How to Measure Bolt Pattern to Pick the Correct Wheel

Question:

I have a 5 lug wheel on my boat trailer. I need new tires and the wheels are getting pretty rough too. The tire is ST175/80R-13. I measured the lugs and got 4.25inch 112mm and all I seem to be able to find on your site is 4.5inch Did I measure incorrectly? I measured from the top lug to both of the farthest from it and it was 4.25inch for both. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Robert V

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you may have measured incorrectly, though you were on the right track. There are actually a couple of ways for you to find your bolt pattern. The first way is to measure from the center of one lug to a point halfway between the two lugs directly opposite on the bolt circle. The other method would be to use the distance between the center of one bolt hole to the center of the bolt hole adjacent to it. If the distance is:

2-5/8" - the 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

Once you do find your bolt pattern I'd be happy to recommend some tire and wheel combinations. I have added a link to our page with each of our available tires and wheels, as well as a link to a help article on finding wheel bolt patterns.

expert reply by: Kyle S