Best Longboard Trucks: Sizes, Angles and 3 Picks

Trucks are the part of a longboard that people think about least and feel the most. They decide how your board turns, how stable it is at speed and how it responds when you lean.

Here is the short answer. The best longboard trucks for most riders are reverse kingpin trucks, about 180 mm wide, with a 50-degree baseplate. That is the standard cruising and carving setup, and it fits most longboard decks of 9 to 10 inches.

Your deck and your riding style can change that answer. This guide explains truck width, baseplate angle and bushings in plain English, shows you how to match trucks to a deck, and suggests three sets to look at.

What do longboard trucks do?

A truck is the metal assembly that bolts to the underside of your deck and holds two wheels. Every board has two. Their job is to turn your lean into a turn.

When you press on one edge of the deck, the truck pivots and the axle swings. One wheel moves forward and the other back, and the board curves in that direction. How much it curves for a given lean depends on the design of the truck.

Reverse kingpin vs traditional kingpin

There are two families of truck. The difference is which way the kingpin points.

On a reverse kingpin truck, the kingpin faces outward, toward the end of the board. The geometry gives a smooth, progressive lean and good stability. This is the standard longboard truck.

On a traditional kingpin truck, the kingpin faces inward. These trucks sit lower and respond quickly at low speed, which is why they are used on skateboards and on small cruisers.

If you are buying trucks for a longboard of 36 inches or more, you almost certainly want reverse kingpin.

How to match trucks to your deck

Width is the first thing to get right. Trucks that are too narrow leave the deck overhanging the wheels. Trucks that are too wide stick out past the deck, where your pushing foot can catch them.

Truck width is usually given as the width of the hanger, in millimetres. The axle is longer than the hanger, and the wheels sit on its ends. As a guide:

The aim is for the outside edge of each wheel to sit roughly in line with the edge of the deck, or just inside it. Remember that wheel width matters too. Wide wheels on wide trucks can stick out further than you expect.

Mounting holes

Truck baseplates have either four or six bolt holes. The six-hole version fits both of the hole spacings that decks use, known as old school and new school. Most modern longboard trucks have six holes and fit almost any deck.

Drop-through decks

On a drop-through deck, the baseplate sits on top of the deck and the hanger hangs below. Most reverse kingpin trucks can be mounted this way, because the hanger can be removed from the baseplate. Check the listing if you plan a drop-through build.

Baseplate angle: 50 degrees or lower?

The baseplate angle is the second big choice. It decides how much the truck turns for a given lean.

At 50 degrees, a small lean produces a good amount of turn. That is ideal at normal riding speeds and is what most complete longboards come with.

At 44 degrees or so, you have to lean further to get the same turn. The board feels calmer, which is what you want as speed builds. Lower-angle baseplates also sit slightly lower to the ground.

Some riders mix the two, with a higher angle at the front and a lower one at the back. The front steers and the back follows. It is a common setup for fast riding, and not something a beginner needs.

Bushings: the cheapest way to change how your trucks feel

Bushings are the two rubbery rings on the kingpin. They are the cheapest part of a truck and the one that changes the ride the most.

Soft bushings let the truck lean with little effort. Hard bushings resist. The right hardness depends mainly on your weight, because a heavier rider squashes a bushing more easily.

Treat that as a starting point. Go a step softer if you want easy, deep carving. Go a step harder if you want stability at speed.

Bushing shape matters as well. A cone-shaped bushing has less material and turns easily. A barrel-shaped one has more and feels steadier. Many trucks use a barrel on the deck side and a cone on the road side as a middle ground.

Cast, forged and precision trucks

You will see these three words in truck descriptions. They describe how the metal is shaped.

• Cast trucks are made by pouring molten aluminium into a mould. This is how most trucks are made. Good cast trucks are strong, affordable and perfectly suitable for cruising, carving and commuting.
• Forged trucks are pressed into shape under high pressure. That makes the metal denser and stronger for its weight.
• Precision trucks are machined from solid blocks of aluminium. They are very accurate and very expensive, and they are aimed at racers.

For almost every rider, a well-made cast truck from a known brand is all you need.

Our picks: 3 sets of longboard trucks

These three cover a classic carving truck, a stability-focused truck and a low-cost replacement set.

🏆 Best for cruising and carving

Paris V3 180 mm 50° Trucks (set of 2)

Best for: Most riders with a 9 to 10 inch deck who want a smooth, lively turn.

Paris V3s are one of the most widely used carving trucks. The listing credits the 50-degree baseplate and open bushing seat with a fluid feel in deep turns.

• Hanger 180 mm
• Baseplate 50°
• Type Reverse kingpin
• Material Aluminum
• Sold as Set of 2

✅ Why it works

• A 50-degree baseplate turns readily at cruising speeds.
• An open bushing seat lets the truck lean smoothly.
• Reinforced hanger and baseplate are listed.
• The 180 mm width suits most 9 to 10 inch decks.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• Fifty-degree trucks are less stable at high speed than lower angles.
• Bushings may need changing to suit your weight.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

🏁 Best for stability and speed

Caliber III 50° Trucks (set of 2)

Best for: Riders who want a precise, planted feel for freeride and faster riding.

Caliber trucks are known for a stable, precise feel. The listing says the III turns better than the older II and comes with Venom bushings and pivot cups.

• Axle 10 in
• Baseplate 50° (44° also sold)
• Bushings Venom
• Material Aluminum
• Sold as Set of 2

✅ Why it works

• The listing describes them as carvy but stable.
• Venom bushings and pivot cups are included.
• A 44-degree version is offered for more stability.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• Stock was low when we checked, so availability may vary.
• They cost more than budget trucks.
• Check you are selecting the angle you want.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

💰 Best budget replacement

VJ 178 mm Reverse Kingpin Trucks (set of 2)

Best for: Riders replacing worn or damaged trucks on a budget board.

A budget pair of reverse kingpin trucks for replacing worn trucks or building a first custom board.

• Hanger 178 mm (7 in)
• Axle 9.75 in
• Baseplate 50°
• Material Cast aluminum
• Sold as Set of 2

✅ Why it works

• A standard mounting pattern fits most longboard decks.
• A 50-degree baseplate suits cruising and carving.
• They are a low-cost way to replace damaged trucks.

⚠️ Keep in mind

• Budget trucks often use basic bushings.
• They are not a choice for high-speed riding.

Buy from Amazon →Price and stock are shown on Amazon. Specs are from the Amazon listing, checked October 2026.

How to fit new trucks in 6 steps

Swapping trucks is a simple job. You need a skate tool or a set of spanners, and about twenty minutes.

1. Remove the wheelsUndo the axle nuts and slide the wheels off. Keep the small washers, called speed rings, with each wheel.
2. Unbolt the old trucksHold each bolt head still with a screwdriver or Allen key and undo the nut underneath.
3. Position the new trucksOn a reverse kingpin truck, the kingpins face outward, toward the nose and the tail. Fit any riser pads between truck and deck.
4. Bolt them onTighten the bolts in a cross pattern until they are snug. Do not crush the deck.
5. Refit the wheelsSlide on a speed ring, the wheel, another speed ring, then the nut. Tighten until the wheel has no side-to-side play but still spins freely.
6. Set the kingpin nutStart with the nut just flush with the end of the kingpin. Then adjust a quarter turn at a time to suit your riding.

Signs your trucks need attention

Trucks last for years, but the small parts inside them wear out. Watch for these signs.

• The board no longer returns to centre. Worn or cracked bushings have lost their spring. Replace them.
• You hear squeaking when you turn. The pivot cup is dry or worn. A new pivot cup, or a little soap shaved into the old one, usually cures it.
• The board pulls to one side. A bent axle or a damaged baseplate may be the cause. Check that all four wheels touch the ground on a flat floor.
• There is play you cannot tighten out. The kingpin or the hanger may be worn. This is the point at which to replace the truck.
• You can see a crack. Stop riding and replace the truck. A cracked baseplate or hanger can fail without warning.

Most of these are fixed with bushings or pivot cups, which cost very little. Only a bent axle or a crack means buying new trucks.

Real-life examples: which trucks would they choose?

The riders below are made-up examples, based on the kind of questions people often ask in longboarding groups and forums. They are not real people or reviews. See which one sounds most like you.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Key terms in plain English

Longboard listings use a lot of jargon. Here are the terms used in this guide, explained simply.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best longboard trucks?

For most riders, the best longboard trucks are reverse kingpin trucks about 180 mm wide with a 50-degree baseplate. They suit most 9 to 10 inch decks and give smooth turning for cruising and carving. Well-known makers include Paris and Caliber.

What size trucks do I need for my longboard?

Match the hanger width to your deck width. Decks of 9 to 10 inches suit trucks of about 180 mm. Narrower decks of 8 to 8.75 inches suit about 150 mm. The wheels should sit roughly in line with the edges of the deck.

What is the difference between 50 and 44 degree trucks?

A 50-degree baseplate turns more for a given lean, which suits cruising and carving. A 44-degree baseplate turns less and feels more stable, which suits freeride and faster riding.

How tight should longboard trucks be?

Tight enough that the board feels stable, loose enough that it turns when you lean. Start with the kingpin nut flush with the end of the kingpin and adjust a quarter turn at a time. If you need much more stability, fit harder bushings.

Do I need new trucks or new bushings?

Try bushings first. They are cheap and change how a truck feels more than any other part. Replace the trucks if they are bent, cracked or the wrong width for your deck.

Your truck-buying checklist

Check these and your new trucks will fit and ride the way you expect.

• They are reverse kingpin, for a longboard.
• The hanger width matches my deck width.
• The baseplate angle suits my riding: 50 degrees to carve, lower for speed.
• The mounting holes fit my deck.
• I have bushings that suit my weight.
• I am buying a pair.
• I have a skate tool to fit them.

The best longboard trucks are the ones that fit your deck and suit your riding. Get the width right, choose the angle for your speed, tune the bushings to your weight, and your board will turn exactly the way you want.

Product specs and availability were checked in October 2026 and can change. Always confirm the details on the product page before you buy.