Best Skateboard Trucks for Street, Park and Cruising (2026)
Six trusted truck brands compared, how to match truck width to your deck and how height and bushings change the ride.
What Trucks Do
Trucks are the metal axles that attach your wheels to the deck, and they control how your board turns, grinds and feels underfoot. The most important choice is width: the axle should roughly match your deck width. After that, height affects wheel clearance and stability, weight affects flip tricks and bushings tune how loose or tight your board turns. Here are six trusted trucks from Independent, Thunder, Venture, Tensor, Krux and Ace. Need a whole setup? See skateboard decks and wheels.
Independent Stage 11
Best all-round trucks
- Classic, durable design
- Wide range of sizes
- Popular for park and street
Thunder Hollow Lights
Best lightweight trucks
- Hollow kingpin and axle
- Light for flip tricks
- Responsive turning
Venture V-Forged
Best low trucks
- Forged baseplate
- 5.6 size for 8.25" decks
- Stable and durable
Skateboard Trucks Compared
| Truck | Known For | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Stage 11 | Durability, classic turn | Standard (mid) |
| Thunder Hollow Lights | Light weight, quick turn | Mid |
| Venture V-Forged | Stability, forged baseplate | Low (check listing) |
| Tensor Alloy | Light, slider-friendly design | Regular |
| Krux K5 DLK | Down-low kingpin for grinds | Mid |
| Ace AF1 | Inverted hollow kingpin, grind clearance | Check listing |
The Best Skateboard Trucks
1. Independent Stage 11
Independent is one of skateboarding's most trusted truck brands. The Stage 11 is known for durability and a responsive turn. This listing is the 144 size for 8.25-inch decks.
Good to Know
- Very durable
- Huge size range
Watch Out For
- Heavier than hollow trucks
2. Thunder Hollow Lights
Thunder's Hollow Lights use hollow parts to cut weight, a popular choice for technical street skaters. This listing is the 147 size.
Check Price on Amazon3. Venture V-Forged
The V-Forged is a special run of Venture trucks built from forged baseplates. This listing is the 5.6 size for 8.25-inch decks.
Check Price on Amazon4. Tensor Alloy
Tensor trucks are known for a lightweight design. This set is the Regular Alloy 5.5 size.
Check Price on Amazon5. Krux K5 DLK
The Krux K5 uses a down-low kingpin (DLK) for better grind clearance. This kit includes an extra set of Krux 92A medium bushings to tune the feel.
Check Price on Amazon6. Ace AF1
Ace's AF1 uses an inverted hollow kingpin with a channel-lock sleeve system, designed for maximum grind clearance.
Check Price on AmazonTruck Size Guide
| Deck Width | Independent | Thunder | Venture |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 7.75"–8.0" | 139 | 145 | 5.2 |
| About 8.0"–8.25" | 144 | 147 | 5.6 (low) / 5.8 (high) |
| About 8.25"–8.5" | 149 | 148 | 5.8 |
| About 8.5"–8.75" | 149–151 | 149 | 6.1 |
Approximate pairings; check each brand's current chart.
Truck Height
| Height | Wheel Size | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Low | About 50–53mm | Stable, good for flip tricks |
| Mid | About 52–56mm | All-round |
| High | About 55mm+ | Deeper turns, bigger wheels, transition |
Bushings and Tightness
Bushings are the rubber rings around the kingpin. Softer bushings turn more easily; harder ones feel stable. Choose bushings for your weight and adjust the kingpin nut a little at a time.
Installing Trucks
- Poke through the grip tape at the bolt holes.
- Insert bolts from the top and attach trucks with kingpins facing the center.
- Add risers if using larger wheels.
- Tighten evenly until bolt heads sit flush.
Pair with quality bearings and learn tricks with beginner skateboard tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size trucks do I need?
Match the truck's axle width to your deck width so the wheels sit close to the deck edge. Each brand uses its own size numbers; check the brand's chart.
High, mid or low trucks?
High trucks fit bigger wheels and turn more; low trucks feel stable and are good for flip tricks with smaller wheels. Mid trucks are a balance.
How tight should skateboard trucks be?
It's personal. Looser trucks turn easily; tighter trucks feel stable. Avoid overtightening so the bushings can work.
Are hollow trucks worth it?
Hollow kingpins and axles save weight, which some skaters like for flip tricks. Standard trucks are slightly more durable and cheaper.
Can I use skateboard trucks on a longboard?
You can on small cruisers, but longboards usually use reverse-kingpin trucks for carving and stability.