How to Determine If Wheels are Hub Centric or Lug Centric on a Boat Trailer

Question:

I was told that because my rim has bolts not lug nuts that the pilot hole size matters when replacing a rim. Problem, I cant find an internet site that sell rims with a pilot hole in the specs unless Im just not understanding this correctly. Can you shed light?

asked by: Sharon

Expert Reply:

There are two main types of wheels, hub-centric wheels and lug-centric wheels. 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 very common 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.

At this time we do not have a 4 bolt wheel with a 2.75 inch diameter pilot hole, but we do have the Kenda 4.80-12 Trailer Tire and Wheel Combo, # AM30677, that has a pilot hole diameter of 2.80 inches. I recommend measuring the pilot hole of your wheels with a precise measuring tool like a dial caliper to see if your pilot hole is exactly 2.75 inches or if it is slightly larger or smaller.

expert reply by: John H