Element Skateboard Trucks
2 total products
Element Skateboards - between skateboarding, nature & environment
High-quality skateboard trucks are as important for an ideal skateboard setup as a deck that fits you. Skate trucks are not only necessary for steering, but also essential for tricks like grinds. For this reason, they should not only have good steering performance but should also be especially robust.
Skateboard trucks from the most famous brands such as Thunder Trucks and Independent Trucks have proven themselves for years. Newer brands like Film Trucks or ACE also offer excellent alternatives.
No matter which skate truck you choose, in the skatedeluxe skate shop you'll, only find high-quality trucks from the best skateboard truck brands. Also, you'll find a lot of know-how and tips to help you buy your new skateboard trucks on this page. If you know which truck width you need and if you want to have low, mid or high trucks, you can order the right trucks easily and comfortably online.
Frequently asked questions about skateboard trucks:
- How is a skateboard truck constructed?
- What should I pay attention to when buying skateboard trucks?
- Which truck width fits my deck?
- High, mid or low truck - Which truck height is right for me?
- Hollow, light, etc. - what special truck technologies are available?
- How do I adjust the steering of my skateboard trucks?
- What accessories do I need for skateboard trucks?
- Where can I find more information about skateboard trucks?
The construction of skateboard trucks
The construction of skate trucks is basically the same for all manufacturers. Roughly, trucks are composed of two basic elements - the hanger and the baseplate. The hanger is where the wheels sit. The baseplate is mounted to the deck. These two parts are connected by a bolt called the kingpin. The kingpin also holds the bushings, which provide mobility.
From Hanger to Pivot - the individual parts of skateboard trucks
Besides bearings, skateboard trucks are the most technical components of a skateboard. All parts fulfil a purpose – without these, skate trucks wouldn't work optimally.
- Kingpin nut
- Top washer
- Top Bushing
- Axle nut
- Speedrings
- Axle
- Bottom bushing
- Kingpin
- Baseplate
- Hanger
- Pivot cup
Skateboard truck construction - the parts explained
Baseplate
The baseplate is the connection to the skateboard deck. It's screwed to the deck with four bolts. The baseplate holds the kingpin and the pivot cup.
Hanger
Inside the hanger you can find the axle, to which the wheels are attached. The kingpin is guided through a recess in the front of the hanger. The conical end of the hanger is called the pivot. The pivot is located in the pivot cup of the baseplate. The hanger is the central element necessary for steering and grinding.
Axle & axle nut
The axle is located inside the hanger and is a continuous metal pin with threads at both ends. An axle nut is placed on each thread to secure the wheels to the axle.
Kingpin & kingpin nut
The kingpin is the bolt that connects the hanger and baseplate. The kingpin also carries the bushings and washers. The final part is the kingpin nut. The hardness of the steering can be adjusted by tightening the kingpin nut.
Bushings
Together with the kingpin nut, bushings determine how hard or soft the steering of a truck is. They are made of polyurethane and are placed between baseplate and hanger, or hanger and kingpin nut on the kingpin. The harder the bushings, the harder or more sluggish the steering.
Washers
Washers are the metal washers that sit on or under the bushings. Washers ensure that the forces acting on the bushings are distributed evenly. They also help to bring the bushings back into their original position.
Speedrings
Speedrings are small washers that are placed on the axle. They have the same diameter as the inner rings of skateboard bearings and reduce the friction between bearing and hanger or axle nut.
Pivot cup
The pivot cup is a small plastic part that sits in the corresponding recess in the baseplate. The pivot cup is the second connection point between the hanger and baseplate and contributes to smooth steering.
Buying skateboard trucks online - what to pay attention to
When buying skateboard trucks you should pay attention to three things: truck width, truck height and quality. You don't have to worry about the latter in the skatedeluxe skate shop. We only have high-quality trucks from "real" skate brands. So you can rest assured about their quality and steering behaviour. Besides that, your skateboard trucks should match your deck and wheels. In short, the truck width has to match the deck width and the truck height has to match the wheel diameter.
Skateboard truck width and deck width - how to coordinate your setup
Basically, there are two truck widths - the hanger width and the axle width. To find the right truck width for your deck, we advise you to stick to the axle width. In general, we recommend that you choose a truck with an axle width that exactly matches your deck width. A deviation of +/- 0.125″ is perfectly okay. For an 8″ deck, an axle width between 7.875″ and 8.125″ would be ideal. A deviation of up to 0.25″ from your deck width is, in principle, still okay. However, we do not necessarily advise you to do so.
Once you have found the right truck width for your skateboard, you can easily search for the right trucks using the filter in the skatedeluxe skate shop. In the product descriptions, you'll also find the inner and outer truck width of the respective truck, as well as a recommendation for the suitable deck width.
Recommendations: truck widths and suitable deck widths
| INDEPENDENT Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 7" (179 mm) | 6.775" - 7.025" | 6.65" - 7.15" | 4.25" (108 mm) |
| 129 | 7.625" (194 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5.0" (127 mm) |
| 139 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.39" (137 mm) |
| 144 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.625" (143 mm) |
| 149 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.9" (150 mm) |
| 159 | 8.75" (222 mm) | 8.625" - 8.875" | 8.5" - 9" | 6.15" (156 mm) |
| 169 | 9.125" (232 mm) | 9" - 9.25" | 8.875" - 9.375" | 6.5" (165 mm) |
| 215 | 10" (254 mm) | 9.875" - 10.125" | 9.75" - 10.25" | 7.36" (187 mm) |
| THUNDER Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 143 | 7.125" (181 mm) | 6.875" - 7.375" | 7" - 7.25" | 4.5" (114 mm) |
| 145 | 7.625" (194 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5.0" (127 mm) |
| 147 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.875" - 8.125" | 5.39" (137 mm) |
| 148 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.67" (144 mm) |
| 149 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.9" (150 mm) |
| 151 | 8.75" (222 mm) | 8.625" - 8.875" | 8.5" - 9" | 6.15" (156 mm) |
| 161 | 9.125" (232 mm) | 9" - 9.25" | 8.875" - 9.375" | 6.5" (165 mm) |
| ACE Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 00 Classic 3.875" | 6.5" (164 mm) | 6.375" - 6.625" | 6.25" - 6.75" | 3.875" (98 mm) |
| 11 Classic 4.5" | 7" (178 mm) | 6.875" - 7.125" | 6.75" - 7.25" | 4.5" (114 mm) |
| 02 Low 5.0" | 7.625" (193 mm) | 7.375" - 7.875" | 7.5" - 7.75" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 22 Classic 5.0" | 7.625" (193 mm) | 7.375" - 7.875" | 7.5" - 7.75" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 03 Low 5.375" | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.375" (136 mm) |
| 33 Classic 5.375" | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.375" (136 mm) |
| 44 Classic 5.75" | 8.35" (212 mm) | 8.25" - 8.5" | 8.125" - 8.625" | 5.75" (146 mm) |
| 55 Classic 6.375" | 9" (229 mm) | 8.875" - 9.125" | 8.75" - 9.25" | 6.375" (162 mm) |
| 66 Classic 6.75" | 9.35" (237 mm) | 9.25" - 9.5" | 9.125" - 9.625" | 6.75" (178 mm) |
| 22 AF1 | 7.75" (197 mm) | 7.625" - 7.875" | 7.5" - 8" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 33 AF1 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.25" (135 mm) |
| 44 AF1 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.5" (139 mm) |
| 55 AF1 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.675" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.75" (146 mm) |
| 60 AF1 | 8.75" (222 mm) | 8.625" - 8.875" | 8.5" - 9" | 6.1" (155 mm) |
| 66 AF1 | 9.0" (229 mm) | 8.875" - 9.125" | 8.75" - 9.25" | 6.25" (159 mm) |
| 77 AF1 | 9.5" (241 mm) | 9.375" - 9.625" | 9.25" - 9.75" | 6.75" (178 mm) |
| VENTURE Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 5.0 | 7.625" (194 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5.0" (128 mm) |
| 5.2 / 5.25 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.39" (137 mm) |
| 5.6 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.6" (143 mm) |
| 5.8 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.9" (150 mm) |
| 6.1 | 8.75" (221 mm) | 8.625" - 8.875" | 8.5" - 9" | 6.1" (155 mm) |
| ROYAL Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 127 | 7.5" (190 mm) | 7.375" - 7.625" | 7.25" - 7.75" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 139 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.785" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.47" (139 mm) |
| 144 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.66" (144 mm) |
| 149 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.8" (147 mm) |
| 159 | 8.75" (222 mm) | 8.625" – 8.875" | 8.5" - 9" | 6.25" (159 mm) |
| TENSOR Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 4.25 | 7" (176 mm) | 6.875" - 7.125" | 6.75" - 7.25" | 4.25" (108 mm) |
| 4.75 | 7.5" (190 mm) | 7.375" - 7.625" | 7.25" - 7.75" | 4.75" (120 mm) |
| 5.0 | 7.625" (194 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 5.25 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.25" (133 mm) |
| 5.5 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8" - 8.5" | 5.5" (139 mm) |
| 5.75 | 8.375" (213 mm) | 8.25" - 8.5" | 8.125" - 8.625" | 5.75" (146 mm) |
| 6 | 8.6" (220 mm) | 8.5" - 8.75" | 8.375" - 8.875" | 6" (152 mm) |
| FILM Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 5.25" | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.25" (133 mm) |
| 5.5" | 8.125" (209 mm) | 8" - 8.25" | 7.875" - 8.375" | 5.5" (139 mm) |
| 6" | 8.66" (220 mm) | 8.5" - 8.75" | 8.375" - 8.875" | 6" (152 mm) |
| DESTRUCTO Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 5.0 | 7.625" (194 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5" (127 mm) |
| 5.25 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.25" (133 mm) |
| 5.5 | 8.125" (207 mm) | 8" - 8.25" | 7.875" - 8.375" | 5.5" (139 mm) |
| 5.75 | 8.375" (212 mm) | 8.25" - 8.5" | 8.125" - 8.625" | 5.75" (145 mm) |
| POLSTER Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 4.25 | 6.9" (176 mm) | 6.875" - 7.125" | 6.75" - 7.25" | 4.25" (108 mm) |
| 4.5 | 7.125" (181 mm) | 7" - 7.25" | 6.875" - 7.375" | 4.5" (114 mm) |
| 5.0 | 7.67" (195 mm) | 7.5" - 7.75" | 7.375" - 7.875" | 5.0" (127 mm) |
| 5.25 | 7.875" (200 mm) | 7.75" - 8.0" | 7.625" - 8.125" | 5.25" (134 mm) |
| 5.5 | 8.125" (206 mm) | 8.0" - 8.25" | 7.875" - 8.375" | 5.5" (140 mm) |
| 5.85 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.9" (150 mm) |
| ORIGIN Size desicription |
Axle width | Recommended deck width - ideal | Recommended deck width - maximum | Hanger width |
| 129 | 7.75" (197 mm) | 7.625" - 7.75" | 7.5" - 7.875" | 5" (129 mm) |
| 139 | 8" (203 mm) | 7.875" - 8.125" | 7.75" - 8.25" | 5.45" (139 mm) |
| 144 | 8.25" (209 mm) | 8.125" - 8.375" | 8.0" - 8.5" | 5.625" (144 mm) |
| 149 | 8.5" (216 mm) | 8.375" - 8.625" | 8.25" - 8.75" | 5.9" (149 mm) |
| 159 | 8.75" (222 mm) | 8.625" – 8.875" | 8.5" - 9.0" | 6.25" (159 mm) |
Why axle width instead of hanger width?
Skateboard truck manufacturers specify the width of their trucks by numbers or values in the names of their products. This is usually the hanger width (inner width) in inches or millimetres.
- Axle width (outer width)
- Hanger width (inner width)
- Hanger
- Baseplate
Unfortunately, the width specifications of the different truck brands are not standardized, so different names can mean the same width. Therefore, the axle width (outer width) is a more useful size specification.
What happens if the trucks don't fit the deck?
If your trucks are wider than your deck, the centre of gravity of the deck shifts outwards. This can affect the flip behaviour and general board feeling. In extreme cases, you may hit the protruding wheel while pushing and you'll kick your board away from under your feet.
If your trucks are much narrower than your deck, the steering behaviour and overall stability of your skateboard will get worse. You'll probably have less fun riding your board and find it harder to learn tricks.
High, Mid or Low trucks - find the right truck height
The height of your skateboard trucks has to be adjusted to the size of your wheels. The height of skateboard trucks also affects the characteristics of a skateboard. Trucks can be divided into three heights - low, mid and high.
The height of a skateboard truck is measured from the bottom of the baseplate to the centre of the axle. Unfortunately, the manufacturers' descriptions of truck heights are not uniform either. Therefore, we divide the trucks in the skatedeluxe skate shop ourselves into low, mid and high:
Skateboard truck height - description and dimension
- Low trucks: 46 - 49mm
- Mid trucks: 50 - 53mm
- High trucks: 53.5 - 58mm
Truck heights by manufacturers
| INDEPENDENT Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 48 mm | Low |
| Mid | 52 mm | Mid |
| Standard | 55 mm | High |
| THUNDER Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| 145 / 147 | 49 mm | Low |
| 143 Team / 145 Team / 147 Team | 50 mm | Mid |
| 148 / 149 / 151 | 51 mm | Mid |
| 148 Team / 149 Team / 151 Team / 161 | 52 mm | Mid |
| 161 Team | 53 mm | Mid |
| ACE Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 49 mm | Low |
| Classic / AF1 | 52 mm | Mid |
| VENTURE Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 48 mm | Low |
| High | 53,5 mm | High |
| ROYAL Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Inverted/ Blacks/ Ravvs | 52 mm | Mid |
| TENSOR Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 46 mm | Low |
| 4.25 / 4.75 / 5.0 Regular | 51,5 mm | Mid |
| 5.25 Regular | 52 mm | Mid |
| 5.5 / 5.75 / 6.0 Regular | 53 mm | Mid |
| All Terrain | 55 mm | High |
| FILM Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| 4.25" | 51 mm | Mid |
| 5.25" / 5.5" / 6" | 52,5 mm | Mid |
| DESTRUCTO Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 48 mm | Low |
| Mid | 56 mm | High |
| POLSTER Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / Titan | 52 mm | Mid |
| ORIGIN Manufacturers description |
Height | skatedeluxe height description |
|---|---|---|
| Mid | 53 mm | Mid |
High skateboard trucks
With high trucks, you can skate on larger wheels up to 60mm. For even bigger wheels we recommend riser pads.
With high skateboard trucks, the distance between the deck and ground is bigger. This allows you to skate tighter turns. At high speeds, high trucks may appear less stable.
Low skateboard trucks
For low trucks, smaller wheels up to 53mm are suitable.
With low trucks, the deck is lower, which makes the general handling more stable. These trucks are especially advantageous for children and people with short legs.
Mid skateboard trucks
With mid trucks, you can skate mid-size wheels up to 56mm.
Mid skateboard trucks are best suited for all-round skateboarding and are the compromise between high and low trucks.
More information about the different truck heights can be found in our Skateboard Truck Wiki. You can easily find all matching trucks in the shop using the filter "truck height".
Why is truck height important?
Your truck height determines which wheels you can skate and vice versa. Wheels that are too big can cause wheelbites. Wheelbites occur when the wheels rub against the bottom of the deck while you are skating or steering.
When landing, wheelbites can make a trick look very messy. At high speeds, wheelbites can also cause the wheels to a standstill, which would most likely cause you to fall off the board. The hardness of the steering plays a role in addition to the truck height. Riser pads can be used to fine-tune the height of your truck.
Recommendation: Truck height and wheel size
- Truck height
- Wheel size
Find the right trucks quickly and easily with the Skateboard Configurator
Do you want to put together a new setup and need the right trucks? With the help of the skatedeluxe Skateboard Configurator, you can create your individual skateboard in a few steps. The configurator shows you the matching trucks to your desired deck and makes sure that the rest of the components also fit your new skateboard. You can also start with the trucks and the configurator will show you the matching decks and wheels.
Hollow, light, etc. - what do the truck technologies mean?
Special technologies are generally designed to make trucks lighter and more stable. Especially for children or beginners, it can be frustrating to get the skateboard in the air with an ollie. After all, the trucks are the heaviest components of a skateboard, weighing about 300-400g. But lighter trucks are interesting even for technical skaters, because you get a small advantage when doing particularly difficult tricks.
Many truck manufacturers use the terms "hollow" and "light" for the lighter versions of their standard trucks. Such skateboard trucks mostly have a hollow axle or kingpin. A significant weight advantage is achieved with titanium axles. These are even lighter and stronger than classic or hollow axles.
Some manufacturers offer trucks with forged baseplates next to trucks with cast baseplate. Forged baseplates are forged, not cast, making them stronger and lighter. The weight of each skateboard truck in our shop can be found in the product descriptions. More about skateboard truck technologies can be found in our truck Wiki.
» Skateboard truck Wiki » Lightweight skateboard trucks at skatedeluxeLoose or tight - how to adjust the steering of your skateboard trucks
Whether your truck's steer is hard or soft, you can adjust it on the kingpin nut. The easiest way to do this is with a skate tool.
To make your steering harder, you have to tighten the kingpin nuts of both trucks equally. This gives your skateboard more stability. Be careful not to tighten the kingpin nuts too much, as this could damage the bushings. If your steering still feels too soft, you can use bushings with a higher degree of hardness.
To make your steering softer you can loosen the kingpin nuts of both trucks a little bit. By loosening the kingpin nuts, the steering will be more agile. Don't loosen the nut too much, it should sit completely on the thread of the kingpin. Similarly, you can make your trucks even softer by using softer bushings.
Bushings - fine tuning for your skateboard trucks
Bushings are available in different degrees of hardness. As with skateboard wheels, the hardness is indicated on the A-scale. The higher the A-value, the harder the bushing. Cone bushings make a truck easier to steer, while barrel bushings make a truck more stable.
Is your skateboard wobbly, crooked or squeaky? Answers and further hints about skateboard trucks can be found in the skatedeluxe Truck Wiki.
More accessories for your skateboard trucks
A few things should be part of your basic equipment, especially if you move around the city or skate in different spots. Using skate tools you can not only adjust your steering, but also assemble all the other parts of your skateboard. With skate wax, you can make sure that your trucks grind better on rough curbs and surfaces. You will also find a lot of spare and small parts for skateboard trucks like nuts, pivot cups and more at skatedeluxe.
Hardware for your skateboard
The hardware connects trucks and deck and consists of eight nuts and bolts each. Normally a bolt length of 7/8″ to 1″ is sufficient. Whether you choose Phillips or Allen bolts is a question of personal taste. If you want to use riser or shock pads, we recommend bolts between 1 1/8″ and 1 3/4″, depending on the height of the pads.
» To the hardwareRiser and shock pads
Riser pads are mounted between the baseplate and deck and are available in different thicknesses. They let you increase the distance between the deck and the wheels. This way you can also use low trucks to ride larger wheels. This way you don't have to buy new trucks if you want to use bigger wheels. To mount riser pads, you need hardware that's long enough.
Shock pads are mounted between the baseplate and deck like riser pads. They're used to cushion shocks caused by rough ground or high impact. Usually, shock pads have a thickness of 1/8″, so you should use hardware with a bolt length from 1″ to 1 1/8″.
» To the riser and shock padsMore info about skateboard trucks
Do you want to know more about skateboard trucks? In the Skateboard Truck Wiki, as well as in the Buyers Guide videos, you can find all kinds of information and other useful tips. You can find out which truck brands were particularly popular last year in our list of the top 5 skateboard truck brands.