Can the Pilot Hole on a Trailer Wheel Be Larger than the Center of the Hub

Updated 07/11/2016 | Published 07/09/2016

Question:

I bought new tires for my utility trailer which are 4.80 x 8. When putting on one of the new tires I noticed that the hub hole seemed to be a bit bigger than the hub shaft. I had a 4.70 x 8 tire on there. Can I still use the new tires with the trailer?

asked by: Jeff L

Helpful Expert Reply:

If your wheels secure to the tire using lug nuts then having a larger pilot hole on the wheels than the hub bore is perfectly fine. But if the wheels secure using lug bolts and not lug nuts then the pilot hole should be exact (or just a tiny bit larger).

expert reply by: Michael H