Written by Chris K
If you are looking for the best longboard trucks for your style of longboard riding but aren’t sure what to look for in good longboard trucks or what type of longboard truck to experiment on, let me help you.
Not all longboard trucks are created equal, and depending on your riding style, you may want to go with a specific kind of truck that will help you have the smoothest and best longboard riding experience.
If you are looking for the best longboard trucks for cruising or the best longboard trucks for downhill racing, the type of longboard truck will be different. Here are the 8 best longboard trucks in 2023.
The 8 Best Longboard Trucks
Caliber Trucks Cal II 50° RKP Longboard Trucks
- 🛹 SET OF 2 TRUCKS W/ EACH ORDER - Every order comes with a set of 2 trucks, speed rings, bushings (Venom in the V3), washers, axle nuts and kingpin nuts.
- ⚡ DIY ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD COMPATIBLE - Works with many do-it-yourself electric skateboard motors. Please ensure compatability with your specific motor before purchase.
- 🍊 V2 vs. V3 - The Caliber II truck comes with Blood Orange Bushings, is little heavier and is only rakeless. The Caliber III turns better, comes with upgraded Venom Pivot Cups and Bushings, is lighter and is more durable.
- 🛹 BASED IN THE USA - Caliber Truck Co. makes high quality longboard and skateboard trucks for both beginners and professionals alike. These trucks are time tested and are trusted by some of the best riders in the game.
- 🛹 CARVY AND TURNY, BUT STABLE - A lot of the time turnability isn't synonymous with stability, but Caliber trucks were specifically designed to help you hit high speeds with confidence and then cruise/carve on the same truck setup in the same day.
Caliber Trucks Cal II Longboard Trucks are the best longboard trucks for cruising, carving and dancing.
These trucks, which are sold as a pair, come with a 50-degree baseplate meaning the trucks are not too tall and are responsive when turning. The hanger measures 180mm or 7.25″ and 10″ from axle to axle.
Caliber Trucks are long-lasting and can withstand harsh weather. The hanger is brushed aluminum and comes pre-assembled with pivot cups and bushings.
The Cal II Trucks have reverse kingpins, and the diameter offers a consistent deck lean and clearance when carving.
These trucks are not too heavy, easy to install, and stable at high speeds.
The trucks have an enhanced inner step for increased contact area with the bushings. The bottom bushing is a barrel bushing, and the top is a cone bushing – these shapes help maximize the turn of the truck while offering high resistance, high rebound, high responsiveness and stability.
The outer step is a perfect circle and has increased pivot cup surface area contact with the baseplate for a tighter fit for the pivot pin.
The bushing seats remove the excess movement, which helps evenly distribute your weight as you ride, making the trucks super comfortable.
However, the stock bushings are noisy when riding, so you may want to replace those. Also, if the trucks feel stiff, you should replace the bearings. Check out my post about the best longboard bearings to help you find the best ones for you.
The Cal II trucks are perfect for most drop-through boards and pintails. They carve buttery smooth and are suitable for freeriding, drifting and cruising. They are good for downhill riding but are better for cruising.
If you are looking for Caliber Trucks for downhill racing, be sure to get the 44-degree trucks. They are more stable and do not turn as easily as the 50-degree trucks making them perfect for downhill riding.
Mounting hardware does not come with any trucks, but I recommend getting the Shortys Single Longboard Hardware, but any 1.5″ hardware will work.
If you need new hardware, check out the best skateboard hardware to help you find the proper hardware for you.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Great for freeriding, cruising and drifting
- Stable
- It comes in multiple colors
- Simple design
- Amazing turning radius
- Strong but still responsive and easy to control
What We Don’t Like
- Scuffs easily
- Wobbles slightly
- The bushings are a bit noisy
Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard Trucks
- Constructed from high-quality materials
- Double kingpin trucks increase carving possibilities
- For some exaggerated, easy turning, the Gullwing Sidewinders are definitely the trucks for you
- Feature a 'double kingpin' setup which allows the truck to steer far more than regular trucks
The Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard Trucks are comfortable for commuting and are great for tight turns without sliding.
The Sidewinders have a double kingpin which gives two separate points of turns, but you can also convert it to a single kingpin by removing one point. The double kingpin is excellent for carving and easy and complex turning.
The Sidewinders are suitable for drop-through decks and top mount boards and are the trucks to use if you want to do longboard dancing. These trucks help increase manoeuvrability, making it smooth and easy to get around tight corners.
The Sidewinders have more turning radius on drop decks, allowing you to do endless carves.
However, the turn is so deep that it does cause wheel bite on some drop throughs or pintails.
Check out the post about the best longboard decks here. If you are planning on getting a longboard and are a beginner, check out the post for the best longboards for beginners or the best longboards for under $100.
If you are getting wheel bite, you can add risers to prevent this. These trucks are super high, which is great for commuting but not suitable for downhill riding.
The double kingpin makes the trucks quite tall, making the trucks wobbly at high speeds as the height creates a difficult center of gravity, making slides nearly impossible.
One of the best things about the double kingpin is that you can adjust them to carve to your liking.
Plus, you won’t have to keep adjusting them once they are adjusted. You can tighten them to reduce sensitivity with turning if you find the trucks turn too intense.
The Sidewinders come in multiple colors and sizes with 89a bushings and built-in speed rings. They are affordable and perfect for beginners – but start slow as the turns are pretty sensitive.
The bushings are pretty soft, and these trucks are best used with softer wheels which are perfect for commuting and cruising. They have amazing pump-action and can be pumped super hard – keep the rear truck tighter to prevent stability issues at high speeds.
The Sidewinder trucks are well built, look amazing, are super stable, and have great adjustability. These trucks are super surfy and easy to maneuver through crowded streets. These are made for maneuverability, not for trick riding.
Like most trucks, the Sidewinders do not come with hardware. So instead, I recommend getting fireball hardware.
What We Like
- Great for beginners
- Easy to control
- Smooth ride
- Amazing for carving
- The best truck for commuting and cruising
- Incredible turning radius
- Good for heavier riders
What We Don’t Like
- Increases wheelbase by 4 inches, wheel bite on pintail boards
- Not for downhill longboarding
Yocaher Longboard Trucks Combo Set
- Wheels: (4x) Speed Cruiser 71 Wheels, 78A Hardness
- Trucks: (2x) Polished/ Black 7" or 180mm HD7 Reverse Kingpin Heavy Duty Trucks, 180mm Hanger, 9.675" axle to axle, Constructed with Aluminum Alloy, Grade 8 Kingpin, 90A PU Bushing. HD7 Reverse Kingpin Trucks offer more grip and stability.
- Bearings: (8x) Ritalin Abec-9 Bearings come pre-lubed with synthetic oil.
- Hardware: (8x) Heavy Duty 1.25" Hardware. Bolts and Nuts come with black coating.
- Risers: (2x) Prevent wheel bite by increasing the distance between the wheels and the deck with our Black ¼" Riser Pads. It also reduces strain on your board by preventing the trucks from being in direct contact with the deck.
Yocaher Longboards are one of the best longboard brands on the market. These trucks come sold as a pair and are made with a black polished aluminum alloy.
These heavy-duty hangers are 7″, 180mm, and 9.675″ axle to axle. They are reverse kingpin trucks and come with wheels, bearings, 90a PU bushings, hardware and risers.
Yocaher is one of the best longboard trucks for sliding. They are very affordable and are a great starter kit for people new to longboarding. In addition, these trucks offer more grip and stability when riding.
If you want to get into sliding, you need to get the best longboard for sliding.
One downside is that although they are easy to adjust, the trucks will have to adjust them often. They are either too tight or too loose. The bushings are pretty hard, and some of the plastic components squeak when you turn.
The Yocaher trucks are really solid and hold up when grinding on metal and are high quality even in severe rainstorms. They are easy to maneuver and are super sturdy but not the best trucks for carving.
What We Like
- Great for beginners
- Sturdy and smooth
- Affordable
What We Don’t Like
- Not great for carving
- Squeaks when turns
Cal 7 180mm LongboardTrucks
- IDEAL FOR LONGBOARDING — Parts are specifically designed for riding longboards.
- DURABLE TRUCKS — Lightweight aluminum holds is strength and delivers a solid ride.
- JUST ADD WOOD — All you need is a deck and you're ready to go!
- SMOOTH RIDE — 83mm 78A durometer wheels perfect for cruising the streets.
- RAD COLOR OPTIONS — Tons of transparent and opaque color sets for you to choose from.
Cal 7 Trucks have a 50-degree baseplate and are made with lightweight aluminum. They are solid and strong. They have a grade 8 reverse kingpin with a 9.75″ wide axle and 180mm hanger.
Cal 7 designs perfect starter trucks. They are very affordable and work with drop-through decks and pintail boards.
Cal 7 Trucks are great for cruising, downhill racing and riding hard with high maneuverability. The baseplates are very sturdy and offer good performance at high speeds while carving quick turns.
The trucks are loose, so you will have to tighten them really well, and the screws may be too small for the bolt.
You may need longer screws than they recommend. Also, be prepared with extra hardware depending on your longboard.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Great starter trucks
- Great for cruising and downhill racing
- It comes with wheels, bearings and hardware
What We Don’t Like
- Kingpin tends to snap
- Trucks are loose, so you will have to tighten them really well
Havoc 6.0 Longboard Trucks
If you are looking for the best longboard trucks for tight budgets, you must try the Havoc 6.0 Longboard Trucks.
These trucks are lightweight as they are made with aluminum alloy. They are strong, durable and work well with most decks.
You can do 180-degree slides easily, and as the trucks are grippy, you won’t skid, meaning you will be able to ride safely.
The kingpin is flush for less grinding hang-ups, and once it is tightened, you won’t need to readjust. However, the kingpin sways a bit as the kingpin hole is a bit too wide.
You will need a flush and hard bushing but keep experimenting as the Havoc 6.0 Longboard trucks are great for modifying.
Havoc Longboard trucks are long-lasting in extreme temperatures and weather, meaning you get great value for your money when you purchase Havoc trucks.
What We Like
- Affordable
- It works well with most decks
- Super grippy
- Durable
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- The kingpin sways a bit because the kingpin hole is too wide
- Low to medium trucks so that you may need risers
Paris V3 180mm 50° Longboard Trucks
- NEXT LEVEL MANUFACTURING — Produced using Paris’ new, proprietary alloy-forming process, Paris V3 trucks utilize techniques derived from casting, extrusion, and forging.
- CARVING PERFECTION — The baseplate’s 50° angle and the hanger’s open bushing seat combine to offer a fluid transition between deep, diving turns.
- STRONG REINFORCED DESIGN — Broadened hanger shoulders and reinforced baseplate support beam reduce stress and increase overall strength.
- BUILT TO LAST — Down to a molecular level, the Paris V3 trucks are stronger than any other cast longboard truck on the market.
- ULTIMATE RESPONSE — For the best response and rebound, the Paris V3 trucks come with a redesigned top conical bushing and hand-poured urethane pivot cups for an ultra-smooth turn.
Paris V3 Longboard trucks are one of the most popular trucks on the market. The baseplate has a 50-degree angle, and the hangers’ open bushing seat offers a fluid transition between deep-diving turns.
Paris Longboard trucks are perfect for smooth carving and pumping at full tilt; therefore, they are the best longboard trucks for pumping.
These trucks are strong, responsive and super durable. The hanger shoulders are broadened, and the baseplate is reinforced to reduce stress to withstand a lot of abuse.
Paris V3 trucks are great for trick longboarding and longboard dancing. In addition, you can make deep dives and rail to rail carves.
Paris V3 longboards have a reverse kingpin and conical bushing and urethane pivot cups for ultra-smooth turns. They work with almost all drop-through decks and are perfect for carving and commuting.
The V3s are not great for downhill, and at extreme speeds, they can be unstable. If you want to use Paris trucks for downhill racing, you can get 43-degree baseplates and different hanger sizes for more stability.
Riding the Paris V3 brings your board to life with its turning capability. It is so fluid, smooth and agile you will feel like you are surfing effortlessly.
Many people swear by the Paris V2 longboard truck, which is amazing, but the V3 is the improved version.
What We Like
- Pumps like a dream
- Great for trick longboarding
- Good for dancing
- Durable and strong
- It has a great selection of colors
What We Don’t Like
- A bit heavier than the v2
BEAR Grizzly Longboard Trucks
One of the best longboard truck brands is the Grizzly Longboard Trucks by Bear. The Bear Grizzly 852 Generation 5 trucks are versatile and made with aluminum alloy.
One of the best things about the Grizzly’s is that you can flip the entire hanger and change how these trucks perform. Flipping them 180 degrees will give you more stability.
These trucks are reverse kingpin, 10″ trucks with 85a soft bushings. They are 65mm tall with the hanger mounted normally and 61mm if you flip the hanger. They have an effective bushing seat, and the bushing base is locked in.
The trucks have widened rear baseplate legs, and the thickness eliminates baseplate warping. In addition, the baseplate has an 8 hole mounting system to accommodate old and new school drill patterns, so you should be able to use them on most boards.
Bear Grizzly trucks are strong, versatile, responsive and lightweight. They are responsive and one of the best longboard trucks for pumping. If you want more carving and pumping, these are the trucks for you.
They work well on loaded longboards and are great for heavier riders. Just be aware that the bushings may be too soft for heavier riders, and you should swap them out for harder bushings.
These trucks have a great turning radius and are very smooth, making them perfect for sliding and carving – a bit of leaning goes a long way.
The Grizzly’s are among the best longboard trucks for sliding and dancing. These lightweight and versatile trucks are perfect for beginners.
Bear Grizzly longboard trucks are great for light downhill riding, fast freeride and carving and trick riding. If you find that the truck wobbles flip the hanger, and the wobbles will stop.
What We Like
- Perfect for beginners
- Versatile
- Great for pumping and sliding
- Great for heavier riders
- Carves easily
What We Don’t Like
- The kingpin cannot be replaced
- The bushings araren’treat
How to Choose Longboard Trucks
What Are Longboard Trucks and Why Do You Need Them?
Longboard Trucks are the T-Shaped metal piece that mounts your wheels and bushings to your longboard.
Longboard trucks allow you to turn your board while keeping your wheels fixed to your board. Trucks make up one part of a complete longboard setup.
Need to find the best longboard wheels? Check out the post here.
How to Choose Longboard Trucks
9 Things to Look for in Good Longboard Trucks
When shopping for longboard trucks, remember that each longboard needs two longboard trucks – one for the tail and one for the nose.
Longboard Trucks are longer and wider than skateboard trucks as longboard decks are wider than average skateboard decks.
Longboard trucks are usually between 150mm and 180mm, but you must measure your deck and make sure it is the same size as the truck from axle to axle.
If your longboard deck is 9″, usually the 150mm trucks work best. A 10″ deck will use a 180mm truck.
Be sure to carry your trucks in the best skateboard backpack on the market. Keep yourself safe and pick up a set of the best skateboard pads.
Width
What size trucks should I get for my longboard?
The way to pick the best longboard trucks for your longboard is to match the size of your longboard deck. The width of the full axle needs to be the same width as your board.
Most longboards are about 9-10″ long, so you will want the same length as the axle. Get it as close to the same width as possible, but if it’s a little off, it’s not a huge deal, but try to make sure it is at least ¼” difference.
If the truck is too long for your longboard, your wheels will stick out and lead to safety issues like your foot touching your wheel, which can cause you to crash your longboard.
Wider Trucks are more stable but less responsive. Narrow is less stable but more responsive. However, it can cause wheel bite if it is too narrow, throwing you off your longboard.
If you see measurements in inches, it is usually the full axle, and if the measurements are in millimeters, it is referring to the hanger only.
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KingPins
The kingpin is the center bolt on the hanger of the truck. You can position the kingpin in two ways, which will help your longboard perform better while cruising and downhill racing or doing trick longboarding.
If you are looking for the best skate tool to adjust your kingpins, check out the post!
Reverse Kingpin (RKP)
Most longboards have reverse kingpins, meaning the kingpins face out towards the longboard’s tip and tail. This makes the longboards taller as they sit higher than standard kingpins.
Reverse Kingpins are responsive at slower speeds while giving more stability and control at high speeds, making them more divey and responsive when carving.
They are better for freeride, downhill and cruising. In addition, you can get more customization with bushing seats to make them more stable for higher-speed riding.
Reverse kingpins come in larger sizes, and RKPs can be used on the top mountain decks or drop through decks.
Standard Kingpin (SKP)
Standard Kingpins are most common on street or park longboards or smaller longboard cruisers.
The kingpin is facing the inside of the board, tucked away from the surface of the hanger. This is so the kingpin is not in the way when doing ledge tricks.
The standard kingpins sit a little bit lower than RKP. However, they are great for cruiser decks as they are a bit smaller than other longboard decks.
The Gullwing Sidewinders are a standard kingpin truck, but there are two kingpins that allow a tight radius when turning, which is great for low-speed riding and cruising but is unstable.
Hanger and Axle
The hanger is the T-shaped piece that connects the wheels to the baseplate of the truck. It adds support to the axle and is the part of the truck that contacts the pavement and rails when doing tricks.
Risers
Riser pads are rectangular pads that fit between the longboard and the truck to give you more height. If you want to change the height of your trucks, you can add risers.
Dual Pivot Trucks
Dual Pivot Trucks have an extra turn axis – making them super responsive when you want to turn with ease.
They turn so easily but ride at a much higher height. Dual Pivot trucks are great for slow-speed cruising but unsuitable for hills or long distances.
Bushing Seats
The bushing seat is the pocket in the center of the hanger that holds the bushing and helps the truck’s ability to turn. There is more of a variety of bushing seats in reverse kingpins rather than standard kingpins.
Wide-open, less restrictive bushing seats will give your hanger more room to move around, offering a more lively, free, open carving turn. They are suitable for slow-speed riding and a mellow ride.
A restrictive bushing seat will not allow the hanger to move as freely. The more restrictive the bushing seat, the more stable and faster your turning will be when you do higher-speed riding. In addition, they fit more snugly, so the trucks are more stable.
Baseplate Angle
The baseplate connects the longboard deck to the truck. The angle dictates the angle your hanger sits. This will tell you how the truck will turn. The higher the angle of the baseplate means, the sharper the turn.
50 degrees is the most common angle for longboard baseplates and is good for cruising, carving, mellow free ride and slow speed downhill riding. If you ride slower than 30mph, you should stick with 50-degree baseplates.
50-degree baseplates mean your longboard has a tall ride height with many turns and is very lively and responsive. If you lean in when taking corners, it will help you turn really easily.
The lower degree baseplates will make your hanger sit lower, and you will turn less. These baseplates (such as 44-degree baseplates) are less responsive at slower speeds, but they will be more stable and less twitchy when riding and going over bumps.
You can lean hard into your truck without oversteering, which is great for faster riding. However, the lower the baseplate angle means it will be harder to turn, so it isn’t ideal for riding through town or places you need to make tight turns.
Some riders will ride a taller baseplate in the front and a lower angle baseplate in the back, making you turn from your front but giving you a very stable back truck so you won’t have steering wobbles. It will be easy to control. You won’t get speed wobbles.
If you want to do downhill racing, you should get 44-degree baseplate angles. These baseplates are usually used by downhill riders who do not need to make too many turns and offer more stability.
Bushings
Bushings are a urethane cushion that gives you cushioning and resistance when turning.
Skateboard bushings are mounted into the truck’s bushing seat on each side of the hanger. They act as a damper and can change how you ride. And bushings come in different shapes and durometers.
Soft bushings are lively, while harder bushings are more restrictive. Therefore, lighter riders should go with a softer bushing, and heavier riders should go with harder bushings.
Types of Bushings:
Cones
Cones are the least restrictive bushings and give you a lively feel.
Barrel Bushings
Barrel Bushings are great for downhill as the bushing fills up the entire bushing seat.
Stepped Cones
Stepped 0Bushings are a hybrid between a barrel and a cone bushing.
Eliminator
Eliminator bushings are the most restrictive bushing, which means they are suitable for faster riding.
Play around with them and see what feels right, depending on your riding style. Bushings are pretty cheap, so they are the best part to experiment with and try new things.
Deck Lean – Carving on your longboard.
The deck lean is how your longboard shifts when you lean into the board as you turn.
The more weight you and pressure you put into the longboard rail, means your turns will be sharper.
When your trucks are tight, your deck won’t lean as much, giving you more control bet less response when longboarding.
The height of your trucks will also affect deck lean. When your trucks are low to the ground, you won’t be able to lean too far from side to side; otherwise, it will cause wheel bite, which will kick you off your board. The higher the truck, the more lean you can get.
FAQ
What are the best longboard trucks for downhill?
If you plan on doing a lot of downhill longboarding, you will want trucks that keep you in control and at high speeds.
I recommend a longboard truck with a lower degree baseplate as they ride lower to the ground and offer more stability.
I suggest getting a reverse kingpin with a tight bushing seat for control and stability at high speeds. The best longboard trucks for downhill racing are the Caliber Cal II Trucks.
Do trucks matter on a longboard?
Yes, longboard trucks are one of the most important parts of a longboard. Without trucks, you would have a deck and wheels and no way to connect them.
Longboard trucks are also essential to turn your board and help keep you in control when riding.
Are all longboard trucks the same?
No, depending on the angle of the baseplates to where the kingpin is, your longboard truck will work differently depending on how the truck is set up. If you want to do downhill racing, you will want a lower angle.
Conclusion
What are the best trucks for longboards? Depending on your riding style, you will want a specific type of longboard truck.
The best longboard trucks are the Bear Grizzly longboards – they are very versatile and have a great turning radius. They are the perfect truck for sliding and carving.
If you want to get into longboard dancing, I highly recommend Bear Grizzly. They are perfect for beginner longboarders.
If you are looking for the best longboard truck for commuting, I recommend the Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard truck.
They use softer wheels and bushings, which means you get a more comfortable ride. They are made for easy maneuverability and make it super easy to make tight and quick turns.
The longboard truck that I recommend for downhill racing is the Caliber Cal II Longboard truck. They are not too heavy and are super stable at high speeds. Be sure you get the 44-degree trucks if you plan to go faster than 30mph; otherwise, the 50-degree baseplate will be perfect.
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