Can Replacement Wheel with Larger Pilot Hole be Used on Older Gooseneck Trailer

Updated 06/26/2019 | Published 06/25/2019

Question:

Old,old gooseneck cattle trailer that I am restoring. Existing wheels are split rim and must be replaced. They are 16inch with a 6 on 5.5 inch bolt pattern, but the center hole pilot hole? is 3.5inch diameter. Can I use wheels with a larger pilot hole?

asked by: Mike

Expert Reply:

As long as the hubs on your gooseneck trailer feature wheel studs and the wheels attach using lug nuts going with a wheel like the Dexstar # AM20746 that you referenced that has a larger pilot hole diameter is not an issue at all. This is referred to a lug-centric wheel setup and since the wheels are centered to the hub using lug nuts the pilot hole doesn't matter (unless it's too small to fit over the hub).

This is what the vast majority of trailers use but since you have an older trailer you will want to check to be sure.

If the wheels attach with bolts then you will need to find a replacement that features an identical pilot hole diameter. This would be referred to as a hub-centric wheel setup and a matching pilot hole is needed because this is what is used to center the wheel onto the hub.

expert reply by: Chris R