BOAT DOCTOR /// Q&A4 LUGS 5 LUGS
measure in millimeters for
more precision. For wheels
with an even number of lugs,
measure center to center
between opposite lugs/holes
in the rim. If your wheel has
an odd number of lugs, choose
any lug bolt and measure theTRAILER TRAVAIL
Q: Hey Mick. I have a
15-foot Boston Whaler on a
Venture trailer and do a lot
of trailering. The tires are
13 inches and wore out within
two years. Can I replace the
13-inch for a 14- or 15-inch
tire and wheels as long as
the wheels have five bolts?
Thanks.
Tony Govoni
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
A: You need to make sure
of a couple of things before
changing wheel sizes on
your boat trailer. One: Make
sure you have clearance for
the height and width of the
new tires and rims. Two:
Make sure the bolt pattern
matches.
distance between the back
of one lug to the center of
another that is directly across
from it.
Of course, since you have
the existing wheels, you
might try dabbing some chalk
or grease on the tip of each lug
and pressing a sheet of card
stock against the wheel to
capture the pattern. Take it
to your local marine supply or
trailer store and purchase the
correct rims.ASK THE DOCTOR
Send questions to Mick with
your name and address to:
[email protected] or
The Boat Doctor, Boating, 460
N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200,
Winter Park, FL 32789.The bolt pattern is the
diameter of an imaginary cir-
cle drawn through the centers
of the wheel lugs. For exam-
ple, a bolt diameter listed as
“4 x 4.50” indicates a four-lug
wheel with a 4½-inch bolt
diameter. You may want to ILLUSTRATIONS: RYAN SWANSON