Can Replacement 14" Trailer Wheel Have Larger Pilot Hole Diameter

Published 11/01/2023

Question:

My old utility trailer has 2.8 inch center hole in the rims. 14 inch 5-4.5. Can I use a rim with a 3.19 inch center hole 14 inch 5-4.5 inch to replace it?

asked by: Bill T

Expert Reply:

As long as your utility trailer wheels use lug nuts to secure the wheel and not lug bolts then you will be perfectly safe to use a 14" wheel with a 3.19" pilot hole like the Dexstar Steel Mini Mod Trailer Wheel # AM20315.

The reason being that a lot of old trailers used hub-centric wheels which meant the wheel lined up to the hub using the pilot hole (center hole) and then the bolts secured the wheel to the hub. With the more common lug-centric wheels you place the wheel on the studs of a hub and then secure it with lug nuts like what you'd see with a vehicle.

expert reply by: Jon G