I learned the hard way, bombing a hill in San Francisco. Speed wobbles hit me halfway down, and for a split second, I thought that was it. I barely rode it out.
That moment showed me just how much truck tension controls everything about how a board feels – and how dangerous it can get if it’s wrong.
Your trucks are your steering system. Get them wrong and you’re not just uncomfortable, you’re in real danger.
After decades of skating and helping others set up their boards, here’s everything you need to know about how tight your trucks should be.
The Sweet Spot
Too tight, and your board feels stiff and lifeless. Too loose, and it turns unpredictable, even at low speeds. The goal is balance – responsive enough to carve smoothly but stable enough to keep you upright.
I once adjusted a kid’s setup whose trucks were so tight his board wouldn’t turn. One small tweak, and suddenly he was carving smooth circles like he’d been skating for years. That’s the difference a quarter turn can make.
Instructor Jake Morrison recommends starting with your kingpin nut flush with the bolt threads. That’s a stable baseline – safe for beginners, easy to fine-tune. From there, you can adjust based on your style and comfort.
Think of it this way: your board should never feel like a fight. If every carve feels like arm wrestling, you’re too tight. If every push feels like you’re standing on jelly, you’re too loose.
The right tension feels natural – like the board is doing what you want without effort.
Tight vs. Loose
Tight trucks mean stability. Loose trucks mean flow. Both have their place.
Tight trucks shine when you’re learning tricks, skating fast, or dropping into big ramps. They give predictability, which is priceless when you’re committing to something new.
Many skaters crank their trucks before filming video parts or skating dangerous transitions – because consistency matters more than freedom in those moments.
Loose trucks, on the other hand, feel like surfing pavement. They allow deep carvings, smooth lines, and quick adjustments in tight spaces.
Some skaters build their entire style around loose setups, weaving through streets with effortless flow. But looseness demands skill. Without balance and awareness, that same freedom can send you flying.
Biomechanics experts back it up: tighter setups deliver immediate, predictable control, while looser setups challenge your reflexes. Both are valid – your choice depends on your skill and what you want out of your ride.
Warning Signs Your Setup is Off
Speed wobbles are the clearest signal, and ignoring them can end in injury. You may also notice your board shaking as you pick up speed, pulling to one side without reason, or struggling to keep a straight line even on flat ground.
Sometimes it’s not even something you see – it’s that gut feeling that your setup just feels wrong. Take those warnings seriously.
Stop, tighten up, and adjust before you roll into bigger trouble. Even a quick turn of the wrench can turn a sketchy session into a safe one.
I’ve seen too many friends push through that uneasy feeling only to slam hard. Trust your instincts. They’re usually more accurate than your confidence.
How to Adjust Trucks
Adjusting trucks isn’t complicated, but every small change matters. Flip your board and find the kingpin nut. Clockwise tightens, counterclockwise loosens.
Work in quarter turns. Small moves make big differences.
Test your changes by leaning on each side of the deck. Both trucks should respond evenly – if one side feels dead or sloppy, you’ll struggle to keep balance.
Adjustment scale:
It’s better to sneak up on the right feel with small adjustments than overshoot and fight your setup for weeks.
Match Your Setup to Your Style
Different styles call for different tensions. Street skating usually benefits from medium tightness – stable enough for trick consistency but responsive enough to handle ledges and rails.
Cruising calls for looser trucks so you can carve easily and flow with each push. Vert skating demands tight trucks because the speeds and forces are much higher – you can’t afford instability when you’re ten feet up a ramp.
I keep three setups: a street deck that’s medium-tight for flip tricks, a cruiser that’s loose for carving through the city, and a vert board that’s locked down tight for ramps. Each one has a distinct personality, and switching between them reminds me why truck tension matters so much.
The Role of Bushings
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Bushings are the rubber cushions inside your trucks, and they affect feel as much as tightness. Hard bushings provide stability, while soft bushings increase responsiveness.
Heavier skaters often need harder bushings for support, while lighter skaters usually prefer softer ones.
Weather plays a role, too. Cold air stiffens bushings, making your trucks feel tighter. Heat softens them, making everything feel looser.
Don’t be surprised if your board feels different in January than it does in July – it’s the bushings reacting to temperature.
Fresh bushings also need break-in time. A brand-new set feels rigid at first, but after a few sessions, it conforms to your riding style. Resist the urge to over-adjust during that break-in period.
Going Loose the Smart Way
Loose trucks are fun, but they’re not for beginners. They require strong balance and constant awareness.
The safe way to explore looser setups is gradual: loosen in quarter turns, test on smooth pavement, and avoid steep hills until you’re comfortable.
If anything feels sketchy, tighten back up. Doubt in your setup will always translate into doubt in your skating. Confidence comes from trust, and that trust starts with gear that feels right.
Advanced Adjustments
Once you’ve got the basics, you can experiment with asymmetric setups: front truck tighter for stability, back truck looser for maneuverability. Many pros ride this way because it combines predictability with flow.
Check your trucks often. Impacts and heavy sessions slowly loosen components, so what felt perfect last week may feel unstable today.
Mark your preferred tightness with tape or take photos so you can always return to your sweet spot.
Your Setup Evolves With You
Your perfect tension today won’t be perfect forever. As you progress, you’ll find yourself making changes. Beginners often ride tight for security. As skills improve, many loosen their setup for more expression.
Dr. Kevin Park, who studies skate biomechanics, explains it well: the most successful skaters treat their setup as something that adapts with them, not something fixed forever. Your trucks should evolve as your confidence, tricks, and style evolve.
The goal never changes: safety, performance, and personality in balance. When you dial it in, the board disappears under your feet and becomes part of you. That’s the feeling every skater chases.
Final Word
@auntyskates Everybody Tells You To Tighten Your Trucks But Nobody Tells You How or why 🔩 Follow for more beginner-friendly skateboarding tips! #skateboardingtips #trucks #skateboardtips ♬ original sound – 🛹Mom Learning to Skate🛹
Your trucks control your ride more than any other part of your board. Tighten for stability. Loosen for flow. Adjust in small steps. Pay attention to bushings, conditions, and your own instincts.
Find that balance, and your skateboard won’t just carry you – it will move with you. That’s the real magic of a perfect truck setup.