Top 9 Best Trucks For Longboards - Comprehensive Buying Guide

Introduction

The best trucks for longboards play a critical part in providing a nice longboarding experience. These parts are small but essential to support you to show your boarding skills like turning and carving.

There are many options out there, making you confused in choosing the most suitable ones for your situation, skating style, and level. To help you out in this issue, we have compiled a list of great products for your consideration, along with a helpful buying guide.

Of which, we choose the Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard Trucks as our winner for its excellent performance in providing smooth rides, compact design, high stability, and durability with separate turning points for improved surfing feeling.

But before we dive into our truck longboard review, let’s take a look at a helpful buying guide to know all the important factors of longboard trucks.

We don’t want to waste your time any longer. Let’s get started! Skateboard Cast.

TOP 9 Best Trucks For Longboards (Updated List)

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Best Trucks For Longboards Buying Guide

Longboard trucks are T-shaped metal pieces mounted on the deck’s underside and attached to the wheels. They are essential components if you want to customize your skateboard.

There are several key factors to consider when purchasing a great truck to optimize your longboarding experience. Below are essential tips and tricks to choose the most suitable truck.

Truck Hanger And Axles Width

It is a must for every longboard to have two trucks. They can be measured by using an axle or hanger width. Though they come with the same purpose, trucks exclusively made for longboards are greatly different from their standard counterparts.

Truck hangers are often wider to accommodate the difference in the deck size. Longboarders are advised to opt for wider trucks. Most trucks’ reverse kingpins measure 150 – 180 mm (5.9 – 7.0 inches).

There’s a big difference in the sizes of longboard trucks and skateboard models. That’s why they cannot be utilized interchangeably.

Truck Size

Another key factor you should check is the size of the trucks. It can rely on the deck’s size. For example, if you have a longboard deck of 8-9 inches, you will have to buy trucks of 139 – 169 mm (5.5 – 6.7 inches).

Thus, before buying trucks, it is best to measure your longboard’s deck. Low or high trucks are a concern as well.

Kingpin Trucks Reverse

The trucks of longboards can be either reversed or inverted kingpins. Longboard trucks are known as “reverse kingpin trucks” as the axles are entirely in the kingpin’s reverse direction compared to traditional kingpin models.

Plus, great ones feature softer bushings to provide better maneuverability and easy turning. On the other hand, downhill longboard trucks need to come with stiffer bushings to stabilize the boards at high speeds and deliver optimal control.

Base Plate

One of the important factors when buying longboard trucks is their base plate. It is a flat component attached to the longboard’s deck. The base plate can come with either four or six holes for mounting, depending on the deck.

If there is any issue, kingpins are replaceable with minimum effort. One more thing, remember to check the baseplate angle.

Bushing

All trucks of the longboards are customizable by interchanging their bushings. This part is available in different shapes such as eliminators, step cones, cones, barrels, and stepped barrels.

Of which, the cone bushing delivers the least restriction, while the stepped barrels eliminators are the most restrictive. If you seek a lively and nice free ride, you had better opt for the least restrictive or softer bushings.

Otherwise, if you want fast riding, it is advisable to choose highly restrictive eliminators. The highly restrictive bushing style is normally hard, whereas the counterparts are much softer.

The rider’s weight dictates the kind of bushings to go with. Heavy riders should choose hard bushings while light riders are compatible with soft variants.

Another key point of bushings is that they are quite affordable; you can buy a couple to customize the rides once in a while.

That said, nothing concrete can dictate the bushings to go for. Accordingly, it will depend on your preference and taste.

Bushing Seat

Another concern is the truck bushings. This part offers to cushion support to the truck’s other components.

Regular models come with two bushings. In case you want to do longboard tricks, you had better choose a restrictive bushing seat or a tight bushing seat.

Regardless, to gain more responsive turning, you will need softer bushings for your longboard.

Hanger

It is another key part of the trucks that normally comes with a T-shaped flat aluminum design attached to the board’s deck. It is also lightweight and durable, so it should not be over 10-13 oz.

Plus, the hanger of the longboard truck is best to measure at least a quarter of the deck’s size.

Risers

Last, you also need to check the risers of the trucks. They are small thick rubber-made rectangular pieces added to the longboard to raise and lower the height and vibration.

Once again, this part is attached, relying on the truck’s size. In other words, higher trucks don’t need risers. When purchasing longboard trucks, you will receive two skate units essential to install your longboard.

It’s imperative to acknowledge that the trucks include many different parts which are replaceable or bought as separate components. They are hangers, kingpin trucks, axles, and bushings.

Besides the wide variety of colors and sizes, there are different types of longboards, like pintail longboards, traditional cruisers, electric, drop down, snowboard, to name a few.

One more important point is to check if they come with lifetime warranties.

Design

It is an important feature behind any product. And longboard trucks are no exception.

The design is important to the truck’s longevity; a truck with superb design will provide a smooth and nice longboarding experience.

Materials

The best option will come with highly durable and sturdy materials, making them adapt to rough terrain. If you see a truck with a virgin aluminum adjustable baseplate, you can rest assured about its performance as it’s a heavy-duty material.

Stability

It is another key feature to determine which trucks are good. Trucks with high stability can provide a smooth and stable ride even at high speeds. Moreover, those products with reverse kingpins are ideal for a longboard’s stability.

Noise

If longboard trucks come with great bushing seats, they provide less noise than their counterparts. Noise is an inconvenient experience and can deter you from achieving a joyful ride.

Therefore, if your trucks get squeaky when turning, you can utilize tapes to tightly seal them to not make much noise anymore.

Price

The best longboard trucks have a competitive price to not put you off from purchasing great products.

Most options on our list come with a budget-friendly price tag, so you can rest assured to enjoy superb products without spending a huge amount on them.

Best Trucks For Longboards Reviews

Here are our reviews for the best trucks for longboards, along with their upside and downside for your consideration.

#1. Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard Trucks

Our winner is the Gullwing Sidewinder II for their exceptional performance in every aspect.

First, this truck’s combo can increase your maneuverability and deliver smooth turning thanks to its double kingpin design – much more impressive than single counterparts. With this feature, you can also find it effortless to get around the tight corners.

Plus, many praised its ability to provide exciting snowboarding and surfing experiences, thanks to a compact design of 8.43 x 7.52 x 3.31 inches – what a versatile product!

Moreover, it can give two separate turning points, giving you the optimal height for diving and a cool surfing feeling.

Nevertheless, this suggestion is not the best for high speeds as the truck can become unstable as it comes with soft bushings.

#2. Caliber Trucks Cal II 50° RKP Longboard Trucks

The runner-up spot belongs to the Cal II RKP from Caliber. It is an advanced successor to the Caliber Trucks Cal I. Every feature and detail of this suggestion is made of high-quality materials, delivering high durability for long-run use.

We give these trucks all of our accolades regarding durability. Irrespective of sunshine or rain, the Caliber Cal II can last more than two years before showing signs of tear and wear.

The truck is 40% sturdier than its predecessor, thanks to better materials of virgin aluminum. Moreover, the manufacturer beefs up the truck’s strength with new techniques in bushing seats.

They can reduce excess movements and prove a comfortable feeling simultaneously. We appreciate this precious element since it delivers stability and smoothness to the truck on any terrain.

As the Caliber II features a 50-degree angle base plate, it is great for more smooth carving and turning or handling the board with longer wheelbases. The angle of the truck can switch up how the board deals with it.

A low-angle truck can demand a leaner for every turn, whereas a high angle can give you more turn for leaning. Besides, the Caliber also increases the truck’s pivot cup surface contact with its base plate for a snugger fit.

You will find it easy to install the truck, and it will not cause you any issues. It is available in two options – without bearings and with bearings. Of which, the bearings version is ideal for cruising and downhill longboarding.

That said, you can feel slightly irritated as its bushings are quite loud.

#3. Yocaher Longboard Skateboard Trucks

The Yocaher Longboard Trucks deserves the title “Best For Sturdiness” on our list for its extreme strength and firmness. Particularly, it comes with axles and kingpins made of solid Chromoly.

This material is famous for its high durability and weather resistance. Thus, it is tough and can assist you in many riding journeys to come. The truck will not break, and you can easily lock it into grinds.

Another great thing is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. If there is any problem with the manufacturer’s defect, you can receive their support on end.

Not only is it strong, but it is also lightweight. It can deliver a quick response to slight leans. You can turn sharp corners with this truck set.

What we also like about this truck is its durable bushings that will not become worn. You will find that the baseplate’s holes will never strip either.

Thankfully, it is a surprisingly affordable option despite all the outstanding and sturdy features mentioned above. However, it is not an ideal choice for those seeking a double kingpin truck as it only features a single kingpin design.

#4. Paris Truck Co. V2 180mm 50° Longboard Skateboard Trucks

The next position belongs to the Paris Truck Co. V2 Longboard Trucks for the most fluid carves of turns it can offer. Thanks to the 50° baseplate, the truck becomes playful and responsive with an ideally fluid ride.

Plus, with a nonrestrictive and open bushing seat and a positive aluminum hanger rake, the truck can offer a full-tilt and lively turn perfect for smooth pumping and carving.

The Paris Truck Co. product stands out with a 180 mm hanger perfect for most decks out there and compliments all riding styles.

We also like this Paris Truck Co. V2 because of its branded kingpins and grade-8 steel axles for great sturdiness not many trucks out there can offer.

As the Paris trucks are made of virgin aluminum, it is ideally more durable and lighter than other materials. On the downside, we found that the Paris V2 is squeaky, possibly irritating you and maybe your neighbors.

#5. Thunder Unisex Team Longboard Trucks

Excellent for technology is the best phrase we use to describe this truck, and there is no doubt about it. This suggestion comes with an exclusive Hi-truck technology to provide you the best raise.

Also, it is 147 mm wide to offer you optimal hold irrespective of the surfaces you will ride on. Notably, the Thunder Unisex Team longboard truck is quite lightweight, and you will not feel it when you longboard across the streets and pavements.

It is available in a set of two so that you can easily fit it in your longboard without needing to bring in other pairs. We are also impressed with its stability when riding at high speeds.

For instance, when longboarding at 21mph, you can have a very smooth ride with no wobbles. As they are very versatile trucks, you can use them on various longboard brands. Although, for the best ride, it is advisable to go with longboards measuring from 7.5 to 8 inches.

Lastly, these durable trucks feature an exclusive quick response geometry so that you can get highly responsive rides on most surfaces. However, we found that it is just a single kingpin truck, not a double one.

#6. Havoc Skateboard Longboard Trucks

The Havoc trucks appear on our list for their ability to deliver grippy touch to ensure your safety and hinder you from skidding. Thanks to its hard bushings, this feature provides comprehensive control when skating, especially when riding downhills.

Moreover, you will find no difficulty taking turns or 180° slides with these trucks while enjoying its extremely rapid bearings. Another plus point is its high durability.

Whether sunshine or rain, it is ready to last you a long time, thanks to the weather-resistant design. Besides, its aluminum alloy finish also grants the truck a strong touch and makes it quite lightweight.

We also like its size for its high compatibility with many decks and wheel sizes. The best longboard wheels for this suggestion are 52 mm 99A wheels.

Last, we highly appreciate its bolts and screws hold well when tightened.

That said, it is slightly difficult to install, and you need to be careful to set it up accurately. Otherwise, its bearings will not work well.

#7. Independent 169 Stage 11 Trucks

This truck wins our hearts for its elegant look, and you can choose between two variations of black and silver colors. It is the first truck made in cooperation with skaters’ favorite: Thrasher Magazine.

The appearance is, of course, eye-catching with polished silver hardware, red cushions, a pad-print logo, and a baseplate in matte black. The Independent trucks also stand out with their superb performance and build that doesn’t disappoint us.

The base plate and hanger are made of 356 aluminum for a lightweight and durable design. Meanwhile, the axles come with 4140 Chromoly high-quality material, delivering sturdiness to the truck.

Besides, you will have a grade-8 reverse kingpin coming with this suggestion to deliver a smooth and fluid ride. But if you seek high-quality trucks that can offer the best brushing, this suggestion might not be your answer.

#8. Core Bigfoot Pathfinders Longboard Skateboard Trucks

The next position belongs to the Core Bigfoot Pathfinders trucks as they can deliver the best icy smooth slides. This outstanding characteristic is thanks to the stone-ground finish and rounded edges, providing predictable slides at launch.

Another notable point is their 80A Super high rebound hardness with a dimension of 70 x 45 mm (2.8 x 1.8 inches). This feature also helps retain roll and grip characteristics.

Plus, it comes with lightweight and heavy-duty aluminum alloy for high durability. You can rest assured to use them for a long time.

Moreover, the truck features grade-8 steel kingpins and axles to provide a joyful and smooth riding experience for you without any speed wobbles.

Besides, you can rest assured about its durability as all of its bushings and pivot cups are manufactured in the USA. However, it can perform better if it is a double reverse kingpin instead of a single model.

#9. Core Bigfoot Islanders Longboard Skateboard Trucks

The last pick is a smaller version of the Core Bigfoot Pathfinders. It measures 65 x 45 mm (2.5 x 1.8 inches) with a 78 SHR hardness. Like its bigger model, this design helps the truck get a great amount of side-ability, grip, and roll.

However, this variation stands out for improved rounded edges for better ease of sliding and carving. Plus, the set core also allows you to rotate and flip wheels for longevity.

Regarding the materials, kingpins, and axles, the Islanders truck comes with lightweight and heavy-duty aluminum alloy, paired with grade-8 steel kingpins and axles and USA-made pivot cups and bushings to ensure lightweight and durability.

Lastly, it comes at a more affordable price while providing such the above features. The only downside is its single kingpins. It would deliver smoother rides if the manufacturer equipped it with double ones.

Difference Between A “Reverse Kingpin” And “Traditional” Longboard Truck

The kingpin in reverse kingpin trucks is on the axle’s opposite side, unlike the way they are in the traditional model. These kingpins’ placement is entirely reversed, as their name suggests.

When considering which type is better for boarding, the reverse kingpin trucks appear ideal as they turn more than standard kingpin truck products and deliver better turning and carving.

That said, reverse kingpin types are taller than traditional skateboard ones. As a result, they slightly raise the board’s general height.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common people often ask when choosing trucks for longboards.

Do Trucks Matter On A Longboard?

Certainly! A longboard comes with three main parts, including a board, trucks, and wheels. So they are indispensable to a longboard.

There are some prestigious brands to look into when purchasing trucks, such as Gullwing, Caliber, and Core Bigfoot. In this article, we look at reverse kingpin trucks appropriate for longer wheelbases on the riding longboards.

What Are Double Kingpin Trucks Good For?

Double kingpin trucks can deliver the smoothest response with extra fluid turning. It outweighs standard and reverse kingpin ones in this aspect.

Accordingly, this kind of truck provides a tight turning radius and smooth cruising compared to single kingpins.

Final Thoughts

So you have gone through our best trucks for longboards. In a nutshell, all of the suggestions mentioned above provide a great riding experience and are suitable for different types of riding, thanks to their eye-catching and precise design, bushings, kingpin reverse, to name a few.

Also, they are especially affordable to your budget, so you will not need to worry about the price range. So what are the best trucks longboard?

Quick answer: the Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard Trucks is our best overall for its excellent performance in providing great maneuverability and smooth turning. Moreover, they come with a double kingpin design that not many products can offer.

Not to mention, with these trucks, you can easily get around the tight corners.

Anyway, we hope our article is helpful for you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to let us know. Thank you for reading.