Are Hub Centric Wheels Needed If Trailer Has Lug Bolts And Can Tire Tubes Be Used On Tubeless Tires

Updated 07/23/2010 | Published 07/22/2010

Question:

Superinformative website! I need to replace my trailers aged 6.50x13 tires and wheels. They are 4 on 4 hubs with a hub pilot size of 2.5 and have lug bolts threaded into the hubs instead of lug nuts. My old wheels have some inside rim corrosion. I am worried that they may not seal properly with tubeless tires, and that I may need inner tubes if I ordered just tires and mounted them on the old rims. I recently ordered your Loadstar ST175/80D13 tires with 4 on 4 wheels. Questions: Since my old wheels are hub-centric, I am not sure if the wheels that come with your Loadstar ST175/80D13 tires are the right choice since most newer wheels appear to be lug-centric. What do you advise? If I have to use the old wheels, and just order tires, do you carry inner tubes? Thanks!

asked by: Bernhard E

Expert Reply:

You are correct, since you have lug bolts the wheels are hub centric. That means the load is distributed to your hub instead of your lug bolts. If you get a wheel that is not hub centric then the load will be distributing more to your lug bolts. That is not recommended if your trailer came with hub centric wheels.

The only wheels I have that have a 2.5 inch pilot size are 10 inch wheels.

The Americana Tires and Wheels, # AM3S130, is a ST175/80D13 tire with a 13 X 4-1/2 wheel. The pilot size on that wheel is 2.65 inches, so it will not be a hub centric wheel. The ST175/80D13 tire size is the correct size to replace your 6.50X13 tire size.

We do not carry inner tubes, but on your old wheels I would not use inner tubes with the tires. The reason is that a tubeless tire has a liner built inside the tire, so when you try to use a tube inside a tubeless tire you will be doubling the heat buildup inside that tire. Heat is what will cause a tire to fail.

I would recommend to go to a reputable tire shop and they can usually clean your wheels of any corrosion or buildup where the bead seats on the rim. Then the new tubeless tires can be installed on the wheels and checked for any leaking.

expert reply by: Jeff D