Can Trailer Upgrade From 4.80-12 Tires to 5.30-12 Tires With Less Than 3 Inches of Clearance

Question:

I have a carry-on 4x6foot utility trailer and am looking to upgrade the 4.80-12 class C loadstar bias ply tires to something that can handle 75ish miles an hour on the highway. This trailer is getting modified for a camp gear hauler, and as such will never be loaded in excess of 700 pounds,including the weight of the trailer, most times much less weight than that, which is nowhere near the springs 2000lb rating. Currently there is just under 3inch between the tire tread and the fender. I would like to know if upgrading to the 3/4inch larger 5.30-12 tires would cause clearance issues with my fenders when under the load I will use it for?

asked by: Bryan

Expert Reply:

There is a solution for you, but the recommended clearance from the top of your trailer's tires to your fender is at least three inches and since you said you were already just under that I do not recommend going to the 1.4 inch larger 5.30-12 tire; there just won't be enough clearance to allow for suspension travel.

Instead, I recommend the Taskmaster 4.80R12 Radial Trailer Tire # TT48012C which has a speed rating of M, which is 81 MPH. Radial tires are superior for use on highways, which is where you mentioned you would be driving. These are load range C tires with a maximum capacity of 990 lbs when inflated to the max of 90 psi.

Keep in mind you always want to inflate the tire to the maximum cold psi because doing this will give you the best performance, allow the tire to wear more slowly and give you optimum gas mileage.

I have added a link to a video review of this tire for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Kyle S