Does Pilot Diameter of Replacement Wheel Need to Match Original Wheel

Question:

Im changing to a 12inch rim on my boat trailer. The pilot hole on the old 13inch rim is 3. The pilot hole on the rims Im considering on buying is 3.19. Both rims are a 5 on 4.5inch pattern. Will the 0.19inch work OK? Thanks

asked by: Mark B

Expert Reply:

The answer to your question will depend on whether your wheels are hub centric or lug centric.

Hub centric wheels center on the hub using the hub bore and lug centric wheels center on the hub using lug nuts. Hub-centric wheels typically use wheel bolts rather than lug nuts to attach to the hub.

Hub centric wheels are more commonly found on import vehicles and are not too common for use on trailers. If your wheels are hub centric, you would want new wheels with the same pilot hole diameter as your current wheels because the wheels must center on the hub bore. If the pilot hole is larger, then the wheel will not stay centered on the hub and could move. If the pilot hole is smaller, the wheel may not fit on the hub at all.

So, if you have lug centric wheels, you could certainly go with the wheels that have the larger pilot diameter.

expert reply by: Mike L