Does a Trailer Wheel Center Hole and a Hub Bore have to Match

Updated 09/12/2012 | Published 09/08/2012

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Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12" White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range C

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Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2,000-lb Axles - 4 on 4 - L44649 Bearings

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Question:

What is the rim Pilot Diameter for this hub: 8-91-05UC1? My 80s Starcraft camper 2.5 hubs. Is there danger putting 2.84 pilot rims on a 2.5 hub? It seem to work I have them mounted but would replacing with the new hub 8-91-05UC1 be a better solution? RE: Is The Hub Pilot Size Important When Using Wheels With Lug Bolts Expert Reply: Thank you for the compliment. Yes, the pilot hole size is very important when the trailer uses lug bolts. That means the wheel is a hub centric wheel instead of a lug centric wheel. The difference is the wheel that is hub centric will center off the pilot hole size and a lug centric wheel will center off of the studs that are on the hub.

asked by: Mark D

Expert Reply:

The expert answer you have referenced is correct. A wheel that secures to the hub using bolts instead of lug nuts actually centers on the hub so the pilot hole of the wheel has to be exact. If it is too large the wheel can easily be off center and lead to all sorts of problems.

Hub # 8-91-05UC1 has a center bore outer diameter of approximately 2.4375 inches; very close to 2.5 inches but not quite. If you use this hub and the wheels you are using have a pilot hole that is larger, it will work because the wheel will center on the hub using the lug nuts that come with the hub.

expert reply by: Michael H