How to Determine if a Trailer Wheel is Centered on the Hub or Centered Using Lug Nuts

Updated 12/05/2011 | Published 12/04/2011

Question:

I have a trailer... the rim interior cut hole for tire to fit onto the trailer is 2 3/8 inch , the new tires are 2 3/4 inch ... are there ones sold to fit my trailer , or do I need to find a way to adjust the axle width where the tire goes on?

asked by: Carol

Expert Reply:

Having a larger pilot diameter (center hole) on a trailer wheel is only an issue if the wheels are centered onto the axle using the hub (a hub centric wheel). In this case you would need an exact fit. You know you have a hub centric wheel if your trailer uses wheel bolts to attach the wheel instead of lug nuts.

If your trailer is lug centric meaning the wheel is centered on the axle using the lug nuts, then having a larger pilot hole on the wheel is not a problem. It would only be an issue if the pilot hole was smaller than the 2-3/8 inch diameter you need.

If the issue is the new tires and wheels are too close to or too far from the trailer, let me know the tire size and the bolt pattern of the wheel and I can determine if there are wheels available that have an offset that will fit. I have included a link to a video that shows how to measure for bolt pattern.

expert reply by: Michael H