Center cap/ hub cap issue

[vampress]

This may be a completely stupid question, but I’m out of ideas. I’m replacing the tires on our camper one by one. I have the warm shop and time to do it this way instead of taking the camper in and having them jack it up anywhere they want to replace the tires. So, I’m removing one wheel/ tire, putting spare in that spot, and taking the original wheel/ tire in to shop to get new tire (Sailun) put on wheel and balanced. Bring it back home and install on axle. Tighten lug nuts to 120 ft-lbs as required. Repeat for each tire/ wheel.

The camper wheels all have the typical trailer center hub cover that is a separate piece from the wheel. I have one of these center hub covers that, after replacing the tire and tightening the lugs to the 120 ft-lbs, the hub cover is still able to be turned if you grab it. I’m stumped. The other 3 hub covers do not move a bit after I’ve tightened the lug nuts. So, I removed this wheel again, checked everything over, cannot see a single thing different than the others, reinstalled the cap and the wheel, tightened the lug nuts again - and the darn thing still is able to turn. I have to admit, I don’t know if it did this prior to me removing the original tire/ wheel for replacement. Because this was the tire that I changed on the road when it got a puncture in it on our way home last fall and I didn’t pay attention then to the hub cover. Luckily, I could pull over into a gas station right away when it went flat and the tpms alerted.

I’ve never had this happen on any other trailer with these center hub covers when I’ve changed tires. And, my gut just says this isn’t right. But, any ideas what is wrong/ what I did wrong? And, how to fix it?

 

[Eman85]

Are the hub covers stamped steel? Usually they have a couple of dents for lack of a better word on the flange that keeps it from sliding through the wheel. The dents cause the hub cover to be held with friction between the wheel and drum. Pul one of the wheels that doesn't rotate and take a look at the flange.

 

[JRTJH]

Remove two wheels on the same side, exchange the hub covers and reinstall. Does the "sloppy fit" move with the hub cover or does it stay with the wheel ??? I'd guess it's a "flattened hub cover flange" but it could be a damaged wheel or a worn wheel center hole (on the rear side).... If it's the hub cover, use pliers to "twist up and then twist down" on the flange in 3 places (120 degrees or 1/3 of the way around the hub cover) to make an "inverted V" on the flange. That will allow for better grip between the cover and the wheel... If the "sloppy fit" follows the wheel, not the hub cover, then inspect the back side of the wheel for any issues.