Using Hub Centric Rings on Trailer Wheels

Updated 04/01/2020 | Published 04/21/2014

Question:

Hi there, I purchased three tires with wheels in the past week or so. They arrived and I love them! My question pertains to that drums on my trailer being vintage are the style of VW and Mercedes in that their are no lugs just threaded holes in which bolts go to hold the tire on. No problem there but the hole center on the tires is bigger than the hub leaving a space around the hub. I was told that they make a spacer to go around the hub to center the tires easier when changing in case of flat, etc. Do you sell these or can you refer me to a place that does? Thanks so much in advance.

asked by: Ruth M

Helpful Expert Reply:

A spacer or hub-centric ring is sometimes used on passenger vehicles, but our resident wheel and tire guru tells me that they aren't needed for use on trailers, due to the weight load a trailer wheel will be under.

If you feel you need them, you can do a Google search on 'Hub Centric Rings' and you'll find plenty of them. If you decide to use them, I'd avoid the plastic rings and use the aluminum ones.

expert reply by: Mike L

Nelson

3/30/2020

I have a hub centric trailer and need to replace the wheel and tire.You are offering me a product [Kenda 5.30-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12 White Wheel - 4 on 4 - Load Range B] with a center pilot hole = 2.84, while the hub is 2.5 [or 2.54] in diameter.Mike has suggested in his blog, that this should not matter for use with a trailer. We will not be using trailer on the highway, only for carrying loads on the farm, up and down the terrain.Does this center hole difference matter.

Chris R.

3/31/2020

The new wheel does indeed need to match the pilot hole on your current/older units exactly. Hub centric wheels rely on this spec for a secure and safe attachment, so even a small difference can lead to big issues down the road.

Nelson

4/1/2020

Thank you Chris......what would/could the Big issues down the road be? The use of this trailer will be light and limited......

Chris R.

4/1/2020

Basically if the wheels aren't secured properly it could work itself off of the hub at some point. More weight will be transferred to the lugs and they could potentially break. Even a light trailer is going to go through some bumps in the road, tight corners, higher speeds, etc - so it's just not something I would risk.