How To Choose Trucks for Skateboards

how to choose skateboard trucks

When choosing your skateboard trucks, there are several factors you need to consider. Making sure you pick the right size and height is crucial, as this makes all the difference to the feel and performance of your board.

What Are Trucks on a Skateboard?

Skateboard trucks are the T-shaped metal parts mounted onto the bottom of the deck which keep your wheels and bearings attached. Trucks consist of the following components:

Axle: The part attached to the wheels; runs through the hanger.
Hanger: Large triangular metal part with the axle running through it. Must be durable, as this part is subject to a lot of impact from grinds and other tricks.
Kingpin: The bolt that holds all the parts together, located inside the bushings; the kingpin can be mounted in two directions, standard and reverse, which impacts the way the truck turns.
Bushings: Round urethane rings surrounding the kingpin that work like a spring to transfer pressure and enable turning. The harder your bushings, the harder it is to turn.
Baseplate: The flat metal part attached directly to the board; connects the kingpin and hanger to the board. Must be placed directly in the centre to distribute your weight evenly.

what are skateboard trucks

Types of Skateboard Trucks

There are two main types of skateboard trucks on the market: the most common type is the standard kingpin, followed by the reverse kingpin. Knowing which one to choose is important as they provide entirely different sensations in terms of stability and turning radius. Each type is explored in more detail below.

Standard Kingpin Skateboard Trucks

standard kingpin trucks

Standard kingpins sit higher and point toward the centre of the deck; they are more rigid and provide greater stability when popping or landing tricks. You can change how rigid trucks are by installing softer bushings or adjusting the tightness of the kingpin. Standard kingpins are the go-to choice for traditional street skating.

Reverse Kingpin Skateboard Trucks

reverse kingpin trucks

Reverse kingpins, on the other hand, sit lower and face away from the centre of the board; they give a smoother response, making them the better choice for sharper turns. Reverse kingpins are therefore ideal for carving, surf-skating and downhill skating.

Hard vs. Soft Skateboard Bushings

Some skaters find harder bushings more suitable for tricks, as they are sturdier upon landing. Softer bushings are suitable for cruising or any kind of riding where you make sharp turns, such as bowl riding, as they are more responsive to the pressure applied to the deck from the feet.

SHOP SKATEBOARD TRUCKS

Skateboard Truck Size Chart

You may be wondering whether to go for small trucks or large trucks, also referred to as narrow trucks or wide trucks. Larger/wider trucks provide greater stability but are less responsive when turning than smaller/narrower trucks, which weigh less and are nimbler. In general, though, all you need to do is make sure your trucks are proportional to the width of your deck – yep, it’s that easy!

Since truck sizing varies across brands, we recommend checking the manufacturer’s suggestion for sizing depending on the skateboard, but the chart below is a good general guideline.

Deck Size	Truck Size
7.5” (190 mm)	4.75” (120 mm)
7.75” (197 mm)	5.0” (127 mm)
8.0” (203 mm)	5.25” (133 mm)
8.25–8.5” (210-216 mm)	5.5” (140 mm)
8.5”+ (216 mm+)	6.15”+ (156 mm+)

We cover more in our "How To Choose a Good Skateboard Deck" guide.

SHOP SKATEBOARD DECKS

Skateboard Truck Height

Also known as truck profile, truck height refers to whether the truck sits low to the deck, high to the deck or in between. Choosing the correct truck height is important in making sure your wheels don’t touch your deck while turning and come to an abrupt stop, aka wheel bite.

While you might not need them with small wheels, you can install riser pads to keep slightly larger wheels away from the deck.

skateboard truck height

Low Trucks

Low trucks have less distance to the ground due to a shorter kingpin; this makes the trucks more stable and especially suitable for tricks, street skating and park skating. Low trucks should be paired with smaller wheels, under 55mm, to avoid wheel bite.

Mid Trucks

Mid trucks include some of the stability of lower trucks, but can be used with larger wheels, making them suitable for rough surfaces. These are a good choice if you plan to do a mix of cruising, park riding and street tricks.

High Trucks

High trucks have a longer distance to the ground due to a longer kingpin; great for carving and cruising. High trucks can accommodate bigger wheels and create sharper turns than the lower profiles. Riser pads can be added if you experience any wheel bite.

When Should Skateboard Trucks Be Replaced?

Knowing when to replace your trucks and how to keep them fully functional is crucial in order to prevent falls and keep your skateboard in a usable condition. Look out for any developing cracks, warping, bent axles or baseplate damage. If you notice these changes, it’s time for a new set.

Stability, control, and ensuring that wheel bite doesn’t stop you in your tracks are all determined by your choice of trucks.

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