Does Pilot Diameter of Trailer Wheel Matter When Picking Out Replacement Wheels for Trailer

Published 12/09/2015

Question:

If converting to 17.5inch dual wheels, I have a 4.88 pilot hole now, would the 4.75 pilot hole work or would it not work? thanks

asked by: Kaleb C

Helpful Expert Reply:

The only time the pilot diameter really plays a factor is when the wheel is installed on a hub centric hub and not a lug-centric setup.

If your current wheels use wheel bolts instead of lug nuts to secure to the hub then you have a hub-centric setup and would need the pilot diameter to match exactly. What that means is that the wheels center of the hubs using the pilot hole of the wheel.

If instead you use a lug nut then the wheels center on the hubs with the lugs and as long as the pilot diameter is large enough to fit on the hub you would be just fine.

expert reply by: Jameson C