In skateboarding, trucks are the metal, T-shaped parts mounted to the bottom of the skateboard deck. They act as the “axles” of the board, connecting the wheels to the wood and allowing the rider to turn.
The Main Functions
Trucks serve three primary purposes:
- Turning: They allow you to steer the board by leaning your weight from side to side.
- Mounting: They hold the wheels and bearings in place.
- Grinding: The metal bar (the hanger) provides a surface for sliding along rails and curbs.
Key Parts of a Truck
A truck consists of several small components working together:
- The Baseplate: This is the flat metal part that bolts directly to the deck.
- The Hanger: This is the large, triangular metal piece that grinds on obstacles. The axle runs through it.
- The Kingpin: This is the large bolt that holds the entire truck together.
- Bushings: These are small rubber rings around the kingpin. They compress when you lean, which controls how easily the board turns.
- Tight trucks make the board stable but harder to turn.
- Loose trucks make the board very agile but harder to balance.
How They Work
When you lean your body, your weight pushes down on one side of the hanger. The bushings squish, allowing the hanger to pivot. This angle change forces the wheels to point in a new direction, which guides the board through a turn.
Choosing the Right Size
Trucks come in different widths. Skaters always match the width of their trucks to the width of their deck. If the trucks are too wide, the wheels will stick out and you might trip on them; if they are too narrow, the board will feel unstable and “tippy.”