If you’ve ended up here it’s either because you’re building a setup from scratch, or because you want to change your trucks and don’t know which to get. Good news: skateboard trucks are an extremely durable part. Bad news: there are 20 brands, each one names its sizes differently, and the gap between getting it right and getting it wrong shows up A LOT when you skate.
In this guide we cover everything that matters: how a truck is measured, what’s different between the top brands, when you need a riser, which bushings match your weight, and how much you should actually spend for your level.
How a skateboard truck is measured
Three key dimensions:
- Hanger width: the metal block the bushings sit in. The figure Thunder and most brands quote in their models (147, 149, 151…).
- Axle width: the thin metal axle sticking out where you mount the wheel. This is the dimension that HAS TO MATCH your deck width.
- Height (low / mid / high): how far it lifts the deck off the ground. The bigger the wheels, the taller it needs to be to avoid wheelbite.
Types of trucks and what they're for
Standard / Stage (street + park)
The “normal” all-round truck. Independent Stage 11, Thunder Hi, Venture High. Works for 90% of skaters: street, park, mellow transitions. If you’re starting out or not sure what you’ll be doing, this is your truck.
Hollow / Light (technical street)
A lightened version of the standard. Independent Hollows, Thunder Lights, Venture Hollows. You save 70-100 g per truck (140-200 g over a full setup). They cut truck weight and at a high level you can feel it on tricks. Early on it’s irrelevant and just bumps the price.
Forged / Premium (maximum durability)
Forged aluminium instead of cast. Pricier, practically indestructible. Independent Stage 11 Forged Hollows is the example. If you’re heavy or do a lot of metal-on-metal grinds the difference shows, but same as before: early on it makes no sense.
Brand equivalents
Every brand uses its own naming system. The trucks calculator gives you the exact figure, but here’s the quick equivalence:
| Your deck | Independent | Thunder | Venture | Krux |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.75″ | 129 | 145 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 8.0″ | 139 | 147 | 5.2 | 5.25 |
| 8.25″ | 144 | 148 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| 8.5″ | 149 | 149 | 5.8 | 8.5 |
| 8.75″ | 159 | 151 | 6.1 | 9.0 |
Another 14 brands (Element, Globe, Tensor, Theeve, Royal, Ace, etc.) use the Venture system. For all the in-between sizes, use the calculator.
Practical differences between the big three:
- Independent: the most stable. Firm bushings. For street, park, bowl. The safe choice.
- Thunder: the lightest. Geometry that favours flips. For technical street.
- Venture: the middle ground. Good turning, decent for everything. Less popular but just as solid.
Truck height and when you need a riser
| Wheel diameter | Recommended truck height | Riser |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 52 mm | Low | No |
| 53 - 55 mm | Mid | No (unless very soft bushings) |
| 56 - 57 mm | Mid or High | Optional 1/8″ |
| 58 - 60 mm | High | 1/8″ recommended |
| Over 60 mm | High | 1/4″ essential |
A riser is a 3-6 mm plastic or urethane piece that goes between the deck and the truck. It does three things: prevents wheelbite, cushions landings, dampens road vibration. It costs under €5 a set and can save you from a nasty slam.
Bushings: the detail that changes everything
Bushings are the two rubber pieces inside the hanger that let the truck turn. They come factory-calibrated, but they’re rarely the optimum for you.
What matters about a bushing:
-
Hardness (on the A scale): from 78A (very soft, turns a lot) to 96A (very hard, turns little).
- 78-85A: for a skater under 60 kg or loose cruising.
- 87-91A: factory standard. For 65-80 kg.
- 92-96A: for a skater over 85 kg or vert.
-
Shape: conical (wide turning) vs barrel (controlled turning). Most stock comes conical on top + barrel on the bottom.
If the truck wobbles too much in turns, or the opposite, it feels locked, it’s the bushings, not the trucks.
What decent trucks cost
| Range | Quality | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| €15-30 | Generic / unbranded | To start and experiment. Don’t last long. |
| €35-55 | Mid tiers | Hit or miss. Some good, some not. Read reviews. |
| €55-80 | Top brands (Indy, Thunder, Venture) | The sweet spot. 5-10 years of life. |
| €80-120 | Forged / Premium | If you skate daily. Indestructible. |
Don’t buy trucks under €30 if you’re going to skate regularly. The aluminium difference shows: cheap ones bend, kingpins strip, threads give out.
Minimal maintenance
Trucks are very low-maintenance. Just three things:
- Tighten the kingpin if it loosens with use. Standard allen key.
- Change the bushings every 1-2 years or when they visibly flatten.
- Clean dust off the axle before mounting the wheels. A speck of dust and the bearings squeal.
That’s it. A good truck lasts you a decade with zero attention.
Where next?
- Calculate your exact truck equivalent in any brand.
- Read the full Independent guide if you like that brand.
- Combine with the wheels calculator to nail the whole setup.
- Learn about decks in our full guide.
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