How Tight Should Skateboard Trucks Be? Discover the perfect balance!!

Skateboarding is a thrilling and intense sport that requires the right balance of technique, skills, and gear for a successful ride. The key component to this is the skateboard truck, which holds the wheels and axle in place. But how tight should skateboard trucks be for the best performance?

In this blog, we will explore the importance of skateboard trucks and provide tips on how to properly adjust their tightness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skateboarder, understanding when and how to adjust your trucks is essential for a safe and enjoyable ride.

What is Skateboard Truck?

Before we dive into how tight your skateboard trucks should be, let’s quickly review the components that make up a skateboard truck. The skateboard truck is made up of two parts, the baseplate, and the hanger. The baseplate is the component that attaches to the bottom of the skateboard deck and the hanger is the component that connects the wheels to the baseplate. 

The baseplate and the hanger are connected by a set of bushings, which are basically rubber discs that compress and expand when the truck is tightened or loosened. The bushings are held in place by a kingpin, which is a long metal bolt that runs through the center of the hanger and baseplate. By tightening and loosening the kingpin, skateboarders can adjust the amount of resistance that the bushings provide. 

Also, read

• Can you put longboard wheels on a skateboard?
• How to clean skateboard bearings with household items? 
• How long does it take to learn skateboard?

How Tight Should Skateboard Trucks Be?

Now that you understand why it’s important to have the right amount of resistance from your skateboard trucks, let’s talk about how tight they should be. The best way to determine the right amount of tightness is to find a balance between having a responsive board and protecting your board from vibrations and wear and tear. 

In general, skateboard trucks should be tightened until they have a moderate amount of resistance. You should be able to turn and maneuver the board easily but you should also feel slight resistance when you push down on the board. If you’re having trouble finding the right amount of tightness, a good rule of thumb is to start by tightening the kingpin until you can’t turn the board easily and then gradually loosen the kingpin until you can turn the board easily but still feel some resistance. 

Tips for Adjusting Skateboard Trucks

Once you’ve determined the right amount of tightness for your skateboard trucks, there are a few tips that you can follow to make sure that your board is always in the best possible condition. 

First, make sure to check the tightness of your trucks regularly. As you ride, the bushings in the trucks will compress and expand which will change the amount of resistance that the trucks provide. To keep your board in the best possible condition, make sure to check the tightness of the trucks every few weeks and adjust them as necessary. 

Secondly, keep an eye on the bushings. As you ride, the bushings will wear down over time and you’ll need to replace them every few months. Worn-down bushings can affect the tightness of the trucks and make your board less stable and responsive, so make sure to replace them regularly. 

Finally, avoid over-tightening your trucks. As we mentioned earlier, over-tightening the trucks can cause the bearings to wear out faster and can make your board less stable and responsive. So, try to avoid tightening the trucks too much and instead find a balance between responsiveness and protection.

How To Tight Skateboard Trucks?

The following steps will help you get your skateboard trucks tightened up in no time.

• Gather the Tools You Need. Before you can start adjusting your trucks, you’ll need to have the right tools. To tighten your trucks, you’ll need a skate tool, a 7/8” wrench, and a 9/16” socket.
• Remove the Wheels. Before you can start adjusting your trucks, you’ll need to take off your wheels. To remove the wheels, you’ll need to use your skate tool to loosen the kingpins and nuts from the axle.
• Loosen the Nut on the Truck. Once you have the wheels removed, you’ll need to use your 7/8” wrench to loosen the nut that holds the truck to the board.
• Adjust the Kingpins. Now that you’ve loosened the nut, you’ll need to adjust the kingpins. To do this, you’ll need to use your skate tool to rotate the kingpin in a clockwise direction.
• Retighten the Nut and Test. After you’ve adjusted the kingpins, you’ll need to use your 9/16” socket to retighten the nut. Once you’ve done this, test your trucks by pushing down on them with your hand. If they are too tight, loosen the nut again and adjust the kingpins until you’ve achieved the desired level of tightness.

By following these steps, you can easily and quickly tighten your skateboard trucks and make sure that your skateboard is in top condition. Tightening your trucks can help you get the most out of your skateboarding experience, so make sure to do it regularly!

Pros and Cons of the tight skateboard truck

Pros of Tight Skateboard Truck

• Provides better control of the skateboard, allowing for rapid turns and sharper maneuvers.
• Tight trucks respond quickly to the rider’s movements, making it easier to turn, carve, and control the speed of the skateboard.
• Gives a more stable ride and improved balance when going down slopes and ramps.
• Allows for more power transfers when performing tricks or jumps.
• Provides a more responsive reaction to movements, allowing riders to make quick adjustments while riding.
• The increased stability and control offered by tight trucks can help prevent accidents and injuries while riding.

Negatives of Tight Skateboard Truck

• Can be difficult to maneuver the board at slower speeds.
• It becomes harder to perform tricks or jumps when the trucks are too tight.
• Can cause extra strain on the axle and bearing parts.
• Can reduce the life of the wheels and bearings due to increased friction.

Pros and Cons of the loose skateboard truck

The loose skateboard truck is one of the most popular choices among skateboarders, but how do you know if it’s right for you? To help you decide whether or not a loose skateboard truck is the right choice for you, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons.

Pros of a Loose Skateboard Truck

1. Increased Maneuverability – One of the biggest advantages of having a loose skateboard truck is the ability to turn and maneuver more quickly and easily. This is great for experienced skateboarders who need to make quick turns and tricks while riding.
2. Ability to Swap Out Parts Easily – Since the truck is not attached to the board, you can easily swap out parts such as the hanger and baseplates. This makes it easy to customize your skateboard and make it unique.
3. More Durable – Because the truck is not attached to the board, it’s less likely to break or become damaged in a crash. This makes it a much more durable option than a standard skateboard truck.
4.  More responsive steering and better control
5.  Loose trucks make it easier to drift, allowing for a smoother ride and more fluid turns.
6. Experienced skateboarders may find that loose trucks provide better control and more freedom to perform tricks.

Cons of a Loose Skateboard Truck

1. More Expensive – Since the truck is not attached to the board, it’s more expensive than a standard skateboard truck. This makes it a less economical option for beginning skateboarders.
2. Not Suitable for Beginners – Because the loose truck is more maneuverable, it’s not the best option for beginners. Beginners need a more stable truck that will help them learn the basics of skateboarding.
3. Not as Durable – While the loose truck is more durable than a standard skateboard truck, it’s not as durable as a standard one. If you’re going to be doing a lot of tricks, you may want to opt for a standard skateboard truck.

Overall, a loose skateboard truck can be a great option for experienced skateboarders who want to make quick turns and maneuvers on their board. However, it may not be the best option for beginners or those on a budget. Weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Should beginners have loose or tight trucks?

When it comes to beginners, the consensus is that tighter trucks are generally the better option. This is because tight trucks provide more control and stability, allowing beginners to learn how to balance and maneuver on a skateboard more quickly.

This makes it easier to learn how to ollie and perform other tricks, as well as helps to prevent falls and wipeouts. Tight trucks also help to prevent wheel bite, which can occur when the wheels come into contact with the deck.

On the flip side, some pros prefer to ride with loose trucks. This is because loose trucks allow for bigger turns and more freedom of movement, which can be helpful when performing more advanced tricks. Loose trucks also provide a smoother ride, as they allow more freedom of movement and flex in the axles, resulting in less vibration.

Ultimately, the choice between loose and tight trucks is up to the individual skater and their preference. However, for beginners, tight trucks are generally the better option, as they provide more control and stability, making it easier to learn and master the basics. As your skills progress, you can begin to experiment with different truck types to find the setup that works best for you.

Conclusion

How tight should skateboard trucks be is a personal preference that depends on the rider’s skill level, terrain, and the type of skateboarding they are doing. It is important to ensure that the trucks are not too loose, as this may cause the skateboard to be unstable and difficult to control.

However, it is also important to ensure that the trucks are not too tight, as this may cause damage to the trucks and make them difficult to turn. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual rider to find the right balance that provides the most comfortable and stable ride.