How to Put Trucks on Your Skateboard: Tips and Tricks

how to put trucks on a skateboard

Every newbie and beginner skateboarder will find themselves asking, “how do I put trucks on my skateboard?” Luckily, we’re here to help.

Putting trucks onto your skateboard, longboard, or cruiser is not a difficult task at all. That being said, there are improper ways of putting your trucks onto your skateboard. If done incorrectly, it could cause injury.

The kingpins and bushings of each face should be turned inwards towards each other. Fasten the nuts to the screws to keep the trucks loosely in place while you work on them.

How Do You Mount Trucks On A Skateboard?

Mounting trucks on your skateboard is not a difficult task. You just need to make sure that you’re attaching them to your board properly. Longboards and cruisers have the kingpins facing away from each other, whereas the kingpins on regular skateboard trucks should face in.

Follow these 5 simple steps:

  1. Lay your deck down flat with the graphic side showing.
  2. Grab your first truck and place it over the four holes, making sure that the kingpin is facing in, towards where the other truck will be placed. (For a regular skateboard)
  3. Gently screw in the hardware by hand so that all four screws are loosely screwed in.
  4. Copy steps 2 and 3 for the other truck.
  5. Tighten all screws.

Which Way Do Trucks Go on a Skateboard?

Trucks on a regular skateboard have the kingpins and bushings facing each other. These types of trucks are referred to as traditional kingpin (TKP) trucks.

Longboards and cruisers, on the other hand, typically have the kingpins and bushings facing away from one another. These trucks are known as reverse kingpin (RKP) trucks. RKP trucks are better for cutting, carving, and getting nice wide turns. They’re usually wider and more stable than TKP trucks.

When mounting trucks onto your skateboard, longboard, or cruiser, make sure that the kingpins and bushings are facing the correct way. If they’re not, it could cause your trucks to act funny and potentially cause injury.

Are There Front And Back Trucks On Skateboards?

Skateboards do not come with designated front and rear trucks. However, once you’ve been riding your board for a long time you may want to differentiate which is which.

Before removing both trucks from your previous setup, it’s critical to identify which is your back truck and which is your front tuck. Because of the modified bushings from the prior setup, the board would feel as if it were backward if the trucks are misplaced on the new skateboard.

Does Truck Size Matter?

Yes! Truck size matters on a skateboard.

For the best performance, you want to choose a skate truck width that is similar to your deck width, give or take a quarter-inch. If the trucks are too narrow, this may cause some instability issues and limit your turning ability. On the other hand, if they are too wide, it will reduce your maneuverability.

The width of your Skateboard should be taken into consideration while choosing a truck. It’s critical that they don’t exceed the deck’s width since the center of gravity would shift to the side of the deck this way. This may influence flip tricks and has an impact on the overall board feel.

Read about the different sizes of skateboard trucks and how to find the proper size for your board.

How Can You Adjust The Tightness Of Your Trucks?

First off, if you want to tighten or loosen your trucks, do so by tightening or loosening the kingpin. You can use either an Allen key or a skate tool to do this.

Be careful not to overtighten or loosen the kingpin too much. If you overtighten it, your trucks will be extremely hard to turn. This can make skating difficult and dangerous. On the other hand, if you loosen the kingpin too much, your trucks will be very wobbly and unstable. This can also be dangerous.

A good rule of thumb is to tighten the kingpin until it’s snug, but don’t overdo it. To learn more about adjusting the tightness of your trucks, read our article on how to adjust skateboard trucks.

You Can Also Get Different Bushings

However, if that doesn’t seem to work as well as you planned and you still want your skateboard to feel tighter or looser, you can get new bushings. Typically, trucks come with medium or medium-hard bushings. Find out which yours are and try the next in line.

Most standard bushings come in soft, medium, medium-hard, and hard stiffness. You can also find bushings in a variety of shapes, sizes, and durometers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Important Are Trucks On A Skateboard?

A skateboard has two trucks (sometimes called drops) that are attached to the board’s bottom. They’re responsible for turning, ollies, grinds, and converting your motions into the motions of your skateboard. They serve as the link between your deck and your wheels; therefore, it’s critical to get them correctly adjusted.

Are Low Trucks Better For Street Skating?

Low trucks are ideal for tech skating since the wheels are closer to the board, resulting in a more stable center of gravity that makes flip tricks easier. To avoid wheel bite, choose smaller wheels ranging from 48mm to 53mm. Low trucks are wonderful for ledge grinds and all-around “tech’ skatepark skating.

Do All Bushings Fit All Trucks?

Bushings on skateboard trucks are designed to be adjustable, so you may adapt them depending on your preferences. All skateboard truck bushings are the same size and will fit any skateboard, longboard, or cruiser.

How Do You Know If Your Skateboard Trucks Are Good?

First, the width of your trucks’ axles should correspond to that of your deck and vice versa. The ideal width is critical, but there’s more to consider. Second, take into account where and what you want to skateboard; the hardness of truck bushings, type of baseplate, pivot cups, and washers all play a role.

How Loose Should Trucks Be On A Skateboard?

When you skate, the trucks on your board should be loose enough that you don’t have to tic-tac to get around things. Skateboard trucks can be set tight or loose depending on the skater’s preference. They should be tight enough that the kingpin doesn’t fall out but loose enough that the bushings don’t burst.

Conclusion

There are a number of things to consider when it comes to buying skateboard trucks – from the width of your board to the type of skating you want to do. Our guide provides an overview of the different types of skateboard trucks available and how to find the right ones for your needs.

If you’re still unsure, our team is here to help. Simply contact us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to assist you in finding the perfect trucks for your skateboard.

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