Wider Replacement Tire Options For Boat Trailer Used on Sand With 4.80-12 Tires

Question:

Hi. We currently have a rescue boat on a trailer with 480-12 tires. We frequently do beach launches when someone is in distress in the water. The trailer is only carrying a small 14 foot zodiac type inflatable boat. We are looking for a wider tire that would do better in the sand without making any major modifications to the trailer. The current 480-12 tires are very skinny and sink right into the sand. Do you have any recommendations for a direct replacement?

asked by: Jake

Expert Reply:

Without replacing the wheels on your trailer the Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Trailer Tire # AM10130 will give you a slightly larger tire. Your 4.80-12 tire is 4.9" wide and 20.9" tall. The ST145/R12 is 5.7" wide and 21.3" tall.

If you are okay with changing wheels we do have a Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10" Galvanized Wheel # AM3H400. This wheel uses a 5 on 4-1/2" lug pattern for mounting to the axle. If yours is different let me know and I can recommend a different option. The tire is 8.3" wide and 20.5" tall. The wheel is only 10" as well so you would need to ensure that there will not be any fitment issues if you have any brakes on your trailer.

There are also larger options but I didn't want to go taller as this would have an inverse effect on launching the boat.

expert reply by: Bud M