12 Inch Wheel & Tire For Trailer With Higher Speed Rating

Question:

Wanting to purchase 12 inch wheels and tires for a lightweight dual kayak trailer. Trailer weight is 200#, and kayaks combined are 120#. I understand this would qualify for load range B tires but their speed rating is only 65 mph. I do sometimes jump onto interstate hi-ways for short periods where the speed is 70-75. Will load range B tires suffice?

asked by: Al C

Expert Reply:

I cannot recommend going above the 65 mph limit of the load range B Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" Galvanized Wheel - 4 on 4" Bolt Pattern # AM30550 or 5 on 4-1/2" Bolt Pattern # AM30590.

Having said that, going to a higher-rated tire such as the Load Range C Taskmaster # TT53012C is also not a good idea for your trailer. The reason is they have about four times your load capacity so you would have to deflate them or your trailer would bounce to the point it could get dangerous, and their speed rating is also designed for fully inflated tires, so it wouldn't meet the higher rating.

Which is all to say that the best thing to do for your trailer's tires and keeping control of the trailer is to stay at the speed rating of the lower rated tire.

expert reply by: Kyle S