Do slightly wider trailer tires matter?

Josh

Josh

Dead in the water
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As was discussed in this thread, I'm looking for some replacement tires for my little boat trailer. They are currently 12x4.8 on 5 hole wheels. These aren't an impossible size to find. But by the time you buy and pay for install, it's almost as cheap to buy a set of new tires/wheels. This is especially true if the new tire/wheel combos are 12x5.3.

Will that extra half inch of width cause a problem?
 
A 4.80-12 tire will be 20.5 inches in diameter whereas a 5.30-12 tire will be 21.9 inches. You would need to make sure that there is more than 3/4 of an inch above the 4.80-12 tire to be able to use a 5.30-12.

The smaller 4.80-12 is 4.9 inches wide. The 5.30-12 is 5.6 inches wide. So you will also need to make sure there is room between the side of the existing tires and the trailer frame.

Which is Better for Highway Use 4.80-12 or 5.30-12 Trailer TIres
 
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MELinOre said:
A 4.80-12 tire will be 20.5 inches in diameter whereas a 5.30-12 tire will be 21.9 inches. You would need to make sure that the is more than 3/4 of an inch above the 4.80-12 tire to be able to use a 5.30-12.

The smaller 4.80-12 is 4.9 inches wide. The 5.30-12 is 5.6 inches wide. So you will also need to make sure there is room between the side of the existing tires and the trailer frame.

Which is Better for Highway Use 4.80-12 or 5.30-12 Trailer TIres
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I trust eTrailer, but I admit I don't understand this. How can increasing tire width increase diameter?

I feel like I might need to go back to HS geometry.
 
Josh said:
I trust eTrailer, but I admit I don't understand this. How can increasing tire width increase diameter?

I feel like I might need to go back to HS geometry.
Click to expand...
It has to do with proper proportions related to coefficient of drag, heat dissipation, carrying compacity, and the ergonomics of proper visual stimulation.
 
if you don't have the clearance under the fender, you can see if you can raise the fender. I did on my small trailer as a yard of gravel (heavy load) lowered my frame and leaf springs to the point of touching the fender when I hit bumps in the road.
it may not be an option on your trailer.
 
Josh said:
They are currently 12x4.8 on 5 hole wheels. - But by the time you buy and pay for install, it's almost as cheap to buy a set of new tires/wheels.
Click to expand...
One of my earliest trailering lessons was learned at four in the afternoon on a Sunday, while leaving a lake in nowhere-ville, 120 miles from home. Got a flat, I had the correct size spare mounted for the trailer with a five-hole lug pattern on the same size wheel as the trailer.

Lesson, the five-hole lug pattern on the spares wheel was about a half inch larger in diameter spacing than the trailers lugs.

Apparently not all mounted tires & wheels for trailers for a given size, have the same lug separation / pattern, even if they have the same number of lugs.
 
Trout Trekker said:
Apparently not all mounted tires & wheels for trailers for a given size, have the same lug separation / pattern, even if they have the same number of lugs.
Click to expand...
Yes, etrailer sells 4 different 5 hole lug tires/rims.
5 on 4-1/2 Inch
5 on 4-3/4 Inch
5 on 5 Inch
5 on 5-1/2 Inch
Probably more sizes out there?

The 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern is the most popular 5 bolt lug pattern found on trailer wheels. There's an easy way to measure and be sure though. You need to measure from the center of one lug to the center of the lug nearest to it.
If the distance is:
2-5/8" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2
2-3/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-3/4
3" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5
3-1/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5-1/2
https://www.etrailer.com/question-214122.html
 
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