Skateboarding
Skateboarding
Choosing skateboard trucks
Looser or tighter trucks affect how you want to execute tricks and turns — and that’s just the beginning.
Skateboarding is all about breaking barriers. In the words of Jamie Foy, who undeniably defined his own style, “Every day I’m thinking of something new to try.”
When you’re ready to try something new with your setup, playing around with your skateboard’s trucks is a great place to start.
Jamie Foy at Red Bull Drop In Tour 2023 in Sydney, Australia
© Anthony Acosta / Red Bull Content Pool
Trucks are the adjustable metal T-shaped parts mounted to the bottom of your board that hold the wheels and secure the bearings. Axles, hangers, kingpins and bushings are all parts of a truck that can be customized and affect your stability. Your trucks and board are just as much a mechanical issue as they are part of your personality. Looser or tighter trucks affect how you want to execute tricks and turns — and that’s just the beginning. Read ahead for a comprehensive skateboard trucks guide.
01
Types of skateboard trucks
When it’s time to build your skateboard setup, you have to match the trucks to your skating style. There are three types of trucks: standard, low, and high-sized trucks. The right truck is also important to avoid wheel bite, which is when your wheels rub against your board. This can leave your board grinding to a halt on impact. (If you’ve experienced this firsthand, you probably felt the fall off your board as you were reading that.)
The deck of a skateboard at Red Bull's Curb Kings in Chatsworth, California
© Anthony Acosta / Red Bull Content Pool
- Standard kingpin trucks: Also known as mid-level trucks, these can suit most skateboarders. They’re versatile but excel at skateparks and on street skating tricks. You can loosen and tighten them for turning abilities.
- Low trucks: These are designed for small wheels and provide an extra amount of stability. This can be especially helpful if you’re thinking of doing a lot of flip tricks. Technical skaters prefer them because of a more stable center of gravity and quicker responses.
- High trucks: This truck height type is ideal for carving and cruising streets, so it’s best for longboards and cruisers. High trucks are more responsive for turns and allow greater wheel clearance, which is why they go well with large wheels. If you’re new to skating, choose high trucks.
02
Size and width guide
Truck width supports the performance of your board and sets how far apart your wheels are. The wheels, just like trucks, are all part of your skate style, so keep your skate wheel preferences in mind. Individual truck size is measured by the width of its axle or hanger. As a good rule of thumb, aim for an axle width that is more or less than 1/4" of your board width.
Skateboard deck width range
Recommended truck width
7.25” - 7.625”
7.4”
7.4” – 7.875”
7.6”
7.6” – 8.0”
7.75”/7.8”
7.75” – 8.25”
8.0”
7.875” – 8.375”
8.125”
8.0” – 8.5”
8.25”
8.25” – 8.75”
8.4”/8.5”
8.5” – 9.25”
8.75”
8.75” – 10.0”
9.5”
9.0” – 9.75”
9.25”
9.25” – 10.0”
9.5”
9.75”+
10.0”
10.0”+
10.5”
03
Truck construction materials
Skateboard details
© Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool
Most trucks are made from aluminum alloys, but you can also find trucks cast from other materials, such as brass, titanium, steel, titanium, and nylon. Trucks can also be cast as hollow, meaning they are even lighter than those that aren’t. Aluminum is popular because it’s lightweight, biodegradable, and holds up against grinding. Steel or other sturdier materials are heavy but last longer. Your choice depends how light you want your ride to be and how hard you plan to skate.
04
Bushings and their impact
Bushings are a vital part of your skateboard trucks. They play a huge part in your ride’s overall stability and the smoothness of your turns. A truck comes with two bushings that you install on either side of it. If you’re not a fan of the ones that came with your trucks, you can always customize them with new bushings, depending on your firmness preference.
Hard bushings provide the most stability because they restrict a truck’s turning, so if you’re a downhill skater or cruiser, these are your go-tos. Soft bushings, on the other hand, are more responsive. Think sharper turns, quick tricks, street skating, and park riding when you think of soft brushings. Medium bushings are a happy balance of both. Your favorite of the three will depend on your skill level and personal riding style.
05
Mounting and installation tips
Danny Leon sets up his skateboard
© Gonzalo Manera/Red Bull Content Pool
Get ready to put your board together — it’s time to grab a screwdriver and skate tool. Also, make sure you have your hanger (the durable T-shape) and kingpin bolts ready (they connect the hanger to the board). The kingpin nuts determine the tightness: “tight” trucks make wider turns, “loose” trucks prioritize maneuverability. Here are the steps for first-time mounting (or replacement) of trucks:
- Turn over your skateboard and line up the screw holes with the truck holes.
- Insert the four screws.
- Tighten each screw one at a time with the nuts that were part of the truck kit.
- The head of the screws should not be above the level of the grip tape, so tighten them securely but don’t over-tighten them.
- Repeat with the other truck.
06
Maintenance and care
Trucks generally last for years, depending on how hard you’re skating. But knowing when to let go of parts is crucial to prevent falls, injuries, and even breaking your board. If you spot only certain parts cracking, like a kingpin nut, it’s OK to replace just pieces. The entire truck, however, should be replaced when you spot any cracks in the hanger, any part warping, bent axles, or damage on your baseplate.
Cleaning and maintaining your board and trucks is also important. The parts that wear down the quickest are normally bushings and pivot cups. If these aren’t in top shape, they cause extra damage on the hanger — which can kill the entire truck in the long run. Specialized skateboard lubricants also help keep your bearings rolling with less friction. But it’s very important not to use rust removal liquids, as they can leave residue that attracts dust.
Time to shred
If you’re starting out and eager to learn everything you need to know about skateboarding, putting together your own setup is a great starting point. It’s all about customization here. Choosing the right trucks for your skateboard deck size can make a world of a difference in your style and performance. If you’re looking for inspiration to define your own skating take, check out Red Bull Origin. You can watch skate street style evolving before your eyes on Venice Beach. And you may even find some inspiration to try something new yourself.
