Comfort, control, performance – all these depend on choosing the right skateboard truck size. Whether you’re a newbie building your first custom setup or a skilled board rider looking to customize your board, knowing how skate truck sizes work will ensure a great ride.
Skateboard truck size charts, compatibility with the deck, hanger widths, truck dimensions and even popular questions have been covered in the guide. Sift through the details to select a truck that fits well with your board size.
What Are Skateboard Trucks?
Skateboard trucks are T-shaped metal parts mounted underneath the skateboard deck. They allow you to turn, grind, and stabilize your ride. Each truck includes several components:
- Hanger: Trucks have a large triangular section known as Hanger
- Axle: Wheels are held by Axle, which runs through the hanger
- Baseplate: The deck’s mounting is done via Baseplate
- Bushings: Also known as Harsh Caster, Bushings are cushions that affect rotation and rebound
Getting the right skateboard truck dimensions ensures your wheels align properly with the board and don’t stick out or sit too far inward.
Why Skate Truck Size Matters
The width of the truck impacts the skateboard handling directly:
- Too narrow makes the board feel shaky.
- Too wide makes turning challenging.
- Just right, and your board is responsive, balanced, and performs well.
That is the reason why finding the correct skateboard truck size relative to the width of the deck is so important.
Skateboard Truck Size Chart
Here’s a quick reference skateboard truck size chart that matches common truck sizes with recommended deck widths:
| Truck Hanger Width | Axle Width | Recommended Deck Width |
| 5.0” | 7.75” | 7.5” – 7.75” |
| 5.25” | 8.0” | 7.75” – 8.0” |
| 5.5” | 8.25” | 8.0” – 8.25” |
| 5.75” | 8.5” | 8.25” – 8.5” |
| 6.0” | 8.75” | 8.5” – 8.75” |
| 6.25” | 9.0” | 8.75” – 9.0” |
Tip: Always match your skateboard truck length to the width of your deck for optimal performance.
Graph: Truck Size vs Deck Width
We created a visual reference of truck sizes vs deck widths below to better understand the relationship between hanger width and ideal board fit.
How to Measure Skateboard Trucks
Reading product specifications like charts and descriptions becomes easier when you understand skateboard truck measurements. The most common ones are as follows:
- Hanger Width (inches): measurement of the width of the hanger only
- Axle Width (inches): measurement of total width (includes the ends of the axle)
- Height (Low, Mid, High): influences turning radius and wheel bite
Truck Height: Low vs Mid vs High
Although not directly related to size, truck height also affects performance.
| Truck Height | Best For | Wheel Size Range |
| Low | Street & technical tricks | 50mm – 53mm |
| Mid | Versatile, all-around use | 52mm – 56mm |
| High | Cruising, larger wheels | 56mm – 60mm+ |
Brand Differences in Truck Sizing
Slight differences in labelling occur for different brands of trucks. For example:
- Independent 139s = 8.0” deck
- Thunder 147s = 8.0” deck
- Venture 5.25 = 8.0” deck
Always double check the skate truck size guide from the brand you wish to purchase to avoid inaccuracies.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to skating:
- Stick with mid-height trucks
- The truck axle width should correspond to the width of your deck
- Start with consistent brands
- Refer to our skateboard truck sizes chart
Skateboard Truck Sizing by Use Case
Street Skating
- Performed best with narrower skateboard decks (7.75–8.25”)
- Lighter trucks with smaller hangers are preferable
Transition or Vert
- Board width: (8.25–9.0”)
- Wider trucks offer more stability and better balance
Cruising & Longboards
- Best have high trucks and wide axles
- Usually has hangers 6.0” or larger
FAQs – Skateboard Truck Sizes & Compatibility
- How do I know what size truck to get for my skateboard?
Use a skateboard truck size guide for beginners and ensure the axle width of the trucks matches your deck width. For instance, 8.0” deck skateboard trucks with an 8.0” axle width are a good fit.
- What size trucks for an 8.0 deck?
For an 8.0” skateboard deck, choose trucks with a hanger width of 5.25” and an axle width of around 8.0” (203mm). This ensures solid deck and truck compatibility.
- What size trucks for 8.25 deck in mm?
You’ll prefer trucks with a 209mm axle width. This keeps your wheels aligned with the deck, providing ideal truck-to-deck size matching and enabling perfect control during tricks or cruising.
- What size trucks for an 8.5 deck?
The best trucks for an 8.5 deck have an axle width of 8.5” (216mm) or a hanger width of 5.75”. This achieves the perfect truck width vs deck width balance for park or street skating.
- What size trucks for a 10-inch deck skateboard?
For a 10” wide deck, opt for axle widths of 9.75”–10.0”, depending on the brand. These skateboard trucks are great for old-school setups and provide excellent control for vert and downhill.
- What size truck for a 7.0 deck?
Pick trucks with a hanger around 4.75”–5.0” and axle width around 7.5” (190mm) for a 7.0” deck. This keeps your setup lightweight and responsive, perfect for technical skating.
- What size board do 147 trucks fit?
147 trucks typically feature an axle width of 8.0” (203mm), making them best suited for skateboard decks with a measurement between the range of 7.9” and 8.1”, which is ideal for balanced skateboard hardware guide setups.
- How big are the baseplate dimensions of a skateboard truck in inches?
The majority of skateboard truck baseplates align with the industry standard mounting bolt pattern of 2.125” x 1.625”. Always confirm that the baseplate will be compatible with your holes on the deck prior to the setup.
- What is a broad approach towards classifying skateboards for choosing truck width?
Choose a skateboard size classification that accommodates both hanger and axle widths as listed under the corresponding deck width. This aids in maintaining proper skateboard truck width for better control and optimal performance of the board.
- What are the best tips on skate setup for beginners?
Use trucks that are of the same width as your deck. Use mid height trucks along with checking the skateboard axle measurements. Follow a skateboard truck size guide for beginners so you don’t run into fit issues.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Truck Size
Your trucks are the backbone of the skateboard setup you want. Now, thanks to the aids of our guides on skateboard truck size, size charts, and measurement tips, you can choose the best fit for your deck, be it a 7.75” street board, or 10” cruiser.
Spending effort understanding what truck size to use for an 8.5 deck has a complicated feel, but getting the right dimensions will improve performance, safety, and the overall skateboarding experience.
