Reducing Height With Tire Smaller Than 145-12 for Pontoon Trailer

Question:

I would like to lower the height of my pontoon trailer how much difference to go from a ST145R12 95M to the shortest height tire and wheel. I only trailer the pontoon 2 miles to boat launch.

asked by: Loy E

Expert Reply:

The difference in diameter between an ST145R12 tire like the Kenda Karrier S-Trail # AM31202 and the Loadstar 4.80-12 # AM30670 is about 1". The 145R12 has an overall diameter of 21.3" while the 4.80-12 has an overall diameter of 20.5". Please note that if you were to make this conversion you would be lowering your weight capacity by 230 lbs per tire/wheel.

If you are looking to go with the smallest tire/wheel available then you are looking at the Kenda 4.80/4.00-8 # AM30060. The problem with this though is that you are cutting your weight capacity down to 745 lbs per tire. Even though you are only traveling 2 miles if you were to overload your tires they would fail prematurely and you'd have to keep replacing them.

I'm not sure why you are needing to lower your pontoon trailer but since the smallest 12" tire/wheel you can get will only reduce your height by about 1/2" (since the overall diameter difference is only 1") I would just stick with what you currently have.

expert reply by: Jon G