27/2024

trailer, auto, and truck tires should never be inflated to the maximum unless carrying the maximum load. Running maximum pressure with 50% maximum load will wear out the center of the tire plus cause more damage on uneven terrain when inflated beyond the load carried. Check it out.

Reply

Jon G.

5/17/2024

@Harold Unless the tire manufacturer has documentation on what the weight rating is for various psi ratings, it's much more dangerous to play the guessing game. If the trailer is empty, sure go ahead and let some air out of the tires for better performance. The problem is that most people will either forget to put air back in the tires, or be too lazy to do so when they load up the trailer. Because of the lack of documentation and people most likely not refilling the tires, we stick with keeping the tires filled to what the sidewall states.

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Harold

5/17/2024

@JonG shortens the life of the tire by wearing out the center prematurely. An example. The Kenda tires I just purchased from etrailer are E/10 ply rating at 1500 lbs per tire. (little 12 inchers) I haul 12 100 pound bales of hay with it. That plus the trailer is under 1500 pounds. So each tire is carrying half load. I run 40 pounds empty and loaded. It's high for empty but as you say, I'm not going to air them up at the loading site. But the sidewall has max pressure at 80 PSI. That would be harmful to the tire and possibly even a little on the trailer. Bottom line, the tire pressure should reasonably be gauged to carry the maximum load anticipated. That's the way big trucks, little trucks, regular cars do it. Look on the door of an F250 for instance. Air pressure for the rear is what is needed to carry the maximum load recommended, not what the sidewall happens to say. I would have expected better.

Reply

Jon G.

5/17/2024

@Harold I'm not saying you're wrong for lowering the pressure. Just saying we can't advise people to run with a lower pressure because then you're operating at an unknown rating. Basically - do this at your own risk.

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See All (4) Replies to Harold ∨

Answer 1

The two tire sizes are similar, but the 145/80-12 will be a bit taller at 21.3 inches vs. the 4.80-12 which has a diameter of 20.5 inches. Aside from that they are very similar and both fit 12 inch diameter rims that are 4 inches wide. The radial…

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Answer 2

Since both a ST145/R12 size tire, like the Kenda Karrier S-Trail #AM10130, and a 5.30-12 size tire, like the Kenda K353 #AM10068, fit a 12 inch wheel, a ST145/R12 size tire can replace a 5.30-12 size tire. Keep in mind that these tires do have…

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Answer 3

Nearly all 2,000 lb axles have a spindle that is 1 inch in diameter where both bearings ride. If that's what you have then the bearing kit part #BK1-100 would be what you need as it fits that spindle.

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Answer 4

Yes, you can remove your weld-on coupler and install a new bolt-on coupler that fits a 2 inch ball. There is just a few things you need to do to before and when installing. You need to know what channel size and the weight capacity you will need…

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Answer 5

The main differences between the two trailer tire sizes you referenced are the outer diameter for the two and the capacities available. For the 4.80-12 tires they are 20.5 inches in overall diameter and have 785 and 990 lb capacities available. For…

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Answer 6

To verify if you will be able to switch to the Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire with 13" Galvanized Wheel #AM31994 on your Harbor Freight Super Duty folding trailer you are going to need to take some measurements. This tire is…

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Answer 7

You will need to measure your current trailer wheel clearance to determine if you are able to move to the larger Karrier ST175/80R13 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 13" White Modular Wheel #AM31957. This tire is 24.1" in diameter and…

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Answer 8

A 4.80 x 12 sized tire like #TTWSF48012C has an outer diameter of about 20-1/2 inches. While a 215/60-8 sized tire like #AM1HP28 is about 18 inches. So there's a difference of about 2-1/2 inches between the two sizes.

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Answer 9

Yes, the Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Trailer Tire #AM10140 referenced in your question will fit the same 12 inch wheel with a 4 inch width that your existing 4.80-12 size tires are mounted to. Just note that the ST145/R12 tire will be…

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Answer 10

The smallest diameter 13 inch trailer wheel and tire will have a diameter of 24.1 inches (ST175/80-13). There are 3 common 12 inch trailer tire sizes: 4.80-12 has a diameter of 20.5 inches, 5.30-12 has a diameter of 21.9 inches, and 145/80-12 has a…

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Answer 11

Trailer wheels are totally separate from the hubs of the trailers so they are not included like with the part #AM3S050. This will fit on the current hub you have now though as long as it's a 5 lug setup and will work well.

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Answer 12

I couldn't tell you what, if anything, Harbor Freight has in the way of replacement parts for your trailer. But a wheel is a wheel and a tire is a tire. As long as both are the right size you can use any that fit. We have a lot of tire and…

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