Skateboard Trucks – What Are They and What Do They Do?

Skateboard trucks (yep, those metal bits under your board) are what connect your wheels to the deck. Think of them as the undercarriage of your skateboard.

At first glance, they might look like just some metal piece holding your wheels. But don’t be fooled – trucks have a huge impact on turning, stability, control, performance, and speed.

So before buying a new set of trucks, think about your riding style – that’s what should guide your choice.

Which Trucks Should You Buy?

First of all, they need to fit your deck. Check which truck width matches your deck size.

How to Match Trucks to Deck Size

• Deck size: 7.25” to 7.875” → get trucks 129 mm (5”)

• Deck size: 8” to 8.125” → get trucks 139 mm (5.5”)

• Deck size: 8.25” to 8.5” → get trucks 149 mm (5.8”)

• Deck size: 8.75” to 9” → get trucks 159 mm (6.26”)

• Deck size: over 9.75” → get trucks 169 mm (6.65”)

Then think about your style: do you ride street, bowls & vert, or prefer cruising? That will determine the truck height you need.

Trucks come in three main heights: low, mid, and high.

High or Low Trucks – Which Is Better?

In short — go for high trucks if you ride park, vert, or bowls. Low trucks are better for street skating.

What’s the Difference Between Low and High Trucks?

Low Trucks:

They offer more stability at high speeds and keep your deck closer to the ground. That means better board feel and more control – ideal for flip tricks.

If you care about the weight of your setup, low trucks are often lighter. But since your board sits lower, you’ll need smaller wheels, which might limit you. You can always add riser pads to raise the height and avoid wheel bite.

High Trucks:

They offer better turning and more space for larger wheels. Perfect if you love carving, quick turns, and complex tricks at the park.

High trucks give you flexibility – you can ride small or big wheels. Bigger wheels mean smoother rides on rough surfaces.

That’s why ramp and bowl riders often go for high setups.

Your final choice depends on personal style and preferences. If you love tight spaces and technical tricks – low trucks may suit you. If you enjoy bowls and open parks – go high.

In the end, it's all about experimenting. Some skaters test different setups until they find the one that feels just right. If you're just starting out, low trucks are often easier to learn on. But there’s no rule here – if you want a balanced option, mid trucks are a great start. Keep testing until you land on the perfect match for your ride.