Choosing the right skateboard truck size is crucial for optimal performance and feel. It can be confusing navigating the different measurements and brand variations, especially when you’re new to skateboarding. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about skateboard truck sizes, ensuring you select the perfect pair for your board and riding style.
Matching Truck Width to Your Deck: Why It Matters
When purchasing new skateboard trucks, the first thing to consider is your skateboard deck width. The goal is to achieve a balanced setup by matching the overall width of your trucks to the width of your deck. For example, a 7.75″ deck typically pairs well with 5.0″ trucks, while an 8.0″ deck is often matched with 5.25″ trucks.
Why is matching truck width to deck width important?
- Enhanced Stability for Tricks: A properly matched setup improves stability, particularly for spinning tricks like kickflips and heelflips. Centering the truck width with the deck width centralizes the skateboard’s mass, leading to more controlled rotations.
- Improved Grind Awareness: When trucks align with your deck width, it becomes easier to gauge your wheel placement during grinds on rails or coping. This provides better board control and precision during trick execution.
- Aesthetics: While functional benefits are primary, a matched setup also provides a visually balanced look to your skateboard.
Understanding Skateboard Truck Measurements: Hanger vs. Axle
The size measurement you’ll commonly encounter for skateboard trucks refers to the hanger width. What is the hanger? The hanger is the central part of the truck that houses the axle (see Fig 1). Hanger widths are typically stated in inches and increase in 1/4″ increments (e.g., 5.0″, 5.25″, 5.5″).
Confusingly, the advertised truck size is the hanger width, not the overall truck width. The total width of the truck, which determines how it aligns with your deck, includes the axle extending from both sides of the hanger.
The axle typically adds approximately 1.375″ (35mm) on each side, totaling 2.75″ (70mm) to the overall truck width (see Fig 2). Therefore, a “5.0” truck, referring to its hanger width, will have an overall axle width of 7.75″, making it an ideal match for a 7.75″ wide skateboard deck.
Skateboard Truck Height: Beyond width, trucks also come in varying heights: Low, Medium, and High. Truck height influences wheel clearance and turning leverage. Learn more about skateboard truck heights here… (Link to external resource about truck height). While truck height is a factor, width is the primary concern when initially selecting trucks to match your deck.
Navigating Truck Brands and Sizing Differences
Numerous skateboard truck brands exist in the market, each with its own sizing nomenclature, adding another layer of complexity. While most brands adhere to the 1/4 inch increment scale, starting around 5.0″ and increasing in 0.25″ steps (5.0″, 5.25″, 5.5″, etc.), sizing conventions can differ.
Independent and Thunder, for instance, utilize millimeter-based sizing. For example, “129” Independent trucks correspond to a 5.0″ hanger width. However, the “129” designation isn’t a precise 129mm measurement.
Thunder Trucks sizing can be even more confusing. Their “145” model is marketed as a 5.0″ truck, but its hanger width is not actually 145mm. Historically, brands like Independent and Thunder didn’t offer a truck size specifically tailored for 8.25″ decks. Skaters had to compromise by sizing up or down, which wasn’t always optimal. Fortunately, with the rising popularity of 8.25″ decks, both Independent and Thunder introduced new sizes in 2016 to bridge this gap. Independent released the “144”, and Thunder launched the “148”, both designed with 8.25″ axles.
Brands like Venture, Royal, Krux, and Tensor typically use inch-based sizing (5.0″, 5.25″, 5.5″, and larger). However, even within inch-based sizing, variations exist. Royal Trucks, for example, labels a truck as “5.5” but it actually measures closer to a 5.8″ hanger width with an 8.75″ axle. Venture, while not currently offering a “5.5” truck, produces a “5.8” with an 8.75″ axle. Our truck size guide table below accounts for these discrepancies to provide a more accurate comparison.
Ultimately, the specific sizing system is less important than understanding how different truck sizes relate to deck widths. The 1/4″ increment scale serves as a general guideline across brands. The key is to determine your deck width, and then consult a reliable truck size guide to find compatible truck sizes.
To simplify your truck selection, we’ve categorized truck sizes by suitable deck widths in our Skateboard Truck category. You can use the “Your Deck Size” filter to narrow down your options.
Skateboard Truck Size Guide Table
To provide clarity and accuracy, we’ve compiled a truck size guide based on actual measurements of popular skateboard truck brands. This table recommends optimal deck widths for various truck sizes, helping you find the best match.
Skateboard Truck Size Guide
| Hanger Length | Axle Length | Independent | Thunder | ACE | Bullet | Venture | Tensor | Theeve | Royal | Krux | Smallest Deck Size: | Widest Deck Size: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0″ | 7.75″ | 129 | 145 | 22 | 130 | 5.0″ | 5.0″ | 5.0″ | 5.0″ | 5.0″ | 7.4″ | 7.8” |
| 5.25″ | 8.0″ | 139 | 147 | 33 | 140 | 5.25″ | 5.25″ | 5.25″ | 5.25″ | 5.25″ | 7.8″ | 8.125″ |
| 5.5″ | 8.25″ | 144 | 148 | – | – | 5.6″ | 5.5″ | 5.5″ | – | 5.5″ | 8.125″ | 8.4″ |
| 5.75″ | 8.5″ | 149 | 149 | 44 | 150 | 5.8″ | 5.75″ | 5.85″ | 5.5″ (5.8”) | 5.75″ | 8.4″ | 8.6″ |
| 6.0″ | 8.75″ | 159 | 151 | 55 | – | – | – | 6.0″ | – | 6.0″ | 8.6″ | 8.9″ |
| 6.5″ | 9.0″ | 169 | – | 66 | – | – | – | 6.5″ | – | 6.5″ | 8.9″ | 9.25″+ |
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Skateboard Truck Size
Remember, this guide provides our recommended truck-to-deck size pairings. Other skateboard shops and resources might offer slightly different advice. Ultimately, the best truck size comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for your individual skating style. Experimentation and personal experience are key to finding your perfect skateboard setup.
