Here at Wake2o, we have a wide variety of longboard trucks, suitable for different longboarding styles, deck designs and your prefered setup; but, how ado you know which is the best longboard for you? In this ultimate longboard guide we will tell you everything there is to know about longboard trucks.
- Parts of a longboard truck
- What size trucks you need for your longboard
- Kingpin styles
- Baseplate angles
- Rake
When trying to find the right longboard trucks for you deck, we recommend making your that the truck width matches the width of your longboard deck. Obviously it's not always easy to find an exact match, it doesn't matter too much if there a little bit of difference.
Generally, the wider your longboard truck, the more stable it will be but less lively and responsive, compared to a narrower truck which will be less stable but more lively and responsive.
Typically 180mm or 10" longboard trucks will be used more on downhill, freeride setups. Whereas, 150mm or 9" are more commonly put on longboard setups that are aimed for carving, freestlye and commuting.
There are two standard styles of kingpin placement and they are Reverse Kingpin (RKP) and Traditional Kingpin (TKP). Reverse kingpin trucks and traditional kingpin trucks differ primarily in their design and intended use, leading to variations in performance and handling. We will break these down for you.
Reverse kingpin trucks, as the name suggests, have the kingpin positioned at an angle facing away from the center of the board, hence the "reverse" designation.
Reverse kingpin trucks prioritize maneuverability and agility, making them ideal for carving, cruising, and freestyle riding. They provide a smoother, more surf-like feel and are popular among longboarders seeking a responsive ride.
Reverse kingpin trucks often have taller profiles compared to traditional kingpin trucks, which can affect board clearance and stability.
Reverse kingpin trucks are favored by riders who enjoy cruising, carving, freeride, and long-distance pushing due to their enhanced maneuverability and smooth turning capabilities.
Traditional kingpin trucks have the kingpin (the large bolt that holds the components of the truck together) positioned at an angle facing towards the center of the board.
Traditional kingpin trucks typically offer more stability at higher speeds due to their lower center of gravity and tighter turning radius.
Traditional kingpin trucks typically have lower profiles, offering a lower ride height that enhances stability and control, especially for downhill riding.
Traditional kingpin trucks are commonly used for street skateboarding and certain styles of longboarding such as downhill racing and technical riding.
A double stacked kingpin features two kingpins stacked on top of each other within the hanger. This design allows for additional customization and adjustment options, particularly in terms of the truck's responsiveness and stability.
The Gullwing Sidewinder II trucks have a double kingpin, they are great longboard trucks for carving. They allow you to carver harder, deeper and smoother. They tend to be less stable at high speeds.
Double kingpins allow riders to customise their trucks to best suit their preferences and riding styles.
While double stacked kingpin trucks are not as common as traditional setups, they have gained popularity among experienced riders looking to push the boundaries of longboarding performance.
In longboard trucks, the baseplate angle refers to the angle between the baseplate (the part that mounts onto the deck) and the hanger (the part that holds the wheels). This angle plays a significant role in how the trucks perform and how the board feels while riding.
The higher angles allow for more maneuverability and responsiveness making them ideal for longboarders who like carving and freestyle riding. However, longboard trucks with a high angle are less stable than those with a lower baseplate angle.
Typically used on commuting and cruising longboard setups, trucks with a medium baseplate angle provide a middle ground between low and high. They strike a balance between stability and maneuverability.
Longboard trucks with a low baseplate angle are the most stable making them the perfect trucks for downhill, freeride riders. They offer less maneuverability which helps with more stability when going at high speeds.
In longboard trucks, "rake" refers to the angle of the hanger relative to its pivot point. It's the angle at which the hanger bends away from the center of the truck. Rake affects how the trucks handle turns and how stable they are at different speeds.
Longboard trucks that have a positive rake allow the rider to get an increased turn. The positive rake provides more leverage on the bushings therefore resulting in more responsive turns, this makes them the perfect truck style for carving. Although positive rake longboard trucks have great maneuverability, they lack stability, so they won't be the type of truck to choose if you are wanting to do downhill riding.
Trucks with a neutral take have the hanger perpendicular to the baseplate, this provides a balanced ride. Neutral rake trucks are versatile and suitable for various riding styles, including cruising, freestyle, and some downhill.
A negative rake stabilizes the longboard truck by reducing the leverage on the bushings. Longboard trucks with a negative rake are perfect if you like downhill or freeride skating as they provide stability and control when riding at high speeds. The Caliber III Rakeless trucks are a great choice if you are wanting a set of trucks with a negative rake
This all depends on what style of riding you prefer. Some of the top brands for longboard trucks are: Paris Trucks Co, Caliber, Seismic and Gullwing.
If you are after all round trucks then we highly recommend the Paris V3 Trucks, or if you're more into your carving and pumping, the Gullwing Sidewinders II are the best. If you're looking for a more stable truck then the Caliber III Rakeless trucks are what you need, they perform well at high speeds.
The bushing on a longboard truck are the two rubber pieces that sit on the kingpin. You can switch your bushings to either softer or harder durometer.
Soft bushings are more responsive making them better for carving and pumping. They also have less resistance allowing the rider to be able to turn effortlessly, this benefits lighter riders. Soft bushings absorb vibrations providing you with a more comfortable, smoother ride.
Hard bushings provide more stability, especially when going at high speeds. In comparison to soft bushings, they offer less turn making them ideal for downhill and freeride riding. Hard bushings maintain their shape and stiffness more effectively, providing a consistent feel throughout the life of the bushing. This can be advantageous for riders who value predictability in their setup.
No you don't. The way to mount longboard trucks to a drop through deck is by undoing the bolt on the kingpin and removing the top bushing and hangar. Then you just attach the truck as normal and then put it back together.
Yes, you can adjust the tightness of your longboard trucks, all you need is a skate tool and you can adjust it to your preference.
Looser trucks allow you to turn easier meaning deeper carves and more agile turns. Although looser trucks can sacrifice stability so if you are into your downhill riding and speed, then we don't recommend loosening your trucks too much unless you want speed wobbles...
The tighter your truck, the more stability you will have. You will, however, lose some maneuverability and ease with turning which just means you will need to put a bit more effort into turning. Tighter trucks are ideal for beginners too due to the extra stability.
