Trucks are simple to understand. Most of their features are determined by the other parts of your setup. We'll break down their relationship to the wheels and the deck. Read our guide, find the right trucks and skateboarding will be easier.
Which width trucks should I use?
The width of the trucks should match the width of the deck. However, different manufacturers use different units of measurement for their trucks which can get a little confusing. So here we have a small table with the four largest manufacturers and their measurements and how they fit with your deck.
| Deck width (Inches) | < 7.5" | 7.5" - 7.99" | 8.0" - 8.49" | 8.5" - 8.99" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Truck Width (Inches) | 7.375" | 7.375" - 8.115" | 7.875" - 8.615" | 8.375" - 9.225" |
| Independent Trucks | 109 | 129 | 139, 144 | 149, 159 |
| Thunder Trucks | 143 | 145 | 147, 148 | 149, 151 |
| Tensor Trucks | - | 5.0 | 5.35, 5.5 | 5.75 |
| Venture Trucks | - | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.8 |
your truck width
Small trucks for kids' decks
These trucks fit slim decks up to 7.5".
Trucks for street decks
These trucks fit decks between 7.5" and 7.99" making them great for street skateboarding.
Trucks for park decks
These trucks fit a deck between 8.0" and 8.49" - ideal for riding skate parks.
Trucks for bowl decks
We recommend these wider trucks for bowl and vert decks from 8.5".
How high should my trucks be?
When we talk about the height of a truck, we mean the distance between the baseplate and hanger. Or, to put it more simply, how far away are your wheels from your deck?
With skateboard trucks, there are three different heights: Low - 50 to 53 millimetre wheels, Mid - 53 to 56 millimetre wheels and High for bigger wheels.
the right height
The most stable
Low trucks are the most stable. This is particularly important for street and park skating A risk is the threat of the deck and wheels touching. This is called wheel bite when this happens, the board will stop abruptly- buying smaller wheels will reduce the risk. Low trucks can be used with riser pads, for slightly bigger wheels.
To avoid wheel bites, I rub wax on the underside of my deck regularly.
The most versatile
Mid trucks are the most versatile option. You have some of the stability of lower trucks but can use larger wheels for better handling on rough surfaces. Mid trucks are can also be used with riser pads for use with larger wheels.
The best pop
High trucks give you the best pop, due to the bigger distance between to the ground. If you need some help with your ollies, go higher. With these trucks, you can use bigger wheels without the risk of wheel bite.
The parts of a Skateboard Truck
The trucks of a skateboard determine the behaviour of your board when you’re riding. The components of a skateboard truck are as follows: the Kingpin, the Baseplate, the Hanger and the Bushings.
parts of a truck
The Kingpin is the large screw on which the bushings sit, which holds the hanger and baseplate together- very important! You can tighten the nut on the end of the kingpin. This, in turn, makes steering a little tighter. If you want a looser feeling, loosen the nut. You can experiment with different tightnesses until you find what works for your skating.
The base on which the components are fixed is called the Baseplate. This part is attached to the skateboard with screws, the hanger rests in the pivot pocket on the baseplate.
The hanger is attached to kingpin and rests on the baseplate. The hanger rod is at the end of the hanger is where the wheels attach, the axle nut is at the end and physically fixes the wheels.
The rubber parts on the kingpin, are, with the tightness of the kingpin responsible for the steering of your skateboard. A harder rubber set of bushings (96A) is stiffer for a more responsive ride. A softer set of bushings (81A) is more forgiving.
If you find that your bushings are too soft, I’d recommend that you get harder ones rather than tightening your kingpin screw. This can cause your bushings to burst and you’ll have to get new ones anyhow.
Accessories for Trucks
Different pads and screws allow you to adjust your skateboard setup to your preference.
If you use your additional pads, you will also need longer screws.
| Bolt kits | Height of riser pads |
|---|---|
| 7/8" to 1" | No pads needed |
| 1" to 1 1/8" | 1/8" riser |
| 1 1/4" | 1/4" riser |
| 1 1/2" | 1/2" riser |
Pads and Hardware
Riser pads are the plastic pads between the trucks and the deck. Complete skateboards come without them. However, you might need them if you want bigger wheels as the pads increase the height of your trucks.
There are two types of riser pads.
- Riser Pads are made from hard plastic and increase the distance between the wheels and board to prevent wheel bite.
- Shock Pads are made from rubber and absorb shock for a more comfortable ride and softer landings.
The screws with which you mount the trucks to the deck have to be the right length. Most sets of screws are 1" for skateboard trucks mounted without riser or shock pads. If you are using riser or shock pads between your trucks and deck, then you will need even longer hardware to accommodate this.
