How to Fit Skateboard Trucks

Fitting your skateboard trucks correctly can be the difference between a good skating experience and a bad one. They’re the pieces of hardware that attach your wheels to your skateboard deck, keeping your ride stable and smooth as you cruise. The trucks for your skateboard come in various sizes and styles, making them uniquely suited to different skating styles. 

Skateboard truck sizes and styles

Picking the right skateboard truck size and height is so important - getting it wrong can negatively impact the feel and performance of your board. The first thing you need to know is trucks for skateboards are not universal – they come in a variety of axle sizes, heights and ‘kingpin’ types. Understanding whether to go for a larger skateboard truck size or a smaller one is pretty easy – you just need to make sure your trucks are in proportion to the width of your deck! 

Do all skateboard trucks fit all decks?

Unfortunately, they don’t. The sizes of skateboard trucks are not standardised - the truck width should match the width of your deck.

A general good rule of thumb for skateboard truck sizes can be found below, but it is always worthwhile checking the manufacturer’s sizing suggestions too

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+)

 

Skateboard truck styles

There are two major players when it comes to the style of skateboard trucks: the standard kingpin and the reverse kingpin. But what’s the difference?

The standard kingpin…

  • sits higher, providing greater stability for landing tricks.
  • is more rigid and can be adjusted by installing softer bushings or adjusting the tightness.
  • is the go-to choice for traditional skating.

The reverse kingpin…

  • sits lower and faces away from the board’s centre, offering a smoother response.
  • is perfect for downhill skating and carving (where you shift your weight to make fast corner turns)

Skateboard truck heights

You’ll often hear skateboard truck heights referred to as a ‘truck profile.’  This refers to whether the truck sits low to the deck, higher to the deck or somewhere in between. 

Low trucks…

  • have less distance to the ground, making the trucks more suitable for park skating and tricks
  • should be fitted with smaller wheels, usually under 55mm, to avoid wheel bite – to improve stability.
  • wheel bite is when your board comes to an abrupt stop as you turn.

Mid trucks…

  • offer the stability of low trucks but can also be used with larger wheels – making them more suitable for rougher surfaces.

High trucks…

  • are further away from the ground.
  • create sharper turns than lower profile trucks. 
  • offer less stability, which makes them better for carving and cruising.

You can also use shockpads and risers to adjust the clearance between the deck and your wheels and help to smooth out your ride.

Fitting your skateboard trucks

Fitting your skateboard trucks couldn’t be easier – you just need to follow these six simple steps:

Step 1 - Place your truck on the bottom of the board with the kingpin facing inwards.

If you’re attaching reverse kingpin trucks, make sure the nut is facing outwards towards the nose or tail. 

Step 2 - Line up the holes in the truck’s baseplate with the holes in the deck.

Step 3 - Thread the four screws through the holes, anchoring the head of the screw in the top of the board.

Step 4 - Using your hardware kit, tighten the screws down one at a time using the nuts provided.

Step 5 - Tighten the screws so that their head is not above the level of the grip tape.

TIP #1 Trucks should be secure, but make sure not to tighten them too much as this could lead to the skateboard cracking due to increased pressure. [JA1] 

Step 6 - Repeat the same process with the remaining skateboard truck.

You can tweak the settings on your trucks to find the best fit and feel. 

Remember tight trucks prioritise stability, while loose trucks prioritise manoeuvrability.

For more information on installing and adjusting trucks and wheels, you can  

How to choose skateboard trucks

Looking for cool skateboard trucks? Once you’ve picked the relevant width for your trucks, and the height you want for your board, you need to think about what you want to do on your board. Skating more ledges and rail tricks? You’re going to want to go for a heavier-duty skateboard truck to ensure they don’t wear as quickly. 

If you prefer flip tricks and more technical skateboarding, a lighter option may be the choice. You can learn more about how to choose skateboard trucks in our video below.

At SkateHut, you can pick up cool trucks for your skateboard in a range of colours, including black, gold, blue and pink.  We also stock market-leading brands like Independent and Rampage, so you can be sure you’re fitting the skateboard trucks designed to last.

Pick up trucks for your skateboard today

Fitting skateboard trucks that match your board’s style and what you want to achieve on it are the most important things you can do when building a custom skateboard – which is why we stock such a wide range of options.

Shop online with SkateHut today for the latest offers and deals, or get in touch with us to find out further information about how to fit trucks to your skateboard or the right trucks for your board.