Does the Center Pilot Hole of a Trailer Wheel have to be Exact

Updated 06/17/2014 | Published 06/15/2014

Question:

is pilot hole dia of 2.8 inches same as 2and3/4

asked by: Denny

Expert Reply:

Not exactly. A Pilot hole that is 2.80 inches is going to be 0.05 inches larger than a 2-3/4 inch pilot hole. But the only way to get that accurate of a measurement is to use dial or digital calipers. If you measure with a ruler or tape measure you will not be able to get the most accurate measurement.

Another issue is that some times the pilot hole dimension does not even matter. If the wheel attaches to the hub using lug nuts then the pilot hole can be larger, just not any smaller.

If the wheel attaches using wheel bolts instead of lug nuts then the pilot hole has to be exact.

expert reply by: Michael H