Are 480x12 Trailer Tires the Same as 4.80x12 and Will a 5.30X12 Fit in Place of a 4.80X12

Question:

I have a 480x12C Carlisle USA Trail tire currently on my trailer can I put on 4.80x12C tire on that rim and will it hold the weight of the pop up camper? Im having a hard time finding 480x12C tires the 4.80x12C tires are very popular! Also if I went to a 530x12C wouldnt that help for stability and sway of the camper. It looks as tho I would have enough clearance to fit a 530x12C? I assume it would still fit on the same rim as the 480x12C? Thanks for the help!!

asked by: Greg D

Helpful Expert Reply:

Tire size 480x12 is the same as 4.80x12. And 530x12 is the same as 5.30x12. So yes, you can use 4.80x12 tires.

For a 4.80x12 in load range C I recommend Taskmaster tire # TTWSF48012C. It is rated for 990 pounds at 90 psi. When inflated it is 20.5 inches tall with a section width of 4.75 inches. I have linked a video review of this tire for you.

By comparison a 5.30x12 load range C tire such as # TTWSF53012C is rated for 1,045 pounds at 80 psi. It does fit the same wheels as the 4.80x12 tire. The 5.30x12 is 21.5 inches tall and has a section width of 5.5 inches. To use this size you will need to have enough clearance for the larger size.

You need roughly 3 inches from the top of the tire to the nearest obstruction above it and the 5.30 is going to be 1/2 inch closer to whatever is above it than the 4.80x12. And you need to have space enough between the inner sidewall and the trailer too. The 5.30 will be 3/8 inches closer than the 4.80 so you would need to currently have more than 3/8 inches of space between the 4.80s and the trailer for the larger size to fit. I have linked a video of this tire as well as our help article on trailer tires.

expert reply by: Michael H