HOW TO MEASURE YOUR TRAILER WHEEL BOLT PATTERN

If you're replacing your trailer wheel, you've no doubt realized you need to know something called the bolt pattern (also called the lug pattern or bolt circle).

An 8-lug wheel needs to be replaced by another 8-lug wheel, but the number of bolt holes or lugs is only half the equation. The bolt pattern of a wheel is defined by two numbers: the number of bolt holes and the diameter of the circle (in inches) they form. Measuring for your pattern is pretty simple, but to make things even easier, you can use a bolt pattern template or print one.

If you'd rather measure it yourself, however, it's pretty simple to do. Below, we'll show you how to measure a bolt circle to determine the correct wheel bolt pattern of your trailer wheel.

Watch Now: How to Measure Your Trailer Wheel Bolt Pattern

Determining Your Trailer Wheel Bolt Pattern

The first step in determining your wheel bolt pattern is counting how many bolts (or lugs) your wheel has. Typically this will be 4, 5, 6, or 8.

Next, you'll measure how many inches apart the bolt holes are.

These two steps together will give you your bolt hole pattern. For example, if you have a wheel with 5 bolt holes and they form a circle with a 5-1/2" diameter, you have a wheel with a 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern.

So how exactly do you measure between the bolt holes? The process differs a little depending on if your wheel has an even or odd number of holes. We'll go over the process for each below.

Bolt Patterns for Wheels with Even Bolt Holes

(4, 6, or 8 Holes)

To measure between the holes on a wheel with an even number of holes, simply measure from the center of one bolt hole to the center of its opposite to determine the diameter of the lug pattern.

Bolt Patterns for Wheels with 4 Bolt Holes

Common bolt patterns for wheels with 4 bolt holes are:

Bolt Patterns for Wheels with 6 Bolt Holes

Common bolt patterns for wheels with 6 bolt holes are:

6 on 5-1/2

Bolt Patterns for Wheels with 8 Bolt Holes

Common bolt patterns for wheels with 8 bolt holes are:

Bolt Patterns for Wheels with Odd Bolt Holes

(5 Holes)

Measuring the diameter of a bolt circle with an odd number of lugs isn't as straightforward. You can't measure straight across because there is no opposite bolt hole. However, there a few ways to get around this and figure out the bolt pattern you need for your new wheel.

Option 1 - Measure from Center to Edge

An easy way to determine bolt hole circle diameter on wheels with 5 bolt holes is to measure from the center of one bolt hole to the farthest edge of one of the two farthest holes.

Option 2 - Measure to Imaginary Bolt Hole Center

Measure from the center of one bolt hole to a point on the rim where the bolt hole would be on an odd-lug wheel. You must guess where this point is located if you want to measure the diameter this way.

Option 3 - Measure Adjacent Holes

You can also measure the center-to-center distance of adjacent holes. Then, compare the distance to those in the list below to find the circle diameter.

If the distance is:

2-5/8" - bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2

2-3/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-3/4

3" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5

3-1/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5-1/2

Still have questions?

Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!

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Updated by: Amber S.

Updated on: 2/18/20

Ben R.

9/11/2022

I have an old homemade trailer that i have not been able to find a spare rim for. The rim is 15 inches, 5 lug pattern. The distance from the lug holes next to each other, center to center is 3 1/2". The distance between lug holes across from each other, center to center is 4 3/4". The center hole is 3 1/2 wide. Does anyone know what vehicle this came from? I was told it was built on an older Chevy or Ford frame but have not been able to confirm that.

David B.

9/12/2022

Ben, the closest thing I have to that is this # TTW550547WS1. You can see its full specs on the product page. If this doesn't work you will probably have to get new spindles or in all honesty get a new axle with spindles/hubs included. That may be the easiest route and possibly cheaper.

Alex K.

11/14/2022

@BenR Same thing happened to me. I bought a homemade trailer that ended up having an old ford axle on it. After some measuring, I found out it was a 15x6 rim with a 5x5.5 bolt pattern (Or 5x139.7mm). Most replacement steel wheels have been discontinued and I had a hard time finding a spare rim (Ended up finding one today). My advice is to call wheel and tire shops, junkyards/salvage yards, or a classic car shop. Measure from the center of one hole to the farther edge of another hole (Measure the hole across, not side to side). Hope this helps. I think the old chevy pattern is 5x5 (5x127)

Chuck

12/28/2022

@AlexK 5x5.5 is a simple size from any Ram 1500 2002-present with 5 bolt holes. Also, many Fords use it. Should be extremely simple to find. Good luck

See All (4) Replies to Ben R. ∨

David G.

3/25/2022

Very good! But I still measure 6 on 6 bolt pattern. Is that possible?

Les D.

3/28/2022

@DavidG most 6 lug tires, have lugs that are 5-1/2 inches apart. I would remeasure making sure to measure from the center of the lug holes. We do not carry any 6 on 6 inch patterned wheels.

Bob H.

3/6/2022

I bought a German trailer that has 13" wheels with a 4 X 100mm bolt pattern. Will a 4 inch bolt pattern work on this (101.8mm)?

Les D.

3/7/2022

BobH they need to be exact size to work. Replacing all axles, wheels, bearing, etc would likely be more costly than just buying another trailer.

Angela B.

1/18/2022

For someone like me that doesn't know anything about trailers the etrailer experts know their stuff.

Glenn D.

12/24/2021

yes, I too have an old homemade trailer, hand me down. it has 5 lugs 3inches apart and 5 inches from center to center with a 4-inch hub opening. 15-inch tire.is there any rim available to fit my old homemade trailer?

Les D.

12/27/2021

@GlennD if your wheel has 5 lugs, and the distance from the center of one lug hole to the center of the next lug hole is 3 inches, then your lug pattern is 5-ON-5. I have included a link to all of our 5-ON-5 wheels, plus wheels with tires. However, these all have pilot holes that are sized 3.19 or 3.31 inches. I would double check your measurements. Many customers find it easier to use the print out template. I have included a link to it below.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_tires_and_wheels-sz-5_on_5_inch.aspx

faq-bolt-hole-pattern-template.aspx

William G.

6/17/2021

I recently acquired a utility trailer 7X14 with 5 lug, 10 inch bolt pattern. Has a 3 inch axle with 3 leaf spring suspension on both sides. I am confused on weight capacity but don't see any 5 lug, 10 inch bolt pattern,14.5 inch rims anywhere online. I am looking for something that can handle 7,000 Ibs. Any feed back would be helpful. Thanks

Jon G.

6/22/2021

I don't think I've ever even heard of a 5 lug 10" bolt pattern wheel before. I can try to help you find a new axle though if that's what you're needing. I'll need to know the hub-face and spring-center measurements of your current axle (see attached answer page) as well as the weight capacity of the axle. You should be able to find the weight capacity either on a sticker near the tongue of the trailer or stamped into the middle of the axle.

Helpful Links

question-272650.html

William G.

6/28/2021

@JonG I have learned since my last post that I have a Dayton style hub with 3 inch Mobile home trailer axle. I want to convert to 6 x 5.5 6000# hub with 12X2 brakes. The spindel has 1.5 O.D. for inner bearing, and 1.25 O.D. for the outer bearing. It has already LM67048 outer bearing that fits the Dayton hub. But there is no number on the inner bearing. I was almost tempted to buy wheel hubs that use LM25580/LM67048 combos but I see the LM25580 inner bearing I.D is 1.75 ".

Jon G.

6/28/2021

@WilliamG We have the spindle # AH30660FCOMP that fits the specs you're looking for, but it's an agricultural hub as well and doesn't give us the ability to add brakes. Mobile home axles are designed to be used once so they normally use unusual pieces because nobody is worried about replacement parts. I recommend replacing your axles so that you know you can get replacement parts in the future and so that you can add brakes. If you can get me the measurements I mentioned in my previous comment I can see if we have anything available for that.

Todd M.

5/15/2021

I just purchased a homemade heavy equipment flatbed trailer that I’m restoring ... 3 axle with 4-235/75R15 tires and 2- 205 size in the front, real dumb and Im fairly sure those are passenger tires. The rims are 5 lug. What do you recommend? Do you think those axles are also passenger?

Jon G.

5/17/2021

The axles are probably trailer axles but I would double check to see if they are mobile home axles if it's a homemade trailer. For a tire/wheel combo I would check out the Contender ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire # TA47FR which has a 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern, a weight capacity of 2,830 lbs at 80 psi, and a speed rating of 81 mph.

Les K.

5/7/2021

I have an old Sears boat trailer with 4.8x8 tires on what I believe are 8x3.75 wheels with a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern. The center bore is 3-1/4 inch. All replacement wheels I can find have a 2-3/4 inch center bore for this wheel size. Do they still make 3-1/4 inch center bore 8 inch wheels? If not, is my only option to change out the hub?

Jon G.

5/10/2021

It looks like all that we offer is the 2.8" diameter hub bore so you would need to swap out your hub if your hub takes up the whole space on your 3.25" hub bore. To find out what the correct replacement hub would be you'll need to pull a hub and see what the number is on the bearings and seal. If you can't find part numbers then you'll need to measure your trailer spindle. Just note that if your Sears trailer is old enough you might need to end up changing out the axle too if there are no hubs that fit.

Steve B.

4/7/2021

I have a home made trailer with 5x4.5 lug pattern and 5.70-8 tires. The I.D. Of the wheel is 3.25 inches. Do you have wheel/tire combo to fit these hubs? Thanks.

Jon G.

4/8/2021

We do have a handful of tire/wheel combos that fit that description. Attached is a link to our selection that you can filter through but the set # AM30155 is is probably going to be your best bet since it has a higher load range of D (1,075 lbs at 100 psi).

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_tires_and_wheels-sf-tire_with_wheel-sz-5_on_4~1%7c2_inch-gw-5.70~8.aspx

Lou

2/19/2021

I have a new landscape trailer with 12” tires my lug pattern is 41/2 wide (5 lugs) and I have 22 1/2 inches from the ground to the underside of the wheel well. I would like a beefier tire and a taller tire. What can you recommend. Thx

Jon G.

2/22/2021

What is your current tire size? We recommend having at least 4" of clearance to the wheel well above (for suspension movement) and then at least 2" to the trailer frame.

Kirby F.

1/3/2021

I'm looking to replace my wheels/rims on my trailer. But the hubs need to be replaced. I'm thinking its a old car axle. The spindle is a taper type and the inner bearing is 1.250(LM 67048) and outer bearing is .750(LM 11949). Was wondering if there are hubs to fix this problem. Looking to go most common 5 lug bolt pattern.

Jon G.

1/6/2021

The only hub assembly that we have to match the specs you mentioned is the part # AH15450ECOMP which was designed for agricultural use. This is for a 3,000 lb axle that uses the spindle # TRU54FR so if you have something else then unfortunately we don't have a solution other than to recommend replacing your axle. If you are open to going this route let me know and I can help you find what you need for that.

Erik

11/15/2020

I have an axle with 5x5 pattern. Problem is center hole is 3.75 and I can't find wheels. Old axle.

Jon G.

11/16/2020

Unfortunately we don't have anything that fits those specs either. The closest thing is one of our 15" wheels that has the 5 on 5" bolt pattern and a 3.31" pilot hole diameter. You'll likely need to either get new hubs or a new axle. If you can let me know what bearings your hubs use I can see if we have something that is compatible.

Daniel B.

7/29/2020

I have two single axle trailers. Both have 205/75/15 tires. One is a 5x5 bolt pattern and the other has a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. Is there a universal wheel that can be used on both of these trailers to be used as a spare. I have seen universal wheels elsewhere. Thanks

Jon G.

8/6/2020

We don't have anything like that, but we do have tire/wheel combos that fit both applications. I've attached a link to our selection that you can check out!

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_tires_and_wheels-gw-205%7c75~15.aspx

Guy C.

5/10/2020

I like the tires and rim you have 225 75 15

Chris R.

5/12/2020

Me too! I linked our full selection below. If you have a specific question about any of them please let me know and I will be happy help.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_tires_and_wheels-gw-225%7c75~15.aspx

Vince K.

4/9/2020

I have come by an unusual 2 wheel homemade trailer with a 42 tire center to center and a differential! Rims have been customized from 4 on 4 to fit on the hubs, which are 4 on 3.75.Where can I find rims with the 4 on 3.75 pattern? Can rims be bought without holes, for custom drilling?

Chris R.

4/11/2020

That's a really unusual bolt pattern. We don't have anything with that pattern and I'm not sure where something like that would be available. You might be able to find a specialty tire shop that can make custom wheels/bolt patterns - but they would be more geared towards automobile applications. Unless you're able to find a matching rim assembly from a local trailer shop or possibly an online re-seller, I think your best option here is to replace both your hubs and wheels so you can go to a more common pattern. If you can tell me what inner and outer bearing your existing hubs use I will be happy to make a specific recommendation.

Scooter

2/22/2020

Does the hole where the hub comes through the wheel have to fit perfectly if the lug holes match up

Chris R.

2/24/2020

As long as your trailer has lug centric wheels (almost all do). the pilot hole doesn't need to perfectly match the hub or be identical to the hole on your previous wheels. It just needs to be large enough for the hub bore to fit through, which typically isn't a problem.

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