5.30-12" VS 205/65-10" For a 2001 Pontoon Boat Trailer and Boat Weighing 1,000LBS

Question:

I have a 2001 pontoon boat trailer that needs tires. It is a smaller 15 foot pontoon boat. Trailer has two miss matched tires on it now from previous owner. I have tried to track down trailer manufacturer but they have since gone out of business. I have found one picture online of the trailer on google images but it old and grainy it looks like it has the 205/65-10 tires on it. Right now my trailer has 5.30-12 4 on 4 lug pattern tires one silver one white from a big box store. im pretty sure boat weighs 1000 lbs. My question is would it be better to use a 205/65-10 or a 5.30-12 tire on it? I have asked around and no one else seems to know what tire supposed to be on it.

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

My concern is these tires are very different sizes and I'm not sure how well they will fit your trailer. Since you mentioned already having the 5.3-12 on the trailer that would be the size I recommend going with as long as they have sufficient tire clearance. You want to have 1" of clearance from the tire side wall and 3" of clearance from the tread to ensure the suspension has room for travel when loaded. The Kenda 5.30-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" Galvanized Wheel # AM30710 is capable of supporting 840lbs per tire for 1,680lbs of trailer and boat weight.

The Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10" Galvanized Wheel # AM3H380 is 2.7" wider and 1.4" shorter than the 5.30-12. You can verify based on your current wheel and tire if this wheel will be able to fit your trailer if the current tires do not have the vertical clearance needed for suspension travel.

expert reply by: Bud M